59 Deluxe Microbus Samba

[ST Man]

A few pictures of how it was before how it will be.......................

[jolas]

Looks like something is brewing Good luck - hope all goes to plan (don't forget the progress pics )

[ST Man]

I decided to rebuild the bus. Over the time I have owned it the bus really gave me joy I am really happy when I drive it. But a few things kept on bothering me. The rust under cargo door was really bad and The interior was not... pleasing. I think my car was not a rat ride but neither was it a good clean bus so I started on the long slippery slope to restoration.
So Last week Monday I made final decision to start on bus and quite alot has happened since then. I dont feel like making this a long project so I am hitting it hard.
The bus is 95% stripped. All thats left is the engine.
I have already ordered all the rubbers, new door handles all round, chrome trim and lots of small bits from the US and UK.
Chrome work taken in
Powder coating taken in
Seats already at trimmers
Cargo floor cut open to see rust and panels ordered from Jacques in PE.
Any rust spot on body opened up and panels ordered from Jacques
Roof rack bought
Painter lined up.
I will work alot over the weekend so will take pictures.
Here goes!!!!!!!!!!

[fig]

Good luck with the restoration Leon!

I'm glad to see you've started so soon. I can't wait to see the finished product, and x2 on the progress pics.

[vw59beetle]

Good luck and enjoy. It's going to be great to see another bus on the road.

Wernher

[ST Man]

Thank you Werhner
Fig Will definately be there for camp out next year. Will make you glad that it went to right home.....

[ST Man]

While stripping the car I was removing the rear bench seat. As I stepped close to firewall my foot sank a bit towards the floor. The bus had a lonog strip of fibreglass along the front of cargo area. This is whats unedrneath.
I was very optimistic when I ordered the panel below the cargo foor from Jacques....

[ST Man]

So the rust on the car is better and worse than expected. The roof actually looks ok but a few other places is not so good...

[ST Man]

A few more detail pics

[retrovan]

Good progress on the bus.

Love the Capital motors plate, just seams to Finnish it off, great.

Will follow this thread to the end, enjoy.

Herman

[ST Man]

Last night i didnt feel like working outside so I sat watching TV and cleaning windows.
A trick that I learned on other restorations is to clean the wondow with thinners to remove the basic dirt and grime. I then take Autosol metal polish and clean of all the old marks and hardened dirt. It also shines the windows.

[MarshallGTi]

never thought of using Autosol on glass, how did it turn out?

[lowlight]

Enjoy the work that is always nice to see it come together.

[ST Man]

never thought of using Autosol on glass, how did it turn out?

Works really well, takes alot of time and the bus actually has 27 seperate windows....

[ST Man]

I started getting the first parts back after it was rechromed.
Its looking alot beter

I could not get the screws out of the window frames and a friend told me that coke works to disolve the rust and loosen them up. Have no idea if it works we will see