Worlds longest resto?

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by nobbly, Feb 2, 2016.

  1. Been meaning to get this done for ages. Off on the sick today so have some time for once...

    I've had this bus since 2000, me and Mrs nobbly bought it when we got married (awww) for some adventuring, which we did for a couple of years. Then baby No.1 came along and I took her off the reoad for 'a bit of welding'. Basically this snowballed into the whole lower 18" of the bus needs to be replaced or repaired.

    A mahoosive load of new steel was ordered (cargo floor, front/rear wheel tubs, arches, all outriggers, jacking points, etc.) and the welding commenced on the drive. Being in the RAF at the time, I got posted and the van got put in storage. After a while I got her moved to my new base and did a bit more work. At this stage most of the structural work was done.

    Then had baby No.2. Cue no sleep for 24 months! Motivation (and spare cash) took a dive and she just sat there unloved. At this point (2005) I left the RAF and so had to move the bus from (the free) storage on base. Squeeeeezed her into my garage and did very little work on her.

    Another house move (2010) to a place with no garage (well, a garage but full of heating boiler, washing machine etc.), so bus moved to a barn owned by my father in law. Sits for another 5 years....

    Then I read sparkywig's 'rusty nail to sows ear' thread and thought "What am I waiting for? Get it done. Do it yourself, paint it yourself and bloody use it!"

    All the early work was recorded on a camera... wait for it.... that took real film![​IMG] These have yet to be developed!

    When I work out how to insert a photo, I'll upload some pics.
     
    jivedubbin, nicktuft, Coco and 2 others like this.
  2. So, parked on the drive at last...

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    Kids keen to help...

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    Let's go!
     
  3. Windscreen out to remove dash, found this... kind of knew it was there really.

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    And some very messy wiring!

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    chrisniclia1 likes this.
  4. Onto stands and beam out for a look-see

    Bit of a rub down and some etch-primer on the 15 year old new panels!

    [​IMG]

    Beam in the shop for a going over, it was solid and had adjusters already fitted, but my servo plans required a bracket!

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Some bracketry magic and a bit of scraping and painting. Followed by a new svivel pin, a new servo and m/cylinder. Ball joints seem OK [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    More to follow...
     
    jivedubbin and chrisniclia1 like this.
  6. Dash out for a bit of a tidy up and lower colour coding.

    Needed to weld up a couple of PO holes and skim with filler...

    [​IMG]

    Bit of paint - Neptune Blue to match what the van will eventually be!

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    And all back together [​IMG] . Taa-dah!

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    Meanwhile, outside...
     
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  7. Inside of dash and so forth painted too, keen apprentice sorts out the wiring harness. Good job!

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    Underneath, arches/chassis painted and beam back in. Another apprentice fits new backing plates, discs and calipers.

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  8. Anyway, after the trepidatious* chopping of my rust free (not dent free [​IMG] ) Aussie SLD (again bought 15 yrs ago - £80 as I recall), the glass fits, yay!

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    * is that a word?
     
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  9. Forgot to mention that the PO blue paint is the biggest pita to remove - ever. It clogs all mechanical means and laughs at chemical paint removers. The heat gun and scraper are the only way. It is a long way around a type 2. So it was good to get at least one side scraped, etched and some 2-pack primer on.

    Door track cover channel fitted... note horrid blue!

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    Etched...

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    ..and finally primed

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    Lord Congi, chrisniclia1 and Deefer66 like this.
  10. Then buff my 'new' (but err patinated) Merc 15" steels...

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    Then a deserved stubby [​IMG]
     
  11. A quick try on of the Merc steelies [​IMG]

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    Then what happened? The weather turned [​IMG] , seemingly for ever, last October

    So, after agreeing to help someone restore an MGB roadster in return for access to a heated workshop, it was off to her winter home...

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    ... for more scraping of the blue nemesis [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Moons, nicktuft, scrooge95 and 2 others like this.
  12. Glad you've got the bug again! :)
    Looks like some great work going on there so I'm looking forward to more piccies soon!
    Are you hoping to get it back on the road for this year's season?
     
  13. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Steady on fella, fifteen years :eek: you'll be getting @dog all hot under the collar, he's got the worlds longest bay resto...until now :D

    Good luck with the project :thumbsup:
     
    dog likes this.
  14. MorkC68 likes this.
  15. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    Good to see you're making progress. :thumbsup:
     
  16. Aye it is!
     
  17. SCORED ON EBAY! Six-rib [of unknown functionality] on the way, hopefully the end of my gearbox dilemmas, but not the start of my gearbox woes o_O .

    This is it, wish me luck...
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Flakey

    Flakey Supporter

    Did you get the type4 with it?
     
  19. I see you've got a few Trials bikes (TY80 , 315 Mont ? ) What trials do you ride ? Just local or all over ?
     
  20. @Flakey no, that is on eBay now for £850. Typical really as I bought a 2.0 CU and spent ages collecting tinware and heat exchangers etc. Just got the last few bits together and up this pops! Still, the one I bought I got to see and have a run in first. It also has twin Dell's on :)
     
    Flakey likes this.

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