1970 Swiss Army Panel

[Alpine Burt]

Hi all,

Just joined Early Bay today. In August last year i bougt my first bus. I've been into v'dubs since my early years, as my dad has had em since the 60s(still does - 1959 Garnet red Bug, with golde ragtop). Anyways back to the topic. I found the van quite local to me. Couldnt believe how straight and low mileage it is, approx 30k miles documented from new! Its an ex Swiss Army Radio Van, with some quite interesting features: Flashing Blue Rooflight, two-tone Bosch Sirens, Eberspacher Heater, 24 Volt generator, Crank Start, Reinforced roof, towing hooks. Also the seals leaked like a Sieve, every one needed replacing, i guess nothing new there though. Now its dry inside, make it campable in side(not turn it into a camper). Hope to meet some of you when the show season starts. Will post up interior shots when finished so everyone can have a look.

Tom]

 

[ozziedog]

Hi there and welcome. That bus could possibly be the cleanest bus in original condition we`ve seen for a long time. Looks like an excellent find :mrgreen:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,, They`re still out there :mrgreen:

 

[baz1875]

I like this alot great find

 

[GIZ59]

2 batteries in that mate , wired to each other?

 

[jonboylaw]

That isd a find and a half, absolutely A1 cool.

Roughly how much did you spend on it ?

 

[68_early_bay]

Hello and welcome :mrgreen:


And what a find you've got there looking good 8) can't wait to see the inside is it all still set up as a radio van? My mates got a late bay radio van and all the switches and dials makes you feel like your at the controls of dr who's tardis lol

:mrgreen:

 

[vwcanuck]

Oh boy that's some nice! :shock:

 

[Alpine Burt]

Great to hear from you all. Thanks for the compliments Regarding the price, it was very fair by todays prices, and i consider myself lucky to have found it! As for equipment, the rear is empty apart from the Buddy Seat. What puzzles me is the flashing blue light and the bosch sirens. There is a round bracket on the front that appears to be for a large spoltlight on a pole, from various photos i've seen. Alongside this there is a power socket on the front. There is a large round hole in the roof on the reinforced roof, i would imagine for a radio scanner.There are Leather Map Pockets on the doors, with Swiss Emblem stamped on them. There is also a strange voltmeter and rear view mirror attachment, where you flick a switch and it registers volts at the battery. The last owners fitted a Just Kampers Rock and Roll bed, but thats all. Anyone with more knowledge than me, i would appreciate any knowledge that you have. From the chassis nos it was made in May 1970, hence the five bolt wheels and drum brakes all round. With the kind of mileage it has it drives like new.
Will pop on some pics of the back inside in the next couple of days.

Tom

 

[Lee C]

Wow fantastic find!!!

 

[shiplee123]

Lovely panel looks in great nic
Will enjoy seeing more pics
Is it rude to ask what u paid ?

 

[Alpine Burt]

Thanks again for the comments folks As for the price, a gentleman never tells As i said it was more than fair, definately not over the top!
68-early bay: Would love to see some pics of your mates van...

Tom

 

[Danbury Doug]

Hi and welcome!

That is a lovely van. 8)
I had a late bay Italian firebus with next to no mileage from new, and also with its original fittings, such as flashing light, siren etc, so I know how pleased you must be, to have such a vehicle!

I love the facility to handstart, which I think is a bonus, and a novelty. I believe both the Swiss and German military buses always had this.

I'm sure you'd be able to make it very usable for camping and trips out etc, such as by having some removable camping units etc, so you could easily take them out again, if you were wanting to display the van at shows or whatever. This is the route I would have taken, had I kept my firebus.

I look forward to seeing the pics of the rest of the interior. I've always had a bit of a thing for panel vans!

Doug

 

[Myvanway]

I would like to see this in the flesh, Super cool find.
More detailed pics would be ace. 8)

 

[marcher]

Nice find, nice van.

 

[67panel]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: WELL DONE.

 

[dazza1975]

arty0049:

Very nice van dude!! You must be well chuffed!!

 

[T2 Brinky]

great looking van

 

[Alpine Burt]

Great to hear all the positive comments, and that everyone likes the bus.

Danbury Doug: Agree with what you were saying these ex service vehicles do seem to be very well looked after. I wasnt aware the German buses had the Hand crank start as well, thanks for that. Am thinking along the lines of a removable unit with Cooker Sink, etc, alongside the Buddy seat on the Front Bulkhead. Being a twin slider van, this will be especially useful. And a small wardrobe at the back.

The van seems to be very low geared, possible Mountain Ratio Gearbox, as i believe some busses had this. Very useful as im a volunteer in the Norfolk Mountain Rescue Service :lol:

Will take some inside shots tommorow, and hopefully some shots in the snow too!

Tom

 

[mattyd72]

Lovely bus mate, has it been in the country long as it looks like Bob Knights old one

 

[Alpine Burt]

Good spot that man. Indeed it is.... Intend to put my own touch on it though