57 with new plates

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:32 pm

Most know i bought shanes 57 early this year. Id known and loved this bus when Anthony (golden fleece panel) owned it, shane bought it off anthony and got it on the road.

I bought it off shane and drove it home from melbourne, via mullerville for steve to work some magic.

Since then i have been tidying it up a bit, doing a bit of welding and sorting some mechanical issues. Still needs a little welding, front beam sorted and motor needs some work, apart from that im just enjoying it...

I love semaphore buses and couldnt resist when it came up forsale, shane and anthony both knew from me hassling them that i really wanted this bus.

Shane was a pleasure to deal with and easiest person to work with when buying a bus. Anthony has been great with chasing up its history and chatting, and chasing any parts he stole (haha) for fleecy, its been fun. So glad i got this bus.

Its a great original old girl...

Got it blue slipped just before valla, and she cruised perfectly, all be it a bit rough (looking forward to new narrowed k and l beam).

I went to the rta today and swapped the plates from the golf onto the old girl. I was a bit nervous as the old plates are a little ratty. I taped both sets together and had them in a clear plastic bag, haha, but the lady behind the counter asked to see both plates, heart beating she informed me that they needed to be remade as they were too faded and paint made it impossible for cameras to film.
After some discussion (her husband has old cars) she turned a blind eye, informed me it would be wise to have them replaced and processed it for me, haha
She said "ah 57, same age as me", haha, i said "no way, you dont look that old" haha (i thought she was kidding, she looked at least 60).

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:35 pm

These plates came off my old 66, I sold the bus a few years ago, and bought it back again last October. This time when i sold it to buy the 57 i kept the plates...

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:37 pm

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:39 pm

I love my dashboard jesus, although he has a hard time in such a firm ride...

Leroy · Post by **Leroy** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:41 pm

Man that thing is sweet! Thanks for the pics

ozjeff · Post by **ozjeff** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:43 pm

I know why you had to have it, it would have to be one of the best looking buses in OZ, congrats

flipflop · Post by **flipflop** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:49 pm

That is an awesome looking bus.
What's used to protect the patina? Is it Ankor wax? I'm in the middle of taking mine back and was thinking of getting it clearcoated with a slight matting agent added.

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:50 pm

I used penatrol 1st, and then ankor wax...protects it nice, locks in all that goodness...

frenzix · Post by **frenzix** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:52 pm

lovely bus bruce, now i have 3 things to hate you for

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:53 pm

haha, thanks guys...

To think it only cost a couple of grand more than the 66 to get this baby, love it...

coupons · Post by **coupons** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:53 pm

love those plates!

i had the same dramas when i tried to transfer my old plates from my beetle to my bus. did the same thing as you, put the good one on top, but she saw the bad one and told me she had to order new ones. she placed an order (i didn't argue) an that was that.

the next day i rang the RTA and said, " i ordered some plates yesterday, would it be okay if i cancelled those and ordered different ones online later tonight?" the helpful chap said, "no worries, i'm cancelling them right now for you."

and that was it

kept the old plates with no intention to change them till i find some older ones!

byronbus · Post by **byronbus** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:55 pm

Funny thing was, when i pulled the tape off to show her, a whole heap of paint came off with it, haha, left flaky yellow paint all over the bench, haha

frenzix · Post by **frenzix** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:19 pm

last time i did that the lady told me i should get them remade before next inspection, i advised her that will not be happening (remaking the plates)

Hoves · Post by **Hoves** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:50 pm

Thats awesome Bruce and yes, have to be one of the best splits around.

OMR_007 · Post by **OMR_007** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:51 pm

Is this your daily? Its a very sweet thing