FINISHED; 69 walk-through panel resto in Sydney

[simoninoz]

Alright,
Came across your site while web searching for an ignition housing, but anyway I'll talk about that in the right section. I recognise one or two names so in good company I think.

Here's what I've got, nearing completion. Won't bore you with all the detail - have a thread on another UK site and one over here - but this is a very straight van for a commercial, was a Radio Rentals delivery van in country Victoria then went off the road in 84. Originally Lotus white, previous (temporary) owner sprayed it in a blue primer then put it on ebay - that's where muggins comes in. I've had it for a couple of years now, work started on it about 9 months ago. As it was virtually unmolested it's an as-faithfull-to-factory resto, no funny business. No expense has been spared, only my mental health. Hope you like it, the last pics I'll put up are as it was this afternoon.

'Buy it now'. Ok then....

Gertcha

Completely dent-free.

Stripped down, powdercoated frame, prof upholstered

 

[simoninoz]

two new doors, battery tray, sills, one corner, sliding door repaired

German look bug from the same stable incidently, going through the photo account, I like this pic..

Colour on, Birch Green

Ready for body paint

Cargo area is that US spec beige - Aussie vans were all one colour but..nah, not with Birch Green.

 

[simoninoz]

Nuts and bolts bench for re-assembly

Devil is in the detail

Have fitted opening quarters

 

[simoninoz]

And today..

Don't credit me with the work, I just clean and prep parts up, learn how it all comes apart & goes together, pay for stuff. It's been proffesionally painted, proffesionally everything really.

When it's done I'll put a spec list together etc, hope to put some of the headlining finished and engine in tomorrow.
S

 

[lobus]

Nice bus dude, great detail in the resto, Your sanity will take a great leap towards healthy about 5 minutes after your first drive, which looks close.
Who did all the work for you?
David

 

[BigG]

Best panel i've ever seen, stunner 8)

 

[simoninoz]

Nice bus dude, great detail in the resto, Your sanity will take a great leap towards healthy about 5 minutes after your first drive, which looks close.
Who did all the work for you?
David

Hello Lobus - 3 fellas mainly they all work/used to work in here and specialise in either bodywork, paint or mechanics. Oh and there's the upholsterer/headliner guy too, all out of Brookvale thereabouts, Sydney. I'll do a roll-call and big-up when it's done. I'm just in a trance-like state at the moment going back and forth to the VW parts supplier like I'm on rails.

 

[simoninoz]

Best panel i've ever seen, stunner 8)

Blimey thanks very much indeed, should have put this picture up too, this is the inspiration for the green but would you Adam & believe it I saw a birch green 72 converted panel/camper at a collectors place not 5km from where the van lives - i didn't think it was an option here, I thought purists would get their knickers in a twist but that vindicated choice for me. Was gonna be dove blue but much as i love the colour it's not like there isn't enough of them already eh.

 

[Bessie]

Congratulations mate...that one amazing looking panel.
Certainly dont see many of these around.

 

[simoninoz]

Congratulations mate...that one amazing looking panel.
Certainly dont see many of these around.

Cheers mate - Kangeroo Point? Is that Victoria way? Never heard of it!

Headling is being fitted either today or tomorrow - never been made before off the pattern according to Wolfsburg West, looking forward to seeing it in then the cab is nearly done, bar steering column. Gonna re-do the original kick panels, they aren't bad, just the adhesive film lifting on the drivers side. All nicely in the right shape/curves.

 

[simoninoz]

Got those blasted wheels back...and me bleedin' 'ubcaps .. :roll: Will be cloud white of course with the hubcaps that commerical grey

Sanded off then primered

A job to do is find out when this was originally registered, i'd like to get a newspaper reprinted from the day and keep it in the glovebox. I'd hoped it was around or before the moon mission but on this paint inspection ticket it reads 25/9/69, so it's after that.. must have missed Woodstock too i think..but according to google Deep Purple played the Royal Albert Hall the night before. The Beatles released Abbey Road the day after.

 

[young_dubya]

:shock: :shock: what awesome work!! truly awesome!

 

[ant]

My god thats nice

 

[Clem]

Hi Simon

Amazing ......

Good to see you on here!

 

[dandaz]

Hi Simon

Amazing ......

Good to see you on here!

Ditto... :mrgreen:

 

[simoninoz]

Hi Simon

Amazing ......

Good to see you on here!

Ditto... :mrgreen:

Hey Clem & Dandaz - you remember this when I got it eh, well it's really close to being finished, or at least ready to be registered. Major milestone achieved today ..



Motor in and running. Sounds sweet. I got this off an old 67 1500 bug, unfortunately it was too far gone to save (rust wise) as it had every single bit of service history, all it's books, and was an import from Essex in the early eighties to Sydney. But, life goes on. Engine was stipped down, pistons lapped and heads polished and put back together. When I drove to Beetle up to the workshops it pulled beautifully so this will do a wonderful job in the van. Very happy.

All the electrics work, new bulbs all over the shop, all working as it should. Great to see it 'alive'

Brakes were bled today, thanks to the master cylinder back from being rebuilt - uber-anoraks will appreciate the stainless steel core and cad plating. Should be in good service for years.

Thanks everyone for you kind words

 

[dandaz]

Hey Clem & Dandaz - you remember this...

No...

I like your devil is in the detail... 8)

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Wow, what a great resto - that's got to be one of (if not) the best panels in the Universe (and I'm not overstating that at all!!

Very impressive ride 8) 8) 8)

 

[simoninoz]

Hey Clem & Dandaz - you remember this...

No...

I like your devil is in the detail... 8)

hahaha.... yeah that's the one eh... well it turned out to be a bit more than fit the rear bumper and put some windscreen wipers on. It was still a very straight van, even for here, but the old boy who tarted it up saw me coming really, once I decided that it was going to get the treatment we found that blow-over hid some rust in a 'rust free' van. I don't like being made a mug of, but it's that VW seduction again isn't it, you choose not to see things sometimes. I could have not bought it but still, it's a terrific van, even before we did the work, especially when you see the condition of other ones in the UK - we've had this conversation before I think.

It's the first resto I've gone bananas on, the squareback is in suspended animation at the moment and aquiring barn find status after being painted and headlining in, but I'm gonna need a breather in lots of ways when this is finished. Great learning experience.

I think i've found the ignition housing I'm after, bloke in QLD is sending one down so once the column is back in and the wheels are back and painted, that rear bar back from being straightened then painted I've just got to get tyres and seat belts and it can be blue slipped. Oh and headlining finished off, screen in, front bar back on...

Getting there....

 

[simoninoz]

Wow, what a great resto - that's got to be one of (if not) the best panels in the Universe (and I'm not overstating that at all!!

Very impressive ride 8) 8) 8)

Thanks very much, yeah what was the motivation to do it so thoroughly was the fact that how many other low light, cresent vent, walk-throughs would still be kicking around complete and pretty well unmolested? Not many I thought, and it would always have nagged me if i didn't do it 100%.

Cheers
S