Restoration of 1971 VW Baywindow Microbus: Restoration Complete

karlosdeville · 1st April 2009, 16:20

Congratulations on nearing completion of your Bus. She does look very easy on the eyes.

Isn't it great how helpful the forum can be? I can't imagine many other situations where someone would be kind enough to get a bulky part in baggage for a fellow enthusiast. In fact I had 4 brand new scratchless wheel caps for your bus which I gave away to someone else before I knew you had a bus.

PAVAN KADAM · 1st April 2009, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Congratulations on nearing completion of your Bus. She does look very easy on the eyes.

Isn't it great how helpful the forum can be? I can't imagine many other situations where someone would be kind enough to get a bulky part in baggage for a fellow enthusiast. In fact I had 4 brand new scratchless wheel caps for your bus which I gave away to someone else before I knew you had a bus.

Thank you Karl. Its still to far away to be said "complete".

The forum is a great communicator. BTW i knew $@~t#0$# much before T-BHP

. Yes he's kind enough to get the part for me, along with loads and loads of other parts also.

, i am dying for those oval wheel caps, i have 1 oval and 2 flat hubcaps presently. I'll get them someday.

karlosdeville · 1st April 2009, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

I am dying for those oval wheel caps, i have 1 oval and 2 flat hubcaps presently. I'll get them someday.

I had flat ones, I was under the impression your bus will also have flat ones. I have 2 oval hubcaps for my Bug so far, so I am also on the waiting list. They are not too expensive in Europe and especially US, see if Santosh can help you there.

Stanher · 1st April 2009, 19:06

Hey Pavan,

Congrats! So finally she's home! 'will be all the more thrilling when she runs! Then when I visit Bengalooru next, you can give me a ride in it!

SuperSelect · 2nd April 2009, 00:06

The 'Bus is looking fab Pavan. Best wishes for you to finish all the detailing !

PAVAN KADAM · 2nd April 2009, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

I had flat ones, I was under the impression your bus will also have flat ones. I have 2 oval hubcaps for my Bug so far, so I am also on the waiting list. They are not too expensive in Europe and especially US, see if Santosh can help you there.

I have 3 flat ones with me, Since tomorrow is a holiday, will be trying to fit them and see if they fit. If it fits , one more will somehow come from somewhere. Mr Brat 001 hope you are seeing this

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanher

Hey Pavan,

Congrats! So finally she's home! 'will be all the more thrilling when she runs! Then when I visit Bengalooru next, you can give me a ride in it!

You visit Bengaluru next, will offer pick and drop facility for you in the Bus

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSelect

The 'Bus is looking fab Pavan. Best wishes for you to finish all the detailing !

Thank you very much, will post some pics this weekend.

TuffRyder · 2nd April 2009, 22:50

Pavan: Congrats. Every bit of your van oozes out the enthusiasm you have for it. I stay pretty close to where you live, so if I spot a "yellow submarine" I'l know itz yours

Cheers

f1fan · 2nd April 2009, 23:22

The bus looks great Pavan. I am planning a trip to BLR in mid Apr. Can I stop by to see it in flesh?

Cheers
f1fan

rohithdr · 3rd April 2009, 13:43

Congrats sir i will come down one of these days to see your bus. Last time i saw it was still to be painted. Now after painting it looks very good

khan_sultan · 3rd April 2009, 13:54

Pavan, the bus looks awesome. the color combination & quality is very good and very very soothing & pleasing to the eyes. Wishing you many many happy miles of traveling in this bus.

One day, we can have loads of T-BHP'ians in this bus and go out for a drive.

swift8847 · 3rd April 2009, 18:15

Met Kadam yesterday. I was amazed by his collection. Every car/bike is in mint condition.

The paint on the bus is neat. Every component is original. GOd!!! Hoping to see the bus in action soon.

Great work Kadam. Kudos to you man. Have been talking to my friends about your restorations.

PAVAN KADAM · 9th April 2009, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffRyder

Pavan: Congrats. Every bit of your van oozes out the enthusiasm you have for it. I stay pretty close to where you live, so if I spot a "yellow submarine" I'l know itz yours

Cheers

Thanks buddy, it'll take sometime to be on roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1fan

The bus looks great Pavan. I am planning a trip to BLR in mid Apr. Can I stop by to see it in flesh?
Cheers
f1fan

Anytime, will be glad to drive you around in the Bus

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohithdr

Congrats sir i will come down one of these days to see your bus. Last time i saw it was still to be painted. Now after painting it looks very good

Thank you Rohit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Pavan, the bus looks awesome. the color combination & quality is very good and very very soothing & pleasing to the eyes. Wishing you many many happy miles of traveling in this bus.

One day, we can have loads of T-BHP'ians in this bus and go out for a drive.

