Project: GL Bus

[Timmy_Barns]

Alright, it has come time to start building a list of stuff to get the Bus. I know most German Look projects are Type 1's, and there are several Buses currantly being GL'ed. So as of now, I am going to start turning my 1970 project Bus into a German Looker. The things I have:

Wheels: Porsche Fuchs wrapped in Hoosier 205's all around, not currantly on the Bus, will be going with Disc Brake conversion, if they make one.

The Bus: 1970 Original Blue/Silver/Blue paint combo.

Engine: Right now a 1600cc SP, that is not installed. Im lookin on Ebay for Porsche engines, cuase I think a Bus needs all the help it can get.

Other than that I am going to open the flood gates, and let you folks start helping me make a list.

Oh BTW, I am a high school student with very little to no money, so if possible supply the cheapest parts

Thanks Tim

[NO_H2O]

sounds like a nice project. There are a couple of Type 2 guys on here that can help wiff that. I have a 73 I wan't to do some cool stuff to for my son.

[Vincent]

hey sence you have a small budget i would not worry about the power plant for now just work on getting it low and looking good... you can always update it as you go. It all depends on your budget. sence you already have the wheels and tires then i would get some disk breaks and just drop it on the ground at least that way you are rolling around with the look. as money comes in then i would look at seats some nice buckets, steering wheel grant GT actualy makes some nice looking wheels now.

How far do you plan on taking the project?

[Timmy_Barns]

I plan on making a good Daily Driver, But with a touch of German elegance What Do you suggest for body color? Right now it is Blue/Silver/Blue. I like it because you dont see many tri-colored busses around. BTW the Blues are the same color and every thing.

I am going to post a picture of it, then you can see what I am working with.

Ok this just told me my picture is not valid? Why?

Ill try to get a Picture of it up in the next couple minutes.

[justdubbin]

Hi Timmy,

Vincent is right, plan out any body modifications & when you've got that sorted get the bodywork repaired/painted to get the highest quality paint job your budget will get you.
Next the three most important things, suspension, brake upgrade & then THE most important of these (especially if you plan on a 6 pot Porsche motor) is the wheel/tyre combination. It's not just about looks especially when you've got nearly 300BHP the wrong side of the rear axle you want the best tyre you can afford.
When your happy with that little lot go searching for the Porsche engine & gearbox.

I'm trying to find a good body/paint shop at the moment for my '71' RHD baywindow Deluxe sunroof.

I've just had the good fortune (read: my wife just had the good fortune) of coming into approx £12,000 that approx $21,500 that I'm giving my bus The German Look with

I'll post some pictures as & when :agree:


Rob.

[Timmy_Barns]

Ok let me try and add a photo again, I just deleted my Temp. Internet Files, so that might be the reason.

I am looking into getting the body parts I need. I think I am going to leave the interior alone for right now. I think I need the dog legs, I think thats what there called, under the door? Yeah whatever. Then I need the peice under the sliding door, and thats it for body, other than rust. My brother has a sand blaster, I think I am going to borrow it some weekend and try to de-rust the exterior. Is it nessesary to take the windows out for that? I guess I need to anyway I need new rubber. Other than that All I need body way's is the floor to be welded up, but who is goingt o look under there anyway? I prolly plan to use this Bus as a DD in the summer and garage it in the winter, unless I go south Maybe I'll just build up the VW motor that I have. Maybe just a mild 1915 DP with Dual Kadrons. I have the Kadrons, I just need the P&C's now for it Ok Im done ranting tonight.

Ok this is being stupid why the heck cant I upload photos? Is there a size restriction? I have them set at 640*480.

[super vw]

cool project for sure... but if your plans are to get it into the mags....well, you cant have a attitude like this: "Other than that All I need body way's is the floor to be welded up, but who is goingt o look under there anyway?"

MOST (Most not all) of the cars you see in the mags are of good quality and to have that,(quality) a bit more money is involed.

But here is how i would do it.
-do the body and paint
-suspention and brakes
-engine and drivetrain
-interior, electrical, seals...ect

unless this is not a full on restoration, in this case, do the body and paint, and then whatever fallows best in your mind.

Its all good in the end...

[justdubbin]

Originally Posted by Timmy_Barns

I think I need the dog legs, I think thats what there called, under the door? Yeah whatever. Then I need the peice under the sliding door, and thats it for body, other than rust.

Yes doglegs are what you call them in the States, here in the UK we just call them cabsteps.
The bit under the sliding door US= rocker panel ... UK sill

My brother has a sand blaster, I think I am going to borrow it some weekend and try to de-rust the exterior. Is it nessesary to take the windows out for that? I guess I need to anyway I need new rubber.

Sand blasting is a good way to get rid of rust BUT makes sure the air pressure isn't to high, at the same time make sure the abbrasive isn't to big other wise you will either blow holes in the panel or just distort them rendering them usless

Other than that All I need body way's is the floor to be welded up, but who is goingt o look under there anyway?

Like Super said, if you want a feature done then it's guna have to be good, besides do it properly the first time then it should last for years

I prolly plan to use this Bus as a DD in the summer and garage it in the winter, unless I go south

Again this goes back to the bit above with the welding, if you live in a wet-ish state (I would know as I'm from the UK where it's always wet) if you don't do it right then the rust will just come back destroying your bus

Ok this is being stupid why the heck cant I upload photos? Is there a size restriction? I have them set at 640*480.

You have to have the pictures on the web some where from somewhere like THIS


Rob.

[Timmy_Barns]

I was joking about the magazine thing. My plan for this Bus is to have a Good Daily Driver GL Bus, Hence right after I said to get into a Magazine, Thats what everyone wants. It was supposed to be sarcastic. Sorry for the misleading statement.

[Timmy_Barns]

Ok lets try that agian

[Timmy_Barns]

OK it worked but it was kind of big, Let me try it again, smaller this time, witha picture of the front.

[Vincent]

hey congrats on getting the pics uploaded... ok 1st off dont remove the windows untill you have the new rubber to replace the old with. If you do then you bus will not be drivable and you may break the glass... this is from first hand experance with my 65 i had. Ok i would grind down all the rust i could and then sand the rest and get some primer and shoot it all one color at least that way it will start to look better. BTW most GL tend to be monochromatic ie one color so when you get ready for paint look around at diffrent colors you like. My self i like silver and every car i have ever owned is silver or ends up silver. you said you were still in highschool? Try taking a body shop class and see if they will let you work on your bus as part of your projects for school. I had a few friends in HS that did this and over there senior year redid there bugs and painted them in Shop class. Good luck

[Timmy_Barns]

Well My high school is stupid and poor and they dont have an Auto Shop class, I have looked into it before, but there just arnt enough people interested. Also I am a Senoir so I dont think it would help if I took it now cause I would still have to take Auto Shop 1 and all of that good stuff. I don't know what color I would want, does anyone have any links to color sheets?

[justdubbin]

Looking at the pictures I would expect that you will have to replace some metal around the lower corners of the front screen/windshield.

Once you take the screen out you AIN'T getting it back in untill this has new repair panels welded in.
I wouls suggest getting someone who is experienced or make this one of your last jobs so you get some welding practice first.


Rob.