Buddy the bus: 69 Dormobile

SiDev · Dec 1, 2022

It’s only when you start stripping down a 52 year old bus that you start to see what’s really going on, and I always expected that 1 job would become 2, part and parcel of ownership. its worth spending money on decent quality parts and I’ve always used Schofields, it’s worth the extra especially when you’re paying for someone decent to fit them.

mike202 · Dec 2, 2022

Wow that’s quite a lot of work!

Hope you get it all sorted

ozziedog · Dec 2, 2022

I’ve got a few sets of front bumpers that need a similar treatment to then go on my bus. This Is also the main reason that I have the leopard print painted on the bumpers and a matching strip around the pop top. Some of the black spots in the leopard print on the bumper steps are actually holes and that was my way of disguising then

But I’ve just gone and stripped the pop top down and painted it plain gloss white but still undecided if the leopardy stuff is going back or not. Bumpers are next. Your rear one looks to be in better shape than mine. Although mine doesn’t have a hole in it, the fixing holes have been rattled larger and larger and my repair washers have gotten correspondingly larger and larger plus I’ve got a slipped fixed nut where the bumper irons attach to the chassis. So as with all repair work, it’s not just rub it down and paint it, it’s get it off then rip off the irons then cut a hole in the chassis then sort the nut then weld the chassis up etc etc etc, and I just wanted to paint my bumper

You’re doing a grand job there by the looks of it

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,, as you know,, it’s never ever just that easy

YellowBay69 · Dec 2, 2022

Well done… brave man !!
I didn’t have the kahunas (or money) to scratch the paint off mine. It takes courage I think to take that step and deal with everything that comes up. Keep the updates coming - it always makes me wince to see the pictures… but then also cool to see it all going back together.
Good luck with it all

SiDev · Dec 3, 2022

mike202 said:
Wow that’s quite a lot of work!

Hope you get it all sorted

It is, it was “restored” almost 20 years ago, now it’s being done properly.

SiDev · Dec 3, 2022

YellowBay69 said:
Well done… brave man !!
I didn’t have the kahunas (or money) to scratch the paint off mine. It takes courage I think to take that step and deal with everything that comes up. Keep the updates coming - it always makes me wince to see the pictures… but then also cool to see it all going back together.
Good luck with it all

It’s a keeper so inevitably I’ve got to get it done. Having decent-fit panels and someone who is very good at working on them makes the process quite enjoyable to be honest, I don’t have the time or space to do much on it myself. Probably won’t enjoy getting the bill though…..

SiDev · Dec 3, 2022

ozziedog said:
I’ve got a few sets of front bumpers that need a similar treatment to then go on my bus. This Is also the main reason that I have the leopard print painted on the bumpers and a matching strip around the pop top. Some of the black spots in the leopard print on the bumper steps are actually holes and that was my way of disguising then But I’ve just gone and stripped the pop top down and painted it plain gloss white but still undecided if the leopardy stuff is going back or not. Bumpers are next. Your rear one looks to be in better shape than mine. Although mine doesn’t have a hole in it, the fixing holes have been rattled larger and larger and my repair washers have gotten correspondingly larger and larger plus I’ve got a slipped fixed nut where the bumper irons attach to the chassis. So as with all repair work, it’s not just rub it down and paint it, it’s get it off then rip off the irons then cut a hole in the chassis then sort the nut then weld the chassis up etc etc etc, and I just wanted to paint my bumper
You’re doing a grand job there by the looks of it

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,, as you know,, it’s never ever just that easy

I feel your pain, 1 job always becomes 2 on this bus, not that I mind, better to do it all properly.
I thought your leopard print was a style choice, not a clever way to hide stuff! Nice work….

gninnam · Dec 26, 2022

Will be worth it once it has been done though

Journey · Dec 28, 2022

SiDev said:
It is, it was “restored” almost 20 years ago, now it’s being done properly.

Well done, it will be much better now than last time. Have fun and good luck!

SiDev · Feb 8, 2023

The bus has been on the back-burner for a while as the guy doing the bodywork has to get a split double cab ready for Volksworld and I said from the start I didn’t need mine back until spring, but it’s now painted and going back together. I will be seeing it on Friday but got sent these….

SiDev · Jan 5, 2025

It’s been a while since my last update, the bus hasn’t seen much action in the last year mostly due to crap weather. Some recent pics of how it’s looking now…..

SiDev · Jan 5, 2025

I lost the love for shows over the last few years, with an increase of T5’s with rims on air and a decrease of the air-cooled stuff, so decided to start my own little show in my hometown in Kent. We have a small harbour with a large pier that ferries and later a catamaran used to transport people and vehicles from Folkestone to France a few times a day. The crossings stopped years ago and the whole area has been redeveloped with lots of places to eat and drink, live music and entertainment venues. After several meetings with the team that run events there, Dubs on The Arm was born. The third year sees the show going from 1 day to overnight, and is on the 17th May this year. It’s pretty special being able to fall asleep with the sliding door open listening to the sound of the waves. Here’s a few pics from last years show….

sparkywig · Jan 5, 2025

SiDev said:
I lost the love for shows over the last few years, with an increase of T5’s with rims on air and a decrease of the air-cooled stuff, so decided to start my own little show in my hometown in Kent. We have a small harbour with a large pier that ferries and later a catamaran used to transport people and vehicles from Folkestone to France a few times a day. The crossings stopped years ago and the whole area has been redeveloped with lots of places to eat and drink, live music and entertainment venues. After several meetings with the team that run events there, Dubs on The Arm was born. The third year sees the show going from 1 day to overnight, and is on the 17th May this year. It’s pretty special being able to fall asleep with the sliding door open listening to the sound of the waves. Here’s a few pics from last years show….

Looking forward to it.

Wannabay · Jan 6, 2025

Looks great, do you have to book or can you just turn up?

ozziedog · Jan 6, 2025

Sounds brilliant, pop some dates up etc etc. Looks too good to be true. And I’ve never seen so many ‘softies’ in one place.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,your Dormy looks the biz !

creationblue · Jan 6, 2025

ozziedog said:
Sounds brilliant, pop some dates up etc etc. Looks too good to be true. And I’ve never seen so many ‘softies’ in one place.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,your Dormy looks the biz !

Now come on Oz, you drink in Hanham after all

creationblue · Jan 6, 2025

SiDev said:
It’s been a while since my last update, the bus hasn’t seen much action in the last year mostly due to crap weather. Some recent pics of how it’s looking now…..

Great looking bus btw, will have to make the trip east at some point

ozziedog · Jan 6, 2025

creationblue said:
Now come on Oz, you drink in Hanham after all

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,Softies as in soft tops you melonnnnn

SiDev · Jan 9, 2025

Wannabay said:
Looks great, do you have to book or can you just turn up?

Spaces are limited but I do have a couple left if you want one, just let me know.

SiDev · Jan 9, 2025

creationblue said:
Great looking bus btw, will have to make the trip east at some point

How about May 17th! It’s a lovely bit of coast over this side, lots to see and do, if you ever want any tips just ask.

Buddy the bus: 69 Dormobile

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