Shahnawaz, once its on road, my next T-BHP meet, i'll ferry all T-BHP'ians for a drive in the Bus. Nice idea to have all T-BHP'ians packed in one classic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swift8847

Met Kadam yesterday. I was amazed by his collection. Every car/bike is in mint condition.
The paint on the bus is neat. Every component is original. GOd!!! Hoping to see the bus in action soon.
Great work Kadam. Kudos to you man. Have been talking to my friends about your restorations.

Thank you for your visit Ankit.

Next update tomorrow......

SA7VA5 · 9th April 2009, 14:35

ACHTUNG BABY!

Lovely work! Keep up the spirit Pavan.

All the best to your resto effort.

Cheers!

Saurabh

PAVAN KADAM · 11th April 2009, 23:43

Guys with the regular updates now.

Week passed since the VW's home, all my daily run to the workshop is reduced

,

GOD! i still have 2 classics waiting there, never mind, i'll take a break for some time.

Now i decide its time to start some work on the Bus. First thing to start with was relaying the wiring loom. Since the earlier loom was as good as new, instructed my mechanic to lay them, need to get a good electrician to come over and connect them all. Now that will be done only during my engine mounting, which is 2 weeks away from now.

The next part of work the Bus required was upholstery. Roof was done
immediately after painting, the door pads , seats and carpeting was due. Since i have ordered for the original basket weave design material, i need to wait till they come, same with the door pads also, so some more work put off for the coming weeks. Thought atleast will get the carpeting done, my upholsterer quotes Rs.4500 for complete carpeting, i said "OK come over and do it", Friday passed/Saturday passes and likewise Sunday also there's no news about this guy. Calls on Monday and says, "Saab, bahaar gaya tha, ek baar me pura gaadi ka kaam karenge saab". This puts me off.

It looks like all the work has suddenly started to stop after the homecoming, i felt Boss its time i do something to get some work started on the Bus. Next day i leave office early, go to JC Road, buy 6 meters of black carpeting material=>Rs.825/-. One litre of SR Adhesive=>185/-. A pair of scissors that i had at home, and few old hardwood material from the earlier part in the Bus. All material required at hand, i wait for the weekend to arrive.

Horray Friday 3rd April is a holiday, i brushed my teeth, finished a quick breakfast, with my kid for company started measuring the length and breadth of the Bus dimension. since back part of the Bus is easy to cut, i start from there, Neatly like a pro, a tape around my neck, scissor and a chalk in my hand, i go around marking the length . By afternoon i have all the dimensions marked on the carpet.

All my coffee/tea and my kids breakfast and lunch was served in the Bus, thanks to my wife. After lunch some more cutting and marking continues. By around 3 pm i have all the mats cut seperately and ready to be laid inside the Bus. I start applying the adhesive at the back wheel arch, Dad advised me to leave 15 mins gap between application and laying the carpets, they stick well, i take his advice and it worked well.

5pm the rear half is complete. I called it a day since i also had the next day
(Saturday) at my disposal. Saturday, i start my work at around 11 am. The front part is extremely difficult, since lot of precision cutting and pasting was required, i almost took 3 hours just to complete the asile area and the footwell. Since this bus has a walk through, i need to do it very professionally. Anyways i had already learnt a lot since yesterday.
Neatly cut the hardwood, applied glue and stuck carpets over it, drilled holes and they were ready to be laid, Now comes the front seats area. This was difficult since the surface had lot of undulations, sticking the carpet was too damn tough,somehow completed one side which took 2 hrs, the other side took a bit lesser .

The front floor was again a difficult task, i skipped my lunch that day and by the time i had cut and laid the front and the final part of carpeting it was 6 pm. Phew...that was too much of physical excertion for a day.

But at the end of it, a job well done,and that too at Rs 1200/-.(Sundar Sasta aur Tikaoo) Atleast it came good for my satisfaction.

Let some pics do talking, i've said enough.....

swift8847 · 12th April 2009, 00:22

Great work Kadam.

Feels good when you do something all by yourself.

1st April 2009, 16:20	#166
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 12,153 Thanked: 18,985 Times View My Garage	Congratulations on nearing completion of your Bus. She does look very easy on the eyes. Isn't it great how helpful the forum can be? I can't imagine many other situations where someone would be kind enough to get a bulky part in baggage for a fellow enthusiast. In fact I had 4 brand new scratchless wheel caps for your bus which I gave away to someone else before I knew you had a bus.
	() Thanks

1st April 2009, 19:06	#169
Stanher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hyderabad, AP Posts: 6,491 Thanked: 2,097 Times View My Garage	Hey Pavan, Congrats! So finally she's home! 'will be all the more thrilling when she runs! Then when I visit Bengalooru next, you can give me a ride in it!
	() Thanks

2nd April 2009, 00:06	#170
SuperSelect Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai. Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 248 Times View My Garage	The 'Bus is looking fab Pavan. Best wishes for you to finish all the detailing !
	() Thanks

2nd April 2009, 22:50	#172
TuffRyder BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 494 Thanked: 32 Times	Pavan: Congrats. Every bit of your van oozes out the enthusiasm you have for it. I stay pretty close to where you live, so if I spot a "yellow submarine" I'l know itz yours Cheers
	() Thanks

