A bus (and vw) newbie....

[chgrec]

I have owned 58 cars so far and #59 is a project my wife suggested. Its a VW split window bus. fresh off a 3 year restoration of a 74 MGB http://www.mgexp.com/member/chgrec#journal I just sold, my wife wanted me to do a VW bus and she specifically suggested a split window because of the look. Since I love my wife and she is much smarter than I am, I agreed.

So I begin with a double door van....One because I could afford it and two because it lends itself well to the vision my wife and I have toward the end result. That end result I'll share later....

For now, I'll share the starting point and try to post as I go forward. I had a blog on the MG experience but didn't see blog spot here so a new topic seemed to be the best way to share this journey. I love to work on cars and really love learning new marquees as well as have a respect for the engineering that went in to different cars so I will try to stay true to what the original designers thought with a nod to some modern conveniences....

Hopefully I can help others learn as I am sure to learn from others here....
First step, rip the floors....

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[Red Fau Veh]

59 vehicles, that sounds like my house. I only have 2 MGB's anymore but the rust is the same story as buses so you already know what to do. I suggest the Klassic Fab metal for starters. Keep on keeping on mr.!
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1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey

[chgrec]

Yeah, rust is rust no matter what country made it...cut, replace & weld is the mantra regardless. The trick is to know what to leave in place while you cut to keep the structure sound. I have read a lot of posts here and will continue to research & learn as I go...

Gotta love it!

Chris

[typ914]

You have your work cut out for you. I have seen this bus many times, the seller is an old friend. Glad he found some one willing to save it. Good luck would love to stop by and check on the progress.

[brettsvw]

Patina monster, Bravo for taking on such a task,

I will be watching for updates.
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.







My 59 kombi build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=635003&highlight=

My buggy build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=558601&highlight=

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=289807

[crukab]

Welcome to the Dark Side !!

That is one Patina Monster !!

I don't know much about the MG crowd, but most Bus people are a pretty helpful bunch, lots of RUST repair info, since so many here have been thru it.
_________________
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

[peecee69]

Looking forward to watching the progress!

[Pinetops]

[chgrec]

Thanks all...I couldn't have done the extensive restoration on the MGB without the MGexp.com web site and from what I have seen, this site seems just as helpful.

I got the bus from Ric @ rusty tubs in Roswell (ironic) and I enjoyed chatting with him as he had a ton of knowledge and some interesting projects.

I have been searching here and have already learned a bunch so far and I am really excited to work on the bus. I'll share as I am able.

Chris

[Pinetops]

Chris, it sounds like you are the right person to repair this bus considering your experience. I'm looking forward to your progress.

I'm thinking now that this bus may have passed through Herrell bug parts inventory at some point, I know I've seen it in person before. It doesn't really matter though, it's in the right hands now!


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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... you'll find lotza' parts for the bus resto... doing a 1962 Austin Healey Sprite, right now, What fun.
VWs are a different animal... best wishes...
You gunna paint that DD?
Also, workin' on a 1962 Bus and leaving the original red paint, where I can.

_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[chgrec]

I am indeed going to paint it as its original color was a very nice green. L380 Green according to the M plate. It will take me a few weeks to get all the toasted metal off the bottom half of the bus as I only work on it a couple hours each weeknight.

I have ordered a variety of initial replacement steel bits from a variety of places (Wolfsburg west, bus depot, Klassic fab) so I can get a feel for each place's quality & ordering process.

I am amazed how rusted the nuts and bolts are though not really surprised given the appearance. I have had to cut a few off but many are breaking free after soaking in PB blaster and hitting it with an air wrench. So back to the cutting and now it's a Flintstone bus.

[mandraks]

a turquoise double door panel, very cool, should look sharp when done!
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[chgrec]

Working my way through it still....Yeah, there's a little rust...I got all the doors off though I had to drill a few screws. I figure I'll leave it on its suspension for now, at least until I get the structural bits replaced. I may also weld in some re-enforcement to keep the "frame" straight and true. Seems that's the only part that's not rusted and Id hate to goof it up but twisting it before its ready.

Then I'll see if it will fit on my home made rotisserie I used for my B. Might only need a little tailoring to fit.

Got some of my first replacement metal today and more is coming tomorrow.
Should keep me busy through the holidays!

[easy e]

Go get'em!

The only other Turkis double door panel I've seen is the Stafford Egg bus.

Here's basically what it used to look like... a little inspiration for ya:

_________________
aka: Evan
Spreadsheet for Bus RPM, based on gearing & tire size (Excel format)
Searchable, click-navigable 1958 Bus Parts List

[Pinetops]

[chgrec]

Thanks for the kind words. I am motivated to get this done in much less time that the MGB took. I got some of my new metal yesterday, very exciting to see what it should look like without all that pesky rust. Hard to make much progress this time of year with all the Christmas events, family things and church stuff but those are priorities.

So slowly I cut, bit by bit....

[Pinetops]

Maybe this would be a good time to brace the body some like you mentioned? With as little of floor as it had before though, I'm not sure if it's going to make a difference if it's not going on the rotisserie yet. It may have twisted some already over the years if it was going to.

You may have to just figure out what the measurements should be so the doors and everything line up right when you weld it all up. I'm no expert on metal work but I'm sure some others (and old threads) can give you good advice on this if you need it.

Were there any signs left of the belly pans or were they totally rusted away?
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[chgrec]

Bracing is the next step and I have found some detailed dimensions here and on other sites that I'll reference to make sure its all lined up properly.

The doors, as rusty as they are, all closed with good gaps so I am pretty confident its still "square". I figure as long as I keep it level on the floor and on its suspension, I should be ok to weld up the bracing and then roll it over....

My theory will be tested when I put it all back together!

Chris

Edit: And I missed your question....Yes, the center belly pan & the passenger side were both intact and attached. Not salvageable but intact. The driver side was 1/2 gone...

[chgrec]

ooohhhh ..... aaaahhhhh.... Got me some shiny new metal!

I was able to do a quick test fit before the holiday break. After all the cutting, I just had to get a little instant gratification since I wont get back to it until after the 1st of the year with all we have going on.

Have a Merry Christmas & Happy new year!
(or what ever you may or may not celebrate this time if year)

Chris

(and yes, there is an extra cross member up front. I accidently ordered 4 instead of 3 and it just seemed to make sense to use it instead of returning it)