My 1975 Baywindow project - NAME CHOSEN: "FRANKENBUS"

[oldschool75]

Hi all,

So I bought this bus from a guy in Centurion/Rooihuiskraal back in December, with the understanding/deal that he will finish the bus to a roadworthy condition , at an agreed price....... Well, yesterday I went to fetch my bus. All that has been done is the engine (2.0 AC) and the paintwork (excluding the roof that needs to be sprayed white still)

navara and kombi.jpg

kombi on trailer.jpg

engine.jpg

Everything has been taken apart, so I will in weeks to come start and see what I can do with my limited mechanical knowledge, and then save up to source out the rest of the work..... everything that was promised is not there, but at least all parts, glass etc are there to complete. The biggest "non-show" was the alleged brand new rubber kit from Pro-auto rubbers that I paid for, but did not get with my bus.

The PO couldn't face me, left the bus unattended outside his gate in his driveway and went to work.

I will keep you updated, but it will surely be slow progress.

Thanks, Johann

[hendriks]

hi Johann,

Glad that you finally got your bus in Nelspruit!!

Its not nice what the PO did but at least you have your bus now and can see what needs doing. Hope you get her/him/it on the road soon!!!

[jolas]

Good luck with the project, keep the pics coming .......

If the PO promised you the rubber kit, then you must insist he delivers on that promise, not too lekker what he's done ! Thats going to cost you quite a fair amount extra ...........

[Kneeslider]

PO's, will do no good to your blood pressure, but at least you have it home now and can move forward from here.
I agree with jolas, you paid money, he has to deliver on the rubber kit at least.

[oldschool75]

Thanks gents, I agree, at least now its eith me, that's why I went to fetch it.
The PO's not answering my calls or any orther form of communication, so I guess that's R3500 down the drain....

Oh well, that's life, have a nice weekend

[oldschool75]

Just an update, got the PO at long last on whatsapp - he used my money for other private stuff, but said he will pay me back, so this is to hoping that it will happen

Cheers,
Johann

[oldschool75]

Update...

This weekend I've got to "unpack" the bus. Boy, but there's a lot of work - something I'm sure the true die hearts out there would believe is easy and part and parcel of the whole experience, but as I was planning to buy a driving bus, it came as a HUGE shock to me.

Bodywork is all done and fine, but everything, and I mean EVERYTHING else must be done. The dash is taken out, all electrics, all door and side inner panels - some are missing. Roof has sagged, all electrical connections needs to be done, all lights etc.....

And then there's to hoping/praying that the engine was done right...... sigh

Have a good week
Johann

[retrovan]

Looks like a fun challenge.

Just do not loss Heart, sometimes it will all go well, others, not so well, actually very , but all that will add to the experience and the memory's, the battling will help you learn and remember the right way to do things, and the determination will get you to be able to drive a car that not only you, but your whole family will be proud of.

Sounds like a new family heirloom in the making.

Enjoy, this is not a race, you will find projects on this forum that have taken a lifetime, others a few months.

you work at your speed, and reap the reward.

Will be following this project with much interest.

Herman

[oldschool75]

Some more pics of what I currently have:

IMG-20131223-WA006.jpg

IMG-20131229-WA003.jpg

IMG-20140107-WA001.jpg

IMG-20140126-WA008.jpg

IMG-20140206-WA000.jpg

IMG-20140206-WA004.jpg

IMG-20140107-WA015.jpg

Cheers, and thanks for looking,
Johann

[Dazz]

Jus party mense sal n eerlikke Rand vat en jou indoen met n glimlag op hulle gesigte. Sterkte. Die wiel draai.

[haashim]

dammmm that motor looks good hey

[oldschool75]

Hi all,

Due to the sourcing of parts/accessories from ALL over SA, I decided to call my bus "Frankenbus"
All the "donors" of "transplant organs" will be listed in time, and will have part in this bus, also thinking of, when finished, to maybe include a "memorial plague" on one of the windows in the form of signage listing the sellers and "organs donated"

Thats all for now,
Johann

[hendriks]

hi Johann,

I like that idea.

If I had to do that I would need to tow a trailer just to list the names and places my parts come from. this includes parts bought, swapped, given and a list of what province they came from...

jsut keep at it, your bus will get done in time!

[The Gymkhana Fanatic]

I admire your dedication...keen to see how this turns out.

[oldschool75]

Thanks to all for the good wishes, I'm sure I'm gonna need all of it in the next two months or so.

Found a bus with a solid (original) interior and some other pieces still missing. Will be fetched over the coming weekend by a forum-friend, as we made a deal on who-needs-what basis.

Would like to fit and finish my interior this month, and het the roof and bumpers painted. Then should buy the rubber kit for all doors and glass towards month-end, and then lastly get the bus to a reputable mech to check if all is OK.

Hopefully I can be done with everything (if one ever gets "done") and can drive it in August.

Cheers
Johann