This bus is looking great, good work going on, looks really cool.

Thanks for the kind words chaps, managed to get the underside welding finished this weekend and into primer....... next stop, Gravitex and topcoat then on to fitting the axles back on.

Easter update! Got 4 days in on the bus over the bank holiday -

Seams sealed with PU, Gravitex over the primer.

Final paint on.

Back on its wheels!!!

We also beat out the dents at the back, skimmed with filler, flatted and acid etched the panels. The rear hatch (original) and new valance were also trial fitted.

Pretty happy with the progress so far.

Looking nice. Quick question, did you leave your hard brake line and your loom in to paint the underside? Did you have it blasted?

Thanks Clymoj, I took the brake lines out but left the old loom in so I could mouse a new one through..... hopefully the loom will go in but it's looking tight! The whole van was blasted before I did anything so I could see where the rot / old filler had been. Any panels that were beyond straightening or repair were changed and I'm hoping to have it pretty straight when I'm done.

Underside is looking great.
Nice job

Andy

Ah, yes, now I'm on the big computer I can see thanks - it's your accelerator cable dangling, not the end of a brake pipe.

Bit of a while since I last posted....... this feels kind of confessional?!

Few things have happened, steering box painted and in, brakes in, gearbox and driveshafts in and a few other bits. Underside is pretty much done whcih is nice. However, this now leaves me with the next stage being bodywork and paint. Few pics of whats happened so far as, if theres no pics, etc etc!

And a few more....

Simons brake lines..... he likes these things straight.

Looked into getting a second hand bench seat but for a '59, they seem pretty rare. Not to mention stupidly expensive. I decided to make one as a result using my trusty (!) Silverline pipe bender, and a vice.
Mocking frame up:

Serious concentration and oily blocks of wood

Frames completed and acid etched

Foam added and seat offered up

Unfortunately, I found out that I cut it too high so the foams going back to the foam place to have an inch shaved off the top. Going to fit the back rest once the seat is the right height!

Also, fitted flipped spindles from Gill on here, excellent service - he did a great job considering mine were not in a great shape to start with. New ride height:

Lots better. Will also need to lower the back end buit won't do that till the engines in.
Now over to Steve the painter as he's doing the next bit.

One last update. I didnt think that much had happened but I guess 4 months is a long time! I had my engine delivered from my builder, chap I met at a VW show and said he had a spare 1500sp that he would rebuild for me. Turned out he was an absolute gent and even delivered the motor from his place to mine - a 3.5 hour drive each way. He also gave me a complete photo record of the works done - heres a few and a vid of the finished item.

I just found your thread. Great bus mate, looks like a proper nice job. Going to be mint. Keep the updates coming.
Praise from MarkP and BlastingDiePast = top marks
Jason

Wow! fabulous stuff, well done. Looking forward to see more of your work.

wizard 1066 wrote:We decided to keep the rear heater pipe in situ as it will still work, most rock n roll beds will still fit over it with no problems, just a piece of flexy pipe in the end of it to feed through a slot or vent, keeps the rear passengers feet warm.

I'm doing this too but will be fitting the vent pipe in AFTER fitting the ply floor so giving a bit of room for adjustment and screwing down to ply.

Steve