1957 camper

[braddick]

So, my bus is not far away from paint now, then onto reassembly. Ive done a lot of car builds over the years but Im particularly excited to get this one back and start using it. Im super happy with how its going top look.

AND THEN A HUUUGE curveball comes along

I come across an OG paint 57 baronia brown bus for sale with super consistent mild patina. Basically a dream scenario.

Requires the usual lower welding but its a pretty small in comparison to other builds

Im so close to the end and its like starting out all over but OG paint is the dream esp in a rare colour

It will cost me way more time and money and it will be so much more effort but I could do a ground up build with new underneath and mechanicals with character on the outside.

Then Im wondering. if I'm being unthankful for what I have???

If it’s the bus I’m thinking it is
Do it, that has got huge potential

[splitthis]

x2, great project base.

Finish this one first and sell it if you need the cash. That BB bus is one of the best I’ve seen.

[Saxon bell]

I think Im asking the wrong people....

You are all meant to say, don't be silly, your bus is almost done. Its too much work. And what anyone else would say " why would you want a scratched up bus when you've got a new and shiny one?"

[rusty 55]

I don’t know the bus your thinking about but it sounds cool so you should get it then you’ll have one for best and one for every other day!
Can’t have too many

[Saxon bell]

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[Saxon bell]

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[Saxon bell]

Paint today……Some headaches with paint matching (paint suppliers mistakes) but Anthony Badams did an awesome job on the bodywork. I never intended to build a show car, it’s been done to a much higher standard than I originally intended, I’m super happy with it
The colour is not for everyone but it’s my choice… 50s busses are different to 60s and I wanted something that looked old and sort of commercial . It’s 1956 prairie beige which is super close to the Og boronia brown. Colour sanding and polishing will happen later, I don’t want a really shiny bus ….
Bumpers, safaris, wheel wells etc to do this week then I’ll start putting it back together so that will be fun.

[MID WEST DUBBER]

Looks awesome, colour is a nice choice

[splitthis]

Looking good, looks like you stole my spray booth!

[rusty 55]

Yep great choice on colour, very 50’s
Look great

[spl65t]

Agree with the others, colour is bang on, stance perfect and the wheel combo too

Nice one.

[Gunther]

The 5 steps of BB denial syndrome.
1 Yuck what were they thinking?
2 Hmmmm
3 Hmmmm some people might like it but not me
4 Yeah it’s alright but I’d prefer Turkish, Dove PG/SG, SWR/CB…….
5 Boronia brown…..I fkn love it.

[Saxon bell]

[Saxon bell]

Making some good progress atm. 95% done. Stoked with the windows,

Complete new loom and wiring all done in 12v. Rebuilt og 12v Flashing semaphores from Switzerland installed

Got the front windows together no probs but I’ve got t a bit of an issue getting the front door frames down enough… bit outside my skill set.

Bus is running amd driving but I’ve got four gears forward and no reverse. Lesson in buying used “working” gearboxes I suppose

Champs built a new one for me a few years back and cooper is installing it this week and doing a general check over

I’m a bit worried about weight tbh. 36hp isn’t much let alone all the added extra weight of camping gear. Another motor is a possibility down the track. A 2L disguised as a 36er. Champs loves a challenge

Final few things to be done at my trimmer then off to my favourite place in the world- regency for rego

Later down the track is colour sanding and polishing, a big job. I chose acrylic as I want to get it smooth as but not too shiny

BB is different for sure, it screams 50s to me which I really like

Next up is a westfalia wooden trailer. I have nearly all the parts. It will be fun for sure and safer to have proper tail lights and indicators on the rear, not just semaphores

[Saxon bell]

The 5 steps of BB denial syndrome.
1 Yuck what were they thinking?
2 Hmmmm
3 Hmmmm some people might like it but not me
4 Yeah it’s alright but I’d prefer Turkish, Dove PG/SG, SWR/CB…….
5 Boronia brown…..I fkn love it.

Classic! I quite like the commercial ness of it…. It’s a Kombi not a micro bus or a deluxe