Introducing 'Manfred'

woval56 · Post by **woval56** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:04 pm

whats the plans for inside? one cool looking bus

Dibsy · Post by **Dibsy** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 11:08 pm

Looking awesome, you lucky sod !

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:35 pm

Visited Baz and Steve yesterday and got a few more shots. A few tweaks early next week and then off to the engineer on Thursday. All things going well, rego not long after. The to do list includes front door frames and windows as well as rear popouts and rear lights / bumper, plus the obligatory oil leak which just happened as i was hearing it turned over for the first time. Hopefully nothing serious!

Now that thoughts of an original theme have changed, Platinum trimming are doing a basic retrim. We were fortunate enough to have some retrimmed and powder coated front seats in a dark red so the interior will be matched to suit. This will include door cards and all rear cards and an off white headlining. It will get a rear seat for rego with a bay middle retrimmed to suit at a later date. Pics of the interior soon.

The suspension setting will be left as per the pictures for rego. Front tyres are 185/65/15 and rears are 205/65's which all fit nicely. Height is neat and should be very driveable which is what we are chasing for the first road trip to Valla. Might have a play with ride height down the track....

KombiMadness · Post by **KombiMadness** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:32 pm

Looking awesome!

You must be chuffed...... see you at Valla. Want a road test report on the Red 9 front and rear end, please.

daveo · Post by **daveo** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:45 pm

Looking very nice !

067DUB · Post by **067DUB** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:01 pm

looks cool as , i had to read right through your thread again

,i love the early shots of the rusted Chassis and floor section, great job man.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:30 pm

Today is a milestone for the project as the completion date of Valla inches closer. Manfred has now been certified by the engineer and blue plated for all mods including front and rear Red9 suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes and engine. Im happy to be corrected, but unless someone else has beaten me to it, Manfred will be the first engineered and Regoed bus in Oz with the Red9 set up front and rear. Heading down to DAS on Friday to collect the paperwork and off to DOT for rego.

A few small things to do including finishing the trim and Leons Motors replacing a head stud that is believed to be the cause of the oil leak early next week.

We won't get too many miles in before the road trip to Valla on the Friday but what better way to christen a new ride. Will post the latest pics after our visit on Friday.
K

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:07 pm

Getting close to rego now. A few more pics.
Engine bay

A few more shots of the under carriage and driveline

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:24 pm

Interior is almost complete. A full retrim including all new door cards in red vinyl (to match the front seats we got with the bus) with a white / grey headliner. I reckon its come up a treat and goes perfectly with the Sea Blue. Rear and middle bay seats will be trimmed to seat with only the rear in for Valla. Thanks to Willem at Platinum Trimming for the quality job and getting it all done in under 3 weeks.

The perforations in the door hide 4" 3 way speakers at the top and 6" 3 ways at the bottom. Both speakers are running off the deck which will do for now. Plan is for an amp and rear speakers and maybe but no time before Valla. Should be fine for a sing along road trip...

Head lining in contrasting white will keep it light and airy.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:33 pm

Stereo is basic with a 4x50w Sony head deck running only the 4 front speakers for now. A tacho and oil temp gauge for smooth running

IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/ ... mount2.jpg[/IMG]

Personalised plates attached read SPL173. OMG in pink wasn't available....

GottaSplit · Post by **GottaSplit** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:59 pm

All I can say is..... WOW

Congrates Bear, that is one sweet bus....

The bar is raised yet again. Let us know how she rides with all that Red9 gear underneath.
Cheers
Jamie

Dibsy · Post by **Dibsy** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:47 pm

Well done to everyone for making the deadline, Bus looks great .... enjoy the ride down to Valla !

TIN-BITS · Post by **TIN-BITS** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:15 pm

Well done Kent and all the workers looks great, you should be very happy
will catch up on the road to Valla, or at Al's Friday morning.

Cheers Ian

cabrio · Post by **cabrio** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:43 pm

Great looking bus. Love the deep red interior colour against the blue paint.

KombiMadness · Post by **KombiMadness** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:46 pm

Looks freakin' awesome!!!!!! I'm sure you are a very happy boy!

What's the red button inbetween the oil temp and 12v plug? A horn button? Or ejector seat, maybe....

But seriously, I thought the Red9 front end allowed for a conventional steering column horn, unlike the Creative rack n pinion?!?

Introducing 'Manfred'

more pics

Engineer certified

A few more pics

Sounds and plates