ANOTHER VW Bus

kombi1976 · March 29, 2009, 06:56:46 PM

This weekend didn't start all that well.
Work hassles right at the end of the day on Friday had left me pretty jacked off and so I went home pretty down in the mouth.
Since my 1400km round trip to Melbourne last weekend attend the '09 VW Jamboree I've been itching to get another early Bus to be my next project.
My missus had heard in a round about way that there was an old one on a farm and so we headed out at about 3:30pm for the measurable drive in our '67 VW Panel to see if it was there.
When we arrived it was partly visible from the driveway but I wasn't sure.
The owner was impressed with the Panel and said it was fine so we wandered down through the paddocks and, sure enough, it was there.
It was very old and very rusty but certain attributes immediately struck me as making it a really old model, certainly earlier than our Panel.
So I went back up and told the owner I was extremely interested and would like to take it off her hands.
She checked with her husband but he wasn't interested and left it up to her.
She said they weren't attached to it and so she'd check out eBay and ring me back.
I was pretty high strung all Saturday night but I relaxed on Sunday and after church headed out to the rifle range for a working bee and the monthly meet afterward.
The warm weather was lovely and informal rimfire silhouette comp we had after testing centrefire loads was cathartic.
I returned home and only about half an hour later the phone rang and it was the owner.
I won't say the price but it was very good.
I wasted no time in getting back there yesterday arvo, paying for it and getting a receipt.
Of course, good is relative.
It has no motor, no seats, no drivers door, no rear apron, no glass, no lights, the cabin and cargo area floors are rusted through as are the sills on both sides, the steps, the doglegs, the wheel arches and the gutters in spots on both sides, the roof is pushed in at the back and there are lots of layers of house paint on it.
And where there isn't house paint there is plenty of surface rust and lichen.
But then this Bus isn't going to be a show pony or a trailer queen.
Somewhere under there is some original paint which tends to be almost bullet proof and I'll strip it back to that and then buff it like mad until it shines like a penny in a chimney sweep's ear.
The surface rust will stay and I'll hit it with Anchor Wax to stop it from rusting further.
Then it's a disc brake conversion and lowering for the front, IRS suspension, larger drum brakes and custom gearbox for the back and a Subaru 2.5l motor to be installed for plenty of power and ultimately aircon.
This bus will also get TONS of sound damping to make it comfortable to ride in.
My '67 Panel is comfy enough but the road noise is bad and on long trips I've even considered wearing earplugs although I haven't done so yet.
After asking some friends on an early VW Bus forum it turns out it's a '55 11 Window Microbus!
Even I didn't think it was that early.
But for the moment the trick will be finding another driver's door for it.
Maybe it's floating around the farm but I wouldn't even know where to start looking.
The woman I bought it from said it has been there since they bought the farm 18 yrs ago and they suspect it was parked there in the '70s!
Apparently it was "hippy" bus and used that way.
Poor thing - hippies may've thought they were saving the world but between them and surfers they sent a whole legion of nice VW Buses to rusty, run-down doom.

You've gotta admit that muscle cars were at least saved that indignity.
Here's a little pic to whet your appetites.
More when the '55 is safe at home.
I'm paranoid about that sort of thing and I think for good reason.

22hornet · March 29, 2009, 07:24:41 PM

Another project!

With all your kids, rifles and hunting trips and the Landie how do you find the time? Or more to the point, How will you find the time?

Seriously though, if it works out OK then good luck.

Hassles at work? Don't you work with kids? So what could possibly go wrong?

