Details of 57KOMBI(more Pics to wet your appetite)

O.k. here goes.
I am seriously thinking of selling the bus.
It was supposed to be a camper and I got carried away, the missus is worried that our daughter would only ruin it and we cant really use it for camping.

I am thinking just use it and if anything gets damaged I will just fix it, as I have done all the work anyway, (apart from PMGBUS welding the new panels underneath, and very good panels they are).
So I will sell if I get the right offer, And before anyone starts it is my bus and if it goes overseas who cares, its a bus not a sacred artifact.

Now heres the specs.

Built in Aus, July 1957.
Stored since the 70's as it had an engine fire.

I bought it in April 01

The rust was removed underneath and the whole rear and underneath was shot blasted to remove any traces of rust left.

Has had the following body panels fitted, All NEW.

Front nose section, this was a new later model front and so the fish eye indicator holes have been plated over(try and find a semaphore front), it does still have washer holes with chrome washer jets.
Outriggers from A.Schofield U.K.
Both outer and inner sills, and doglegs, PMGBUS
Center chassis sections, one from Schofield another from Hardings who copied Rob Kings.
2 smal sections about 2 inches square were replaced in the cargo floor as dust collects on top of the outriggers and causes rust.

The whole underneath and inside was painted in POR15. for a good result this has to be painted over clean bare metal, that was why it was blasted first.

I am not saying there is no filler in this bus, it has had a fine skim over the joins of the sills that is the only way to do it.

The bus was panel beaten straight and then sprayed in epoxy highbuild 2 pac, this paint is used to cover the legs of deep sea oil riggs and is totally water resistant.
This bus was built not to rust again.
It took about 8 months to flatten this paint off as it sets really hard.
The Bus was then painted inside and out in Glasuritt 2 pac,
I did not like how modern 2 pac has orange peel in it from the gun but I wanted the hardness and wanted an older look so I painted 5 coats of the grey then went over it with 1200 then 1800 then 2000 wet and dry to get a flatter finish, i had no fingers at the end so if there are any typing mistakes its because I am using my toes!!!.
It was then covered in fish oil, inside and underneath.

Wheels

I like the look of solid beetle wheels, these were blasted,painted fitted with atlas whiewalls and new 165x15 tyres, then new hubcaps, and yes they are the crappy braxilian ones.

All new seals were used , door, window light etc and I made the interior myself, this is just red vinyl and could do with being replaced with the correct panels if you wanted a period looking bus.It also has a roof liner and chequered vinyl floor.
The middle seat does not come with the bus as that is on loan from a mate.

The front is a standard king pin beam with 3 inch lowered spindles, these were done by Rob King and I dont need to say anything else.
The shockers are new kyb and the rubber brake lines as well as the hard lines have been replaced, the wheel cylinders were found to be working well with no leaks, a new master cylinder was used.
All nuts and bolts have been replaced with stainless and nylocks, including the correct high tensile shocker mounts.

The rear has a straight axle kit from PMGBUS and a 1500 beetle box fitted with type 3 rear brakes, this lowers the bus 3 inches.

Engine.

1600 twin port, fitted with following NEW parts.
clutch
pressure plate
bearing
009 dizzy
fuel pump
polished alternator
pulley's
leads
Powder coated tinware, black
seals
Bug pack extractors
custom made stainless exhaust.

All door bolts are new allen head stainless.
New door handles,
New armature to turn the 6 volt wiper into a 12 volt
new lights with indicators inside.
New taillight lenses, glass not plastic
new center brake light lens, glass not plastic

The bus was not built as a show bus and is not technically correct as it has 58 tail lights as 57 ones just have a driving light and I wanted as many brake lights as possible.
Also the semaphores have been welded over as I am using the bus and didnt trust old grannies to see little bits of plastic 3 meters along the side of the bus.
I do have repair sections to replace the semaphore holes.

The speedo is in Kmh and has a fuel guage in it.
The indicator stalk is a 1950's bosch after market one that flashes red at the end.
A 12 volt wiring loom was used.
Steering wheel painted top body colour, no cracks.

