VW Bus: Restoration time

[Bullethead]

We just finished a road trip of Florida with our '64 Deluxe, during which it passed 254,000 miles. It's been in our care since '94 and never let us down. Coastal Florida hasn't been as kind as where it came from, Santa Cruz... and a few small rust spots have popped up in the past 6 months. So, while on our trip we decided it's time to finally give it a proper bare shell rejuvination. It deserves it!

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I drive this thing every day, responsible for more than 120,000 miles on the clock. Touring 1,400 miles of old Florida during Labor Day week was genuinely pleasurable.

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While I really enjoy the rudimentary transportation it IS, thoughts of modern brakes, 12 volt electrics and more power have been a temptation. This is an honest, original bus with original engine and drivetrain... after it's perfect, stock or not it will still be used daily. It isn't slow: the first owner had the transmission modified in 1964 for California I-5 commuting. It cruises at 65mph and keeps up fine in street traffic. Would any of you take the path I'm contemplating? Thoughts & opinions greatly appreciated. This is our forever car.

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Many thanks in advance for your input!

[CamBiscuit]

Hi Russ

I'm currently restoring an 11 window myself. I think that as long as you keep all of the original running gear so you can take it back to stock at some point, there is no harm done making it a more comfortable and safe daily driver.

Oh and as long as you keep it air cooled!

[CamBiscuit]

Just for kicks here's the current state of my project bus, I think yours will involve a little less body work

[Bullethead]

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. 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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[Bullethead]

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.

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Looks pretty good, doesn't it?

[gruen911]

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.

[lilacrs]

Russ, I think it OK to update to 12v and to at least install one of those disc brake conversion kits that allow you to use the wide 5 pattern wheels. Since your bus looks so original, I wouldn't do too much more with the modifications. My 65 is in slightly better shape than Cam's but its currently getting its entire underside metal and lower sheetmetal replaced due to rust. I was amazed that the roof and windows were rust free when I brought it home a few years ago.

I'm going to lower mine, and replace it with all Porsche 356 running gear, update to 12v, add safari windows, but keep the original sea blue color and interior, though its tempting to do something a little crazy! Let me know if you have an spare short middle bench used in walkthrough deluxes.

Here's a pic:
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[southbay356]

nice bus but I would think about the 356 motor idea , the tiny crank / flywheel pins might not take the beating you will be giving it , thats a lot of metal to get moving off the line !

ohh and if you care I probably have a bay window center seat

[Warm Tea]

Great looking 21 window, good luck with the restoration! I have a 1961 Standard Micro in Mango/Seagull grey OG paint and have been blessed that the tin worm hasn't gotten it yet.

[dummkopf]

Cools stuff! I love the old buses. The more windows the better!