26 March 2009

This t4 got treated to 50mm lowering springs and a gentle nudge down on the front end.

The 21 is back - this time it's welding! Just a few minor repairs.................

This lovely Austrialian bus got the once over and a fresh MOT

25 March 2009

Early Bay rear vents.

This week we set about fixing an early bay with very poorly rear vents. After an initial attack with a wire wheel it soon became apparent that the bus has had some prime bodging in the past

This rear corner was knee-deep in filler covering old accident damage.

The tin worm had destroyed the rest

We first cut all the rot out. Then we rust proofed the inner panel

We then let in a panel from a dry Californian bus

The gutters were also repaired

The other side was a little better - just rust this time and no accident damage

A repair panel was cut to shape

.........and then welded into place
when all the welds are cleaned up we start the preparation for paint with a very light coat of filler

starting to shape up now

Then we hit the bus with filler-primer


after a guide coat and a bit more graft it's ready for paint!

Morris Oils

Just a quick one to let you know we keep Morris 30 weight oil and Morris Ankor Wax in stock.
The oil is £15 for 5 litres and the Ankor wax is £22.50

20 March 2009

What a great week, the sun is out and so are the aircooled VWs. Plenty going on here at 50-67 as usual.................

The green 13 window has been getting some attention this week. Both side doors were very poor and the paint had blistered and started falling off. We've dug out all the old filler and paint and taken the doors back to bare metal - should get a coat of primer later.........I'll post some more pictures then.

This local bus had big issues with it's original sliding door - we'll be sorting it out with a rust-free door imported from South Africa by VW Classics.

This 1967 Devon has now departed having been fitted with a new IRS gearbox. We also refubished the rear brakes, got the heaters working and sorted out a few issues with the front suspension.

We had one of those strange shaped cars in for a lookover. The back brakes didn't appear to be working that well...........................

This was why!!!!!!!

A new hub seal and all new brake parts sorted it all out.

We put a Creative Engineering bed in the back of Mark and Marni's 1970 bus along with a chunky oak floor and plenty of wiring for their hifi.

12 March 2009

We have now assembled all the audio equipment for the blue 13 window. We will be fitting a high-end Alpine head unit with ipod controls, front and rear JL Audio speakers and a Genesis amp hooked up to a Genesis Audiophile sub

The blue 13 also received a new steering wheel today. Next will be the full cream leather interior which is being stiched up at the moment.


This 21 Window is in for routine servicing before it starts a season of wedding hire.

The double door sunroof kombi has had a fair bit of work over the past week and today it passed it's MOT.
This late bay is having new brake calipers fitted.

Preparation on the '56 microbus continues - starting to shape up well now.

Simon's '57 gets new dropped spindles

Sam and Jeff Sort the Westy

The new owner of the so23 wanted the damage at the rear end of the bus sorted out before he took delivery. Ths was going to be a difficult repair as (some time in the late '60s) the roof of the bus had been compressed and rippled the side panel.

There was no way this could be panel beaten as the roof was still exerting pressure on the side panel.

So we cut out the bad bit.............what you can't see in the picture is a hydraulic ram exerting 10 tons of pressure on the roof - once the poorly panel was removed the roof was gently persuaded to go back where it belongs.The window appature had taken a knock

Sam let in some new steel.

And then some more steel - this is a curved panel that Sam fabricated.

Looking better now - just the rear corner to panel-beat
Filled and primed
Now we have a problem - how to finish the paint. As you can see, the surrounding bodywork has all rubbed through over time to show the red paint underneath. A repair in grey would look out of place. Luckily Jeff has just overcome the same problem with his 13 window (see the crew blog) so he knew exactly what to do

The end result mirrors the rest of the bus where the top coat has been rubbed away to reveal the first coat.

Nice job Guys

7 Mar 2009

I think my flash is bust! The (dark) photo below shows some of the buses in at the moment - lots of them! Lots of people getting their rides ready for the summer - lets hope we get the weather this year.

Kates bus is first on the ramp on Monday and James will be fitting a new servo, master cylinder, shocks and some CV joints. I'll be sorting some of the interior out.

Simons old '57 will be getting some love and attention - lots of attention - it's here until we get it roadworthy. First tasks are...................dropped spindles, sorting out the straight axle conversion, wiring, brakes, fuel tank and engine.

The double door sunroof kombi will also be sorted next week. Jeff has sorted the electrics, Sam is next on the welding and the over to James for general MOT work.

I'll be putting windows, interior panels, oak flooring and lots more in Marni's bus

6 Mar 2009

Bit of a sad day as I waved goodbye to my old 1960 SO23. It's nice to know that the guy who bought it knows his Volkswagens and will continue to improve and preserve the bus.

Here's some pictures taken before it departed