Chromed stuff.
Ashtray
radio blanking plate,
taillight surrounds
center brake light surround
rear door stay
Wiper arms
front window latches
pop-out latches
nose badge(new fromSchofield)
Also stainless mirrors and stainless mirror arms.
New fuel lock, new engine lid lock


Extras

Creative ally pop-outs
Westi ally 3 bow rack
deluxe trim
jail bars
mud flaps
helphos spotlight
Harley Zodiac indicators on the rear

I will also include a Jus Kampers drive away awning tent.
This attaches to the side of the bus and sleeds 4.
This is new , used once last week.


It hs taken me 3 1/2 years to do this bus and as I have said I am not sure about selling it.
If the right money was offered I would, and then I could do my next project, which would not be done to the extent of this one.

As you are now bored I will let the pics do the talking,
you have all seen them before but here goes.
Some dont have the trim on as I have only fitted it last weekend.

You can make comments but I am happy with the work I did and everyone who has seen it thinks it is very good.

Email me or u2u but only if you are very serious, and no I will not sell anything off it, If it goes it all goes.

Just as an idea of what I am looking for, I have spent over $19,000 and that does not include 3 1/2 years of labour, I painted it myself, and did ALL the prep.
I got a quote before I started the paint, now this does not include welding or rubbing the 2 pac down and they wanted $16 -18,000.
I put it back together with help from friends
PMGBUS, 57Chookshed and Dave F.
Also thanks for the advice from Mr Split, Rob King and Shane Hinton.


Cheers
Dave

[Edited on 29-11-2004 by 57kombi]

[Edited on 29-11-2004 by 57kombi]

[Edited on 30-11-2004 by 57kombi]

Another

Another

they keep coming

some under neath ones

[Edited on 29-11-2004 by 57kombi]

inner sills

outrigger

front

[Edited on 29-11-2004 by 57kombi]

should have cleaned the dust off first

more
door on its side, note stainless bolts

under front floor mat

bottom of the new front nose section

custom exhaust, dont you love ribbed bumpers

theres more yet

you know you want it

last ones

now that you are all bored
the LAST one

how much Dave????
would you be looking around the $20k
ball park figure??
need to know if i have a chance or what!!!

man what can a bloke say
I just too poor it's moments like these that you hate it's implications
good luck

dont want to sound rude but i think try 30k and you may have a chance, 2k for 3 and a half years of intense labour . $19000 is doing it yourself try to find a bus from any shop at that price and compare it to daves. actually there isnt many buses out there in aus that could be compared

Forgot loads of stuff, recon starter, new axle boots, new battery new fuse board, new everything that I could repace with new.
Some have asked for pics of inside, the middle seat is not mine so is not included in the sale.
I have had a genuine offer already, this is happening too fast!!!

Cheers
Dave

another

again.
Here is my little girl on the back seat

engine

What!....no sunvisors....I'm not going to buy it now.This would have to be one of the tastiest splittys around!

Actually they will be fitted tomorrow, have had guests from England here for 3 weeks and that is why it took me so long to fit the trim.

My old man arrives on the weekend so I will proberbly not make a decision for a few weeks.
Cheers
Dave

dont want to through you, but wouldnt you take it as a sign to keep the bus after you tried to sell it the first time and the post mucked up and you lost everything???? am not really into that sort of stuff but that happenning and the whole "its happening too fast" thing would get to me a little if i was selling.... is a lovely bus, goodluck with the sale! worth every penny!

nick

mate i wouldnt take 20k for that bus. when the offers hit 30+ then theyre genuine. you have a one in a billion bus there mate, of the calibre i can only dream to achieve in the future. as much as i regret saying this... good luck with the sale. lets hope it goes to one of us AVD people! then they die and leave the bus to me!

I went for a cruise today and spent all day driving the bus, the comments I got from people was amzing, I went and visited some mates and then went up the freeway to Handorf.
It went really well and is just making it harder to deciede if I will sell it.
I have had a couple of offers that I would consider and will make up my mind next week.

