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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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A dream came true today. Picked up a march 54 standard. I became aware of it a few years ago. It wasn't for sale but I made it known it would be my dream project. Two weeks ago I was messaged that it may be available. Next day a deal was made. Owner wanted to see it restored but decided it was a little more than he wanted to tackle.
I wanted a project that was more of a challenge than my 64 but not so far gone that everything would need replacing. Also needed to be something worth all the work. This bus is perfect. A lot of metal is in good condition and just need some rusty bits replaced. Frame is mostly good and will need a few bits replaced. Left wall needs replacement as at some point two doors were cut in the side. They did a good job so doesn't look like a hack job. No idea what they were for.
_________________ My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings) |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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von_hansel  Samba Member

Joined: June 12, 2006 Posts: 739 Location: Inland Empire
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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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Awesome score! What is the game plan for it?
You did an amazing job on your 64 kombi. I'm excited to see the end result of this barndoor _________________
Mugatu wrote: |
von_hansel is still so hot right now |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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von_hansel wrote: |
Awesome score! What is the game plan for it? |
Similar to the 64 except better I want it as close to factory as possible within my budget. One exception is I plan to put newer brakes (55-63) as I plan to drive it and believe this is an acceptable change. Could have correct brakes installed later anyway.
Going to do all the mechanical stuff first. Front beam, Steering box, pedals, transmission, reductions and motor this winter. This may seem like an odd place to start but I want to put it in our local car show each year. So next year this time I can drive it into the show area looking like it does. I did the same thing with our 64 and many found the progress entertaining. This will also give me time to rearrange the shop some and get more tools and parts.
Next year I will start metal work. Much can be repaired and many parts can be built. I will purchase the complex parts like doglegs and floor panels. Just going to take a lot of time to get everything perfect. Think 2 years for metal. Will be getting some new metal working tools that I wished I had when doing the 64. It will go on a frame jig and have the body removed. Quite a bit of the body will need to be disassembled to remove all the rust but looking forward to that process. It will also be correctly spot welded together.
Then paint in original colors with correct overspray and all that silliness.
The interior may be a problem. Panels not so much as I can make them and find correct covering. Not sure how I will afford seats though. Hoping I can come across some rusty frames that I can repair. Another possibility is to build them but finding exact measurements could be a problem. Anyway I have a few years to figure that out. Like with the 64 I am not going to worry too much about correct bolt on parts as I will swap them out for correct ones as luck and finances allow. _________________ My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings) |
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EJZero1 Samba Member

Joined: June 12, 2004 Posts: 184 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:33 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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Can’t wait to see this one take shape! I, too, read every installment of your ‘64 transformation in awe.
This is going to be good! _________________ ‘60 Kombi, The “Bob Dowell Van” |
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Terry Gaudet  Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 400 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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Can't wait to see it. I have my 52 BD almost ready for the road. Going with a Judson 36hp motor. _________________ Terry Gaudet
1950 Beetle Standard
1955 Canadian Custom
1956 Kombi w/SO23 kit
1965 Kombi walkthrough
1965 Double Cab |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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Unloaded and in the shop.
Was going to stick some junk 56 spindles on so it would role around. Apparently I need to flip them or something as the arm is too low for the tie rod. Time for some searching.
Sprayed penatrating oil on a bunch of stuff yesterday and the hinges were free today. . Passenger door is locked or something. Outside handle moves freely but doesn't do anything. Inside handle is stuck so will need to pull back the door panel and see what I can do.
All switches move and feel perfect. I assume the thing below starter switch is not stock. Pedels are free. Park brake is stuck.
Found some stuff while cleaning. Shift lever and hinge are good and maybe mirror arm. Rest has seen better days.
_________________ My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings) |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Scotty Samba Member

Joined: July 02, 2003 Posts: 1549 Location: Northampton - Uk
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Mr. OGPaint Samba Member

Joined: September 24, 2010 Posts: 833 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:42 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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55-62 spindles and LPs will fit the arms, but as you've noted the steering arms on the later spindles are in the wrong location (too low). _________________ https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall |
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Burlyhammer Samba Member

Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 1694 Location: Great north woods Maine
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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Wow! I am extremely excited for you. The bus is massive and looks like a great project. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress! |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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ronjonlasvegas Samba Member

Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 936 Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 5:46 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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sgellis wrote: |
A dream came true today. Picked up a march 54 standard. I became aware of it a few years ago. It wasn't for sale but I made it known it would be my dream project. Two weeks ago I was messaged that it may be available. Next day a deal was made. Owner wanted to see it restored but decided it was a little more than he wanted to tackle.
I wanted a project that was more of a challenge than my 64 but not so far gone that everything would need replacing. Also needed to be something worth all the work. This bus is perfect. A lot of metal is in good condition and just need some rusty bits replaced. Frame is mostly good and will need a few bits replaced. Left wall needs replacement as at some point two doors were cut in the side. They did a good job so doesn't look like a hack job. No idea what they were for.
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Congrats, what a cool bus. I started to look at the pictures and it looked like a double door standard. I see that you say the doors on the left side were hacked in now. My first instinct was that I have never seen a barndoor double door standard only panels. If you have not done so yet order the birth certificate from VW so you can see what this bus started life as. This is a huge project, but I am excited to see you tackle it. I did folllow along with your last bus restoration thread. _________________ September 1964 Standard Sunroof walk through SWR/BG original paint. |
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sgellis Samba Member

Joined: July 06, 2016 Posts: 2123 Location: SW Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 5:57 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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ronjonlasvegas wrote: |
... If you have not done so yet order the birth certificate from VW so you can see what this bus started life as. This is a huge project, but I am excited to see you tackle it. I did folllow along with your last bus restoration thread. |
Just ordered it 30 min ago. Haha kept getting the "payment process could not be started" error so tried with PayPal and it when through.
I really hope it was imported into port of Halifax. Should know within the next 3 to 20 weeks.  _________________ My 64 Kombi restoration
My camper interior build
My 54 standard restoration
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (YouTube)
The Nova Scotian Barndoor (CAD drawings) |
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Big Bull Shooter Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2018 Posts: 514 Location: Canadian Rockies
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Nova Scotian 54 standard restoration |
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That's quite a project you got there! I'm originally from NS, and got my love for old VW's from the Marshall family that owned Marshall Motors in Kentville. Are you in the Shelburne area? _________________ Where would this hobby be if no one shipped parts.
crukab
Feb. 11, 2021
Smokey says.... only you can prevent Bug fires!
zerotofifty
May 16, 2023 |
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