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Well, it's been awhile since this thread was started, so time for an update. Unfortunately several things delayed this project, and the bus saw another three years of road use before (finally) getting what it deserves. Hard to believe I began taking this thing apart at my old shop June 2016, and finished disassembly in my new digs a year later. Yes, there was rust, in places expected... and not. The beginning:
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The window rot was a known, and while the pans look great, they hid some ugly which will be shown shortly.
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Thankfully all the metal you'd ever need for splitties is available and not costly. Did the bottom parts of the skylights, and a friend welded up a rolling platform. Then to the media blasters, using soda and getting it spankin' clean. Now all the warts are visible. :eek:
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Looks pretty good, doesn't it?
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Finally, in September it went to the body shop of a friend who has painted several cars for us. His bread & butter are high-zoot luxomobiles: he's the official repair facility down here for Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, Tesla, etc. Not cheap, but their work is warranted forever. He painted our 280SL almost two decades ago... kept it covered in the warehouse, but I didn't finish the car until 2014. Brought a couple of small bubbles to his attention and when he visited to see the issue, immediately took the car back and resprayed it. FREE. :cool: Anyway, his place is spotless, techs are old-school with the latest equipment, you get what you pay for.
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Here's a few of the unexpected spots which are minor compared to many bus restos, but still significant:
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Nice rig. Here is our family camper: a 78 2.0 T2b Westfalia Champagne edition. Took it on a tour of Tuscany and the Chianti region last summer. The little 2.0 TypeIV with fuel injection purred like a kitten all the way to Rome and back in 105 degree heat. And it was a favourite at all the campgrounds we stayed in...
Good luck with the restoration.
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Looks like a wonderful way to see Tuscany... :) We probably have several months to go before taking our splitty touring again.
Just visited the shop and wrote another check for work-to-date. All the metal is done, now it's detail/blocking, probably 3-5 weeks before paint. :(
Considering the amount of small rusted spots replaced by full sections instead of patches, cost is a little more than expected but we want this thing perfect. Getting itchy knowing that my reassembly time will easily be 2-300 hours. Will hopefully finish by June. ...maybe...
Here are shots of finished replacement sections to compare with the earlier pics of perforation.
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Dude.....I love this bus.
Definitely cool as heck. :p
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After 13 months, our immaculate, freshly painted bus was delivered today... total hours to make this perfect was stupid $$$. :eek: Now it's assembly time.
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Bullethead, would you mind sharing Name & Location of this shop?