2nd April 2009, 23:22	#173
f1fan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 701 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	The bus looks great Pavan. I am planning a trip to BLR in mid Apr. Can I stop by to see it in flesh? Cheers f1fan
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 13:43	#174
rohithdr BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 104 Thanked: 0 Times	Congrats sir i will come down one of these days to see your bus. Last time i saw it was still to be painted. Now after painting it looks very good
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 13:54	#175
khan_sultan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Noida/Bangalore Posts: 4,946 Thanked: 6,469 Times View My Garage	Pavan, the bus looks awesome. the color combination & quality is very good and very very soothing & pleasing to the eyes. Wishing you many many happy miles of traveling in this bus. One day, we can have loads of T-BHP'ians in this bus and go out for a drive.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 18:15	#176
swift8847 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore/Houston Posts: 324 Thanked: 2 Times	Met Kadam yesterday. I was amazed by his collection. Every car/bike is in mint condition. The paint on the bus is neat. Every component is original. GOd!!! Hoping to see the bus in action soon. Great work Kadam. Kudos to you man. Have been talking to my friends about your restorations. Last edited by swift8847 : 3rd April 2009 at 18:18.
	() Thanks

9th April 2009, 14:35	#178
SA7VA5 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DELHI Posts: 297 Thanked: 154 Times	Bravo!! ACHTUNG BABY! Lovely work! Keep up the spirit Pavan. All the best to your resto effort. Cheers! Saurabh
	() Thanks

11th April 2009, 23:43	#179
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,601 Thanked: 2,557 Times	Guys with the regular updates now. Week passed since the VW's home, all my daily run to the workshop is reduced, GOD! i still have 2 classics waiting there, never mind, i'll take a break for some time. Now i decide its time to start some work on the Bus. First thing to start with was relaying the wiring loom. Since the earlier loom was as good as new, instructed my mechanic to lay them, need to get a good electrician to come over and connect them all. Now that will be done only during my engine mounting, which is 2 weeks away from now. The next part of work the Bus required was upholstery. Roof was done immediately after painting, the door pads , seats and carpeting was due. Since i have ordered for the original basket weave design material, i need to wait till they come, same with the door pads also, so some more work put off for the coming weeks. Thought atleast will get the carpeting done, my upholsterer quotes Rs.4500 for complete carpeting, i said "OK come over and do it", Friday passed/Saturday passes and likewise Sunday also there's no news about this guy. Calls on Monday and says, "Saab, bahaar gaya tha, ek baar me pura gaadi ka kaam karenge saab". This puts me off. It looks like all the work has suddenly started to stop after the homecoming, i felt Boss its time i do something to get some work started on the Bus. Next day i leave office early, go to JC Road, buy 6 meters of black carpeting material=>Rs.825/-. One litre of SR Adhesive=>185/-. A pair of scissors that i had at home, and few old hardwood material from the earlier part in the Bus. All material required at hand, i wait for the weekend to arrive. Horray Friday 3rd April is a holiday, i brushed my teeth, finished a quick breakfast, with my kid for company started measuring the length and breadth of the Bus dimension. since back part of the Bus is easy to cut, i start from there, Neatly like a pro, a tape around my neck, scissor and a chalk in my hand, i go around marking the length . By afternoon i have all the dimensions marked on the carpet. All my coffee/tea and my kids breakfast and lunch was served in the Bus, thanks to my wife. After lunch some more cutting and marking continues. By around 3 pm i have all the mats cut seperately and ready to be laid inside the Bus. I start applying the adhesive at the back wheel arch, Dad advised me to leave 15 mins gap between application and laying the carpets, they stick well, i take his advice and it worked well. 5pm the rear half is complete. I called it a day since i also had the next day (Saturday) at my disposal. Saturday, i start my work at around 11 am. The front part is extremely difficult, since lot of precision cutting and pasting was required, i almost took 3 hours just to complete the asile area and the footwell. Since this bus has a walk through, i need to do it very professionally. Anyways i had already learnt a lot since yesterday. Neatly cut the hardwood, applied glue and stuck carpets over it, drilled holes and they were ready to be laid, Now comes the front seats area. This was difficult since the surface had lot of undulations, sticking the carpet was too damn tough,somehow completed one side which took 2 hrs, the other side took a bit lesser . The front floor was again a difficult task, i skipped my lunch that day and by the time i had cut and laid the front and the final part of carpeting it was 6 pm. Phew...that was too much of physical excertion for a day. But at the end of it, a job well done,and that too at Rs 1200/-.(Sundar Sasta aur Tikaoo) Atleast it came good for my satisfaction. Let some pics do talking, i've said enough..... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by PAVAN KADAM : 11th April 2009 at 23:44.
	() Thanks

12th April 2009, 00:22	#180
swift8847 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore/Houston Posts: 324 Thanked: 2 Times	Great work Kadam. Feels good when you do something all by yourself.
	() Thanks