Casso the flipseat (August 1963) - not a restoration

Enkiel · Last edited by Enkiel on Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:58 am; edited 1 time in total

On July 21st, my father killed himself. I'll most likely never know what really happened, or why it happened, but it did, and there's sadly nothing i can do about it now. I'm definitely not the first to lose his dad, but suicide is probably the worst way to go. Since then i learned to forgive him, and accept his decision.

One of the last activity i did with my dad was over 9 years ago, when i got my old So42 back on the road after pulling it out of Vermont. We rarely agreed on anything while working on it, but in the end i had it registered in time for my wedding and honeymoon.

Sadly, after that, we rarely seen each other, and most time i called, or they called, i had little to say to my dad. We rarely talked about anything meaningful, but that's how my dad was. Still he was always there for me or my family, loved my kids, and i think overall was proud of what i did with my life.

Before his death, he gave me a sum of money, without any word on it, simply telling someone to give it to me. My first though was to do something with that money that will reminds me of him. Like "almost" everyone, i have debt, i want to travel and buy random stuff. But all this fades after awhile. Sure, paying debt helps, but will i remember it in 10 years? What will i look at and think "my dad bought me this as a goodbye gift"?

So i decided to go back to my love of old car, and get myself something. Looked at the classified for quite a few weeks, searched left and right for the right one. Considered everything, even local old muscle car. In the end, a few were interesting (while staying under strict budget), but no wow factor. Eventually, i contacted a famous (at least in my world) seller, asked him if he had anything in my price range. And he did!

So early august, i purchased a 1964 flipseat SO34, who spent the last 40 years sitting in a field in south USA. The interior is bare (1 cabinet left!), the m-plate is missing (vin still there, and title clear) and half his ass/side is from another bus, but that frakenstein bus is mine, and it's a flipseat!!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

With my still very strict budget, i'm still undecided on what to do.

Since it will be garaged until its death, i'm in no hurry to do anything. One thing for sure was that i want to put in it a brand new engine, since i loved the experience with my so42. So i went with Powerhaus, and ordered myself one of his nice engine.

I first want to make sure everything is preserved as well as possible. I will most likely not repaint the whole thing, so i want to save what is left. After that I want to make it mechanically sound, with good steering, suspension, brake and light all around. Then start on the rest (camper interior).

My goal is to get it on the road (no camper interior) for my third daughter's first day at school, which is september 2017.

To do list (before summer 2017, in no particular order) ;

- Bodywork
- - clean everything
- - Repair rust
- - - Fix what wasn't correctly fixed (rear corner, rocker)
- - - Replace cargo floor
- - - Repair front wheel arch
- - - Repair rear wheel arch
- - - Repair rear corner
- - - Repair pillar between window
- - - Repair area above engine
- - - Beat into submission rear paron
- - Preserve paint
- - Change some/all rubbers

- Fix engine
- - Remove old engine
- - Remove/clean/repaint gaz tank
- - Repair/Repaint engine compartment
- - Install Fire supression system
- - Install new Powerhaus engine
- - Make it work.

- Fix electricity
- - Convert to 12v
- - Replace wiring harness
- - Fix lights / horn / etc

- Fix Brakes.
- - Replace one of the RGB
- - replace anything that might need it

- Fix Direction.
- - check suspension for leaks
- - lube everything
- - Change tire

- Fix front seats
- - Remove old horse hair/upholstery - DONE !
- - Recover front seat

- Pass Inspection

Nice to have To do list (not required, but appreciated, in order of importance TO ME) ;

- Get a camper interior (reproduction, repaired, or old)
- Repaint interior and undercarriage
- Add safari front and rear
- Replace Front Beam and Transmission to lower the bus
- - Upgrade front brakes to disk
- Add reproduction Roof Rack and Ladder
- add Hurst Bumper front and rear

PS. Yes, my nice to have list is pretty long, and i almost feel ashamed to put safari/roof rack in front of good disk brakes, But it will never get an engine requiring better than stock brakes.

No matter what i do and what happens, i know i did the right thing, and bought the right bus. Since the purchase, i check the classified daily, and not a single bus made me regret my choice.

Some of the worst area ;

What is left of the spare tire

What is left of above the engine... for some reason, someone decided to put some rug over the rear, so it really did a bad job to the metal...

Not sure how to explain that damage... i feel like saying a tree fell on it... or it slide on its side for awhile...

