Aircooled VW South Africa

I picked up what we think is now a Feb - Apr. 1958 bus... and doubt it can be sulvaged, but think I will give it a go somewhere down the line. Brief history - it was left for 20 odd years in the sand and by the bits left on her it seems she was parked and left to die..It must have been towed around the farm since it had a steering arm attached to the front end to steer the front wheels. She has the correct Gearbox and the front end with steering box and braking system except in the front. She is rotten with rust but a number of trips to klassicfab will no doubt bring her back and no doubt me with a begging bowl. You laughter and comments are welcome.

The sandpit

My Arse

Interior to die for
Belly off the ground

Drivers side

Passenger Side

So what do you think...

Hate it when people leave cars to rot like this!

Hey ....isn't that the bus Paul was after ? He was waiting for the owner to give him the go ahead to fetch ?
did you buy it from Paul ?

Klassic Fab SA at your service !

Mmmmm I see safari frames, still a few side pop-out frames also visible. Amazing how some of the pin striping has survived all this time. Also amazing that the rear valance (correct for crank handle) and rear bumper are still there - pressed bumpers nogal Also cool are the door handles which have'nt dissappeared. Does it still have the semaphores ?
Pity about the bulkhead being hacked out.
The tin worms have been busy over the last 20 years Bruce. If one looks at some projects on thesamba.com, etc, etc, then any bus seems to be restorable, but this is going to be very expensive and a huge committment ........... But if another palm green/sand green bus lives to tell the tale - then (phew) go for it !


























Otherwise an auction is in order for the safari windows to pay for your trailer and day off work +salvage mission complete with swearwords, sweat and tears and spiders and perhaps a molesnake or two ? - I dibs the bumpers and valance - Sean dibs the gearbox - herbie 123 needs a handle or two, HR some cargo door bits

splitbusahollic wrote:Hey ....isn't that the bus Paul was after ? He was waiting for the owner to give him the go ahead to fetch ?
did you buy it from Paul ?

Klassic Fab SA at your service !

Howzit, yes I have known about this bus for a few months, but never met the owner, also never knew the exact location although spent many hours at night on google-earth - the guy who told me about the the bus never dreamed it would be found by anyone else - but the universe has other plans and ideas - and as Bruce told me, one of his reps found the bus.
So no regrets, 10 out of 10 to Bruce for actually removing the WHOLE bus - I think I might have used it for parts only

Didn't dawn on me Paul was after the bus, I thought it was his mate who was after it...
The guys Paul, Sean and Dave would be my first choice to offer parts to if it is scrapped. But at the moment she will stand safe and sound till I have really checked her out.....

Did you take photos of the salvage mission, loading it on the trailer and all the rest ?

what is the ting above the rear door ?
just take the roof off and make it a full convertible !
would make a nice rat bus if the roof was in order !

Nice find Bruce.

I wondered what Paul was going on about when he said we must come and see your bus.

Parts, yes please, when and if available.

I am seriously busy kicking myself right now. I knew where this bus was a while back. A friend spotted it but told me there was no running gear or parts that were salvageable and the remains extremely rusted away.

Eish, I should have gone to check it out myself that while back, I could have used the spares for my 59.
I personally think it would be great if you can restore this bus, it’s a serious amount of work, but I am sure a great achievement.

Anyway, here is the pic’s from 2009.

amazing how the bush grew in 3 years !
we can get all the panels you need to restore this baby.....if they can rebuild barndoor buses with Gerson panels then this bus is a walk in the park !

sean wrote:I am seriously busy kicking myself right now. I knew where this bus was a while back. A friend spotted it but told me there was no running gear or parts that were salvageable and the remains extremely rusted away.

Eish, I should have gone to check it out myself that while back, I could have used the spares for my 59.
I personally think it would be great if you can restore this bus, it’s a serious amount of work, but I am sure a great achievement.

Anyway, here is the pic’s from 2009.

eish !!!