I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW Bus.
The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in California
and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

On May 6, 10:03*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW Bus.
The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in California
and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) *they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. *Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

I'm surprised that it was hard to find someone to work on it. Here in
the Atlanta area, there's more than a couple of places that specialize
in old VW's, but then again, we don't hardly ever have salt on the
roads! When I was in CA, there were a LOT of places that fixed them.

wrote in message
...

On May 6, 10:03 am, "Eisboch" wrote:

I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW
Bus.
The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in
California
and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

I'm surprised that it was hard to find someone to work on it. Here in
the Atlanta area, there's more than a couple of places that specialize
in old VW's, but then again, we don't hardly ever have salt on the
roads! When I was in CA, there were a LOT of places that fixed them.


New England winters are not exactly auto friendly.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:

I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW
Bus. The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in
California and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

Do you have a particular artist in mind?

On May 6, 10:03*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW Bus.
The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in California
and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) *they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. *Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

You got a square deal on that price ! Lots of parts for those old
Hippie Buses up here.
I saw one on E-Bay awhile ago. It had the Camper upgrades ( pantry in
the side door, etc.), and was in pristine shape.No lifting roof like
the Vanagons, in that era. Neat old Vans, that's for sure. The
Gasoline heaters could be a pain, though.
Be sure to post a pic after painting !

"jim78565" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:

I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW
Bus. The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in
California and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

Do you have a particular artist in mind?


Still trying to conjure up a paint scheme. I don't want the "hippy" look
with flowers and peace signs.
Maybe something that makes it look like an Abrams M1 tank or something.

Eisboch

On May 6, 10:49*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
"jim78565" wrote in message

...





Eisboch wrote:

I found an excellent, small automotive repair shop (two person) that was
willing to take on the project of rebuilding the front end of my '65 VW
Bus. The owner of the shop located the required parts from a source in
California and had me order them using my credit card.

When they arrived (new bushings, tie rods, steering damper and misc.
components) *they replaced everything and it passed the MA safety
inspection.

Honest, decent shop. *Total cost was $126 for parts and $265 for labor.
I was expecting a much, much higher bill.

They will certainly get our auto maintenance and service business in the
future.

Now, for a new paint job.

Eisboch

Do you have a particular artist in mind?

Still trying to conjure up a paint scheme. * *I don't want the "hippy" look
with flowers and peace signs.
Maybe something that makes it look like an Abrams M1 tank or something.

Eisboch- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Naw, nice two tone... Maroon and white with a slight curve to the
midline?

wrote in message
...

You got a square deal on that price ! Lots of parts for those old
Hippie Buses up here.
I saw one on E-Bay awhile ago. It had the Camper upgrades ( pantry in
the side door, etc.), and was in pristine shape.No lifting roof like
the Vanagons, in that era. Neat old Vans, that's for sure. The
Gasoline heaters could be a pain, though.
Be sure to post a pic after painting !

------------------------------------

The one I have is a camper version but without the pop up roof.
It's the old style with the split front windshield.
Inside, there's an icebox type refrig, a water tank with a manually operated
pump/facet and the rear seat folds down to form a bed of sorts. It's
pretty cool and runs perfectly.

The guy I bought it from was a mechanic who rebuilt the engine, replaced
floor pans and converted it from 6 volts to 12. He was a decent mechanic,
but a terrible body and paint guy. It needs to be sanded all down,
smoothed out and re-painted. Actually has runs in the current paint, if you
look closely.

The year on the website is in error. It's not a '66. It's a '65 with a lot
of '66 parts.

http://www.eisboch.com/bus


Eisboch



Eisboch

On May 6, 10:58*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
wrote in message

...

You got a square deal on that price ! Lots of parts for those old
Hippie Buses up here.
I saw one on E-Bay awhile ago. It had the Camper upgrades ( pantry in
the side door, etc.), and was in pristine shape.No lifting roof like
the Vanagons, in that era. Neat old Vans, that's for sure. The
Gasoline heaters could be a pain, though.
Be sure to post a pic after painting !

------------------------------------

The one I have is a camper version but without the pop up roof.
It's the old style with the split front windshield.
Inside, there's an icebox type refrig, a water tank with a manually operated
pump/facet and the rear seat folds down to form a bed of sorts. * It's
pretty cool and runs perfectly.

The guy I bought it from was a mechanic who rebuilt the engine, replaced
floor pans and converted it from 6 volts to 12. * He was a decent mechanic,
but a terrible body and paint guy. * It needs to be sanded all down,
smoothed out and re-painted. *Actually has runs in the current paint, if you
look closely.

The year on the website is in error. *It's not a '66. *It's a '65 with a lot
of '66 parts.

http://www.eisboch.com/bus

Eisboch

Eisboch

Yup, same one I saw on E-Bay. It was Sky Blue and white 2 tone. Had
windows just like yours. As a matter of fact, it was just like yours.
Look up the Men at Work video " Land Down Under " on you tube. They
use a Bus just like that in the video. Called it a " Combi " , funny
video.

On May 6, 10:58*am, "Eisboch" wrote:
wrote in message

...

You got a square deal on that price ! Lots of parts for those old
Hippie Buses up here.
I saw one on E-Bay awhile ago. It had the Camper upgrades ( pantry in
the side door, etc.), and was in pristine shape.No lifting roof like
the Vanagons, in that era. Neat old Vans, that's for sure. The
Gasoline heaters could be a pain, though.
Be sure to post a pic after painting !

------------------------------------

The one I have is a camper version but without the pop up roof.
It's the old style with the split front windshield.
Inside, there's an icebox type refrig, a water tank with a manually operated
pump/facet and the rear seat folds down to form a bed of sorts. * It's
pretty cool and runs perfectly.

The guy I bought it from was a mechanic who rebuilt the engine, replaced
floor pans and converted it from 6 volts to 12. * He was a decent mechanic,
but a terrible body and paint guy. * It needs to be sanded all down,
smoothed out and re-painted. *Actually has runs in the current paint, if you
look closely.

The year on the website is in error. *It's not a '66. *It's a '65 with a lot
of '66 parts.

http://www.eisboch.com/bus

Eisboch

Have you seen the one Chip Foose did on Overhauling? I'm not usually
a big fan of his stuff, but he did a pretty good job on this one.
They said it was a bitch to sand and prep... lots of little, complex
areas to get ready for paint. Take a look at:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/vie....php?p=3080604

Scoll down a couple of posts for a better view.