55 Dove Blue Split

[Griffin]

wow awesome work...
we dont do much in the way of Barndoor and early 55 chassis parts but can certainly help with the roof etc, feel free to hit us up and will try and help - 2 x containers due in teh next few months of panels
cheers Gordon 0438467366 or gordon@allaircooled.com.au

[splitthis]

You are officially balls deep mate. You and the Wiz are going to get on swimmingly. Keep the pics coming.

[mike66]

Time for an update!!
Same for all of us… stuff gets in the way and had to deal with it as well but been slowly chipping away since the last update
Side air vent removed and new one welded in
Lower drivers side panel all welded and ready for epoxy along with the whole outside - all dents dollied out and looking “straight “!!
will need to sand the whole outside of bus as it is in 1k
Engine bay is now complete and in high build
Rear luggage space shelf replaced along with the engine cover holder rail , rear window latch holders repaired and welded back in and all rear internal areas are now in high build
Roof now in place welded and just need some final massage, inside all done in pbs including all inner roof structures
Rear engine cover and rear hatch gapped , rewelded and ready for finishing
Cargo doors in place with hinges needing alignment… this is not easy as you would know!!!
Cargo door bottoms internals repaired but will wait for outer sill to welded in to get gap alignment right
All hanging panels blasted and epoxied
front door inner structures repaired- will wait for out skin repairs until dog legs in place to gap right


Next… front cab area need to get the front inner and out valance valance panels and then cargo floor panel. Hang doors and gap check
Dog legs and then gap door bottoms
Outer sill for cargo area .. will need to research this as I’m not sure if the floor needs to go in as well or if this fits on top of sill? So I can then do the cargo door Lower sections
Full front replace incl the lower front window frames
Cargo floor?

See some of you at the Volks day in Adelaide in a few weeks!!??

Mike

[fly life]

Any progress on the bus mate ?

[splitthis]

Somehow missed this update! Looking great Mike, keep the updates coming.

[Beatts]

Nice one Mike and good to see you at Volksfest although briefly.

Great progress on the bus!

[braddick]

Great update mate
Sorry I didn’t get longer chance to chat the swap meet was calling ( wishful thinking not a lot of split stuff there)

[mike66]

Thanks for the chat at Volks day on Adelaide.. did manage to get a few missing part i needed and also some great advice and pics of areas I’m working on.

Have since rebuilt the rear latch area of the rear deck lid area. Now very happy - rework was about 8-10 hrs!!! Just a lot of fiddle fabrication or I’m just slo!

Managed this weekend to strip off the single stage that was from the blaster and put on epoxy- from the front doors back. So now going to start the process of getting its straight. Will do this over Xmas and then look to start the front. Might try and employ the kids for some sanding . Don’t think that will work

[mike66]

Wow .. just realised it’s been a while since I posted.

From the last update I’ve got the long side in epoxy , filler and high build. Using a 1.5m long block … so hoping it’s straight!
The rear hatch and engine bay door/ lid same engine bay in high build

Cargo doors now all metal work done and gapped. With lower door rocker and top new latch panel welded in and all in epoxy. Filler and high build to go.

Front inner valance welded in and now for getting the front lined up

Stripped roof and into Feronite.

Next will be epoxy the roof, filler and high build

That will see me through winter!

The bus will 70 years next year… pressure on for a birthday !

Went to add some pics and realised I’ve taken no pictures for my last 6 months for probably 200hrs work!

[Beatts]

Sounds like plenty of progress Mike.

Better start taking those photos, we can’t get enough here on DSK.

[braddick]

Great stuff Mike
Doing a great job