1969 Portugese Panel Van

[Grazy]

Hi guys , Well here we go , I have had this van for a couple of years and had great fun in it ,
I bought the van from a guy in Portugal , and it was never going to be as rust free as a California bus but it was a great price and the paintwork and originality were key factor in buying it , However the Portugese climate is similar to England so there were a few rust issues with the van but not enough to fail the MOT ,until August this year ,

So with the fail sheet in my hand I decided to take the van off the road on do the work needed to get it road worthy again .

This thread will be quite a long one as i intend to get as much of the 40 year old underseal off and get the underside looking tidy and solid so I should not have to do it again .

Once welding has been done i shall be installing headliner , split charge system , rock n roll bed etc etc .
Look forward to your comments and advice cheers enjoy Graeme 8)

In a nice dry garage 8)

In good company

 

[Grazy]

This is what I started with

So time to get the tools out , :lol:

Yes my tools are shit its official

Engine out

Gearbox out

Not a bad days work

Thanks to Steve ( Ooro ) Chris ( Panalvan ) and Nick ( Hogseye ) for all the help

 

[Araon]

They wouldnt be your Volks world snaffled tools would they ?

loving the toolbox, a crimbo pressie?

 

[Grazy]

The spanners are my Voo Woo ones but apparently everything else i own belongs in a sweety tin :lol: :lol:

 

[mattyd72]

Was this a CKD Portuguese built bus? I only ask because of the markings on the fan housing

I know they built splits over there to get around tax issues but didn't know if they built bays too.

 

[Grazy]

Hi Matty , i am not sure , a friend has told me that vans were shipped over to Portugal as Panel Vans then conversions carried out there . I have no M-Code plate as such , just a plate with PS 219 ________ ( My chassis No )

 

[cunning plan]

This thread will be quite a long one as i intend to get as much of the 40 year old underseal off and get the underside looking tidy and solid so I should not have to do it again .

Nice, pretty much where I am with mine.. I got mine shot-blasted, then welded up and right now I'm putting down layers of protective paint.

Looks like your bus was a lot more solid than what I started with though!! :shock: 8)

Great colour..

 

[cunning plan]

Is it LHD or RHD?

Pannels are uber! There are not enough of them about :mrgreen:

 

[Grazy]

Hi mate its a LHD ,walk thru model

 

[slammedkustom]

looking good fella!
guess your gonna be busless this year?

 

[Grazy]

Not all year I hope Chris but not setting a date for when it will be finished , Its done when it done

 

[young_dubya]

As ever dude, love this van!! looking forward to you progress man :mrgreen:

 

[dagboyblue]

As ever dude, love this van!! looking forward to you progress man :mrgreen:

x2 cool bus dude will watch with anticipation

 

[Slammed]

Finally Graham, good work. You gonna lower it this time? :lol:

Got my engine back togther mate so once it's in I'll test that spare dissy for ya if you're still interested? 8)

 

[Airtime]

Good luck with the rebirth, Grazy! Always loved your panel. especially the colour! :mrgreen:

 

[EgoTrippin]

Grazy in 'Working on Bus' shocker :lol:

'bout time fella. Will be awesome when its done 8)

 

[tintintin]

YEEEEEEHAAA! Go on son, it's just gonna get better & better 8) 8)

Nice one dude, looking fwd to the progress

 

[Grazy]

Thanks for the props men that is the sort of verbal shove I need to get my arse in gear to get things done - Cheers 8)

 

[sparkywig]

And proper pics as well... :lol:

Well done mate, I may finally meet up with you and the van.

 

[BigG]

Nice to see the old girl getting the attention she deserves Gra

You doing any panel work or paint or you leavin the body as it is?

Looking forward to more pics, good luck mate. 8)