1959 Kombi

[retrovan]

Thanks Fig, Dawie, Sean. Tony, cool, will let you know, may take you up on your offer, but will persevere in the meantime ....
)

What I have found with rusty old cars, 1st you spray the part that needs removal, a few days in advance, then I find the correct tool, (screwdriver, socket, pozi) then I get a Big 4Pound Hammer.
Place the screwdriver in the screw, hit it as hard as you can, get out the heat gun heat the head, and just turn it out.
9times out of 10 it comes out 1st time, if not repeat.
Also As the screw/bolt loosens, do not turn it out in one go, as it will most probably lock up.
Spray and turn in, then out a bit more, then spray, then in again, ....... playing it out in this way.
Now you may use the same bolt in the same place as no damage was done.......
Hope this helps...
Herman

[jolas]

Thanks for the tip Herman

[jolas]

Thanks guys I managed to get the screws out with an impact screwdriver, some heat and a hammer.

The inner screws of the bottom hinges were a big problem because there was'nt enough space to smack the impact screwdriver, the wheel arches were in the way. My dad suggested a lever of sorts to put pressure on the screwdriver, those two screws came out very easily !

The bus was stripped of a few bits over the the twenty years it stood in the veld, and the culprit obviously tried his luck at the engine hatch, and in the process really stripped the screws properly
Apart from Figs's suggestion of a nut welded to the screw, any other ideas guys ? Cheers


There was just enough clearance so as not to damage the body - I've come across many busses where this channel lip has been iether cut or bent to "aid" in the removal of the inside screws


Using a plank and a block of wood to put pressure in the screw driver

[Donovan D]

Hey Paul, now that you know how to do it, can you come and do mine
My engine latch screws are also stripped, still need to get them out and put in the new rubbers

[jolas]

Hey Paul, now that you know how to do it, can you come and do mine
My engine latch screws are also stripped, still need to get them out and put in the new rubbers

Sure can help with the doors, but the engine hatch hinges are now a problem, the screw heads are really boogered

And they must come off in order for me to put the hinge in a vice to drill the old pin out .....

[Donovan D]

Hey Paul, now that you know how to do it, can you come and do mine
My engine latch screws are also stripped, still need to get them out and put in the new rubbers

Sure can help with the doors, but the engine hatch hinges are now a problem, the screw heads are really boogered

And they must come off in order for me to put the hinge in a vice to drill the old pin out .....

I just need to align my doors a bit so I think its more to do with the hinge screws on the body.
Have you managed to get those screws out of that cargo door ?

[jolas]

Not too worried about the cargo doors Donovan. The front doors need some serious work at the hinge mountings, the sheet metal has actually torn away there. I think that with lack of use the hinges siezed, and at some stage the doors were forced open thus tearing the metal away from the hinges.
The cargo doors need some panelbeating but they open and close fine ....

[Guardian]

Thanks Fig, Dawie, Sean. Tony, cool, will let you know, may take you up on your offer, but will persevere in the meantime ....

Guardian, what car are driving that gives you this mileage

A 335 - will be an experience and a half using it as a towing vehicle...

[Simon]

Indeed a great find Paul!
I cant get over that colour,its the perfect karoo-weathered-matt-ratty-red !
Really glad to hear you're leaving the paintwork as is for now.
Good Luck with the resto.

[jolas]

Hey hi Simon. Can't wait to park it alongside your Squareback, the red looks quite similar? Won't be respraying it, no need to worry about that - except where rust removal, etc, needs to happen.

[jose amador]

Very cool 59...

[Warwick-Lowlight]

What a find and what a story
would be great if the old folks could post some more history about the bus
Green with envy
Warwick

[jolas]

Shot for the comments guys

I bought two semaphores today

[Retrobug]

epic find!
makes me feel a little.....

[jolas]

Short update : Both front doors and the engine lid are refitted, the doors needed some welding at the hinge mounts, and then the hinges needed to be screwed back on (thanks Sean for the help )
I've removed most of the rotten interior panels that need to be replaced (did'nt find any money or drugs !!! But I did find a postage stamp commemorating the "Union of SA", plenty of mielie seeds which I presumed the sheep ate while they were being transported, an old spanner, not much else - so it is safe to say that no surfer or hippie ever set foot in this bus )
I don't like hosing my cars with water, but I used a pressure cleaner under the bus to get rid of the spiders, and years and years worth of Karoo sand and dust.
A few panels and chassis bits are needed - will be picking splitbusaholic's brain soon ........

Apologies for the poor quality pics













Can someone please advise : the rear interior roof section, it appears that it did'nt have a hardboard roof panel, the metal also seems to have been painted as finished quality ........... can anyone shed some light here, is there supposed to be a roof panel here ?



Sean is also busy with his '59 bus, it is interesting that both busses need the same panels, but on opposite sides. We are going to try get these busses mobile at the same time And that will be another 2 '59 busses back on the road