59 Deluxe Microbus Samba

[ST Man]

Here are a few target pictures. Still a long way away.

[flatfourfan]

I saw the bus at Dirks and was meaning to pop in, when I did it had already left.............you planning a complete resto for this bus?

[MarshallGTi]

tell us about those 2 porkers in the garage...?

[ST Man]

Hi Flatfour /Marchal

Restoration
I plan to do a complete restoration on the bus. I plan on stripping it and starting from a clean chassis. The bus will need a few new panel from rust and right hand side accident that was repaired badly.
Due to financial constraints I will only start restoration.... later maybe even a in two years time. I wont start until I have most of the parts already in garage and some spare cash.
I think he interior will go to a tan/camel colour. The outside will largely remain the same. I have had thoughts of a colour change on the car to White top, black bottom and then red wheels with the same colour interior but I have lots of time to decide.
I might take out the engine and store it and then replace with something like a 1600 twin carb just to get me up the hills. But will still see.
I might also add a few fast bits but will not pimp bus.
My biggest dream is to take the car to Kruger Park and do some game viewing when its done. I am already thinking of going to Rietvlei nature reserve this weekend for a test drive.....

On the Porkers
Right (Silver) is a 1968 911 S targa. Owned it since 2005. I finished a restoration on it last year May. The car isstill matching numbers etc.
Left is a 1968 911 ST Replica that has been taking to long to complete. It is my non original car but all period racing bits inluding a 110l RSR tank, 2.5 twin spark engine, period Recaro's, roll cage and a few carbon Fibre panels to shed the weight. Wanted to complete car this year but then a Samba appeared in the driveway.
I also have anoher one that is not in pictures its a 1969 911 S Coupe. Chassis number 2 and factory long wheel base prototype. One of two Karman test bodies for Long wheel base and the first owner was Dr Fery Porsche himself who drove the car for 1 year. Sad part it was modified by previous owner and in sad state o disrepair. It wil also need a complete restoration.
See under Porsche on the board "a few cars I really care for" There's some more in there.

Leon

[flatfourfan]

Good luck with the project.........it seems to be int he right hands.

[ST Man]

If I decide to go to a colour change this is where I will be headed... i think.

I cant decide if it will be wrong to do this to bus but it looks really good.

Should bus stay original colour or is i ok to go to something you really like? you tell me

[Retrobug]

The black is cool!
But origional red is better!

[flatfourfan]

ST, this is one of the reason that I drive a plastic fantastic car......I can pretty much do what I want to it and I don't care what the masses think.

This however.......is different. My advice to you, get the odd rust repairs done, get the bus 100% solid both mechanically and rust free (but keeping it on the road and riding the WHOLE time)

I would like to see the bus in as much original paint as possible, with the repairs being blended in to the OG paint. Remember you only have original paint once. But at the end of the day, I've heard what you've done to it so far and you're on the right track with whatever you decide.

[Muderick]

I agree!

ST, the answer is quite simple. Regardless of me being a purist, like many others on the forum, the decision is ultimately yours. Like Flat four fan said, this bus will only be original once. Currently its original, and as soon as your restore it, it would then become a restored bus. Period. Many people confuse a restored bus with an original bus.

Personally, seeing you are asking, I prefer it as is, doing a rolling sympathetic, preservation job on it. If you are gonna go all out, do it in the original colours to keep its value.

Change the colour, lose the value.

Muds

[ST Man]

Just for a bit of info, the outside of the bus is not original paint. The car had accident in the 80s and all red and white on exterior was repainted. The dash is still original paint.
Thank you for comments so far

[flatfourfan]

in that case.................hello new colour.......lol.

Any ideas on who you want to resto the bus for you? Seeing that you're local keep Hannes Schnetler in mind.......

[ST Man]

The restoration is still far away but the way I would like to do it is strip bus myself and tag and bag parts myself. Order all the parts myself for rust repair.
Then I will get someone to do the rust repair and the spray work. Preferably a WITH VW knowledge.
I will then assemble the bus again by myself.

[flatfourfan]

good plan of action........

[IMPI]

I think that on this particular bus there is not much chance of keeping it in its present state and a full restoration as you propose will only add to the value the bus. A Samba is desirable being rare worldwide and colour wouldnt matter much. Black for large panels such as a bus would be very difficult to achieve to a mirror std not that that is impossible but it is likely to suffer damage from the chassis flexing that little bit but ultimately its cool for you and that is what matters. Afterall its only paint and paint can be changed. I know some people who has had the same car for years but every now and again changes the colour. For an engine a nice full overhaul on the driveline and a 1776 would really change things, best is the engine can be kept stock looking outside.
Regards
Armand

[hitlers revenge]

If you indeed go the black route, have a look at Ron&Gill,s bus.