Hi All,

I have recently joined the SSVC after selling my late Bay and buying a 1961 Split. She needs a lot more work than I wanted or could have imagined so I'm feeling slightly overwelmed at the moment...

The van is a Californian import and she has definately had a hard life! At some point she has been is a heavy accident impacting the front and rear and any repair work is very poor. The rear chassis section is from a late Bay and its been part bolted and part welded into the van. To cut a long story short we're just about to embark on a lengthy restoration and incase you hadn't already guessed I am not at all mechanically minded.

I've got the bulk of panels needed, a rear chassis section and a Creative Engineering IRS kit but I am not sure what to do running gear wise? Any advice would be very welcome.



Thanks
Mary

You can't go wrong with a 61

Good luck with the work, post some more pics up tho

Andy

Happy days, another '61

I'm pretty new here too. You’re using creative IRS, We're going that way too on our '61. What set up are you having, what box and what engine? Just want to know which way others are going. Is it going to be a usable camper van or sunny day garage dweller?

Any other pics of your van and resto? Stick them up

take it easy

Marko

Thanks guys.

Marko - I'm not sure what to to do set up wise as I am a complete novice. The van has a good recon 1.6 engine in it, a late bay gear box and bay wheels. I need to replace the front beam so need to decide what to do set up wise to.

I'll post a load of pics up this evening

More pics...

Quite disheartening how much work we have to do but it will be worth it in the end

Ouch

Even so, fare kop for going split route and not just getting a used T5, plus miles better investment should you ever want to sell. You should give FBI a call down the road from you in Swansea. I got a load of bits from them last week and they import stock from cali regular. I spoke to Keith, then Graham both really helpful and patient as I was unsure of a few parts.

If you’ve got the creative parts for irs then you should probably get the early bay parts to accommodate it, also need the drive staffs, probably cv joints from beetle, and gear box to suit. They’ve got a complete late bay set up at FBI at the moment cause I nearly bought it, but this means changing wide 5 wheel to late bay cause of the different hub. I wanted to keep stock wheel 205. Creative do do a conversion hub, but means changing a load of other parts too.

It sounds like I know what I’m talking about, but learnt loads in 6 months from this site, just reading up. I just had a beetle previously and that’s still in a million bit on the garage floor!!

Did you know there was that much damaged when you bought it??

take it easy
Marko

Do you have more photos of the rear end. That bolt part doesn't look to me as if it is holding anything structural on