My 1975 Executive

[sean]

Here are some pics of my 1975 1800 executive I acquired last year. The colour is Autumn Rust.

It was local, in Paarl, so not far to travel to get it.


I purchased it from a lady who's husband had passed away some time ago and needed to clean up. He had started to strip the bus to restore and passed away. He clearly loved his VW's as I had to do 2 trips with my Sprinter to clear out this place.

Here are a few pics of the parts in the basement. This was just some of it. The garage was packed full as well.





Look at this one tunnel we had to climb through. This basement of this guys entire house was packed full.


We had to borrow the neighbours bakkie to get it out due to a narrow drive way for the van.

[sean]

Cleaning the bus after off loading. Its a nice solid body. 2 minor accident damage areas and 2 or 3 rust spots is about it.

[sean]

Unpacking and sorting spares.





And now the restoration work has begun. I had all the difficult places sand blasted and I covered up with primer.

[sean]

And now for the metal work. These were the 2 worst area's i completed today.








Now only the battery trays left.

[spicydave]

@SEAN


You an expert

[retrovan]

Nice work there young man, see the grinding skills have improved.

Nice bus, and yet another one saved.

Hope you enjoy it

Herman

[Riaan.N]

Nice basement find Sean...must have felt a bit like Christmas finding all those parts and spares [emoji1]

[sean]

The original motor to this bus is still around and was found in pieces in the basement.

Well, I have had it rebuild to proper 1800 spec that it should be.


Original 1800 casing, never been machined or re-stamped and also matches the number on the fan shroud.


The 1800 gearbox was also in pieces in the basement, which has also been rebuild. More pics later of that.

[sean]

Other work that has been going on in the background.

I have had the original headlight reflectors reworked (please note Herman, no Golfs ) and they look stunning. Completed pics to follow soon.

[retrovan]

Nice work there young man.

But will you ever see the light...

Herman

[sean]

Just a small update.

In the interim I have been assembling the ancillaries on the 1800 type 4 motor. I am not happy how the brackets on the carbs came out after cleaning, so this must come off now and be sent away for plating.


There are still some parts to assemble on the motor, but at least so far I have been able to find all the 1800 specific items. I was very lucky to find a matching pair of 1800 type 4 carbs too. The 1800 clutch plate has also become near impossible to obtain, but luckily managed to find a kit as well.


The metal work is also nearly finished on the bus. I forgot to take a pic of that, but will get to it shortly.

[Riaan.N]

Hi Sean, the engine looks great!

Who do you use for all your plating requirements?

[Dawie]

Nice. Silencer reminds of the old Grapnel stainless type.

[sean]

Hi Sean, the engine looks great!

Who do you use for all your plating requirements?

I have used several over the years. If I want the gold colour, I use Metallica. If the silver colour, I use strand plating. Many places can help with electroplating.

[sean]

Nice. Silencer reminds of the old Grapnel stainless type.

It’s very similar to the Grapnel yes. I still have a Grapnel silencer around from my Grandfathers days. Grapnel used 304 s/s but not with a polished finish.

This one I made with high polished 430 s/s. It also has a special configuration inside. Inside the standard type 4 exhaust casing is a 4-1 system manufactured with perforated pipe and fully packed with fiber. This allows the system to look 100% standard, have the benefit of the 4-1 and because the whole unit is packed with fiber, it’s as quiet as the original unlike hideous traditional 4-1 hanging low and making a huge noise.