The Velvet Thread - my '66 21-window bus project

OOOOO PURDY

I bet it has that 'new old bus' smell...

The part hanging down is because they haven't installed the rear dome light yet. Also adding rear hatch hinge covers, coat hooks and pull strap. Then windows!

Man Dawn that looks soooo clean... I would be paranoid that I would screw it up!!! Very nice.

I had no idea it was that crusty!

Headliner and sunroof is in, here's the rubber and windows awaiting install.



Robert puts in something similar to Dynamat into the walls of buses to make them quieter and more solid (when you close the doors). It comes in a roll and has a peel off backing, and I cut it to fit. It went very quickly to do the entire bus since all the door panels are out now anyway.





And here is the *beautiful* donated long panel from Canada. OMG, I can't thank "velvetgreen" on the samba enough for sending this to me! It's Silver Platinum/Mesh Platinum, same patina, perfect! And I got an armrest at the Red Barn swap meet and installed it too.



Next up, window installs. Starting with the two stationary windows in the back.





Then the skylights.





Here's video of how to install them by roping them in.



Here's Robert surveying the situation with a seat on each butt cheek.



Corey's froglegs, under the front end installing a new steering dampener.



It was getting dark when the popouts went in, so I have no pictures. But it was tedious work with the rubber and the teeny screws.

I was so excited to see the bus coming together that we decided to go "power camping" in Napa, an hour away from the shop, since it's pretty much roadworthy now. Left Robert's at 8:30pm and brought it back the next day.

Still rocking the stupid stinger! That must go, but I am still trying to shop around for the best exhaust for this little old motor and decide what I can afford.





Back to Daddy Skinner's for finishing touches.



We still need to lower the bus a bit more in the back to match the front drop spindles, the front end needs some attention with steering play, Robert found me a back seat and will install it, etc. Should be ready to come home in a week or so!!

Hey Dawn I have one of these lying around if it will help. It came off a 1600DP A little clean up and paint and it should be fine. No muffler tho. Breck

The bus looks great Dawn! I love the new stance!!

At this time I would like to publicly thank Dawn Simas for all her help and late hours through the rain and heat, helping me and promoting my business. Her continuing support is welcome.

rayvallero wrote:

At this time I would like to publicly thank Dawn Simas for all her help and late hours through the rain and heat, helping me and promoting my business. Her continuing support is welcome.

Her support will be continuing, if your work on her 10 month bug motor project is continuing. Just sayin'.

Robert repaired the upper part of the body along the cargo doors. This was rusted out and wasn't on my repair list, but he suggested it because it was thin enough in areas that when the spear of the door latch holds there, it would be a bit weak. So, he panel bonded some patch metal there to give it some integrity.



And look what he found in his stash of trinkets! Just so happens to be what I need. A knee knocker and some seat mount brackets.



No more sore knees.



My back passengers will be safe and not sitting on a rocking chair.



And the biggest score since I found this bus last summer, courtesy of Robert's connections: An intact correct rear seat OG uphostered with Silver Platinum/Mesh Platinum! I only need the luggage bar that is missing off of it, otherwise it's perfect.

Back seat in: Check.



Sigla replacement windshields in: Check.



Replaced the hub cap clips on the original wheels after blasting and powdercoating destroyed them: Check.



Giving Robert a squeeze for all his hard work in helping me get Velvet beautified and back into society where she belongs: Check!



Driving her home from Vacaville with a cheesy grin on my face.



Getting an eyeful from her younger brother.



Went to Les Schwab for wheel balancing and hub caps back on. Thanks Greg!



So, I've had her for a week and driven her to the racetrack to hang with friends with NASA, to work at Fedex, Mel's Diner for dinner, on errands all over town, etc. She's pretty much done and is a pleasure to finally drive! Here's some random shots from this week.












I'll post up again and stay in touch with the thread as anything further gets done. It took almost a full year to get her to this point. Time to go drive mah bus now...

Bus looks great!!

Congrats!! Your bus looks great! Enjoy the ride!!

We got 2nd Place at Sacramento Bugorama today!

Rolling out from the farm with Tommy's SC "Betty":



Camping out at the racetrack:



Cold dewey morning with a fun day ahead.



Yay, Velvet was a big hit! Thanks Lonny for getting my trophy for me.

No problem

saw you heading down sunrise today, good to see it on the road