grant dawling's delux

1956 LHD samba, owned by Neil Barker, this samba started life in Austria, working at a hotel, the name in still just visible on the front doors. The van was made on the 8th of May, the chassis number is 179611 and the original engine number (which it still has!) is 1397259. Neil reckons that the bus has only covered 74000 miles in it's life and has not been on the road since 1970!

A guy called Thomas Gahl bought the vehicle from the hotel in 1982, put it in to storage while he collected all the bits that he needed for a full restoration. Unfortunately he never got round to restoring it and eventually sold the bus to Neil. Lots of NOS stuff came with the van, and going by the looks of the bus its not going to be to hard to get looking good.

Have you noticed how many early (sealing wax red / chestnut brown) sambas re-painted in the 60's / early 70's have had the top half painter in beige grey to make them look younger, ironic how times have changed, the trend now is to do the exact opposite!

 

A bit longer than expected (April 2004) and JAS was back with me. Between Feb and April was a frustrating time with little work needing to be done but taking so long. Little bits of MOT work on other vehicles always took priority over the bus. I wasn't complaining too much though as the end result was superb. With the belly pan still intact replacing the sill and a section of the floor was a nerve racking week not knowing what the outriggers/top hats etc are like. Its quite unbelievable how solid this bus is!! No work at all needed so everything was waxoyled before new panels were fitted. Mostly NOS.

 

 

 The front bench seat was sent to a classic upholsterer for some stitching work. The rest of 2004 saw many shows attended with a set of safaris fitted to catch the flies! A spare 56 gearbox and all the braking components were sourced.

 

 

 

 

The time has now come (Nov 04)-Chestnut Brown here we come! The canvas top cover has been ordered after carefully removing the complete headliner. All the glass, interior and trim also removed. It's very difficult knowing what to do with the headliner remaining in the bus with it all being original and nearly 50 years old. Damage will occur on removal especially around the windows so i've decided to spend a weekend masking it up in plastic. I was going to leave the windows in but a proper job will be done to last another 50 years. All the window seals are in good order. After taking all the door frames/popouts/skylights out no bodywork is needed just prep work on the existing paint. Has this bus ever seen wet weather!!??

 

 

 

 I am going to use the original waistline/jailbars/trim/badge etc after using some chrome polish they have come up like new. Basically this bus is being refreshed not restored. Hopefully Feb/Mar the top half will all be complete. Bring on the lower half. That is another problem-Decision Decisions!!!

Update 04.04.05 

 

With my date set at the sprayers for March, between Christmas and March 2005, Jaz was placed on 4 axle stands over the pit. It was time for all the running gear to be removed. Firstly the engine came out followed by the fuel tank. Particles of rust in the tank were collecting in the filter so Frost, the classic car restorer were called upon for a fuel tank repair kit they offer. This consists of an etch primer/sealer which has done the job. A new reserve tap is also installed. Next the split case gearbox came out, a couple of seals replaced then gunked and jet washed, chassis black was applied to the spring plate, drive shafts and reduction boxes giving it that clean new look.

 

    

 

With the gearbox removed and having a pit made life easier for the whole backend (underneath) to be cleaned, stone chipped and then painted sealing wax red. All this was done by hand so every hidden corner was treated. No rot at all was found so gearbox was mounted with all fluids changed and new bushes/mounts throughout. The under floor pans also got the same treatment ready for the front of the bus.  

 

 

The front beam was removed and received the same treatment. A few steering components were purchased and all greased up. Inner wheel arches and under floor areas all painted up it was time to get him rolling again. Extra holes were drilled in different areas under the body ready for Waxoyl tube. Then covered with black rubber grommets. The skid pan under the cab area is all painted up, will fit that when brakes are bled and gear linkage fitted to suit engine.

 

 

 

 

Update 4.7.05

 

Thursday 14th April - Trailer hired and off went Jaz for Chestnut Brown. During April the doors were all lined up and adjusted accordingly. Prep work started on the roof down to the swage line. With the headliner already masked up all what was needed were the window apertures and opening of door areas. This is the stage that my dream bus has transformed into a tatty used Samba to a gorgeous 23 window Deluxe!

Painting the top and leaving the bottom because some areas are still original would look out of place. Picking up Volksworld April 2004 and seeing that 23 featured - well there's no turning back. After talks with the painters new coats of sealing wax red were applied. Not overnight though so Jaz remained there until end of June.

There were many dings and dents which had accumulated over the last 50 years which needed attention, also bumpers, wheels and other bits to be sorted. The engine lid was sent away to be professionally straightened. My main concern was taking away the signwriting from the doors but I have a guy who did this as a profession by hand in museums on classic trams etc. New hubcaps, whitewalls, bumper insert trim, door to body seals were sourced. All chrome switches, interior glass and seals were just cleaned and polished. While Jaz was getting prepared the original 30hp engine for the bus was sent to my local VW engineer. Frank stripped it down, checked and replaced various parts then bench tested it finding to run fine. All tinware was shotblasted then powder coated and a new exhaust  and tail pipe were sourced.

Putting the original engine back in meant converting it back to 6v. The problem was getting a 6v US spec relay but the main man 'Col' sorted that and also kept the semaphores operational. The wiring front and back was completely redone using sleeving then correct size loom to match as in 56. Being all very tidy you wouldn't know it has ever been touched in nearly 50 years.

So from having a 1600 cc T/P engine and 12v luxury I have 30 horses and no loud stereo. Keep them running how they should be - Original.