1959 resto

longboardbus · Post by **longboardbus** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:13 am

Hi there

I found this 1959 bus in a barn about 6 months ago. It took a bit of wrestling but finally got it purchased and dragged it home. Its not in too bad condition for over here (NZ) but you may think its pretty bad compared to the busses in oz. Its got no rego but i've been in touch with the rego people and shouldnt be a problem as long as the work is done properly. The plan is to do the work once and do it well its not going to be a quick resto (couple of years maybe) just keep plugging away at it trying to do as much as possible myself ..... all part of the fun. I want to try and keep it pretty standard without getting anal about it if poss tweak suspension to get a couple or three inches lower. The bus came without engine but i have a 65 bus in a real bad state with 1500 engine / box and 12V conversion so hopefully just swop it all over. Anyway work has now commenced. I got the bus pretty much stripped down the bottom was covered in underseal so i've been chipping this off before i send the bus in to get media blasted. The guy knows what he's doing using Garnet i think, thanks for all the info on this site for helping with this decision. Hopefully get all the underseal off in the next week the off to the blaster to see how bad it reallly is. Here's a few piccies anyway

no show · Post by **no show** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:20 am

looks like you will busy , good on you for having a go yourself

loVol · Post by **loVol** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:21 am

Hey mate, I'm basically in the same boat myself. Looks pretty solid on the NZ scale!!!
Getting a rego isn't as big of an issue as some try to make out, just make sure the repairs are good, and well documented with pics.

Daniel.

Leroy · Post by **Leroy** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:07 pm

Nice one mate, good luck with it all. Keep us all up to date with progress.

chillax · Post by **chillax** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:56 pm

Got to love a 59!
Best of luck with it all mate

zeuspig · Post by **zeuspig** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:58 pm

Love the early buses. Good stuff mate.

Look forward to seeing more

kombi1976 · Post by **kombi1976** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:07 am

Don't sweat about the condition of your bus, mate.
Plenty of guys on this list have had serious rust work done on what were just shells.
Yours doesn't look too bad, especially for a pre-60 Bus.

longboardbus · Post by **longboardbus** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:27 pm

Spent a bit of time going over the bus with a fine tooth comb. This is the list of replacement panels i need. I'm going to put an order in with Gerson next few days to get this underway. Its not going to be cheap but as they say you get what you pay for. (Cheers again for the crack on this site about different replacement panel suppliers)
Cargo door rocker (inc inner sill)
Pass side B pillar (lower 400mm)
Drivers side B pillar (lower 400mm)
C pillar (lower 400mm)
Doglegs both sides (F**K these are expensive)
Lower inner valance
lower outer valance
Lower nose (150mm)
Short side rocker
2 x top hat sections
Windshield repair section
4 x outriggers
4 x jacking points
LHS cargo door lower repair section
RHS cargo door lower repair section
Long side rocker (inc inner sill)
Pass side cabin floor repair section
Drivers side cabin floor repair section
Heater tube
Cross brace front chassis
Cross brace rear chassis
Cargo floor ........ not sure if its easier just to replace the lot will buy locally tho

Hopefully finish chippin underseal this weekend Its a crap job but should save me a few bucks!

longboardbus · Post by **longboardbus** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:05 pm

Just thought i would post an update. Progress is slow! the bus is undercover (carport) but its pretty cold at the moment and getting dark before 6pm stops any real progress.... dreaming of summer. I have spent a lot of time chipping off underseal and after several hours of frustration I decided to rip up the cargo floor 1. It needed a few patches anyway and 2. for the sake of $600 it going to make the next stage a lot easier i havent got a rotisserie so at least i will be able to see what im doing.

Best news is that my Klassicfab repair panels have arrived... woohoo!

I have played around with them and they look like they will fit beautifully. They look really well made... one hitch there was some confusion over the order and i got a couple of bits i didnt ask for but missed out on a couple of bits i needed. Gerson was awesome about it he is going to send my missing bit across for nothing and when i sell my extra bits i will deposit that into his account cannot say fairer than that.
Really recommend Klassicfab if anyone else is undecided on where to buy their repair panels from.

Anyway a couple of photos

OMR_007 · Post by **OMR_007** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:45 pm

That sounds really good mate! Keep the progress coming. I too am looking forward to summer

morts · Post by **morts** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:46 pm

Looks like your getting all set up to rip into it. Also looks like Gerson sent everything except the body shell

1959 resto

1959 resto

1959 resto

slow progress