1959 Kombi

[fig]

Wow! I still can't believe how well that red paint held up after all these years in the Karoo sun.

My 57 Kombis also don't have a roof panel at the very rear. I think it was too difficult/expensive to make one that would fit all the curves. Interior panels were not fitted to Kombis built in Germany (only Microbuses and Deluxe Microbuses got headliners and side panels in the rear), and if you wanted them they were a dealer fitment option, which the dealer had to make from factory plans (I have a set of these plans among my Workshop Bulletins). All SA Kombis had rear interior interior panels made to the same plans.

[jolas]

Thanks Fig, it explains why that section of the roof inside is so nicely painted/finished. Also quite relieved with this news - it would be quite a job to make that rear roof panel ! So it will stay as it is ...

With regards to the paint, it really is amazing, this bus (apparently) never saw the inside of a garage. Only the two rear seats were removed and stored under a roof. The window rubbers are as hard as rock. There are a few patches on the roof and sides where the paint has dissapeared, but generally the paint is in unbelievable condition.
For a "plaas bakkie" which is what it eventually became, it is also relatively dent and scratch free - only the cargo doors badly scratched. There was a dent on the nose which popped out easily.

It was used to transport sheep in it's last (mobile) days and when it was retired it was used as a " drying room" for the storage/production of dried fruit

[splitbusahollic]

looking Good !!
let me know your Gerson wish list......

[jolas]

Sean came over and we spent the day on the bus Removed the gearbox, tie rod ends, drag link, wheel drums, brake components, etc, etc. Did some work on the wiring loom, thankfully most of the loom it still there. Sean - dude - thanks for the help





Plenty spiders and wasp nests inside the drums, nice and complete although an oil leak somewhere along the way



All the major parts now off and ready for inspection/overhaul. Will need new tie rods, , centre pin, drums to be skimmed, cylinders and mater cylinder to be resleeved, most of that lot was seized up, reduction boxes will be opened to check on bearings. Will leave gearbox as is, but need a new release bearing.

The upper body of the bus is in very good condition, quite a lot of panels, jacking point, etc are needed underneath - very vrot situation - this is what happens when you keep sheep in a kombi

[retrovan]

Must say, very sheepishly, that bus still looks good,
Are you just going to "Buff It Up"
Will be a nice colour if you did.
Keep up the good work.

Herman

[jolas]

ha ha ha Herman - nice one ! Yes leaving the paint work "as is". Will have to do some colour matching with new lower panels though .

[retrovan]

Looks as if you trying to give Splitbusaholic a run for his money, how many do you have of these splits, they coming out the woodwork....

Herman

[jolas]

With our new baby Lyra ( a human, not another bus ) on the scene, work has slowed down a bit. Splitbusaholic's green metal has arrived in the meantime, there is a fair amount of work to do underneath, quite daunted by this I must admit

















Both inner and outer sills on each side are also completely rotten. Inner bottom section of the front nose is also vrot on each side - not too sure what will happen here, don't want to cut the lower nose as it still looks good on the outer skin.

[jolas]

I have decided to keep my 1100 motor for my '56 ambulance - not really keen on 6v electrics for this bus - so, I am looking for 1200 engine bits and bobs, would even consider a complete unit - please let me know if you have anything - or know of ....................
Cheers

[jolas]

So 4 months have passed, since the last update on this project - but - there has been progress. The braking system has been completely overhauled, just finished bleeding tonight. The new draglink and tie rods installed, 2 replacement shocks at the rear, clutch and petrol cables are in, petrol tank also just in, the gear shift rod also gave plenty grief, the bus is sitting on her wheels again, what a great sight I had the rims sandblasted and repainted, but for the rest, all original paint for now.
Nothing has been done to the body (except buying more green metal from Jacques).
Also decided tonight( with pressure from the Somerset West clan) to put the 1100 motor I had rebuilt for my '56 ambulance into this bus and keep it all 6v - the thought of grinding out the bell housing to accomodate another motor just seems "wrong". I must say the thought of pottering around with 6velectrics and an 1100 motor does'nt excite me very much, but this bus has been so well preserved it would'nt be right to change all these things....
The motor goes in tommorrow, and who knows, perhaps she will be reversing out of the garage at some stage of the day Still a lot of other "stuff" to do as well - but "min dae" till she's running

[retrovan]

Great news Paul, good to see the buses all getting back on the road again.
Well done, keep us posted.

Herman

[Warwick-Lowlight]

4 long months and no pics - whats happnin down in Klapmuts
Good one dude - now I really have a cracker thats lit to get my butt sorry bus in gear

[splitbusahollic]

don't bore us with all the details of brakes and bell-housings ....
show us the Body repairs !!!
4 months to bleed the brakes ??
looking forward to see this bus at George !

[jolas]

Hey man, why do you want to see pics of body panels, you have enough of your own AND you already made me broke with those panels

Body must wait, get the babe running first "as is". Will post some pics when I can Warwick, been a mission doing all of this with our new kid on the scene, stealing away to work in the garage at night time and all that. Hopefully today she will drive

[retrovan]

Hey ! Guys,I think this is typical Paris Hilton syndrome.......

What happens in Klapmuts ....stays in Klapmuts



Herman