61 11 Window "The Drover"

[Roo]

Hi all. Just playing around trying to work out this photo upload thingy!!

Whoo Hooo!! Got it sorted. Does that make me a Tech head?? Or just a Dick head for being so hopeless at it!!!

[63 left hooker]

Definately not a "dick head", well done.

Now you know how, we need more pics

[067DUB]

More, more, more!!!!!!

[kombi1976]

This looks interesting.
Keep having a go at getting those pics up, eh?

[MID WEST DUBBER]

looking forward to more pics!

[Roo]

Bit of a story behind it. My father-in-law had a 57 PMG Panel sitting on his farm that I had my eye on. When I started to recover the 57 panel, the f-i-law said about the engine being gone and where it went. Seems a local guy had a Kombi and blew his motor up and needed a replacement. His plan was to do a Lap of the Map but a drought hit the family farm when he was at Longreach so he headed for home. Then he went droving stock on the roads for feed and lived in the Kombi (what a life!!) From there it disappeared. So I contacted the owner (having known of him for a few years) and he informed me not only did he have the original motor that I could have back, but also still had his complete bus if I was interested in making an offer. Didn't know if it was a Split or Bay or what condition it was in. Took a drive out to inspect it and sitting there in the gully was a very complete 1961 11 window Kombi. Needless to say, it's now mine!!! As you all say, they are out there waiting to be rescued. This guy had heard that these were starting to become valuable, but still had no idea of it's worth. He gave me a figure he thought was reasonable, I disagreed and gave him more!! I don't believe in ripping people off and still feel like I did!! Three days later, my young bloke and I went on the rescue mission, armed with a bobcat and truck. 2 hours later (and some hand digging), "The Drover" emerged from the creek bed unscathed. Brought him home and tucked him into his shed. Now a few pics for you........

The 57 Panel:



The Rescue:



The Drover:

[Ian 68]

Great story and pics mate.

It sure is a tidy looking bus.

[kombi1976]

I knew there was a good story behind that one.
Great find.

[GottaSplit]

Far King Ore Sum

[Fooksy]

Awesome story!!! lucky man!

[KombiMadness]

Great story Roo and good to see people out there who are fair minded and honest. To me, that means you deserve the Kombi even more!

Of course, it's a '61 so it's special (my year of birth ) - Aussie only spec twin rear tailight/blinker light combo. And the story about the grazier living out of it droving sheep is priceless....

The Drover! Good name..... when will it be registered and coming on a Kombi cruise??

[Roo]

Thanks all for the comments. Originally was named Barry after the owner but after finding out a bit more history on the bus, The Drover seemed more apt. Looking forward to spending a bit of time on it over the next couple of months. Hope to be on the road early next year!

Cheers, Roo

[warb]

nice one mate!

[morts]

Great find - the colour looks like Strato Blue??

[Roo]

Been a looooong while since I've posted in this particular thread due to having nothing to report.

Well last night I fired up a 126A engine I had on the shed floor and then decided (at 9.45pm!!!) to throw it in the bus and drive it to the mailbox and back by midnight!!! (A distance of 200m)

Happy to say we rounded the mailbox at 11.45pm and headed back for home with 1 headlight, no brakes, and no throttle.....

Gettin back into it soon------