57 11 Window Build Thread

[jordiando]

Hi,

I hope this is in the right place to post a build thread. I'm in the process of restoring a 1957 11 Window bus. As I dont have a lot of time or welding skills the bodywork for my bus has been outsourced to Das Resto Haus on the Gold Coast, Australia . It is a bit scary watching my bus become a skeleton.

The bus has been passed through a few hands in recent years before I committed to get her back on the road. I want a driveable bus that can be slammed for cruising/ shows and lifted for long drives/ tours and I'm sure this is a journey that will take a couple of years, but I want it finished before my 21st.

http://dasrestohaus.com.au/gallery2/v/Current+Restorations/

As the bodywork is in progress I'm pulling together all of the suspension & brakes. Hopefully it will all work together.

Front
Narrowed Beam with Adjusters (OE Bearings) – built by Das Resto
Flipped Spindles
CE Rack & pinion
Airkewld disks & dual master cylinder
low shocks

Rear
Indian IRS
Indian adjustable spring plates
Indian drop plates
68 drums
low shocks

Jordi

[jordiando]

[miscreantgnomie]

Now that is peeling back the layers
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62 sc, 62 SO 34, 61 mango, (2) 67 deluxe in crappy shape, 73 thing, 64 ghia,
and some embarassing bays. shhh, I just use them for storage. (hides)
San Antonio (SAAC/VOSA)

[Slow Steve]

Damm you're not messing around! I will be keeping up with this thread.
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BarryL wrote:
100 years from now when they have reverse atom regeneration attractor technology perfected and in a hand held back yard mechanic's price range, someone will dig up this thread and go, "What were those guys thinking? The whole thing was all there just waiting to be re-atomized. Funny how easily they cut them up back then."
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74 911
72 914
65 13w Deluxe
60 Ragtop

[zuggbug]

Bravo - thanks for sharing
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SOUTHERN INTEGRITY AIRCOOLERS
58 15 window
56 westy

[flemcadiddlehopper]

". It is a bit scary watching my bus become a skeleton."

I know the feeling, trust me, it is scary and exciting. Like when you almost shit your pants on the roller coaster, exactly.

Gordo.

[jordiando]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and I'll make sure I upload the photos as the resto progresses.

I also appreciate the importance of avoiding "follow through" in carnival rides and bus restoration, and intend avoiding a soiling incident at all costs!

Jordi

[Braukuche]

[RPGreg2600]

Looks expensive. horizons can you afford that at your age?

[jordiando]

"I gotta ask, why did they remove the entire long panel? Doesn't look that bad in the pictures"

The guys at Das Resto worked out that the repair time for the long side, short side and nose would cost more than panel costs + remove/replace.

I would love to do more myself to reduce costs but have a job where I don't get out much (free food, house and education helps).

I have always loved cars/ VW's and this is my chance to build a cool, reliable rust free bus to travel around Australia (maybe one day US & Europe) when I finish study.

[jordiando]

After a few technical issues at the sandblaster and weeks of wet weather in Queensland the bus is finally back and ready for the welding to start.

The beam is currently being modified and I scored a CE rack and pinion to help in the steering department.

[jordiando]

Time to shorten the Beam.

These early beams have a smaller inside diameter than lates so rather than needle bearings we will have oil impregnated bushes machined up to suit. The original bushes (non needle bearings) came out okay but could be slightly worn, so best to replace them. The cost of the machined bushes will be about the same as new bearings (around Aus $200) so no difference in price or performance.

[Major Woody]

Very interesting. Bookmarked.
Please don't build a "euro style" bus!

[jordiando]

[jordiando]

My bus is coming along well thanks to the team at Das Resto Haus. The recent work includes a trial fit of the beam and mock ups of the end plates.

The front tyre used for the mockup is a lot taller than the low profile I intend to run – it was used to check the offset of the standard rims which allowed Das to work out shock position etc etc. The new beam end plates will be laser cut and castor corrected to reflect a standard beam plus a couple of degrees for better highway straight line stability.

As weld doesn’t stick to MDF Al and Steve at Das will be sure to use steel for the actual end plates (Joke used under copyright from Al)

[jordiando]

Now it is time to start cutting out the rust and replacing it with new metal. The guys at Das Resto are doing a fantastic job. The wheel well & bulkhead are rust free and the floor has had a trial fit.

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[jordiando]

The suspension has required a lot of effort and fitting to ensure ride quality will be maintained with the lowest point being 100mm off the ground.

Drop Plates still need to be added to get the rear down

Mock up of the ride height (when can I drive it .......when/)

The wheels took a lot of work to get looking new again

[jordiando]

Chipping away at the front of th bus

[jordiando]

Now for some panels

Amazing how much better it looks with sides!

[Jerry]

Do you have a driver's door?

I see that the front end is already welded up so I assume so...

Outstanding work so far!
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Looking for SO34 parts.

thevwcompound *instagram*