Restoration of 1971 VW Baywindow Microbus: Restoration Complete

PAVAN KADAM · 4th May 2010, 21:57

Few minor changes done yesterday and today.

1) All rims painted Silver
2) Complete rubbing and polishing done for the first time since painting
3) Tried to make the tyres look like white wall
4) Will be tweaking the rear wiring tomorrow. Was not working properly after the mishap

Sorry for the hazy pics.

leadf00t · 5th May 2010, 11:15

Pavan, Just saw the pics of the bus at the save a tiger rally. It looks really great.
I have been following your bus restoration story right since u posed the first question what the car was.

All this while seeing the progress is like seeing a kid grow. or should I say kid recover and become young again

Hats off to you

PAVAN KADAM · 8th May 2010, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadf00t

Pavan, Just saw the pics of the bus at the save a tiger rally. It looks really great.
I have been following your bus restoration story right since u posed the first question what the car was.

All this while seeing the progress is like seeing a kid grow. or should I say kid recover and become young again

Hats off to you

Ha ha... Thank you buddy.

The Bus made its first public Debut for a noble cause "Save the Tiger Rally" Had lot of fun ferrying almost 16 college kids during the drive.

After a year since painting, i got the bus some nice rubbing and polishing, changed the rim colors from yellow/white to standard Silver. Installed the wiper motors.

As on date the Bus stands COMPLETELY RESTORED i.e., 99% done. I am happy with its outcome. Its now fit to be driven anywhere , any distance.

The 1% consists of.

1) Original headlight outer ring - Have it, need time to install them
2) Engine dust cover - Not able to source one since 2 yrs.

Some pics....

srikant · 10th May 2010, 08:03

Cheers Pavan . .Great to see the bus on roads with all its GLORY !! Long time i got to your thread, had been abroad for a while and had been out of touch with TBHP. Anyway Cheers again.

PAVAN KADAM · 18th June 2010, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by srikant

Cheers Pavan . .Great to see the bus on roads with all its GLORY !! Long time i got to your thread, had been abroad for a while and had been out of touch with TBHP. Anyway Cheers again.

Thank you very much srikanth.

The Bus is a real nice runner as on today. Drop in some time, we'll go for one nice ride

smsrini · 18th June 2010, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Thank you very much srikanth.

The Bus is a real nice runner as on today. Drop in some time, we'll go for one nice ride

awsome. Is the splitbus also yours ? Need to come and see your cars one day!!

cheers!
Srini

PAVAN KADAM · 21st June 2010, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by smsrini

awsome. Is the splitbus also yours ? Need to come and see your cars one day!!

cheers!
Srini

No srini, that Split bus belongs to my friend. I had restored it few months ago, had come for the roof carrier job

Getting some more detailing done from tomorrow onwards, the bus will be decked up and hopefully restoration will be complete this weekend

PAVAN KADAM · 26th June 2010, 23:10

Wow... Its been exactly 3 years since i owned this beautiful VW.

I really did not notice all this long, Wow, for me this ownership was a wonderful journey

One classic automobile, trouble free, butter smooth running, great FE of 11.5 kmpl.

I am at awe. Did the first scheduled service today.

1) Got the steering and front suspension joints greased
2) Checked the steering box oil.
3) Replaced the Gearbox oil
4) Replaced the engine oil
5) Used a brand new fuel filter from the mpfi Esteem (Not original, but great filtration)
6) Replaced few fuel pipes
7) Replaced a new charging cut-out ( Was running ON & OFF on the original Harting)
8) Replaced the engine belt
9) New ignition coil ( The resistence coil was damaged)
10) Got an electric fuel pump installed in case of emergency
11) Got all electricals checked
12) Vacuumed and cleaned the complete interiors
13) Carb overhauled

Many a things in the above list was actually not required to be done, but this huge Bus is so much easy and affordable to maintain.

Pampering it some more in a couple of days by buffing the body paint, called my regular guy Naushad ( who's already done wonders on AirbusDrivers unique bikes / Nandishpal's Merc / My Safari Dicor / Srisha's Bug / The Split window, etc., etc.,)

Some pics tomorrow.

smsrini · 28th June 2010, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Wow... Its been exactly 3 years since i owned this beautiful VW.

I really did not notice all this long, Wow, for me this ownership was a wonderful journey

One classic automobile, trouble free, butter smooth running, great FE of 11.5 kmpl.

I am at awe. Did the first scheduled service today.

1) Got the steering and front suspension joints greased
2) Checked the steering box oil.
3) Replaced the Gearbox oil
4) Replaced the engine oil
5) Used a brand new fuel filter from the mpfi Esteem (Not original, but great filtration)
6) Replaced few fuel pipes
7) Replaced a new charging cut-out ( Was running ON & OFF on the original Harting)
8) Replaced the engine belt
9) New ignition coil ( The resistence coil was damaged)
10) Got an electric fuel pump installed in case of emergency
11) Got all electricals checked
12) Vacuumed and cleaned the complete interiors
13) Carb overhauled

Many a things in the above list was actually not required to be done, but this huge Bus is so much easy and affordable to maintain.

Pampering it some more in a couple of days by buffing the body paint, called my regular guy Naushad ( who's already done wonders on AirbusDrivers unique bikes / Nandishpal's Merc / My Safari Dicor / Srisha's Bug / The Split window, etc., etc.,)

Some pics tomorrow.

Now for that Photoshoot by the "Ace of Lens" a.k.a RudraSen. Will be happy to play the role of a Spot Boy for the great lensman, and also see your VW beauties..