Hard to see from that picture, but the dogleg look like its pulling out from the rest of the bus... kinda hard to explain, and pretty hard to see too... basically, its not straight where the rubber goes.

Need almost complete cargo floor... i could patch it (and i might) but i'm not convinced it will be faster than replacing the whole thing...

The apron. Think it can be saved? I'd really like to, but i'm not sure how to do it. Cut, pound into shape and reweld?

cru62 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:52 pm Post subject:

Send that apron to restojohnny. If he can't fix it, it can't' be fixed.
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Enkiel · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:53 pm Post subject:

cru62 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:28 pm Post subject:

It couldn't possibly look worse if you worked on it, right Wink

?
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ricekooker · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:50 pm Post subject:

Spending the money the way you did was perfect. A great way to have something to share with your kids later in life. Good luck!

karl h · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:47 pm Post subject:

sorry about you dad (i can relate) - a fitting tribute, hope you enjoy your bus
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Enkiel · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:25 am Post subject:

Thanks alot guys. It also really helps that my wife agreed on my 100%, and is about as excited as i am...

talking about excited, my daughters reaction almost look staged ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9UG6Ug4L44

crofty · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:43 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear about your Dad.

I've had a similar project though more complete that I started (seriously) last November. If you have questions or need measurements let me know.

here's my build thread-

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611253&highlight=
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Enkiel · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:15 am Post subject:

Pinetops · Samba Member Joined: March 24, 2007 Posts: 2987

I'm also sorry about your father. I think what you are doing is a great tribute to him.

Congratulations on getting another bus. Your daughters' reactions video is priceless!

I'll stay tuned for updates!
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Enkiel · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:16 pm Post subject:

Had about two hours tonight to spend on the bus. What did i do? well, beside removing the two rear tire, i removed a single engine-to-tranny nut. thats it. I didnt remember having so much difficulties installing an engine in there.

I managed to remove the passenger bottom side, but on driver side, i have trouble reaching it ; the heater box are in the way.

1. How do you remove those? I'm very tempted to just cut it off, but its hard to reach. Or is there a special trick i didn't think off to remove that engine?

the engine seems to be january 1962 (6539247). Once i manage to get it out of there, i'll try to see if it turns at all...

2. I'm not convinced the white is original (or the rest of the paint as a matter of fact). Is the white really supposed to fade like that? I've never seen old paint in the flesh, so i can't tell...

Lastly, some side picture. It's pretty straight imho, and i love the paint (even if its not OG!)

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

Excellent decision on what to do with that money. And it's not because I'm biased. Like you said, bills would get paid and then blow into the wind. This bus will be around forever and it'll continue to remind you of your dad. I can't wait to watch your progress.
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Pinetops · Samba Member Joined: March 24, 2007 Posts: 2987

It looks like original paint to me. They would paint one color all the way up and then spray the other color starting at the body line which is why you see green under the white.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

mandraks · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 7:19 am Post subject:

i agree, looks like original paint.

Unless, of course, the m-plate (behind the passenger seat) says something else. (edit: saw that m-plate is missing) Wait for the birth certificate.

I am surprised that you have a stale air heater box. can you post the engine number?
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Enkiel · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 7:21 am Post subject:

Pinetops · Samba Member Joined: March 24, 2007 Posts: 2987

Which curve?

Check this thread out:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...mp;start=0
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

Enkiel · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 8:44 am Post subject:

under the beltline (i think that's what you call it?). Basically, most OG paint i see have the top color fading from the top with the bottom almost intact.

Mine, it looks like ;

Faded
some Paint
Faded completely.

I guess it could be explained by how it was left for 40 years ; maybe it had its ass down, so the front was completely baking under the sun

EverettB · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 8:44 am Post subject:

Enkiel · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 7:06 pm Post subject:

took me awhile, but i managed to remove the other one... was definately easier to crawl from the back.

the top one were a bit of a pain too, but they are out now.

All i have left is pull it, but i'm a bit scared that it might be stuck pretty well in there... is there any special trick beside pulling really hard when its stuck?

EverettB · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:45 pm Post subject:

I've never had that issue but you said the rear wheels are off?

I would install the wheels and block them all from moving and apply the e-brake, all for safety so you don't pull it backwards off some jackstands.
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Casso the flipseat (August 1963) - not a restoration
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