Room for one more? WildIdea's 1960 camper bus

[WildIdea]

Bit of an update as I see now I've been absent with this thread for 6 months. Good news though, the Room for one more? thread may become retitled to the "This bus project inspired me to move and build a shop" thread.

We've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out finding property I can build on, but also in the right location in a rather tough market. I won't bore you with the complexities, but we recently closed on a new home and started the process of moving my family and belongings to the new place. We've lived in this last home 19 years and raised our family here so pretty dug in. Doing the whole purge and all, feels bittersweet!!

One of the most critical pieces of the move will be getting Blue out to the new place first. Brian graciously agreed to help me with this piece an I'd be in trouble without his help. The other buses can move out under their own power. A pretty decent snow storm fell last week and I've been shoveling for days. Was pretty enjoyable making a passage to free this baby.

Flattened the bed down and filled the bus up with every part I could find that is connected to the project. Centered her up and had her off the dollies ready for its ride out.

I'm sure you all know it can be stressful arranging all the pieces in a move. It's not all we have going on either. Just Bonkers over here. Super cool to see Brian and his Dad show up with extra muscle and their car trailer. Worked pretty slick to line her up and push her on the trailer.

She looks good in the sun. I forgot how neat and straight she is. I couldn't really appreciate her beauty tucked in that bay that's more suited for a golf cart. Always was a push to get her rolling in anticipation for just this day. Thanks to all who helped me get to this point.

At the new home, with all the snow still laying around, Brian's Dad had to back up the entire driveway.

After that it was a snap to roll her off and push her into the corner on the dollies. This is where she will sit until the shop is built. Lots to do until then. None of it is bus work But it is all a part of the larger plan to get into a better situation to make working on buses more enjoyable. Thats about it! I'll probably go dormant while I get all this sorted out! Thanks Friends!!

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1977 Sage Green Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691987
1965 SWR Walk-Through Standard
1960 211 Panel American Camper Conversion

[cdennisg]

Congratulations on the new digs. Take your time getting it right. We'll wait.
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nothing

[AS350driver]

I’m just glad to see you post anything it’s been a while. Was afraid the mothership came back to Devil’s Tower and abducted you!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pu-W292TsRM

[mandraks]

congrats. good to have a shop
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regards

Uli

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

[Jim Bear]

Congrats on the move. Heck yeah on the impending shop.
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"You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus." ~kk
'85 Vanagon Westy - George In the Stable 2020-?/'74 Weekender - Ophelia In the Stable 2007- ?/'69 Beetle Convertible - SOLD 2017-2020/'67 Beetle - September SOLD 2013-2016 /'67 SO42 Westy - Sage SOLD 1996-2001 /'69 Transporter - Baby Blue SOLD 1995-1995/'72 Westy - Nelly - SOLD 1990-1995--STOP FRACKING

[DubStyle]

I have to ask, is this the bus that sat off Hwy 44 no to far from Canyon Lake? I tried for a few years to buy one from a guy who had one that looked a lot like this for 5 years. I finally gave up and one of my friends back there told me it had been finally sold. I vaguely remember there be a receptacle on the side or back corner. I'll go back and look at your pictures.
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Anthony

SBS #1
SBS #1 on FB

"The original & best lowered Split Bus website/club"

[WildIdea]

Season’s Greatings people!
Well, it’s been a whilrwind year! Moved into new place end of April 2023 and spent the last several months getting everything settled. I won’t go into every personal detail, but it’s safe to say y’all know it’s a lot of work and I had to do it around my normal responsibilities. Got to go on a few bus cruises, but little to no time to work on fixing buses.….. I’m here to report on my upcoming workshop. I know this pause will pay off big time once I can occupy it I’m sure I will catch up quickly and then some.

We opted to go for a shop that was closer to the house. Detatched, corner to corner within 10 feet of existing attached garage. With this close proximity, I’m going to match materials and esthetic to the existing home and seeing it as more an addition than an out building. 30X36 with 10 foot ceiling. It’s the largest we could get on this area considering the location of underground utilities. I feel I will be able to park two buses or cars in this building and still have room for tools and projects. Feels like a huge improvement to what I was working with at our last place where I learned how to economize every inch of a workspace.

