Topic: the flagbus (Read 1387 times)

Flagbus · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 10:25 »

I bought this bus with no knowledge of aircooled at all. I've never restored a car before so I needed one with the best bodywork I could afford due to my limited skill with a welder....
So why by one?
Well, it started with a boat! My previous project was to build a wooden sailing boat and we sail it with the kids- well we did up 'til July last year when the camper arrived.
We wanted a vehicle to tow the boat but also serve as a changing room, something we could use to go away for sailing trips further afield and maybe holidays. It also had to fit in the garage! My wife saw this one, amongst others, at Karman Konnection in Southend-on-Sea. It turned into one of those "what the hell- lets just do it" kinda moments we used to do before kids! The deal was done and work began modifying the garage just to get it through the door. KK delivered it a few days later on 2nd July 09. Had to take off the roof first so made full use of the initial surge of enthusiasm straight after work and started stripping her down, ready to give her a complete overhaul. It was a non runner by the way, so it was to be a long wait for a test drive until it finally emerged from the garage

Here's the boat, now evicted from the garage and now residing outside!

Flagbus · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 10:50 »

Here is Lottie ('cos of how much spent!) sitting in the yard up for sale. We took measurements and went home to work out how to get her thru' the garage doors. The up and over mechanism had to come off along with the frame header which gave us about 2 inches clearance above, the door had to be side hung on butt hinges and the wing mirrors have an inch clear each side.
She was delivered on a low loader and we had to rig up a winch to pull her up the drive and into the garage. That evening my wife and kids helped take off the roof, front doors and tailgate. She was then moved into the garage where she'd stay for the next six months.

Flagbus · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 14:28 »

I've kept the interior westie units all as stock. I'm not a great fan of it but we'll leave it for a year and by then we will know whether it works for us.

Flagbus · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 15:47 »

Lottie with no clothes on!

......and looking a little more decent;

mechanicals got a complete overhaul

as did the underneath

sometimes it meant working late outside in the rain

but mostly it meant working late in the dry!

95% finished and ready for MOT

99% finished and finally on the road after 8 months hard labour

too many flags?

out in the Essex hillsides

The bus is now 99% finished. Only a few teething troubles which were easy to sort, we can now enjoy ownership.

Nixy · « **Reply #5 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 18:08 »

Can I post now? May I say your bus is completely AWESOME! Every time I see it I WANT it. Flagbus should be featured in a magazine, she is bloomin'......dunno......ma kes me smile every time I see a picture

. Ruddy well done

Flagbus · « **Reply #6 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 18:57 »

I e-mailed volksworld camper & bus 3 times and never even got a reply!!

ob1 · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 18:59 »

Quote from: Flagbus on Sun 02/05/10, 18:57

I e-mailed volksworld camper & bus 3 times and never even got a reply!!

Thats because its not an early magnolia bay

hailfrank · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun 02/05/10, 21:09 »

Quote from: Flagbus on Sun 02/05/10, 18:57

I e-mailed volksworld camper & bus 3 times and never even got a reply!!

i'll have a word

bmx_smurf88 · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 10:53 »

very nice! I love it!!!

I have been toying with putting a British flag on the front of my bay for sometime when it comes to repainting next month. though I would carry it all the way around the van.

did u you do the painting yourself?

Flagbus · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 18:55 »

Quote from: bmx_smurf88 on Thu 13/05/10, 10:53

did u you do the painting yourself?

Guilty! I'd like to do a Bug for the kids when I can afford to buy one-

"Flagbug"- you heard it hear 1st!

Flagbus · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 18:59 »

Quote from: hailfrank on Sun 02/05/10, 21:09

Quote from: Flagbus on Sun 02/05/10, 18:57
I e-mailed volksworld camper & bus 3 times and never even got a reply!!

i'll have a word

contact made, much thanx

hailfrank · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 20:05 »

no worries

bmx_smurf88 · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 21:06 »

Quote from: Flagbus on Thu 13/05/10, 18:55

Quote from: bmx_smurf88 on Thu 13/05/10, 10:53

did u you do the painting yourself?

Guilty! I'd like to do a Bug for the kids when I can afford to buy one-

"Flagbug"- you heard it hear 1st!

brilliant, lol, roller or spray. hoping to spray my in a couple of months, you've tempted me again to do a british flag, yours looks soo nice.

Flagbus · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 21:21 »

1st coat brush, 2nd aerosol. Using "rustoleum" paints. (and lots of masking tape)

jonnyk · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 21:30 »

Quote from: Flagbus on Thu 13/05/10, 21:21

1st coat brush, 2nd aerosol. Using "rustoleum" paints. (and lots of masking tape)

....about 3 miles of tape was it? Like I said to you a truly awesome paint job, let us know how the magazine thing pans out. Hope you are all well.

bmx_smurf88 · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu 13/05/10, 22:39 »

brilliant, love to see it up close. you going to many shows this year?

Flagbus · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri 14/05/10, 20:07 »

Quote from: jonnyk on Thu 13/05/10, 21:30

Quote from: Flagbus on Thu 13/05/10, 21:21
1st coat brush, 2nd aerosol. Using "rustoleum" paints. (and lots of masking tape)

....about 3 miles of tape was it? Like I said to you a truly awesome paint job, let us know how the magazine thing pans out. Hope you are all well.

only 300 metres! Magazine article will be a "back to mine" possibly in the summer issue

Flagbus · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri 14/05/10, 20:09 »

Quote from: bmx_smurf88 on Thu 13/05/10, 22:39

brilliant, love to see it up close. you going to many shows this year?

looks better in the photos! Will be at Battlesbridge tomorrow, and at the Battle of the Bays in June

Nixy · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat 15/05/10, 16:28 »

Quote from: Flagbus on Fri 14/05/10, 20:07

only 300 metres! Magazine article will be a "back to mine" possibly in the summer issue

Look forward to seeing it

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