Cali or African

[shiplee123]

It's nice to get a bus from a hot country where the rust hasn't set in, but which of the two is better , a bus from Cali or one from South Africa
I guess a bus from Africa will b rhd but apart from that are there any differences
Is either one likely to be more or less rusty or are there any differences in the bus themselves?

 

[sharky71]

i am guessing and it is only a guess but African ones would be used and abused,had a spell in Kenya and I did not come across many vehicles which were road legal!
what about Aussie buses?
I was lucky with my cal import,very lucky,just needed a battery tray,seat belt points a bit under windscreen and a bit on nearside opening quarterlight the size of a garden pea.

 

[Clem]

Some SA buses have been cosetted by rich white owners are are perfect, but the ones that were workhorses will be proper knackered!

Again, west coast US buses range across many conditions, and finding really good ones to bring over is getting harder and more difficult as they become more appreciated over there.

SA buses can be a bit unique - westy conversions were quite specific for them, and also paint codes. US buses are much more standardised. Australia is alos a market, but again, they know their worth and many have been battered by travellers.

LHD? RHD? Just get the best one you can afford

 

[Graham L]

Be warned with South African buses, as previously mentioned they are used and abused and still in use as Taxi's in the provinces, I've had a couple of SA buses and I would not buy another one, not a single straight panel to be seen.

Also don't be fooled into thinking that SA buses are rust free, they are not. The climate is quite changable and I've seen some very rusty SA buses.

 

[marco]

My south African bay although relatively rust free, has 1 straight panel, the rear hatch, the mechanics were knackered, replaced all the brakes, wheels, seals, balljoints, gearbox,one set of torsion leaves, the sliding door hinge, windscreen, side window, all rear 1/4 lights were rotten. Plus side only 2 bolts needed a bit of heat to remove them, all the others were fine, chassis solid, front beam rust free, think it may have been a taxi at some point as it has a weight plate rivetted to the side. Still love it though :mrgreen:

 

[MisterListerSir]

Your right to be warned, we lived in SA for 11 fantastic years and spent some time near Durban and things rust out as quick as they do here in Newquay. And in the 1980s they were dead cheap so most people didn't see the point of spending much or anything on maintenance..............Oh for a time machine :mrgreen:

 

[K@rlos]

Both come in many states. My bus came from California, was knackered and didn't have a straight panel on it but was rust free other than the screen and a bit on the dog leg. As said just get what you can afford.

 

[shiplee123]

It's not a prob at mo
I have a Cali import, every panel is straight and it's not rusty!
I've just been looking at pop tops and seen African buses and wondered what's the difference and if it's worth looking at them?
Rhd from a warm country maybe it's rot free if it's from Africa???
It seems you can get duff bays from both country's but Cali buses may be ( in most cases ) the way forward. I'd rather a lefty than a rusty !
I'll b cautious of a African bus as it seems it may b abused or a hint of damp in there somewhere ?

 

[Lee C]

My current bus spent its life in Tuscon Arizona, needed no panels only a few patches, & is relatively straight!!! :lol:

My first splitty came in from Oz as a rust free import!

It only :roll: needed cab floor, sills, valance, etc etc :lol: !