Just got a Project, un-expectedly. where to start????

[greanie2011]

Hello all . . . . I have been a member for some time (Since my first VW Bus purchase back in . . . 2015 i think) and havent posted much. I found most of what i needed in the "Archives" here on the forum so kept pretty much to my self with all the information here it was just a matter of piecing it together.

Well now i have done it . .. . i got a project that i have no idea where to start, or where i want to go (I have some ideas but need to make sure all the pieces will fit together).

1966 Panel Bus .. . Rust is considerable, but its mostly all straight and there. Except the Front End!!! Appears to have been in a front end collision at some point in its recent past.

The Dilemna:
What metal do i need to get started? (Or do i even start with the Metal)

The Goal (or Goal#1): is to have a complete bus, meaning put this front end back on .. . if i decide to sell in the future due to whatever life issues come up (Or to fund another project) i think a whole bus will sell better than part of a bus.

I also feel this is the biggest and most time consuming portion of this whole project, so i kinda want to start chipping away at it first.

I want to start a list of stuff i need to start buying for this thing . . .Please Help!

(My bus Knowledge and History - I currently own a '70 Bay Westy, was not running or driving when i purchased it and the interior was all shot . .. Its now Mostly Driveable and the interior looks amazing. i did brakes and engine work mostly myself and the interior with some minor assistance. I have also had other project vehicles that were not far from running with a little bit of elbow grease . . but nothing to this extent.)

[BerylGreen63]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2084235

I would start with something like this to give you a good head start. I hope you are good with a welder and measuring.

[Eric&Barb]

You need everything in a donor section from just behind "B" pillars forward if someone is doing a quick chop up. With or without the bulkhead panel is fine.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Eric&Barb]

[AndrewS85]

Check this out

http://oneelevenwebdesign.com/vw-bus/

[Spike0180]

[greanie2011]

So i had a quick look (It was Dark out so i didnt take any pictures yet) and i cant see any other frame damage than what is obvious (But my eyes are not Laser straight either).

Should i take this to a "Collision" body shop and have them do the front end?

I wonder if i can find enough NEW parts . . . instead of finding a Donor front end. It took me long enough to find a bus i could afford and thats why i ended up with one in this condition .. . No telling how long it would take to find a Donor .. . Unless someone knows where one is in central texas.

Thanks for the Help .. More pictures to come soon.

[edgood1]

Looks like a good candidate to make a stretch limo bus.

I hate to say it but If you're paying someone to repair that you would probably be better off finding one in better condition.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[Eric&Barb]

[62DoKaGuy]

[crofty]

[Eric&Barb]

[romegadave]

Good luck on the project!
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Type 2 Second to None
but have to find one first!

[greanie2011]

So at this point i have no idea on what it will cost if i take it to a body shop to do some of the "Larger" work for me.

Im not afraid to get my hands dirty on a portion of this project. But i have learned through life that sometimes its best to pay a professional to do a Job . . .and im curious if this is one of those Jobs where i need to consult and hire a Professional.

Panels and other things are not too scary for me . . . Ill learn to weld and so forth on those cut and paste projects. But the WHOLE FRONT END . . . kinda scary.

Also . . . Value on this bus . . .i feel like i could put alot of money into this bus and it will probably be worth alot of that money still.
Looking at Split-Panel Buses and i see prices still north of what im projecting this thing to cost in repairs . . . Hopefully

[crukab]

And how are you projecting those costs ? Buying & having someone put that front clip on could cost you $10K......
You might be able to find a Bus that has been rear ended, cut the front off & graft it onto your Bus, but to pay someone to do it would be co$tly, can you weld ? Or do you have a line on the front end ??
I cut up a toasted Singlecab last Fall, the roof went to Cali,. the truck bed to N.J., still have the nose, not enough for what you need, but someone has those parts out there...

20 + years in the woods, not much left........
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Tom

My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....

In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon

[62DoKaGuy]

[Malokin Martin]

For much much less than it would take to start to finish that Frankenstein, you could have another 1966 fat signal panel already done. And it’s a double door


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2191687

[crukab]

[greanie2011]

Im keeping my hopes up that i can put this bus together and bring another Split back to life . . .someone has to do it.

[62DoKaGuy]