Hi there,
About 3 1/2 years ago, I imported a 69 Westie pop top from Texas. It was a very solid van to start with but the project has stalled many times due to different circumstances and now I am at a critical point. Unfortunately, I am likely to be getting divorced this year and my ability to apply funds and time to give this the bus the future life it deserves are severely diminuished.
A bit about the bus...
It was imported complete, Westie interior in very good usuable condition. It was a very straight van down the flanks, no evidence of crappy welding done so no warped panels although it did have a few bumps and bruises. The engine supplied is not the original, I have no idea of its condition. Since buying it, it has been completely stripped to the shell, new drivers floorpan welded in, new battery tray and new front lower valance. It has been primed, filled and blocked once. The underneath has been treated with rust convertor (there was just a thin dusting of surface oxidation, presumably from sand in the Texan desert) and has been primed and sprayed body colour (Pearl White). This is as it stands today - all suspension is off, engine out, interior out, doors off etc...
To complete, will need (list is not exhaustive)
Some very minor (less than an inch) holes welding up, under seal lips etc.
Another coat of primer on outside
Top coat in and out
Pop top repainting
All suspention bushes'/shocks replacing, suspension parts repainting
Full set of window/door seals
New pop top canvas
Engine rebuilding
Brakes rebuilding
Interior refit including all new trim panels (furniture is ok)
etc. etc.
Not an insignificant amount of work and I reckon about 4k's worth of bits alone. However, this has the potential to be a very very nice bus - the underneath, sills, arches, gutters etc are absolutely mint and never been welded, it really is a solid one. Also comes with a set of Rocket 5 wheels, I was intending just to lower a couple of inches and leave it at that with original Pearl White paint.
Fundamentally, I would like to get an idea of what people think it's worth... I know what it owes me, but that matters little - market is king! I am sure this would be a 12-15k bus when complete depending on the quality of the work. If the market value is well below what I would like, then I'll just wait it out for another couple of years till I'm in a better place to complete.
Any comments/suggestions/opinions welcome!
Cheers,
Pad
About 3 1/2 years ago, I imported a 69 Westie pop top from Texas. It was a very solid van to start with but the project has stalled many times due to different circumstances and now I am at a critical point. Unfortunately, I am likely to be getting divorced this year and my ability to apply funds and time to give this the bus the future life it deserves are severely diminuished.
A bit about the bus...
It was imported complete, Westie interior in very good usuable condition. It was a very straight van down the flanks, no evidence of crappy welding done so no warped panels although it did have a few bumps and bruises. The engine supplied is not the original, I have no idea of its condition. Since buying it, it has been completely stripped to the shell, new drivers floorpan welded in, new battery tray and new front lower valance. It has been primed, filled and blocked once. The underneath has been treated with rust convertor (there was just a thin dusting of surface oxidation, presumably from sand in the Texan desert) and has been primed and sprayed body colour (Pearl White). This is as it stands today - all suspension is off, engine out, interior out, doors off etc...
To complete, will need (list is not exhaustive)
Some very minor (less than an inch) holes welding up, under seal lips etc.
Another coat of primer on outside
Top coat in and out
Pop top repainting
All suspention bushes'/shocks replacing, suspension parts repainting
Full set of window/door seals
New pop top canvas
Engine rebuilding
Brakes rebuilding
Interior refit including all new trim panels (furniture is ok)
etc. etc.
Not an insignificant amount of work and I reckon about 4k's worth of bits alone. However, this has the potential to be a very very nice bus - the underneath, sills, arches, gutters etc are absolutely mint and never been welded, it really is a solid one. Also comes with a set of Rocket 5 wheels, I was intending just to lower a couple of inches and leave it at that with original Pearl White paint.
Fundamentally, I would like to get an idea of what people think it's worth... I know what it owes me, but that matters little - market is king! I am sure this would be a 12-15k bus when complete depending on the quality of the work. If the market value is well below what I would like, then I'll just wait it out for another couple of years till I'm in a better place to complete.
Any comments/suggestions/opinions welcome!
Cheers,
Pad