Harry - 1976 Campmobile Adventurer Deluxe 2L Twin Carb Automatic

Don't know where this thread will head yet as I've yet to get Harry home and ponder his mojo over a beer. But this is a Kombi so it's natural that the juices will flow organically.

Here's the story so far...

 

Bought from a good guy in Melbourne. Here he is ready for the trip up to Central Coast NSW.

The number plate letter number combination matches the combinations issued in 1976.

Aunger Hotwire rims a dealer option in 1976.

 

Looks like my second Kombi. Same mags, slider step etc. No campmobile sticker on mine tho. Ex killed it on telepole! But if it's registered HTY362 I've still got a caveat on it.
What are you going to do with this handsome guy?
Want to on sell! I've got room for another in my carport.
Very Impressed.
76..much rust?
Enjoy,
Cheers

 

Harry left Melbourne on 7 March and arrived two weeks later. The above pic is from the day after he arrived at O'Tooles Automotive Tuggerah.

First lesson for me; don't use Car Transport Express in future.

I asked CTE for a quote for transporting a Kombi from Melbourne to Central Coast NSW. They sent me a quote. After I paid by credit card over the phone and was about to board an aeroplane, I was told that the price would increase by about $400 because the Kombi exceeded their maximum height dimension. I asked them why would the price go up when I asked for a quote for my Kombi. They said it's because my Kombi is too tall. I said all Kombi's are tall aren't they so what did you quote me? They said we quoted for a Kombi that's no more than 1650 mm in height. I said I doubt my mate's slammed Kombi would come close to that so you've quoted me a fictitious Kombi. We argued some more and I lost but it won't happen twice. That wasn't the end of the poor service, but I think I'll move on. Suffice to say I had no idea where Harry was for 2 weeks.

 

Yeh, those telepoles aren't too forgiving
Not for sale
No rust in chassis or lower body. Looks like the doglegs have been done before and perhaps front apron. The rest "looks" original no rust but we'll see as I get to know him better. Oh, there's some small spots of rust; one above flip window in sliding door and one on exact opposite side of bus above that window. Hopefully no can of worms in those. No sign of leaks or rust coming through around camper top.

 

Damn,
You've got it in your hand now!So it's already $1k dearer than what you paid. I'll pay that too.
He looks so good & original with some mods & reno's but very original. Awesome purchase. Congrats.
I'm on a hunt about these 76's & lack of rust so please send him to me after me paying cash or report on where rust is in him. Very interested in why 76's rusted the least. Got a lot of info off this site so far. Happy to share.
Cheers
PS. Would flat tyres have gotten it under height limit? Gotta know how to negotiate!

 

Picked Harry up from O'Tooles and took him home overnight before taking him to Auto Medic at West Gosford next morning.

The blue window was someone's idea of a replacement for the curtain that normally lives behind the rear wardrobe. Can't wait for Harry to come home so I can fix that. Previous owner didn't like it either you can see he had a go at it.

 

Harry now has reverse gear.!

He had a full automatic gearbox recondition including replacement moulded piston and all soft parts renewed. Hard parts were all in good condition and final drive was leak free and no sign of damage.

Joe at AutoMedic were excellent. He completed the job in a matter of days, finished it quicker than promised and at the agreed price.

 

NFS (can't afford another or will be single again)
The rust spots you report are the same as mine when p/b removed windows. Reckon it's got to do with water flow around seal & those edges of 1/4 windows slowing the water down & giving it a chance to ingress. Pretty damn good after 40 yrs. Should be good under camper top if sopru fibreglass edge was taken off (the horizontal bit of fibreglass that sits above the gutter).
You've got a keeper there. Enjoy.
& A true question. Why do you refer to this bus as him? There are other discussions on this.

Cheers

 

Next on the list is stuff that will allow me to get a pink slip.
In the meantime, here's some original sticker porn...

 

Why a boy? That's easy. We had a girl Kombi. She was a pastel green colour and was pretty. Harry is ... let's say... a bit rugged and is Riverina Orange so he's in your face. He's a boy.

 

Would have been jealous but http://forums.kombiclub.com/threads/labels.55284/page-2#post-605824
& since you've shown me yours I'll show you mine

Cheers

 

Note to self:
Job when Harry comes home - check whether Sopru fibreglass edge has been taken off.

 

Had an orange one & was a girl. I reckon it's about how they drive. He sure looks rugged until you get to the auto.
Cheers

 

Haha yeh true that.
I guess it's a case of "we know son... we've always known..." Just a feeling you get. His Aura. His energy. That sort of thing.

 

Totally agree. Was not surprised when oldest daughter 'came out' at 14 that she was 'bi'. I responded with "That's okay. It doubles your chance for a date on friday night!" I did actually respond like that. Funny how we know. Nice & thanks for the chat. Enjoy your ride.
Cheers

 

No, I would have had to drop him down on his chassis rails (i.e. no brake discs or anything below chassis rails) and I would have still been about 50 mm short of being under their height limit, even if I didn't have the camper pop top. That's what I'm saying, they've quoted me for something that doesn't exist even though I specifically asked for a quote on transporting my Kombi. They wrote Kombi on the quote goddamnit! I'd have a case for a complaint to Fair Trading but I think I'm preferring moving on. So I'll move on

 

And don't want to end tonight's post on that note, so here's another angle.

 

Sometimes it's just about being able to get past the experience. I have an analogy I use lots. A good landing (in a plane) is one you can 'walk' away from. An excellent landing is one you can taxi away from. Live to fight another day! Divorce lesson no 56.
Cheers

 

Looks like a great score for your next adventure into the frustrations of Kombi ownership.