Hello from a new owner

[HartyaHarty]

Hello everyone...

A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge into ownership after my wanted ad got a good response.
Here is the bus..... '71 Cali import. It's got a few nice features some from factory, some additions. A 220 mile journey home wasn't the ideal way to get to know the bus but we made it in one piece!


Got a few plans... Interior to spruce up before the wife will get in it... Seatbelts for my little ones and the suspension is dropped purely on the adjustable beam so dropped spindles are planned to give some suspension travel back.
I'll be on here asking for advice and hopefully posting updates.... Maybe as a project thread.

The westy interior and original seatbelts will be up for sale soon if there is any interest. Ready for replacement.

 

[sparkywig]

Nice looking bus.
The journey home was a perfect introduction to your new VW.

 

[HartyaHarty]

Nice looking bus.
The journey home was a perfect introduction to your new VW.

Ha I guess so....The bus failed to start after a fuel stop 7 miles from home... So close yet so far!
Much more chilled doing some closer to home journeys now though! Especially now I've sorted the battery charging.

 

[fatgaz]

Welcome to the low light club . I had a similar starting issue when hot. A carb service sorted it.

 

[HartyaHarty]

Welcome to the low light club . I had a similar starting issue when hot. A carb service sorted it.

Cheers ... This was a voltage regulator issue. With the lights on the charging voltage was 11.8V.
Fixed with a new regulator, I'm an electrician by trade so electrical issues are the ones I can manage, the rest is a learning curve!

 

[matty74]

Welcome to the forum. Our beginning was a similar one back in Feb 2015, 230 mile journey from Exeter to Croston, Lancs having never driven a bus before. Looking forward to the updates on your thread, and yes being a spark is handy, trust me

 

[HartyaHarty]

Welcome to the forum. Our beginning was a similar one back in Feb 2015, 230 mile journey from Exeter to Croston, Lancs having never driven a bus before. Looking forward to the updates on your thread, and yes being a spark is handy, trust me

Remarkably similar.... I drove from London to Chorley. The petrol station I got stuck in was at Wrightington, just round the corner from you!
Are there any local specialists you've found useful?... I used to have a beetle and got the engine replaced by a guy in Croston, Sean he was called, on the industrial estate by the lake, don't think he's there now though.

 

[Darren2030]

Welcome to the forum fella lovely looking bus mate there’s some great and very knowledge people on here helped me out loads over the years with my bus so your in right place bud

 

[matty74]

Wow what a small world. We’re not in Croston anymore, but I know the garage you mean. We initially had James sorting ours, he moved to A6 garage near doorway to value, not sure if he’s still there. A guy called Chris did our bodywork, he had a unit down Withnell Fold, but I think he’s moved now though.

Used to see a lad driving down Highfield Road in a beetle, an early bay and T25 a lot when we was living there, maybe that was him.

 

[HartyaHarty]

Wow what a small world. We’re not in Croston anymore, but I know the garage you mean. We initially had James sorting ours, he moved to A6 garage near doorway to value, not sure if he’s still there. A guy called Chris did our bodywork, he had a unit down Withnell Fold, but I think he’s moved now though.

Used to see a lad driving down Highfield Road in a beetle, an early bay and T25 a lot when we was living there, maybe that was him.

Yeah, I've been to see James, seems a good guy, I'll probably use him for jobs I don't fancy. Gonna try to do most things myself but there are definitely things I won't be taking on!