Another Kombi underway after recently doing a beetle and Karmann Ghia. This Kombi definitely has an identity crisis. Opening cargo doors have been grafted on where the sliding door once was. The paint scheme design is one I personally dislike. The chassis number tells that i was once a Westfalia camper but it has been stripped and modified over the years. Perhaps it will be recognised by some from ts past. Current owner last 18 years and she wants it rebuilt so that it will last a little longer. Its life in Queensland near the beaches has embedded it with Gold Coast chrome (more commonly known as rust) It looks Ok from 1o feet on a dark night but it gets worse as the day goes on. Let the mission (impossible) begin.
Everything about it is sad and worn out. The roof mechanism is broken and hasn't been operated for about 15 years.
You must like a challenge Grazza. I'll be watching you work your magic on this one. Plates GSH says it all.....GOSH. Cheers
Looks pretty bad, It has had a few things that are odd for the year. First thought was is it a Brazilian bus but as mentioned been converted as some point. I take it that the slider sections in the body are still all their. The brake reservoir bottle is wear the earlier bays had it instead of where 72 had it behind the drivers seat. (bottle shape is right) and rear bumper of later model. It will get back to it glory days on the road again.
I am fully aware that anything is possible with varying amounts of time and money, but at what point do you declare that a vehicle has reached the “end of it’s useable life”?
Yes, definitely not Brazilian, just a Westy. It does have the slider sections still there. Bumpers are staying the same, request by owner.
Yes, it was discussed briefly, but she has had it 18 years and bought it as a teenager so it has sentimental history. Not MUCH cheaper though, as I feel a bit like a monkey sometimes working for peanuts I just enjoy the challenges.
Even these hinges were seized and had to be heated, lubricated and worked slowly to get them going. They had been welded to the panel work only, which fatigued, so I cut away the panel steel and welded them to the structural metal, then replaced the panel work. Much sturdier now.