PAVAN KADAM · 29th June 2010, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by smsrini

Now for that Photoshoot by the "Ace of Lens" a.k.a RudraSen. Will be happy to play the role of a Spot Boy for the great lensman, and also see your VW beauties..

Thank you man,

Need to call Rudra Sir soon.

Getting the car detailing guy home this Friday (Holiday for me)

Once done, the bus will be gleaming.

Before that, a little bit of work pending which i shall attend to tomorrow.

A photo shoot is very near now. I've been longing to get this done.

amitk26 · 30th June 2010, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Thank you man,

Need to call Rudra Sir soon.

Getting the car detailing guy home this Friday (Holiday for me)

Once done, the bus will be gleaming.

Before that, a little bit of work pending which i shall attend to tomorrow.

A photo shoot is very near now. I've been longing to get this done.

Can this photo-shoot be a small meet or an event ? Will not disturb in anyway but will just observe from a distance

PAVAN KADAM · 9th July 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitk26

Can this photo-shoot be a small meet or an event ? Will not disturb in anyway but will just observe from a distance

You are more than welcome

Just finishing few minor cosmetic works on the Bus right now.

Whole load of spares landed home today afternoon

Few for my Beetle, few for the Bus and few for my friends Splitbus.

My bus will get the Bumper rubbers and the inside front mat. "ORIGINAL" and it makes a lot of difference.

PAVAN KADAM · 22nd July 2010, 16:31

Presently driving it daily to drop my kid to school. 3 kms compulsory daily drive.

Man....! i am loving every distance it covers, running like the way i had dreamt of

And as on date, its 3 yrs since i owned it

PAVAN KADAM · 26th July 2010, 17:56

A proud owner and his show-off. sorry guys, i cant stop showing off.

Rudrasen , Tifosi (Jaykrishnan) and Lukeskywalker (Srihari) took some time off this weekend to do a full fledged photo shoot.

My bro in the Bug, myself with the Bus , Laluks Civic and my friends Splitty, off to some village 45 kms away from the city.

Thankfully the weathergod did not shower much.

Awaiting photos from the professionals, some received and few from my phone.

Will update again later.

leadf00t · 27th July 2010, 12:17

Lovely pics of the Bus, Pavan.

Awaiting the Magical Photos of Rudra Sir.

Btw how would you term the completion of the restoration now.I see a few more accessories arrived a few posts back.

4th May 2010, 21:57	#406
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,552 Times	Few minor changes done yesterday and today. 1) All rims painted Silver 2) Complete rubbing and polishing done for the first time since painting 3) Tried to make the tyres look like white wall 4) Will be tweaking the rear wiring tomorrow. Was not working properly after the mishap Sorry for the hazy pics. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

5th May 2010, 11:15	#407
leadf00t BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MH04 Posts: 439 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	Pavan, Just saw the pics of the bus at the save a tiger rally. It looks really great. I have been following your bus restoration story right since u posed the first question what the car was. All this while seeing the progress is like seeing a kid grow. or should I say kid recover and become young again Hats off to you
	() Thanks

10th May 2010, 08:03	#409
srikant BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 489 Thanked: 12 Times	Cheers Pavan . .Great to see the bus on roads with all its GLORY !! Long time i got to your thread, had been abroad for a while and had been out of touch with TBHP. Anyway Cheers again.
	() Thanks

26th June 2010, 23:10	#413
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,552 Times	Wow... Its been exactly 3 years since i owned this beautiful VW. I really did not notice all this long, Wow, for me this ownership was a wonderful journey One classic automobile, trouble free, butter smooth running, great FE of 11.5 kmpl. I am at awe. Did the first scheduled service today. 1) Got the steering and front suspension joints greased 2) Checked the steering box oil. 3) Replaced the Gearbox oil 4) Replaced the engine oil 5) Used a brand new fuel filter from the mpfi Esteem (Not original, but great filtration) 6) Replaced few fuel pipes 7) Replaced a new charging cut-out ( Was running ON & OFF on the original Harting) 8) Replaced the engine belt 9) New ignition coil ( The resistence coil was damaged) 10) Got an electric fuel pump installed in case of emergency 11) Got all electricals checked 12) Vacuumed and cleaned the complete interiors 13) Carb overhauled Many a things in the above list was actually not required to be done, but this huge Bus is so much easy and affordable to maintain. Pampering it some more in a couple of days by buffing the body paint, called my regular guy Naushad ( who's already done wonders on AirbusDrivers unique bikes / Nandishpal's Merc / My Safari Dicor / Srisha's Bug / The Split window, etc., etc.,) Some pics tomorrow.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 16:31	#418
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,552 Times	Presently driving it daily to drop my kid to school. 3 kms compulsory daily drive. Man....! i am loving every distance it covers, running like the way i had dreamt of And as on date, its 3 yrs since i owned it Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 17:56	#419
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,552 Times	A proud owner and his show-off. sorry guys, i cant stop showing off. Rudrasen , Tifosi (Jaykrishnan) and Lukeskywalker (Srihari) took some time off this weekend to do a full fledged photo shoot. My bro in the Bug, myself with the Bus , Laluks Civic and my friends Splitty, off to some village 45 kms away from the city. Thankfully the weathergod did not shower much. Awaiting photos from the professionals, some received and few from my phone. Will update again later. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

27th July 2010, 12:17	#420
leadf00t BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MH04 Posts: 439 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	Lovely pics of the Bus, Pavan. Awaiting the Magical Photos of Rudra Sir. Btw how would you term the completion of the restoration now.I see a few more accessories arrived a few posts back.
	() Thanks