She's here! Clara the 70 Westie

[Irishpete]

Well I can't tell you how giddy I was this afternoon as I finally picked up Clara, our bus from Steve at Johnson Autoworks. I was so excited that I didn't even shout at the stupid woman who drove into the back of me at the lights on the way to pick her up! :lol:

So here is a resto thread, but a shortened version!

Here's an early picture of her, fresh in from a barn somewhere in the Belgian Alps

This is her the first day we saw her in the flesh

An obligatory wheel arch shot!

 

[Myvanway]

8)

 

[68_early_bay]

Looking good 8) I'll keep an eye out for you around notts

 

[Irishpete]

First coat of Lotus white finished and ready to re-enter the booth

Then it was time for another coat of paint. (Beryl green with a spindrift sparkle in it)

 

[Irishpete]

Paint done

Including the dash

Time to fit the westie roof

 

[Irishpete]

And pick the interior trim

The idea was to get seats that felt like they were from an old Jag - if I could've got some old bloke to smoke a pip whilst sitting on them for a month, I'd have done it!

 

[Irishpete]

Time to choose wheels and drop her a bit

and then get the engine running sweetly

 

[Irishpete]

And then the interior trim got fitted. It was my girlfriend's choice in the end but I am so pleased with how it looks

And a little finishing touch (Yes - she was sprayed at the same time!)

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[Loxy]

Looks good!
Didn't realise you were that near the end when we chatted at Busfest, Shame it wasn't ready a tiny bit earlier!

 

[Irishpete]

Didn't realise you were that near the end when we chatted at Busfest, Shame it wasn't ready a tiny bit earlier!

Tell me about it - we knew she was running but the trimmer took 1 day longer than we needed! :roll:

But it's all good now

 

[Irishpete]

And then I got to drive her home ready for our first trip to Lincoln yesterday!

 

[68_early_bay]

Very 8)

 

[makemybay]

A cracking bus, nice to see a great resto and paint finish

 

[Aazbo]

Awesome 8) Looks like new :shock:

 

[Irishpete]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. I can't wait to get out and about in her but I've got to wait a bit longer - the engine still needs a bit of fettling so she's back for a wee tune up tomorrow but not for long I hope

 

[popout]

What size wheels/tyres are they? they look bigger that 15's to me :?

 

[Humphrey]

Awesome bus mate! Welcome to the shiny paint club...think we are in the minority on here!

 

[Irishpete]

What size wheels/tyres are they? they look bigger that 15's to me :?

Yeah - they're 17" Radars. We weren't sure at first but I love them now! :lol:

 

[Irishpete]

Awesome bus mate! Welcome to the shiny paint club...think we are in the minority on here!

Tell me about it - I do love a bit of patina though - I keep driving with my arm out the window in the vain hope that one day it'll come :roll: I think I need 2 busses :lol:

 

[benveedub]

WOW great bus.......can't really say much more...... :lol:

ENJOY!!! it's what they're made for.....