Question: VW/Bus Experts (pics)

[daepp]

I stumbled across this 63 bus near my work the other day. I needs a complete interior, paint in and out, and two bench seats. Engine was rebuilt 3 months ago (1500 SP). Has the freeway flyer "Big Nut" tranny. Runs and drives well.

My question is: does anyone have any real world experience with the restoration costs of one of these. I could not find any rust of consequence (checked all the usual suspects). Some surface rust on the floor. No bondo either. So it's a solid original with good mechanicals but needs restoration. And I'm not into over-restoration - I love survivors, so if there's a decent way to give it the kind of paint job it left the factory with, that would be plenty fine.

The seller needs to get rid of it - I think I can get it for around $7,500. What do you think?

[slodave]

As soon as widebody911 see's this, he'll tell you all you need to know.

[daepp]

Thanks - is he the guy who restored the Ghia?

[Icemaster]

Yep.

[widebody911]

Doesn't look too bad, apart from the half-ass paint job. Those are the wrong middle and rear seats, and it looks like you'll need a complete interior kit. $7500 is decent, $6000 would be better, $5000 would be a deal. This is a WAG since I have no info on the mechanical condition.

A nice, correct interior will probably run you $7k or so, professionally installed. You could probably get a repro interior and do it yourself for $1500 or so (door panels, floor mats, headliner).

The body looks to be in decent shape. You could easily paint it yourself and save some cash (and frustration). See if you can get the info off the M-Code plate behind the front passenger seat.

[911boost]

I love old busses and have a soft spot for them. Thom will know better, but I think that is a little high.

Bill

[daepp]

In CA these things are stupid expensive. This is the best worst bus I've seen, if that makes any sense.

As for mechanicals, it certainly drives well. The only thing I noticed is it seemed to wander a bit - perhaps the steering gear needs attention.

So it sounds like it's a deal between $5-6K?

[crustychief]

I would jump on it. Interiors are really not that expensive if you check on http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/
and https://shop.westcoastmetric.com/index.php
you can get a great idea of the cost. Assuming you will be doing the work yourself. That is a nice looking splitty. I am still doing my bay, I probably have 6K total into it, but it is like a new car.

[daepp]

Wow - that's beautiful.

To be honest, body work is not my forte. I can strip and reinstall, but would farm out the painting and the headliner/upholstery.

[widebody911]

The bus looks nice, and I've seen people asking a lot more for a lot less. Considering that the purchase price is a small part of the overall cost, I'd just buck up and buy it.

[911boost]

I've got my eyes on a splitty double cab parked near my house, that I'd love to get and fix up with my son when he gets older.

Keep your eyes open for used 930 motor, and drop that sucker in there, whoo hooo.

Bill

[Mo_Gearhead]

Buy it and cut it in half!



...the new Smart Car?

[trekkor]

I wouldn't pay more that $3k, but that's just me.
That's only because it has the 'rebuilt motor'.

If it was just an old greasy motor, $1500.

I'm sure I've lost touch with the VW market, but this is my opinion.


KT

[jyl]

That looks like a really fun project. And it probably even makes economic sense, meaning you'd end up with something worth the dollar investment.

Would you restore it stock? Or install more power and better suspension/brakes to make it a better drive? A 911 motor would be cool, sure, but I imagine a Subaru boxer motor would fit better, be lots cheaper, and still give you plenty of power. I don't know if that is a capital crime in the Bus world?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by BSiple

I've got my eyes on a splitty double cab parked near my house, that I'd love to get and fix up with my son when he gets older.

Keep your eyes open for used 930 motor, and drop that sucker in there, whoo hooo.

Bill

Found

FS: 1987 3.3 930 / 911 Turbo Engine Complete

[daepp]

While I like the way you're thinking Byron, you may not be able to imagine how antiquated these old buses are. 40-50 hp seems like a lot.

They are very light weight, have prehistoric suspensions, and are basically just a stamped pieces of sheetmetal bolted and welded together.

I know it could be done, but sadly it really wouldn't be a old bus anymore.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

While I like the way you're thinking Byron, you may not be able to imagine how antiquated these old buses are. 40-50 hp seems like a lot.

They are very light weight, have prehistoric suspensions, and are basically just a stamped pieces of sheetmetal bolted and welded together.

I know it could be done, but sadly it really wouldn't be a old bus anymore.

I do know, I had a 66 bus(my first car) and did some tuning on it

I have a friend with a 60s camper powered by a 70 911T engine and don't forget the killer Fabcar built bus.

[crustychief]

I enjoy my bus as it was from the factory. it gets from a to b reliably and scores well on the mpg ( about 29 ) it holds all the rc airplanes and also offroads pretty well. I wish I had a splitty though.

[911boost]

I also have had one, and just about bought a '59 23 window.

There is a bus floating around with a 993 twin turbo motor in, there are some vids of it touring the 'ring. It can be done properly, but it isn't cheap.

With that being said, I still miss mine.

Bill

[jdlowery]

I don't want to hijack the thread but who do the California guys use for paint and body work. I have a '70 Bug that needs some minor body work and a respray. I can't seem to find any reasonable shops in the Bay Area.

By the way, the bus looks like a fun project. The price may be a little on the high side but not that unreasonable.