72 Westy Crossover Baltimore Resto - Bodyshop resto starts

[Kev946]

work begins on my 72. Well not much.

Firstly a few pics as an introduction

It's a June 72 Crossover Westy Campmobile, very solid body looking like very little welding needed, maybe cab floor section. Looks to me like all OG paint. The front panel does have a big dent, but spoke to the guy who is restoring my 71 he I says hopefully we can pull it out without any major filler needed, so we should be able to keep it all OG panels. Plans are pretty much a full resto, full bare metal paint etc.

Wish me luck, I'll need it....lol

 

[Kev946]

I've now arrange for the underneath to be Media Blasted and painted in Epoxy by a local blating company who specialise in Classic Cars, so they know what they are doing. It's booked in for the 1st week in May so need to get it prep'd.

So today I remove the factory VW aircon system, gearbox and driveshafts.

The vane was obviously a bit of a nature reserve with what looks like either a wasp nest or woodworm on the aircon and some dodgy spiders nests underneath.

Very please how solid it is underneath, no evidence of rust going to far and needing welding so far apart for a few small pin holes on the can floor drivers side.

I've treated some of the rust on the outside with FE-123 which has created loads of black stains. You could say more character but it does look even more of a mess.

 

[Kev946]

Today I stripped the 72 interior out and had the disgusting job of cleaning out all the mice or rat dropping. The good news is the floor is completely sound and not looking like any welding will be needed other than a small piece on the cab floor drivers side. The bad news is the furniture is all shot, but luckily managed to buy a complete set of 72 only Westy furniture. Oh and the other bad news was I smelled of mice crap.

 

[Kev946]

Off for media blasting the underside and painting with epoxy chassis paint

 

[Kev946]

New engine collected from Stanford Hall....well not exactly new...lol

It's a correct engine for the bus, a CB code 1700 so 1972.

 

[Lee C]

Champion, you got one !!!
I've been struggling like mad lately trying to find another engine locally!!!

 

[gninnam]

Looks like a reasonable project van you have there :mrgreen:
Looking forward to the pics of the media blasting of the underneath

 

[Kev946]

Champion, you got one !!!
I've been struggling like mad lately trying to find another engine locally!!!

So difficult to find a type 4. This one is correct for the van too so a bonus and supposed to be a runner

The guy doing the blasting is taking pics for me so will post them up

Cheers

 

[Kev946]

The 72 is back from the blasters and I'm over the moon. They've made a fantastic job and really pleased to say not much welding is need, just the usual cab floor and not much else. I've had the front beam and all underneath painted in Epoxy Chassis paint so very hard paint. I asked them to paint everything white except the front beam which was removed for blasting. The plan now is to paint the rear arms, spring plates, front steering, etc. in black over the white. They've also blasted the cargo floor inside, cab floor and engine bay which are all now painted in red oxide primer for now.

 

[Kev946]

More

 

[Kev946]

The worse bit

 

[Lee C]

Wow that looks good!!!
Much easier than scrabbling round on your back getting manky!!!

 

[Kev946]

Wow that looks good!!!
Much easier than scrabbling round on your back getting manky!!!

Exactly, that's what I did with my 71....lol

 

[la_bigmac]

Underside looks awesome and very solid. The "worst bit" did not look that bad to me. They did a great job on the beam too.

When you get a chance can you post a pic of your poptop hole?
I am trying to work out what poptop my 72 change over should have instead of the sunroof it has at the moment.

Mat.

 

[Kev946]

Underside looks awesome and very solid. The "worst bit" did not look that bad to me. They did a great job on the beam too.

When you get a chance can you post a pic of your poptop hole?
I am trying to work out what poptop my 72 change over should have instead of the sunroof it has at the moment.

Mat.

I thought all the roof holes were the same. I'm sure someone on here could verify. Certainly my 71 & 72 are the same. VW shipped a sunroof body to Westfalia for the conversion. If not then PM me your email and I'll see what pictures I have.

I've bought a new Westy pop top for mine as this one fitted is a mess.

Check out the M Code database this is also good for showing the origins, e.g. my 72 was a factory Westy shipped to Baltimore, Boston.

 

[gninnam]

That is a cracking job on the underneath of the van - very nice indeed 8)

 

[Kev946]

Some more pics

 

[martin.sim]

Looking good


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Why didn't I buy my bus years ago !?

 

[Kev946]

Few more and showing the arches having been blasted

 

[gninnam]

Jealous :mrgreen: