Been having a great time preparing, planning and at last fitting a waistline deluxe trim to my 65. The trim is from a pre 64(?) so has a narrower piece for the rear door, and the side the pieces were longer than I would need. The thought of cutting the stuff, and extending a piece were daunting when I first realised what I would have to do, but the chances of finding another correct trim were so slim, what choice did I have?. It was packed in a purpose built box by the previous owner of the trim 'cos it had to be freighted a couple of thousand K's, and with the longest piece being 2.8 metres, and the nose pieces bending two ways, the box ended up like a 3 metre guitar case, and was so well packed, it took the first night to remove it from the box. He built the box around the trim, and then screwed it into the box so it wouldn't move around. What a guy.!!

The trim has to be about 40 years old and was completely grey and corroded, with old paint and years of weather to be removed. Apart from the nose pieces, it was all as straight as the day it was made. The nose pieces were quite out of shape, but it's so pliable, you can eventually bend it back into shape. You can see the original condition and then the shine that comes up after hours of wet and dry and Autosol. There is so much black stuff comes of, I've gone through two big piles of rags over two weeks of after-work polishing.

You get an idea of what it was like to start with.

This was the only peice that had the original insert still in it. The new insert I bought is pretty much the same colour, which is almost identical to my interior colour. I've only fitted the insert to the passenger door so far, and if anyone knows the correct way to do it, please let me know. I get the feeling it's gonna be as slow as every other step in the process.

I taped up the area first, so that I wouldn't scratch the paint and so I could locate the trim. I was also hoping it might stop the drill bit sliding all over the place. It takes 106 holes, which is nerve wracking in itself, and of course it helps if you put 'em in the right place.(Those nasty rear refectors are finally coming off on Monday).

I then taped the trim to the bus, firstly 'cos I couldn't wait to see how it would look, secondly to see how the front sections sat, and thirdly to mark the positions for the holes. I have sinced reshaped the front sections 'cos they weren't right in this posi. (The foglights have to be moved in too).

I read where the door trims go on first because they actually sit on the top hinge, then you line up the front pieces from them. If anyone knows how to refit the rubber inserts to the bumper trims I'd love to know. Since these shots I've drilled the holes and fitted all bar the back door piece which I got back from the welder today, (yesterday now).

You can see the extra bit I've since sliced off. Real easy to cut. I'll get into it again on Sunday and take some more pics. If anyone has any tips, fire away.

mmmmm trimmy:thumb

Got any spare sets????
Ive been after a set for my 57 for ages. Good find.
Cheers Dave

There's a set on Ebay at the moment. They want US$500, plus freight. You wouldn't have much change out of a grand $OZ, and it looks pretty beaten up.

mate they are so fine witht he trim. want one for mine. just biding time b4 i have to resort to creative engineering. make sure you put up pics of the finished look. cant wait to see it.
how did you come across the set?

Gunmeister..
Thanks mate. It's certainly a slow process. Have had the whole lot on and off twice. I took it off a second time to add a sealant to try to prevent it from rusting. The thought of rust developing in 106 holes I had made in it, was too much. I should have taken a pic of the front after I'd drilled 20 or so holes to secure the "V" pieces. It's testing stuff bangin' holes in your pride and joy.
I found the trim while I was in Brisberg at the Hardings day in May. It was there on the ground completely overshadowed by a very fine 23 Window. The owner of the 23W had it and other stuff on a blanket next to his bus, but it hardly registered that there was a deluxe trim sitting there, such was the beauty of the 23 window. I didn't have a cent on me because I knew that any money I had on me, wouldn't be on me when I left Hardings. The trim sat there all morning and I watched him pack it back into the bus as he left. It wasn't until a week or so later that I thought I should give him a call and buy it.
I've thought about the "Creative" stuff many a time too. Looks right in the pics, but I've never seen it live, have you?
I'll post some more pics soon
Cheers

2G
I meant to say that yours would look awesome with trim. Although, the single stripe looks right too. Who did your suspension, and what did they do?

mike at CBB did all the suspension and mechanicals. i wanted to keep the swing axle and so we have worked around that. but have to say it sure does handle a treat, and anyone who has seen it heaing down kariong hill onthe central coast at a 100 clicks can vouch for that.
yeah i want one for my bus. think it would just hi tthe spot. but gotta get one. know of some creative ones and a guy i know (who isnt calling me back as i think he wants to be jsut one of the few to have one) is getting a creative. so will wait and keep scouring but if you do find one. let me know, huh.

Twoguns
I have e-mailed creative asking for a price to ship some over, havent got a reply yet.
Might work out cheaper if we can get a few people who want sets so the freight doesnt cost so much.
Cheers
Dave

Brad, that is a fine bus mate.:thumb:thumb:thumb

yeah 57kombi. i have emailed them twice and no response. maybe theyre too busy for us convicts.
if yo do get in touch let me know.:thumb

Your probably better calling them!

N!

Twoguns
Have e-mailed again today.
Will let you know if I get an answer.
Cheers
Dave