How was the Melbourne trip? Any pics of other VW's?

kombi1976 · March 29, 2009, 08:18:06 PM

Yeah, another project.
But my 2 Country Buggies are going.
I was initially liked them but got cold feet and wouldn't have bought them only that the missus insisted.
Now, with the '55 here I have the one project I've always wanted....a really early model 11 Window Bus that is quite special.
It's missing alot of bits but the stuff that isn't there is, for the most part, easy to come by.
The stuff that IS there is quite amazing....stuff I've never seen before, some of it.
I'll explain more when I post the pics.
The reason I've only posted the little one is that when people see pics they sometimes can sus out where it is and before you know it you're guzumped.
The owners seem very reputable and trustworthy but, well, it pays to be careful.
I want to get out there tomorrow and bring it home, especially since daylight saving ends on Saturday.
It just depends on helpers.
My rifles and hunting trips will take a rest for at least 3 or 4 months now as the missus is due to have No4 in late May, 2 or 3 days after the VW Nationals weekend actually.
I've instructed her that if she feels like she's going into labour she has to cross her legs and hold on until the Monday afterwards. :D
Also, my baby-bonus rifle will be put off for a few months to see if prices go down and generally to see if we can keep financial for a little while.
New Ruger No1s were $1340 6 months back and now they're $1570 so a little wait won't kill me, especially when I'm stuck at home.
More time to work on the '55.
Although you need to keep in mind that over Easter we're moving out of our house and renting close by because it's being extended over the next 6 to 7 months.
They're demolishing some old weatherboard extensions at the back and pulling the entire roof off then extending it another metre further back than it is presently in double brick, putting an A-shaped roof on and doing an attic conversion to create another bedroom, ensuite and 7m x 4m living area with balcony as well.
Complicated, right?
So the '55 is a LONG term project.
My '67 took 8 years to finish and I can't see the '55 taking a lot less.
I'd like to do a car resto course in Canberra like they do at Ultimo TAFE and I should save myself some dosh in that although much of the car will be repair panels.
The roof will be the real challenge and some bits will have to be done by a panel guy.
Unfortunately the hassles at work had to do with staff dynamics.
Let's say some people are REALLY cliquey and insular.

If you're interested in VW pics from the trip I'll do a thread on that too.
The trip to Melbourne was, well, all I'd hoped for and more.
It's not often that something lives up to and betters your anticipation but it did.

recoil junky · March 30, 2009, 06:12:50 PM

Ah, another project kombi. Looks like you'll have a bit of work to do to that one. The Suby engine souds intriging indeed. I can't say as I know a lot about boxer engines, so I'll take yer word for it.

Wonder if a 351W would fit backwards in there

.

Good luck old bean, finding the door might be bugger. Hopefully it's floating around a paddock som'ere's and you can get yer paws on it. Not the paddock full of poo, I hope

RJ

kombi1976 · March 31, 2009, 05:27:00 AM

Quote from: recoil junkyAh, another project kombi. Looks like you'll have a bit of work to do to that one.

No, ya think?

Quote from: recoil junkyThe Suby engine souds intriging indeed. I can't say as I know a lot about boxer engines, so I'll take yer word for it.

The Subie motor is an obvious conversion in my mind, so long as you can find an effective and aesthetically inoffensive location for the radiator/s.
And it's a no brainer......standard off the factory floor a 2.5l EJ25 produces 150hp and a '50s Bus weighs under a ton.
Ok, so chuck in seats and passengers and the weight goes up but compared to modern cars that's pretty good power to weight.

Quote from: recoil junkyWonder if a 351W would fit backwards in there .

You can laugh but it has been done before, although not to these old girls.
If they fitted V8s in these they usually mid mounted them in the cargo area.
There was a Panel getting around the USA with a 454 in it that had tubbed rear arches and 10" rims on the back.
There's another that's a salt lake racer with a similar set up but has been chopped as well.
Of course, complete heresy but certainly powerful.

Quote from: recoil junkyGood luck old bean, finding the door might be bugger. Hopefully it's floating around a paddock som'ere's and you can get yer paws on it. Not the paddock full of poo, I hope

Horses equals poo and there are a fair number of horses on the property.
Hopefully it's about although I have some leads from so other guys too so the outlook is still good if I can't find it.

davidlt89 · March 31, 2009, 04:23:49 PM

good deal Andy, I look forward to seeing the transformation!!!! God Bless.

recoil junky · March 31, 2009, 07:11:01 PM

I'm sure with a remote mounted radiator/s you'll be looking at electric fans. The raddiator in my youngest son's Legacy isn't all that big so I can't imagine you having much trouble finding a good location in the bus. I'm going to put one in the Mustang, but I have to do some more research before I decide on which one.

