Thanks for all the above messages to wish me luck on my new project!!!
I do not know everybody - and the Forum names make it even more difficult, but I'm sure that my journey of this project might get our roads to cross sooner or later...
The current demand for Splitties are the reason for unrealistic ( for me ) prices locally - this was the first find which was just what I was looking for, an unrestored early bus with minimum rust and as complete as possible - all at a fair price. I'm sure I speak for a lot of potential buyers if I say that the majority of Split Busses in SA are way overpriced, and the exchange rate does not help the local enthusiasts either....
It took me two years to come across this beauty!
This June 1958 Microbus served its owner as a toolshed next to his clay hut in an informal farmers village next to the Botswana border for the last 36 years.
He also had very very naughty children which sold some spares off the bus throughout the years. Hence the missing benches and front seats, steering column, steering wheel, lights, engine, gearbox and wheels.
Beggars cant be choosers so these are minor setbacks in my opinion if I compare it to the parts that is intact.
As a Capetonian which came across this bus a good 1700kms away from me, I had to carefully plan the best, most cost effective and fastest way to get it down to CT.
After I was informed of this Bus and contacted the owner, I had my "spy" to go and take pictures of her as the telephonic conversations between myself and the owner was very broken ( bit of a language barrier ).
I understood 1958, and saw the semaphores on the pictures....and knew this was just the bus for me!!!
Within two weeks, without seeing the bus in person, I closed my eyes, booked flights to Pretoria and back, rented a car and hired transport companies to collect there and deliver her to CT. So the long weekend of 9-12 Aug I took my lovely girlfriend and very good friend Donovan with me to share my adventure with me.
I will keep you all posted to the progress of this project, i'm in no particular hurry....but i can say....this Bus will bring sexy back!
PS:I cannot elaborate too much on my spy's otherwise everybody will know what my next great find and project might be ! Once i get more storage space I will bring down my Barndoor !
![Twisted Evil :twisted:](./images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)