Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum but have just purchased this bus with a view to carrying out a full custom resto! It's been a life long dream and I can't wait to get started!

I bought the bus from Paul Irving of IRV'S VW Restorations. It was his personal bus which he was going to restore but with new business growth in mind he's kindly sold this beauty to me. Together we'll be building one of the coolest buses out there (I hope!). Please enjoy the "before" pics before strip down, dipping and any replacement panels are put in place. No cutting corners here, this will be a top end build and built to the highest of standards.

I've battles with the "keep original" vs "not" and I want the bus I want... Not a trailer queen in standard form. When built it will be enjoyed for sure. SO I'm going old vs new custom... It will look largely original on the outside (apart from stance and wheels) but underneath it will have a modern engine (probably Subaru WRX turbo!) and gearbox as well as power steering, breaks, air ride etc etc... Full spec will evolve but this will be a serious bus once done!

I hope we don't offend anyone not going the original route but I hope it will still be enjoyed the way she will turn out...

Any feedback along the way great fully received!!

Thanks
Nick

Wow, can't wait to see this! Lovely looking bus, and welcome to the club

1962 buses are my favourites.
What month?
Must be September onwards?

That is lovely!

Thanks ScottyN!
Sorry first mistake (not checking the paperwork!). Type21f - it's a 1963 from May...

Yes thanks.
Still very very nice...
Have been in lots of feature identification quests recently...
Is a 63 MY.
So after August 1962..


So that agrees..

Will look very nice if you improve it even more..
G

Welcome Nick

Sounds like you have a dream, and you should follow that dream

Don't worry about what ever will be said, as we all have our own views of what a bus should and shouldn't be.........and that is what makes this club so cool !!!

If we all restored all our busses the same it would just be BORING !!!

We all love walking around every show looking at other busses, and that is because they are ALL DIFFERENT

Looks like you have a nice place to start (well any 23 window is a nice place to start ), and your plans sound fun

I'm looking forward to the updates......

Phil. (a fellow 23 window owner)

welcome buddy

23 window hu

mmmmmmmmmmmm


best get your order in on window polish


sounds like an exciting build and I'll be watching your every update with excitement

Cheers

Mark

Nice looking ride to start with
As for stock vs custom, as said just do what suits you dude. As long as you're using it for what it was intended that's all that counts
Remember to post up plenty of pics as you go and a bit of spiel to go with the pics, including the mistakes you make along the way (we all make them - just have a read if my thread ) and how you overcome them.
Spend a bit of time reading other folks build threads and learn from their experience and if ever you're not sure if something no matter how daft it seems just ask on here and usually someone will know. I'm looking forward to another heavily modified build thread
All I'd say is be careful with acid dipping and do your research as there's been issues with paint reacting in the seams as you can't always remove the acid 100% in some areas. Might be worth asking on the tech section from folks who've had it done vs having it media blasted instead.

Cheers, Lee.

Looking forward to this one.

If Irv is doing the work it will be a smasher


Nige

Real nice bus there, as said each to there own!

Looks like you are going 'how you want it', and thats what keeps things interesting!
If we were all purists it wouldn't be much fun would it!?

Look forward to seeing your thread grow.

Steve.

I had mine media blasted and it worked out a treat, a little too good as now i have no bus left