1975 Autovilla

[sean]

Here are a few pics of the 1975 Autovilla I acquired earlier this month.

Again, it was one of the adds that Fig shared. Thanks man. http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... =3&t=34276

As soon as I came across the add, I got hold of the seller, who wasn't very helpful and claimed he only had an old cell phone to take the pics with. So I agreed to came take a look but he informed me that he has been inundated with requests and somebody has already agreed to buy it. I then told him I will be in Beaufort West in under 5 hours to come take a look with the cash which he agreed as the supposed other buyer was arranging a transport company and still had to make payment. So I quickly went to arrange the trailer and collect it, fetch the family and hit the open road.


On the way up with the start of the Karoo ahead of us. Always so good to see.

[sean]

Being a 1975, this one has an interior layout I don't have, so obviously I was keen to get this one.






Again, spent the evening at the lovely Karoo national park.




This poor thing does look a little bad, but its not a lemon, it really is a good honest bus. I just have to remove these horrendous Audi A4 mag wheels that were put on and replace them with bus wheels and Jurgens hubcaps that I do have as well as some new lights and lenses and it will already look loads better.



It will essentially need a full restoration that I would like to do, but for now I must just get it looking back in an original state and back driving on the road.

[sean]

The interior





It needs some cleaning up and the cushions and blinds are thrown out, but I can easily replace those.

More to follow on the interior and mechanical side later....

[Tony Z]

When reading your write up, one of my first thoughts was how the heck do you get to Beaufort West in under 5 hours with a trailer??? Then I saw your speedo.... you are a brave man doing that with a trailer. So far every trailer I have hired starts walking across the road at under 100.

Good show on the bus, well done. You really are nuts
Good luck with the resto!

And yea, I agree, the Karoo national park is really great.

[Muderick]

Nicely done Sean. Looks to be a good solid bus you have there.

I love the old stick on thermometer you have above the ash tray!

[jolas]

nice one, congrats old man

[splitbusahollic]

Another one saved !! Go Sean !

[sean]

When reading your write up, one of my first thoughts was how the heck do you get to Beaufort West in under 5 hours with a trailer??? Then I saw your speedo.... you are a brave man doing that with a trailer. So far every trailer I have hired starts walking across the road at under 100.

The state of these hired trailers does vary, but generally the place I rent from in Brackenfell has good trailers. Normally towing with a car at 120km/h is max before things start to feel unstable, but a big heavy, V8, 4 wheel drive vehicles makes towing a breeze, the towing car is always in control. Only one problem, ands its the fuel consumption that gets to 3.5km/L......

[Tony Z]

lol, so the time you make up is spent at the next petrol station... need to find a balance there somewhere

[Jdt1976]

It still looks good on the inside, well done. Just need a good clean up.

When reading your write up, one of my first thoughts was how the heck do you get to Beaufort West in under 5 hours with a trailer??? Then I saw your speedo.... you are a brave man doing that with a trailer. So far every trailer I have hired starts walking across the road at under 100.

The state of these hired trailers does vary, but generally the place I rent from in Brackenfell has good trailers. Normally towing with a car at 120km/h is max before things start to feel unstable, but a big heavy, V8, 4 wheel drive vehicles makes towing a breeze, the towing car is always in control. Only one problem, ands its the fuel consumption that gets to 3.5km/L......

In the early 2000's me and the wife went to pickup a split in Vredenburg up the West Coast.
Left Knysna the morning to go load the beetle in Vredenburg and then back to JHB. We planned on sleeping over in Beaufort West the night. After travelling over 1000km for the day and still a distance to go we were going 130-140km/h on the way to Beaufort. The hired trailer was going ok.
I was worried about it but did shake the wheels to check wheel bearings at every stop but everything fine.

After the nights rest we were on the road again only going 110- 120km/h. About 20km before Hanover I said to my wife the trailer feel loose on the road but I will stop at Hanover to have a look.
Didn't go much further before we rolled the bakkie. The one tyre on the rear axle burst.
Luckily the trailer off hooked together with the safety chain around the tow bar and went side ways down an embankment but no damage on the beetle.

(I struggled to get out the bakkie with the "smash and grab" on the windows. the doors didn't want to open. Got out at the back window.)
See the cooler boxes next to the trailer:
First thing I had to do after finally getting out was to pick up all the crayfish that was crawling all over the N1.

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

NOW THAT'S A GOOD STORY!

[jolas]

NOW THAT'S A GOOD STORY!

ain't that the truth !!!!

Can't believe the Beetle escaped damage

You guys were lucky, no serious injuries, etc

[retrovan]

Glad the Beetle was safe..... oh, and you guys too....



Give me an "A" frame any day, a lot safer then an heavy trailer with load.

OMO

Herman

[sean]

Give me an "A" frame any day, a lot safer then an heavy trailer with load.

Herman

Now that's not going to work if you have to collect a vehicle that hasnt run in years with a dodgy suspension or suspect tyres......

[sean]

BTW Jaco, I honestly cant believe how that trailer just miraculously unhooked and drifted away while the bakkie was thrown over, really quite a terrible story that.