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1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 4:14 pm
by DRHEMS3
Finally started a thread on this project. She is a 1956 11 window bus and I purchased it in December 2013 just south west of Brisbane.
The bloke I purchased it from," Luke" owned it for 16 years and had it stored in a shipping container followed by his shed.

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Luke Purchased it at age 18 from a property in Toowoomba QLD, Where she sat un-roadworthy.
As we went through the parts in his garage to pack up and bring home we found the glass, With a sticker that read: Mosman Motor Mechanics, Sydney.

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Merry Xmas to me

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Interior Shots, Plenty of OG paint and rust

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Floor is mostly solid, Except 1 small area drivers side - 3 inch x 3 inch. Its a tad crusty

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Other than that theres afew small pin holes but nothing dramatic


Bulkheads been hacked at, Dramatic act! Blind me I nearly fell over when I seen this

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Here is the cab area with plenty of surface rust, Light pitting of the metal in some parts of the floor

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Sitting on 80747 Miles

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Couldn't pass up this purchase, After looking around for about 3 years finally my dreams came true, well the hard part has been accomplished. Now to get this old girl on the road.

I've been over this bus countless times and the rust really is next to nothing, Well compared to other projects and shells I have looked at in the past. The worst is in the front end - Lower nose, in/out and wheel arches.

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Front window glass recess as well

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I have started work on afew areas, More updates to come soon.
Cheers, Darren

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 4:30 pm
by chappy
Nice find and a great beard :)

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:10 pm
by kombi niko
very nice score, whats the plans for it? Noticed the back engine lid has been changed over at some time to a late model one as it should have a the middle brake light too.

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:24 pm
by morts
That's a nice bus - are you goingto keep it ratty...?

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:28 pm
by splitbus
Nice bus, looks good

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:03 pm
by DRHEMS3
Thanks guys, Thanks very happy split owner here.
Oh the beard yes I disrespected the missus wishes and shaved it off some weeks ago.
Plan is: RAT, basic and daily driver. I think 12v conversion is best and alittle more power in the back end. Around 1800, Theres alot to look into and i have alot to learn still. Stance will be low and on wide 5 for that original look. Yeah upon inspection the first thing I noticed was wrong deck lid , no brake light and missing those pricey euro taillights, Spewing but the hunt is on for parts and I have already started collecting

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:10 pm
by kombi niko
cool will look sweet with the stock rims, those pricey euro taillights you can get from samba at a ok price ;)

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:34 pm
by DRHEMS3
Thanks for the tip, I have correct taillights on there way now, The deck lid has given me the most trouble I can get away with mine for the moment but I really want the correct one and not real interested in a brand spanking new one, prefer the haggard look.
But I have 2 lifelines I haven't used yet might have one soon.
Oh loving your build so far niko, quality work.

There is 2 things I'm real unshaw about:
Where can you get lower profile tyres for OG rims? I've walked into tyre shops with a rusty rim and asked if they can help but most laugh and have nothing to help me
And I have all door handles etc including 54 dated ignition but nope no keys,
Can I get some made or can you jus change the barrel? I'm curious
Cheers, Darren

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:35 pm
by Cam Biscuit
YOU SHAVED OFF YOUR BEARD??!!

Nice score on the bus looks nice and solid :wink:

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:42 pm
by DRHEMS3
Haha yes I shaved the length, the shadow still remains

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:49 pm
by kombi niko
DRHEMS3 wrote:Thanks for the tip, I have correct taillights on there way now, The deck lid has given me the most trouble I can get away with mine for the moment but I really want the correct one and not real interested in a brand spanking new one, prefer the haggard look.
But I have 2 lifelines I haven't used yet might have one soon.
Oh loving your build so far niko, quality work.

There is 2 things I'm real unshaw about:
Where can you get lower profile tyres for OG rims? I've walked into tyre shops with a rusty rim and asked if they can help but most laugh and have nothing to help me
And I have all door handles etc including 54 dated ignition but nope no keys,
Can I get some made or can you jus change the barrel? I'm curious
Cheers, Darren
cheers mate, still a heap to go :)
Tyres, shouldn't be a prob you can get 165/50/15 175/55/15 185/50/15 185/55/15 from most good tyres stores

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 7:51 pm
by kombi niko
with your engine lid you can custom it like mine to look like a brake light version ;)

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 8:13 pm
by zakaroo
Very nice indeed..

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 8:19 pm
by Rudy_032
There should be the key number stamped on all locks including the ignition. Take it to your local Locksmith sand he can cut keys to code. The Ignition might be on a different key to the doors. Should cost about $25 cut to code.

Re: 1956 Bus - Blue Nomad

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:22 am
by DRHEMS3
Kombi Niko, Rudy 032 Thanks for the helpful tips. I will look into that