Thanks to all for the great comments
Cheers
Dave

On the freeway, , the speedo is in KMH.

Cheers
Dave

another.
Isnt it a great veiw from a split window.

Cheers
Dave

last one.
With every pic I post it makes it harder( I dont mean that you perv's)

Cheers
Dave

I cant help it, here is the very last one

Cheers for looking.

Dave

oooh! lurv the speedo shot.

unless you have a samba on the build don't do it, that is just to good and you will regret it .

i think the view would be better with a set of safaris
and then you could post some more pics of the bus with a new look.
just a quick question how the ride height does it ever hit anything?
the reason i ask is thats around the height of my bus

is there a reading on the fuel guage?! lol

mate that is one nice bus if i was u i would hold on 2 her :thumb

Don`t fuckin sell it Dave.
If you do, you`re dumped.

You should paint the V.W. emblem on the hubcaps red,
or is that overkill.....I would.

NOw you've done all the work Dave, keep on enjoying it.
As you said, it's not a sacred object, it's only a bus. So use it.
If it gets damaged, fix it. it's only metal.
It's one of the two best ( IMHO ) splits in Adelaide, you know this from the reaction you get from others, and the pleasure you get driving it.
If you wanna go camping, go buy a shitbox Toyota hiace for a few of grand, and drive it into the ground.
Keep the Split Dave.

I'm gonna start a poll. 😀😉

yer well said and Dave i have a shit 76 micro you could turn into a camper for $2000

To be honest I am holding my decision till after Christmas as it is happening too quick, And I dont really know what I am doing.

It will get a lot of driving in that time as I want to make sure I do make the right choice.
Paul, when is this cruise happening??

Cheers
Dave

Well,

I’m not sure I’d jump straight on the ‘don’t sell it wagon’. It really depends on what you want to do and what you can afford.

I never thought I’d sell my 23window….it took me years to build it. But when it was finished I drove it and enjoyed it enormously for a year but then the bug to restore another bus came back. And I realised I get just as much pleasure and relaxation from building busses as I do from driving them (and my family is very tolerant of my eccentricities..).

BUT it was very difficult to build another bus given the amount of money I’d put into the 23. Kids needed school fees etc etc and it was hard to justify spending yet more from our combined income when I already had $50k sitting in the garage. So I sold it and I’m happy. I have a couple of busses to play with, I get to do engineering things and I haven’t knackered the family income or relationships or had to prostitute my hobby into a ‘must make money from VWs at any moral cost’ type thing.

Sell it if you want to – it’s a small thing in the bigger scheme of things and whoever buys it would be silly not to look after it!

RobK

Thanks Rob.
You hit the nail on the head.
This is the hardest choice I have had to make, and I shouldnt have gone for a drive all yesterday as it is making it harder.
I had a smile on my face all day, I was laughing to myself as well.
I enjoyed building it and was proud that it was mostley done by me.
The only thing I would change is to have the interior done professionaly , dont get me wrong it looks good but not up to the same standard as the rest of the bus,
I have had a couple of good offers and have told the people that I am honest and if I was to accept an offer I would reduce it by 3K as that is what I have been quoted for a nice interior.
See Im too honest, I didnt do the bus to make money I have given things away to people if I didnt need them, I try and help people if I can, some dont get my sense of humour at times.
But this is the hardest thing.
I will wait till after Christmas and see how I feel.
I doint know if I would do another as it takes a hell of a lot of time and I missed a lot of my daughters growing up as I was "in the shed".
Thank you all for bearing with me and that includes my mates who are really giving me a hard time not to sell it.
I am now going out for a drive as that is what I bulit it for.

Cheers
Dave

Good to hear it`s not for sale now Dave.
You made the right choice.

$3,000 for an interior to match the rest, sounds like ya havn't finished it yet! 😉

Now ya will have to keep it. :thumb

The bus is staying with me.
I am not selling it anymore, I have informed those that were interested and put them onto another.
Thanks for all the nice comments.

Cheers
Dave