Aircooled VW South Africa

So, as some of you already know, I have a '71 DC that has worked hard and been worked hard by some of its previous owners. I am hoping to restore the vehicle to a level that is as-good-as-new or better if that is in any way possible.
This will be a slow project, concentrating on bringing all the mechanicals to perfect order followed by a complete strip down, soda blasting to bare metal and replacement of panels where needed. I have not decided on a colour yet but I do have an idea in mind of what my final product will look like.

Motorwise I intend to stay with a 1600 albeit that I intend for it to be more powerful and efficient than a stocker. I will be consulting the Dave Rowley in this regard some time in the future.

What's been done to date:
Steering Box
The steering box was buggered. I had it completely overhauled including new seals, hard chroming, filled with oil and resprayed at A&M Power Steering in Stikland. The steering is an absolute pleasure now and straight and true on the open road. Money really well spent as far as I'm concerned. Also helps when you want to do wheel alignment.

Balljoints
Fortunately for me these were all replaced just before I bought the vehicle so these are all brand new. Also a great help with getting proper alignment done.

Wheels
Thanks to Paul on this forum (jolas) I managed to get a full compliment of five stock rims which I had completely refurbished at Mag Wheel Repair Centre in Parow. The rims were blasted down to bare metal, primed, and reprayed silver. They look great. To finish them off, I fitted a set of stainless steel 14" wheel trim rings and smooth baby moon hubcaps all courtesy of Justkampers.com
Tyres
I had a new set of five (including spare) Federal 185/80R14's fitted and balanced at Autoquip in Durbanville. The wheel alignement was also done and the difference is astounding in comparisson with the more than 20 year old (and rock hard) tyres that were on the old girl when I bought her. Jacques at Autoquip says the last time he saw that specific make of General tyre was when he started his apprenticeship more than 20 years ago.

Handbrake
I bought a new handbrake handle from Justkampers.com to replace the very old and worn out one.
Accelerator
A complete new accelerator linkage kit also came from Justkampers.com to replace the rickety and very well worn one. Also a new accelerator cable was fitted.

Gear linkage
Again from Justkampers.com, a new gear rod fitting kit and rear gearbox coupling to get rid of that stirring in a pudding bowl gearchange action.
Andreas should start with my new rear deck sometime soon which will replace the totally murdered deck on the DC now. I am still looking for a decent set of gates to replace the ones on there now. I will try and refurb those too.

As we continue with this resto I will post to this thread. Hopefully you will enjoy this along with me as we progress and perhaps one or two of you will even learn with me as I go along.

That DC looks so lekker! Love those wheels and the colour.

Great stuff! I'm looking forward to following the resto story. I'm glad to see you've found a source for the gearshift bushings; I think I'll need them for my pick-ups as well.

I love it that you have a blue 71 SC and a green 71 DC and I have a green 71 SC and a blue 71 DC!

Man, those wheels look amazing !!!! This is going to be one good looking double cab

fig wrote:I love it that you have a blue 71 SC and a green 71 DC and I have a green 71 SC and a blue 71 DC!

Fig, you know I'm thinking of changing the green to this colour below. I reeeeeaaallly dig this colour!

Is that dove blue or something like neptune blue? Dove blue is a classic VW commercial colour.

fig wrote:Is that dove blue or something like neptune blue? Dove blue is a classic VW commercial colour.

I do believe it's Dove blue Fig. Man, that's just the right colour for me!

As you said, money well spent. A VW bus doesn't have to have play in the steering or wonder over the road. I did the same with my white 75 Bus a few years ago, ball joints, drag link, tie rods, centre pin, steering coupling, steering damper, gear selector kit the lot and the changes are unbelievable. Gear shifts are crisp and steering is positive. Obviously this is how it should be, but it drives completely different to what most are accustomed to in a VW bus.

I remember that bus when Mark had it, before any work was down on the suspension you could turn the steering wheel half way around before anything happend. Nice to see it's sorted.

Good Luck with the restoration.
When everything is set up right these are fantastic vehicles to use.

Jan, why don't you post a pic of that Cape St Francis DC here?

That would be like posting pictures of another man's wife.

Nice DC, looking good on the refurbed wheels !, would look even better in Dove Blue

But don't you dare drop the suspension on such a noble hard worked bus. (I get the feeling though you are also more of an original vehicle fan?)

karmakoma wrote:Nice DC, looking good on the refurbed wheels !, would look even better in Dove Blue

But don't you dare drop the suspension on such a noble hard worked bus. (I get the feeling though you are also more of an original vehicle fan?)

Yup, there will be no slamming and chopping and stuff. I don't mind it being a little funky but mostly stock is good fo me. Easier to maintain too then.

Woot! Some parts arrived today. That should give me a little bit to do over the weekend.

New headlight switch, aluminium collar and button Headlight adjustment rubber inserts New lowlight indicator lens screws New lowlight indicator lens rubber gaskets Inner door pulls Handbrake rod guide

Hi Stutz

Was wondering if you could give feedback on the replacement load bay pressings.

Thanks
Jan

Hi Jan,

They only arrived yesterday by truck in Cape Town and went straight to the warehouse. I have not even seen them yet. I will most likely see them tomorrow and let you know.