Arkansas to Bristol '78 import bus

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by Ianlea73, Sep 17, 2015.

  1. I've posted a quick hello in the 'introduce yourself' thread so I thought I'd show you all what I've got.
    I've owned a few bays in my time from when I was a student at college 20+ years ago & about 10 years ago I bought a project that I had to give up when I lost my job.
    Nowadays work is solid & life is good so I thought I should rekindle my love for the old bays & get one.However that's not as easy as it sounds due to rust & sky high prices for tidy ones so I decided to look elsewhere.
    I pm'ed 'theovalguy' from this forum & we emailed back & forth for a few weeks doing a deal on a tintop rather than a full camper.
    Well today it was released from customs at Southampton & my mate collected it for me so here goes......
    I'll start with interior & the good bits.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Here's a few not so good bits from the inside.The rear cargo/boot area seems to have suffered a patch of rust that has eaten through the ribbed floor so I hope I'll be able to get a repro panel just to cut that out.The drivers side cab floor has disappeared but again I'll search for a decent panel company to find a replacement.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. The engine bay needs a new battery tray & a complete new rear section so I hope they're available.I was toying with the idea that it maybe a perfect time to make a removeable rear section for easier engine access.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Now for the bodywork.John assured me that the gutters & front screen surround was solid despite the pictures showing otherwise & I'm really pleased to say that it's all surface rust.I absolutely love the patina on this bus & fully intend on saving it as is.
    There is rust in the rear lower arch sections & that's it really.The doors are solid as is the sliding door & all window surrounds.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    As for the bus I already have a set of wheels but I intend on fitting a 4'' narrowed & adjustable beam & lower the rear 2 splines.
    I also have a 1641 engine I had saved for a rainy day that I've just finished building.

    Please poke fun at me, laugh or criticize at your leisure or if you're feeling helpful maybe some suggests to source the BEST quality repair panels & a decent front beam.
    Thanks guys & girls I'm really looking forward to posting regular updates & also asking loads of tech advise on the way.
     
    Miss Rosie and Paul zen like this.
  3. Here's a few of the rusty bits.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    bernjb56 likes this.
  4. some cool looking patina there, the roof I like, may be a little past it though but I like the look of the back too, got your hands full but will be worth it in the end!
     
  5. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    jay74 and bernjb56 like this.
  6. Cheers,I really do think I could get the panels & welding done for a few hundred quid so not too bad.
     
  7. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Have a word with vwfbi maybe they have a few cuts?
     
  8. like the subtle stripe work too below the swage line! what are your plans then?
     
  9. Looks a great base to start on, underneaths good, gonna keep it as a microbus?
     
  10. Thanks guys.The bus is stayin as a microbus.It has all the original seatbelts on the centre seat & it just looks cool.I am going to find a way of keeping the rear seat but also use it as a rock & roll bed.
    The original plan is to source panels & cuts then get the welding done.I intend on keeping the exterior as is.
    Then I'm going to lower it & fit some Porsche wheels I have in the garage.

    Thanks for the heads up about fbivw I've just found a complete rear valance on ebay in blue advertised by them so that's a good start.
     
  11. Some of that rust looks far worse than just surface rust especially the bottom of the windscreen panel and rear corner of the gutters
    Best of luck with the resto and i hope its not too bad:thumbsup:
     
  12. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    good luck with this, you do know they do rusty ones with the steering wheel on the correct side though yes?
     
    The Bobdogs and Luis Navarro like this.
  13. hahaha.....there's a reason its called 'Right' hand drive :p
     
  14. Are you doing the welding yourself? I've spent almost 500 quid on panels alone so far, and i don't have any labour costs at all so if you're farming out the welding work it can quickly mount up! As a general rule of thumb, you take the figure you think it'll cost you, then double or triple it lol same goes for time :)
     
    Miss Rosie likes this.
  15. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    I like it but I reckon you'll find a lot more rust if you go digging :( Looks pretty solid underneath though :thumbsup:
     
  16. It's literally all surface rust.I spent last night scraping & poking all over the gutter rails & especially the front screen area.It genuinely is solid in those areas.

    You horrible lot.
    The difference being not only the steering wheel position but the cost.Even including shipping & taxes it was 1/2 the price of what I've looked at over here.

    I'm going to do all the prep work & carry out the minor repairs but as for the lower arch repair & the rear valance I'm getting a mate to do it for 'beer tokens'.
     
    rickyrooo1 likes this.
  17. Nice bus fella, don't listen to these lot nothing wrong with lhd :)
    What part of Bristol are you? There's a couple of us in Bristol on here :thumbsup:
     
  18. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    good basis for a project - good luck with it!
     
  19. Thanks mate I love a bit of banter so no harm done.
    I'm in Kingswood how about you?
     
  20. Just round the corner in Warmley. I'll have to pop round when I've got mine back(having some welding done) :thumbsup:
     

Share This Page