Is that 2.5 fuel injected? Must be if it's turning out 150 hp. I sense a super charger and bigger injectors. :D

RJ

kombi1976 · March 31, 2009, 07:25:59 PM

Quote from: davidlt89good deal Andy, I look forward to seeing the transformation!!!! God Bless.

Thanks Dave......so do I.
They're a really practical resto, being able to take up to 9 people depending on the number of seats you put in, and they also make great campers.
Pre-68 "split-screen" Buses are also worth a stack more than early Beetles in almost every sense.

Quote from: recoil junkyI'm sure with a remote mounted radiator/s you'll be looking at electric fans. The raddiator in my youngest son's Legacy isn't all that big so I can't imagine you having much trouble finding a good location in the bus. I'm going to put one in the Mustang, but I have to do some more research before I decide on which one.

The radiators made today are quite excellent and most buses like mine which have water-cooled conversions have their radiators mounted underneath where there is plenty of airflow and no aesthetic impact.
They also have thermo fans as you suggest.

Quote from: recoil junkyIs that 2.5 fuel injected? Must be if it's turning out 150 hp. I sense a super charger and bigger injectors....

Yep, it certainly is EFI, but I'll be sticking with the factory setup and computer.
Self balancing and tuning and no emissions problems or the like when I have to get an engineer's certificate to register it.

What you guys can do is pray for me that moving it this arvo goes well.
It rained last night and has drizzled today for period and I want to move the bus before the ground gets too sodden.
A mate from work is helping.
Just pray there are no problems....... :undecided:

recoil junky · March 31, 2009, 07:38:45 PM

A good tug from the Yank tank would ger 'er out, but the cost of fuel to get down there would be a killer! I'd need more than 3 or 4 fuel stops. The Landy should have no troubles tugging it out though.

RJ

kombi1976 · March 31, 2009, 08:04:28 PM

Absolutely.
In low range the Landy could pull the teeth out of a bear through it's behind!
Getting the snatch strap up and there and secured would be another task altogether but the Landy is a good vehicle.
I even bought a new camera to take footage.
Will post pics of the removal and the arrival home.
Now......PLEASE God stop that rain, just until dark. :angel:

kombi1976 · April 01, 2009, 06:05:47 AM

As it turned out the rain did stop and we had no rain for the entire job.
Mind you, the front nearside drum is stuck and getting it onto the trailer was almost impossible.
Some pics tomorrow.

kombi1976 · April 02, 2009, 04:11:27 PM

Here's where it was:

Here are some pics of the Bus now at home:

recoil junky · April 02, 2009, 06:13:38 PM

I love the combination boot and hood latch. :D

It does have a certain appeal, doesn't it. Another great find kombi. Not much rust that I can see, unless that's a bit down by the right rear tyre. Or it could be poo. :o

RJ

kombi1976 · April 02, 2009, 06:26:54 PM

These are VERY kind photos.
It's a case of "spot the metal" in this baby rather than spot the rust.
There is so much rust and bondo in different spots I'll be interested to see how it is underneath.
The rust along the gutters in my major concern.
Having said that the body doesn't seem warped and there doesn't seem to be much across the nose.
It SEEMS straight but you can never tell.......... :undecided:
Almost forgot, the passenger front door is stuck and I can't open it.
More fun!

kombi1976 · April 03, 2009, 03:26:28 AM

Now, here is the reality of the rust......
Driver's step and side bumper mount:

Cab floor driver's side:

Driver's side dogleg:

Driver's side sills:

Driver's side roof above B-pillar:

And roof above windows:

Passenger step and bumper mount:

Passenger dogleg:

Rust hole in bottom of cargo door:

Rust hole in roof above passenger B-pillar:

Rust above cargo doors:

Rust in A-pillar passenger side:

Rust in floor and sills next to cargo doors:

Seen enough?
And you haven't seen how dinged the roof is.
A donor roof looks like the only way for this one.
I'm going to be doing a LOT of cutting. :cry:
I'm mad, right?