Hi List,
After many months of searching, i've finally found a split screen to fill the vw void in my life! The purchase was not hte nicest experience as it came down to a bidding war, auction style, so hopefully there are no hard feelings from anybody else on here!

Ok now the apologies are out of the way...

The previous owner of the bus is a 90 something year old who lost his sight and stopped using the bus years ago, and has been garaged ever since. I found a number of unused rego stickers in the door pocket from 79,80,81, and 82. So i'm guessing that the bus was last on the road sometime in 1978, or possibly as last as 1982.

The bus was in a shed, being kept company by a couple of flat head v8s and a Jawa (Czechoslovakian) motorcycle.




...sorry about the quality of the photos, from the phone...

What year?

From what i can tell, i think the bus is a 1958 standard, still has the semaphores in place, but have had it.


It was getting late in the day, but the flat bed tow truck finally arrived to take the bus home. The bus made its first journey in over 25 years in the dark.



[ Edited on 14-11-2005 by vsleepy ]

The next morning i woke with that sinking feeling "what have i got my self into...."

Every panel needs work, its not too straight, but its rust free (essentially). An 'interesting' modification is the cargo doors. Looks like possibly doors from a walkthrough, as the rear most cargo door has the latch, but this too has been modified to open concertina style. So i'm on the lookout for a couple of early hinges!

I pulled all the seats out of it (which are complete and tear free, appart from the drivers pos).


and removing the back fuel tank cover exposed some more 'customisations'

The semaphores obviously stopped working years ago, and the obligatory trailer lights were added.


The only real rust is on the drivers side, looks like the window was probably left open in the weather years ago.


Here is the inside front bit. No Rust!


And the outriggers and jack points are also solid!

Time to get it into the shed, My 69 Datsun Supersix had the Push and Pull duties,
1.2.3...PUSH.


And gently lower it down the drive into the carport


Had to take the tilt door off, but she fits!

Cleaned out the fuel tank, disconnected the regulator, slapped in a battery (yes, i know its meant to be 6v!)

She Runs! and pretty good too....




Anyway, thats the beginning of my vw story. I'll be asking lots of questions along the way.

Regards,
vsleepy
(James)

mate. good stuff, and congrats to you. a lot of work ahead, but a lot of joy as well.

very sweet there sounds like there will be of fun to be had getting it ready

Marc

is it gonna stay ratty?

love the sun visor
let me know if you wanty to sell

Paul

well done mate, should of grabed the bike aswell.
looks like you are missing the end casting on the middle seat hand rails...you'll be a future customer if I pull me finger out:P

good stuff, like to see more pics of that door setup!..

love the 'standard' holes in the rear bumper..

Good find

I am with Robnjo WHAT ABOUT THE BIKE ?

I love the pics mate. A few things make more sense now..........

wot bike? i can not see any in the pics???

That antenna on the visor is very naf, Ilove it. Nice start mate clean it up and drive it.
M

fairy tale stuff...congrats.

Just goes to show there are still some oldies out there waiting to be found. Can't believe it started after that long in a shed!

Good find, lots of happy hours ahead.

splits are NOT rare ... lol ..

Oh god not again!!!!!!!!!!!!

cool man love those bumpers "and the pic in the shed"

Hi List,
Thanks for all the positive responses. Am feeling better about the project now. :thumb

I have my panel beater coming around on the weekend to give me an estimate... well on fixing the drivers floor and welding on the tail gate hinges.

May keep it ratty to start with, but i've got custom things in mind for this old gal, sorry purists, close your eyes But this thing is way beyond ever being close to concourse. The PO was way to handy with tinsnips a rivet gun, an electric drill and a stick welder!

I agree with the coment that splits arn't rare, but finding one that doesn't require the bottom 10 inches and all the window sills replaced seamed to be a challange. I found quite a few

Regarding the Jawa, it was more parts than a bike. It'd be worth more to someone thats got one already, so i left it. One project of this magnitude is enough!

I've managed to track down (on the internet) some semaphore lenses... but just incase the assemblies are wallaby Teds brother, what have other people done indircator wise?

Also, what have other people done with tail/breaklight asseblies. Althought they are available, 200+ AUD is a bit rich. On the bus atm are reflectors with a light wired in behind, and i mean wired as in fencing wire!

Check these out:
http://www.customdynamics.com/led_billet_circle.htm

Brake/Tail/Indicator in one! Only problem is me 6v's, and they're not DOT approved. Not that i'm sure DOT was even around in 1958. A question for transport wa.

What about upfront, Iv'e heard of people putting a light inside the headlight bucket, does any body have pics of such a set up?

BTW, the 'aerial' in the visor is actually a curb feeler, but for under cover car parks rather than curbs! Pretty cool.

Anyway, will keep posting with progress.
:beer
VS

Congrats on becoming the owner of a split!Loads of fun ahead & thats just getting her on the road!!:P

That looks like a great score! I too agree that splittys aren't rare...but good, solid complete ones are.

Looking forward to seeing more pics of it- Wayne

I know of about 6 split buses sitting around country side in farm sheds in good condition

Hey good find V.Sleepy! Thats what its all about

If you want some 'local' advice and a bit of a natter about all these things then keep in touch and we can get together with the perth splitty crowd (presuming you havent already)

Also, if you want details of a top quality panel beaters then let me know...

Again, good find!

Sam

Welcome to the land of confusion.

According to every website you look at , by body #, it's a 58, but at the same time they tell you a 58 had combined brake/tail lights.

A '57 had the brakelight on the engine lid.