Our last winter in western Dakota was an above average amount of yearly snowfall that in the spring time turning into a huge amount of rain….everyday rain that put down measurable amounts. This put our estimated August build start date 3 months behind. I was looking to avoid a winter build, but it is exactly what we’re having. Still, very grateful to have gotten started and my patience is paying off as my builder is now on-site every day and crushing it. This fall and winter has been cooperating, we havnt’ t had my snow yet and all days are still above freezing, so concrete work is not interrupted. They say once the crete work is done, the winter won’t affect the build at all, so fingers crossed. We’re slated to pour the shop floor the day after Christmas. Happy to have the day off to help them muck and clean their tools. I know concrete but I’m not flexing, just showing them I know what to do by being their helpful laborer and tool cleaner etc.

The plan at this time is to be able to get our two daily drivers inside along with these 3 buses. Tons of work benches and overhead shelving. Eliminate storage unit and bring in larger tools like sand blast booth etc. I have my first small lathe in hand waiting in the wings. Visuallising a welding table. I’ll prob have to pull a few cars in there when I can to start making practical plans I can base on reality.

If this goes up by April I will have it to use within a year and that seems reasonable considering all the moving parts. I don’t know what I’m going to be able to make in this space, but for sure, I’m going to finish the ‘60 camper bus first.
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1977 Sage Green Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691987
1965 SWR Walk-Through Standard
1960 211 Panel American Camper Conversion

[MonT3]

Glad to see you got moved into your new digs and are making space for some cave action. I'm getting things put together to get a detached at my place so I can get back to working on my Squareback and Vair. My other garages are full right now waiting on the shop. I'm sure you'll enjoy the new space and you'll fill it up quick. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
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MonT3
67 Squareback
64 Squareback
63 Squareback
Engine rebuild
Trailer rebuild

[Bendango]

Very happy to see this thread pop up on Christmas Day! Wishing you the best for the move & new year. Will be great to see more posts when time allows.
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I want a real garage.

WANTED - [WTB] 55-62 Bus Thin Lip Package Tray SWR

Getting Used - SWR 60 westy copy built by vw ( apparently )
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320866

[WildIdea]

[WildIdea]

[Bendango]

I like the way you approach these setbacks. Great mentality.
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I want a real garage.

WANTED - [WTB] 55-62 Bus Thin Lip Package Tray SWR

Getting Used - SWR 60 westy copy built by vw ( apparently )
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320866

[earlywesty]

Nice to see this thread pop up! Great updates and look forward to seeing progress all around. Great outlook to start a new and productive year with!

[WildIdea]

[WildIdea]

[Bendango]

[quote="WildIdea"]

[WildIdea]

[quote="Bendango"]

[Bendango]

Rock on!!! 🤘
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I want a real garage.

WANTED - [WTB] 55-62 Bus Thin Lip Package Tray SWR

Getting Used - SWR 60 westy copy built by vw ( apparently )
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=320866

[MonT3]

Your garage is looking good! Getting that done has got to be a great feeling knowing you’ll have all your tools and bits and pieces in one place. I began to fill out my work permit to get submitted so I can get on my builder’s schedule. Need to measure distances and plot them as part of the application. I’m going to put in a 30x40 in my back yard so I’m very excited like to you to plan things out. Think the inside of your place is going to look cool with the steel ceiling and metal siding. Ge that industrial look going!
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MonT3
67 Squareback
64 Squareback
63 Squareback
Engine rebuild
Trailer rebuild

[j.pickens]

Nice, they are making quick work of the framing!

Now, here in New Jersey, they absolutely would not let me build a garage with trusses at the gable ends like that. You had to construct the end walls with vertical studs extending from the bottom wall to the top edge of the truss without interruption. That, along with requiring metal vertical uplift straps at all places where studs attached brought the cost of stick built over the cost of a metal building. There were literally hundreds of metal ties, requiring thousands of fasteners. I am 35 miles from the shore, and after Superstorm Sandy, they raised the wind loading requirements significantly.

I could have just had a bare pole barn built, get it approved and inspected, then put in electrical, insulation, drywall, etc. after the fact, but I didn't want a building which would no longer be zoning compliant.
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Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner