1972, Le Mans Gulf racing team truck.

[Hebster52]

Finally in the garage again and could start doing some rustrepairs.

Started with left rear corners... :shock:

First patch roughly shaped before shrink hammering.

And after I shrinkhammered the edges.

The tools.

Welded.

Next piece welded.

Tested with the bumper mounted.

 

[Hebster52]

Finally some garagetime!!!

First I removed the trailingarms and spindles in one piece.

Torsionleaves were welded in one end, maybe they usually are that too?

Decided to not pull them totally just pushed them in some and then took the "hammeringtool" and started to hammer the center to the side.

Here I'm testing the Anti-gravitation-Gravitator... :lol:

Forgot to loosen the clutchcable so I left the beam at this stage as the clock was 01:36am...

 

[Hebster52]

Picked these final decals from the Post office today!!! 8)

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Nice work dude, looking forward to seeing it finished

 

[Hebster52]

Thanks.
Need to do some rustrepairs while I have the front suspension out as the lefthandside rocker is rusted out about 50cm from the front wheel arch and backwards. Also the rear bottom area of the same frontwheel arch is rusted through. That would be all that I need to repair.

Sprayed some WD-40 on the bed dropgate hinges as they were pretty stuck as they have not been in use in about 30 years... The lefthand side dropgate was totally stuck... :lol: First of all the front locking hook was stuck so I had to remove it and drop it into an oilbath so it would start moving again without braking it.. Now they all work fine again.

 

[vwvanman0]

Nice panel beating skills you have there! 8)

Cool truck.

 

[Hebster52]

So, started out where I left the beam last time. First drilled out the holes for the adjusters.

Then cut out between the holes.

Difference between the highest and lowest position.

And welded

Ooops!!

 

[Airtime]

You're doing a great job on that truck! 8) I can't wiat to see it finished.

Overhere (in the Netherlands) there's also a bus which has the Gulf service team theme:

8)

 

[Hebster52]

Wow! I'm doing a slightly milder Gulf theme than that.. And mine will look more like it was the service truck way back then and just found in a barn... :lol:

 

[Hebster52]

 

[dubscum]

really nice fab work and welds

 

[Hebster52]

Finished the welding on the rockerpanel today.

Deadman's chest. :lol:

This is what I was welding there... :lol:

Some more photos

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Getting there!!!

 

[barts]

nice truck!

my dad had one years ago, could find only one photo:

 

[Hebster52]

Last night I ripped out the worn out and demolished rear brakedrums and backinplates and replaced them with a pair of complete used pair of brakes.

Also adjusted both sides level to each other in the rear. Still needs to come down 1-1½ inches in the rear.

Next I will replace all brakelines and then throw in the engine for the first testdrive. (hopefully allready this weekend...)

 

[Hebster52]

Rear lowered an other 2 inches. Now it sits as I want it. 8)

 

[Hebster52]

Vented and adjusted the brakes for now. Probably needs some more attention later when I have driven it some.

Realized that I need to clearance some to make the Wasserboxer starter fit.

Painted the wheels now too.

Tomorrow the engine goes inside the enginebay and hopefully will drive it for the first time on its own power.. 8)

 

[Airtime]

Looking awesome Hebster! Do you keep the different front and back wheels?

 

[easy]

Looking really good chap 8)

 

[Hebster52]

Looking awesome Hebster! Do you keep the different front and back wheels?

Thanks all!

Yes, I keep the stock 14 inch wheels with lowprofiles at front and in the rear I use Mercedes steel 6x15 inch wheels. Look very similar and in my opinion looks pretty good too.