Montana Red 1969 Microbus Deluxe

[OldSpeed]

Good evening all.

I guess it is about time I introduced my 1969 Microbus Deluxe, fresh in from California this week.

First job is to strip off the nasty grey primer and see how much of the original Montana red paint is left underneath!

 

[Lee C]

Ha ha , I was going to say, wow! That is sun bleached!!.,
But it turns out its doin the superman thing n wearing its underpants on the outside!! :lol:

Nice bus!!! 8)

 

[68_early_bay]

Ha ha , I was going to say, wow! That is sun bleached!!.,
But it turns out its doin the superman thing n wearing its underpants on the outside!! :lol:

Nice bus!!! 8)

Hahaha that's what I thought really faded :lol:

Nice bus dude 8)

 

[OldSpeed]

Ha ha , I was going to say, wow! That is sun bleached!!.,
But it turns out its doin the superman thing n wearing its underpants on the outside!! :lol:

Nice bus!!! 8)

Hahaha that's what I thought really faded :lol:

Nice bus dude 8)

Thanks guys!

Yep the Montana red is still there, just hiding:

It's a great blank canvas:

So far unwelded and only needs a few bits of the cab floor sorting.

There is no engine fitted at present but one did come in the load bay. Shame it looks like it has been sitting in a forest for a few years! I've already started stripping it so will get some more photos up ASAP.

Oh and the reason I bought it:

40+ Years in Nevada has been very kind to the underside!

 

[john the horse]

Good evening all.

I guess it is about time I introduced my 1969 Microbus Deluxe, fresh in from California this week.

First job is to strip off the nasty grey primer and see how much of the original Montana red paint is left underneath!

looks like one of our buses cousins lurking underneath that lot, lovely

jth

 

[Grazy]

Looks like a nice project fella , Might see you about as i am in Woodbridge ! 8)

 

[gatt]

Cool van mate can't beat Montana red really brings out the patina

 

[dubscum]

i take it Americans didn't like red buses :lol:

 

[shawn82]

What you using to take that primer off?
I have a load covering my paint and not sure what to use to remove it.

 

[Whit]

What you using to take that primer off?
I have a load covering my paint and not sure what to use to remove it.

Me to

 

[OldSpeed]

Looks like a nice project fella , Might see you about as i am in Woodbridge ! 8)

Cool, I'll keep an eye out for you!

i take it Americans didn't like red buses :lol:

Seems that way doesn't it hah!

What you using to take that primer off?
I have a load covering my paint and not sure what to use to remove it.

600 grit wet and dry paper followed by 1200 and cutting compound. I'm going to have arms like Popeye by the time this is done!

Before:

After:

Interior stripped and cleaned ready for new plywood lining next week:

Lots to do here:

Should really do something about this too:

 

[71dormy]

Nice work dude

 

[fleeb1]

Great work mate! Looks like you got a real bargain there.

 

[dubscum]

nice. Plenty of good paint there

 

[OldSpeed]

Cheers chaps.

Still plodding on with it. Bumper removed and front panel sorted, RHD leadlamps fitted, wiper arms restored and new blades fitted, grill and trim painted... the list goes on!

Having assumed the engine was a total write off I was pleased to find it actually has decent compression! I have decided just to give it a thorough service and throw it back together for now to see if it will run and how well.

My shopping list for this week included:

- Plugs, rotor arm, distributor cap, condensor, points etc.
- Gasket set, generator belt, pushrod tubes, inlet manifold boots.
- Fuel pump and mounting plinth + hoses etc.
- Full interior ply panel kit, load floor + roof lining.
- Front seat covers and dash air vents.
- Complete driveshafts.
- Front panel badge and clips.

And there's probably more I've forgotten - should keep me busy for a while!

 

[Djoul]

look better in red than in blue... good job...

 

[petegee56]

Got to love Montana red, out of interest how good a nick were your grey door cards. If you are replacing them I'm always on the look out for a nice set

Pete

 

[OldSpeed]

Got to love Montana red, out of interest how good a nick were your grey door cards. If you are replacing them I'm always on the look out for a nice set

Pete

They are nearly all knackered. I originally wanted to try and keep them or transfer the vinyl covers but they are too far gone. I'm going to keep the front bulkhead panels fitted but the door cards are just too rotten/cut/broken.

Had a very productive week working on this!

Engine now back together and in:

Going to try and start it up tomorrow.

Looking happier:

 

[dubscum]

8) you must be happy with that paint mate. It's come up a treat

 

[OldSpeed]

8) you must be happy with that paint mate. It's come up a treat

I sure am. The photos are kind to it though, and I did have to paint the front panel as unfortunately there was nothing to strip back to.