Heat, Dust & Flies' 61 23 window Samba

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Longrasser
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Heat, Dust & Flies' 61 23 window Samba

Post by Longrasser »

Well, here we go....
As put in the lost and found section post, I dragged this sorry sun-drenched carcass home and found it a spot in the shed.

viewtopic.php?t=13089

The first stage is always a great thing for me. Initial clean-out is like archeology and not knowing all of the past history of the bus, meant that I was keen to build up its story prior to its last roo shooting journey.
I have known of the bus since 1996 and slowly it worked its majic on me. It has always been 'the Kombi', sitting out in the scrub and never changing and rarely visited. In the last few years, the cogs of planning began and it was time to bring her in out of the sun. Things like this either go AWOL or get shot up or pushed into a scrap metal truck. The longer it sat, the higher the chance of a unworthy ending.
Weeks one to four on getting it home involved a carefull clean down, while holding my breath on just what I would find under all that dust and leaves and rubbish. I've seen posts of rotted out projects which have required so much welding and replacement, and really didn't want to play the game of chasing out rust on this one.
10 buckets of dirt and wasp nests later, the bus was ready for its first wash in 25 years. By the end of the week, I was smiling.... She is nice and solid, albeit a few bits missing.
From what I can tell at this stage, it is an Australian 1961 Micro-bus Delux in Gulf blue with a Cumulus White top. Interior is grey and pin-striped grey.
Enough Guff.... I will add more later.
Weeks 5 to 8 will underside steam cleaning and beginning to massage that banged up nose. My parts wish list will be close by at all times.
The journey begins.......... :?

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Last edited by Longrasser on Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:04 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Ian 68
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Post by Ian 68 »

Love it.
Proudly sponsored by Cunado wear.
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gazza
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Post by gazza »

Sweeeeet
Start as you mean to go on

62 Split Van
61 KG
57 Oval
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byronbus
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Post by byronbus »

That thing is unreal, love it...
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Tow Mater
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Post by Tow Mater »

Epic. Love the historical finds.

8)
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h
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Post by h »

Nice one..
be great to tag along on its journey to be driven 8)
Barrels available SE Qld - http://www.barrelman.com.au

Slashing & Excavating - http://noosaslashing.com.au

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daydreamer
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Post by daydreamer »

What an awesome find, very very lucky.
arkombi
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wicked and rad

Post by arkombi »

dam that the best find ..
original rust free .oz windown van. worth some dollars. if u sell it im keen to purchase an original window van..
dont over rrestore it keep it as original as possible..
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tinman
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Post by tinman »

That is so awesome! Love the weathered paint and now solid it looks. Gotta love our sunburnt country :)
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morts
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Post by morts »

You're obviously very patient - 16 years is a hell of a long time to sit on that :shock:
No matter what happens they can't take you out in the street and shoot you......
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tar76
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Post by tar76 »

Luv that red/black/white in that roof. Beautifully tanned by nature!
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D-Train
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Post by D-Train »

It's beautiful!!!
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KombiKarmaDel
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Post by KombiKarmaDel »

Pure Magic! 8)
“It's just a ride.â€
phatratpat
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Post by phatratpat »

DAM ! thats fine ! another 23 surfaces ...look forward to the resto... 8)
i'm a fat bastard that wrote off a samba !!
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Longrasser
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Post by Longrasser »

Spent a good part of the afternoon with the porta power slowly working the nose out. Theory is to start with the dents that were put in last and work towards the ones that look like they went in earlier.
Gotta take it nice and slow and watch stretching the tin work and leave the tricky bends for heat and dolly work. Also watching those welding points. I found a 1969 BP Road map for Melbourne to Sydney down the front nose panel. Does this bit have a name ??? Seems to be a prime spot to lose all sort of gear that falls off the back of the under-dash tray. I just found a map, a 1966 one cent coin and a heap of dust. No rust !! Amen !
Can any one tell us about the insulation around the heater pipes?? Is it just glass wool or something more deadly (ie. asbestos ?)
Also had the shed telly on watching the Bathurst race out of one eye. Perfect weather and the mowing already done.... I wonder what the rich people were doing ??? :wink:
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