At last! My '64 Split Panel!

Post by **retrovan** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 4:41 pm

Sounds like a good idea, I am very much for a walk through, but like the idea for the seats, OR you need to think of a large sun roof......

Post by **fig** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:39 pm

If I had a hacked bulkhead I'd cut out the mini-bulkheads from a baywindow walkthrough and weld those in behind the seats, so at least it looks like a proper walkthru and not a hack.

Interestingly, bulkhead baywindows are as unusual as walkthru splits.

Post by **fig** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:47 pm

Gavin, have you thought of making a custom low-rider seat so you don't have to stoop to see out the windscreen?

GavinHuart · Post by **GavinHuart** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:02 pm

@ retrovan: a front-sunroof split! Now there's an idea! I'd just have to look out for low flying pigeons

@ fig: thanks for your suggestions. I fear that putting in walkthrough bulkheads would bring me back to having to sit too far forward when they, and their seats, are placed in a "standard" position. The bulkhead couldn't go much further back due to the cargo doors.
Very good idea with the low-rider seat. The previous (abortion) seats that were in the bus sat really high. By tilting the back, I could cruise quite comfortably when in 4th. Yes, gear changing rendered a bit of ceiling staring, but I coped. The walkthrough seats are the flat-bottomed type and are far lower than the horrid seats that were in there to start with.
It is a gamble still, but if 'visual' calculations are correct, I should fit alright

Fingers crossed

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:47 pm

If it doesn't then recline the sets a bit again and get a shift extender......

Post by **Bugger** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:11 am

HI Guys

Back from George and what a trip

The bus has been Posished in the meantime

here and there are a few spots not happy with so need to addressthat

Will send some Pics to Gav

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:13 am

Welcome back bud, looking forward to a trip report.

Will Gavin's bus be ready for the camp out ?

Post by **Bugger** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:14 am

Klaus wrote:Welcome back bud, looking forward to a trip report.

Will Gavin's bus be ready for the camp out ?

Thanks

No unfortunately not ready for camp out to much catching up to do

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:18 am

Good luck... Sure you looking forward to a few well deserved beers this weekend !

Post by **Bugger** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:38 pm

Gav where are the new Pics ?????????????????????

GavinHuart · Post by **GavinHuart** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:57 am

LOL!

Sorry Pierre, couldn't get round to updating yesterday

As promised, Pierre sent me some of the shots of the bus polished. Thanks Pierre

The bus looks incredible!

Here you go:

GavinHuart · Post by **GavinHuart** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:59 am

Last for now...

GavinHuart · Post by **GavinHuart** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:14 am

Hi guys!

Brief update - What a busy weekend; half day on Saturday and full day on Sunday! What a lot we got done!

HUGE thanks to Pierre AND MERLIN; who paid a surprise visit to come help

Here's the list of what we got done:

Indicators, front and rear lights - IN
Window rubbers; front and rear - IN
Drivers' and passenger window frames, quarter windows and frame-to-door rubbers - IN
Speedo, fuel gauge, radio and wiper assembly - IN
Front seat rails - IN
BUMPERS! - front and rear - ON (I might just add that it turns out the rear bumper that I got from Pierre turns out to be that of a low-light Bay and not a Split. Not to worry as it looks pretty cool to me

. Ideally, I'd like to source a Split rear bumper but we all know how hard they are to find. The bay one has to do for now

)

At this point, Nic took it upon himself to make a start on the wiring, which I was going to have to have paid an Auto Electrician to look at. HE GOT IT SORTED!

After a short while I heard the line: "...let's fire this thing up!" I could hardly believe it! We had to put some fuel in first and two or three flicks of the key later and we had lift-off! Lights are all working, instrument panel lights working... it's incredible! All that still needs to be connected up is the wiper motor and radio.

Again; thanks guys for all your help!

We're 95% of the way there!

Another thing that's been decided on is a roof lining which is to be done by Pierre's upholsterer this coming weekend

I managed to drop the second Bay walk-through seat at the upholsterer early Monday morning and he's trying to have them ready for pick up on Friday. The door cards are already ready

.

What we still need to do is hook up those last few electrical things, slap on the nose badge and fit the rest of the D-rubber in all the doorjambs. Underneath will be stone-chipped right at the end. We're also going to push the envelope a bit by changing out the spring plates for non-molested ones and tend to that RGB leak.

I imagine just one more weekend of work and we should be good to go. My upholsterer has also been briefed on making a jazzy full carpet set (front to back) to finish it all off nicely. The last leg of the journey is for me to commission my brother, who is a carpenter, to re-create a custom semi-camper interior. The custom interior will only be done down the line as I need to save up some moola to get it the way I want it.

A friend of mine rocked up and took some Cellphone camera pictures, which I've attached. I did see Pierre firing away with his camera too so no doubt I'll get those pictures soon

.

Do let me know what you think of the progress. I am truly stunned and very, very happy

Post by **beetlefanatic** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:28 am

It looks simply stunning, you guys. Well done!

DR WATSON · Post by **DR WATSON** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:32 pm

I second Bernard

Aircooled VW South Africa