At last! My '64 Split Panel!

[retrovan]

Well done , lots of work and love went into that bus and it shows......
Good work guys.

[Bugger]

Thanks for the compliments it must just get on the road now

Must admit I was on Slow strike Sunday after the Wedding we were at Saturday night but still alot was done and the bus is getting there

[sean]

Looking very Nice!!

The best part is still coming when you actually get to drive it.

[GavinHuart]

Thank you all for the very kind words .

I was going to keep Pierre's little babalas a secret, but since you brought it up Pierre...

We had a great time working on the bus spurred on by the three cases of beer I'd arranged

Dying to have the bus back

[calooker]

Looks good, great work to all involved.

[jolas]

The bus is looking great, keep it up, almost there !

[GavinHuart]

Hi guys!

So this past weekend we were at it again! I popped in at Rui for some spares and then got to Pierre nice and early. We pulled another all-nighter! Merlin rocked up and gave us a hand with a few of the bits and pieces which is much appreciated . I'd also been off the Thursday and Friday before and I spent them tinkering on the bus too.

Here's what we did:

1) Strip RGBs, renew inner and outer bearings, rebuild. - I need to comment on something here. Can you believe the reason for the leaking RGBs was that someone had PUNCTURED both plugs in both RGBs? I couldn't believe it! Pierre and I thought it must be due to someone wanting to remove them and they didn't know how to. They were put back, complete with screwdriver-holes UNSEALED! No wonder my parking bay is in the state it is! Thankfully Pierre had brand new replacement plugs which we put in .
2) Replace "half moon's" at the gearbox end of the right drive shaft. One of the half moon's had slipped out of place and was badly damaged.
3) Remove and replace butchered spring plates with unmolested ones. We also corrected the bus' stance as it was always leaning to one side a bit.
4) Replaced the speedo cable (thanks Rui )
5) Replaced the brake light switch
6) Re-greased front wheel bearings (they are still new)

We finished at about 12:30 Sunday morning! Loads of work but all worth it as the bus is now driving better than it ever has! No creaking suspension, no leaks, working speedo and no droning bearings! For an "empty" panel van, the ride is surprisingly quiet now .

Then, for the bad news.....

I'd gone on a Beetle run with the Beetle club on Sunday at about 8am. I had to leave early to do the fruit-run to Discovery with a friend. Upon leaving Discovery, I reversed out of a parking bay and didn't see a pillar next to me. I've bumped the passenger door and dog-leg slightly. Absolutely LIVID with myself! I've never bumped a car before and it's just my luck that it's this one. All being well, my fender-bender can be sorted out soon though. I wasn't going fast and the damage isn't bad. It's still mortifying to know you've done it!

Besides that, this bus has gotten so many compliments! People take video clips as you drive a long on the highway! I've had one business card shoved under the wiper arm saying: "Want to sell?" and there's been loads of smiles. I am so happy with the finished product! I do still have the interior to sort out but that can come in time.

There are still a lot of photo's on the spool at Pierre's, which I'll upload as soon as.

Thanks to everyone for all the interest all this time

[beetlefanatic]

Don't feel bad Gav. I did the same thing and that after I just came from the optometrist for my yearly checkup. Go figure! I was so bedonnerd the whole day and the sad part is you can only be mad at yourself.

Anyway can't wait to see the pics!

[GavinHuart]

Thanks Beetlefanatic. It's a gut-wrenching feeling. I was inching SO slowly, turned to the right (bus goes to the left), I looked to the right to check for cars and *nudge*... I went ice-cold. Pierre has an idea of the state I was in . I have some crappy cellphone pics but that'll just spoil this thread . I'll post proper ones as soon as I get them from Pierre.

[Bugger]

Hi

I have sent you alot of Picshas so no ecuse of fresh ones

Dont worry we will be able to fix the scratch


Glad we got everything sorted on the bus now as the Panel is looking really smart now with the interrior and seats fitted

[calooker]

Seen it in the flesh very, very nice.

[MarshallGTi]

so wheres all them lovely pics.....?

[GavinHuart]

Thanks for all the compliments guys! I'll start loading pics now . The very last few are some finals I took with my cell, so bare with me . I have two photographers who want to photograph this bus so as soon as my little scuff is fixed, I'll arrange that and get more pics to you! All being well, it'll be at Angela's Picnic this year so keep your eyes peeled if you're going!

[GavinHuart]

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[GavinHuart]

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