Restoration of 1971 VW Baywindow Microbus: Back on Road!

[PAVAN KADAM]

"This project goes to my younger Brother who just loves Left Hand Drive vehicles"

Hi Folks,

Long time since i got my hands to do some real restoration.

Got my hands on yet another dream Automobile.(Of course its a Classic) This has been on my wish list for a long long time.

Though i would like to keep this a secret till the project is completely underway. I would still load it with pics of the ground-up restoration.

Firstly the vehicle is in neat condition but not running, had been idle for a long time, since the previous owner lost interest midway.

Secondly, i wanted to keep the restoration very simple and fast enough to get it on road within 3 months.But achieve the original period look.

2 weeks has been spent in getting the vehicle towed and parked, since i did'nt have any parking at my place and my dad would blow me up if i get one more old car home -that too unrestored. Fearing i get it parked in my friends place who was very obliging.

Last week spent time in getting to know whats there in the car and whats not. Got the engine home and it seems to be in a real neat condition, just might want one thorough cleaning and done the engine is ready to fire.

Two tyres are totally worn out, thanks to my bad towing method.

But the greatest thing is that this one tonner was towed by my M-800.

The tail lights and front head lights, front door glasses are not in place sad,. Only a few things missing so good that i can start my process in peace.


P.S., Warning to my T-BHP friends who know about this project, dont let the secret out till the pics appears on this thread.

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

.....
But the greatest thing is that this one tonner was towed by my M-800.
....

Great.

Can we take a guess on what this 'one tonner' is, before the pics arrive?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Great.

Can we take a guess on what this 'one tonner' is, before the pics arrive?

Sultan,

Its 1160 kgs to be precise

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

...

Its 1160 kgs to be precise

That helps . Man, eagerly awaiting for updates to this thread now and the progress of your project.

Best of luck.

[anujmishra]

1971 model fiat car. At that time there was not much choice apart from Fiat, Amby...

[S@~+#0$#]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

P.S., Warning to my T-BHP friends who know about this project, dont let the secret out till the pics appears on this thread.

Ok, will keep mum about this, but am eagerly awaiting the pictures. This classic is a favourite of mine too

[JayD]

Err... I don't know about your project, but i'm guessing its a vw baywindow van?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by S@~+#0$#

Ok, will keep mum about this, but am eagerly awaiting the pictures. This classic is a favourite of mine too

Your reply itself gives out the whole truth man

Anyways Santosh , I'll take you to the car this weekend.cheers:

JayD bhai,

Ahem Ahem... thank you for your reply.

Guys will upload the engine pics tomorrow.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by anujmishra

1971 model fiat car. At that time there was not much choice apart from Fiat, Amby...

*ahem* Excuse moi, the herald also was still in production then.

[prabhuav]

the fiat was a lot lighter than 1160 kgs.. so rule it out

[smsrini]

bus, bus, microbus!! vee-dub ??

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Stanher

*ahem* Excuse moi, the herald also was still in production then.

Stan Bhai,

It certainly not a Herald.

SmSrini,thanks

Devru swalpa ...pls

The engine pics will give it all away.

S@~+#o$# helped me with few manuals, thanks to him , i could relate to few parts that i didnt know what it was meant for.

Above all my friend who spared me with the 20 ft by 8 ft land to rest my new ride for the time being, no wonder he himself is one freak when it comes to Automobiles. Not forgetting to mention some spares he's giving me to complete my restoration.
Few more points that i would like to let you guys know is that, this restoration is jumpstarted by ME.

I got the engine home and without waiting for the mechanic, i started dismantling few parts from the engine in order to split it and look for any troubles. So far the engine looks wonderful and doesnt seem to have been touched since it came out of the factory.

I visited my friends place with my Painter(the one who Painted my VW Beetle 6 yrs ago) where the vehicle is parked and stripped out all waste in the car and just took a rough estimate on the work to be done.

Relief to find out there's nothing a herculean task i need to do.

Tinkering: 4 patches of 3 inch by 5 inches and one patch of 2 inch by 1 feet. Thats all the tinkering that needs to be done. Underbody no rusts(i could'nt believe my eyes)

Painting: Neat body line , just needs 15 days work by the painter to finish my preferred 2 tone non metallic paint job. I am anyways doing it in the paint booth, thanks to the weather right now.

Cosmetics: Have few parts that'll go into it, need to buy maybe 6-7 parts to get it the period look.

Misc.,: Upholstery needs to be done fully and needs new carpets. New tyres are a must.

Mechanical: Have few suspension and brake parts and also some gaskets.Since the engine is good need not visit the lathe, engine will be started next weekend( that has to be done by my mechanic).Gearbox is in nice shape.

I think this sums it up for the time being. Now some donations and sponsors pls

[anjan_c2007]

Pavan Kadam But the greatest thing is that this one tonner was towed by my M-800.
Great Pavan! I too have got my Landmaster towed by my 1987 Maruti 800 a few times. Really hats off to the 800!
And all the best for the restoration work. Would like to see pictures definitely.

[SirAlec]

is it VolksWagen bus, just a wild guess ??

[bluestraveller]

Pavan you already mentioned in some thread what you acquired recently, unless this one is different I already know . Cant wait for the pics!