My 1960 SO23 Westfalia

[sean]

Little bit more of an update.

Engine, nearly completed.


Then I tackled the gearbox.











Some more progress on the interior. Door panels, kick panels and a few ancillaries fitted.



A few more parts being added to the body.


And the chassis received its final coat of grey paint.

[Eugene]

I was going to say this will be a stunning bus when done.....but it already is!

[Donovan D]

Great work there Sean !

[sean]

Some more assembly progress has been happening.

Gearbox with reduction boxes installed.


Front suspension with brake lines installed










Testing 2 rear doors and rear bumper for alignment. They don't line up perfectly at the moment, but ill keep struggling away to get it lined up.

[AlanH]

Nice progress. You are nearing the end.
Very nice bus.

[Dawie]

Any progress in the meantime?

[sean]

Any progress in the meantime?

Hi Dawie. Yes, it’s actually driving already.

I’ve also completed the wiring loom and connected everything up.

There are some mechanical hiccups that I must sort out now. The one reduction box is leaking oil, so I must see what’s the situation there and 6v generator is also not charging.

Then probably my worst nightmare on the bus are the tyres. I ordered a set of Firestone genuine cross ply whitewalls from Coker tire in the USA. They were shipped via FedEx. Well, it’s now 4 months and I still don’t have my tyres. FedEx in South Africa is the most useless bunch of idiots I’ve ever had to deal with. From bottom to top level management are all complete idiots. They have no clue what they are doing and now especially over December they all disappeared on leave and left my parcels hanging. The main issue was to actually get these guys to clear it through customs. First I needed a special permit for tyres which I got in a week. Then they put my wrong details on the clearing forms, then later they use wrong import tariffs, now they have been issued a fine by customs, always taking weeks to sort out one issue only to do it wrong again. So in the interim I’ve just got it on some 14” wheels to roll for now.

I will take some more pics and update this weekend.

[sean]

Here is a brief update.

Before getting to the bus, look at this most amazing find.

I received a call out of the blue wanting to know if I would be interested in a Westfalia tent. Well, you can imagine how excited I got and it was right here in South Africa.

Here it is in its bags.




And here it is set up on the bus. Its in real good condition and some basic cleaning is all that is needed. Its tent / toilet cubicle is also with the tent, I just have to figure out how it attaches.









I must say, I never expected to get hold of a complete tent. It really is special to come across an item like this for the bus.

[sean]

And some more pics of the underside.









I had to take the gearbox out again as I had a leak on the one reduction gear and another leak on the nose cone. Most irritating to take it out again but best do it now before oil contaminates the outside. Hopefully I should be done with the mechanicals this weekend and it will be good to hit the road.

Final job will the wooden interior.

[brianj]

Score on the tent! Looking really great

[fig]

Here is a brief update.

Before getting to the bus, look at this most amazing find.

I received a call out of the blue wanting to know if I would be interested in a Westfalia tent. Well, you can imagine how excited I got and it was right here in South Africa.

Here it is in its bags.




And here it is set up on the bus. Its in real good condition and some basic cleaning is all that is needed. Its tent / toilet cubicle is also with the tent, I just have to figure out how it attaches.









I must say, I never expected to get hold of a complete tent. It really is special to come across an item like this for the bus.

Amazing find! These are hard to find and fetch big money overseas. RHD tents are different to LHD, so this is super rare. Well done!

[Eugene]

Here is a brief update.

Before getting to the bus, look at this most amazing find.

I received a call out of the blue wanting to know if I would be interested in a Westfalia tent. Well, you can imagine how excited I got and it was right here in South Africa.

Here it is in its bags.




I must say, I never expected to get hold of a complete tent. It really is special to come across an item like this for the bus.

Sir, are you a fkn alien?? How is this possible?

[sean]

Now for a few pics of the best part, when you get to drive it.

I took it for its first trip home over the weekend.

A very relaxed 40mph cruise to run the motor in.


A quick stop to check all is still in order.




The motor seemed rather tight initially and the 6v starter was struggling to turn when warm, but with 300 miles on it now its already starting much better. So far so good.

[sean]

A few more final pics.

Mechanically and body wise its 98% done. There are a few tiny things to finish off and some odd gremlins to sort out. The wooden Westfalia interior is next to build.

[Eugene]

Wow Sean...stunning job there mate!