1969 Bay Window Westfalia

[MadMike]

Cool,I here ya on limited Headers on early bays espechaly a w/hitch ,I'm heading down to D&R Buggy to look at NOS header he's got up in the rafters in a few minutes,,Madmike

[bren]

With the push to drive this to the fall bug run I fell behind on posting photos and updates. Time to get caught up:

Bought this at Fort Wayne this summer. Need to clean it up and install it:


Remembered seeing this in George's garage. Bought it from Debbie:


Camper top hinges and hardware installed.



Camper cushions recovered and installed:




Installed the rear apron, engine lid, and rear bumper:





Trim rings and hub caps installed:


Only one photo but got the front doors assembled. Finished those at the last minute Saturday before the bug run.


And got it out for a little test drive:




Funny thing is, after all this work to reach the goal of having it at the Fall Bug Run is I never took any photos of it there.
Anyone have photos of the bus at US131 Fall Bug Run?

[Dustin]

Looks great Bren! Needs more low though and maybe some wheels? How's it run with that motor? Lay down and 1/4 passes?

[bren]

Thanks Dustin!
Might lower it someday. Sure is nice to work on with this stance though. Just slide right under there.
For now I like the stock wheels. Was hoping to have a old look to the bus.
It runs good. Needs more tuning, carbs still need more work. It is going to be a fun combination.
I did not take it down the track yet. It has a leaky push rod tube. I did not want to put oil on the track.

[bren]

Picked up some later bay front seats on our trip to Barnums.
'73-'76 front seats are same as early bay except for the headrests.
I like the idea of headrests for safety. Not sure how much safer they will really be but, price was right.



Test fit the passenger seat. I like it.
Headrest comes out easily too. So, if I want them out for a show or to install the baby cot I can do that. I hear the baby cot is a nice place to store luggage while camping.

[gokart]

I like your wheels/caps/rings combo (and the rest of your bus). I want to get some 14" rings for my westy.

[bren]

Thanks Ed.
Those 14" rings came from JC Whitney.

[blue71]

It's come a long way and looks amazing.

Something useful from JCW? I'm shocked!

[MadMike]

Hey Bren,Your bus has been an inspiration for sure!!! I can't wait to log some Miles&Smiles on mine ,, what kind of mileage you getting?? any idea yet? I'm hopeing for 25mpg I did pickup a 5rib trans 4:86 compaired to 5:37 if I don't like the way it goes and I do have a 82mm crank all ready if the lil'1600 don't 'do it',(if the mileage sux I may as well 'Get their Faster' )I also would luv to lower mine but they sure don't give them dropped spindles away do they They are more then i paid for the Bus

[bren]

I have no idea on mileage yet. Mine is a stock 3 rib that came in the bus with a 2110. Still needs work on the tune up. It feels fast but honestly not as fast as I anticipated. Probably has to do with the weight of the bus.
I would not mind going a little lower but you are right, all the lowering stuff is expensive. Pretty nice to just slide under the bus to work on it as is.


Saturday I added a little bling to the bus:

[vwrick69]

Are those OG or repop jailbars?

[bren]

Repop from Bus Depot.

[MadMike]

Yepper,Has to be the "Weight" I know I need to learn to 'SLOWDOWN' and not be in such a hurry ::)THAT's gonna be a challenge for me (rofl)Maybe leave a hour earlier to go to the events?,I've driven mine to DeerCamp a few times and can't wait till spring!!! My buddy Matt wants to start on the bodys rust issues but I like the patina and moss from years of sitting under the pine trees,looking like I just pulled it from the woods and started driving it ,which is what I did

[bren]

I look forward to seeing it Mike. I am a real fan of the just pulled it from the woods look.

[bren]

Tore down the headrest seats I picked up at Barnum's. Sent the covers to sewfine for them to match to the proper year pattern as I am not positive what year seats these are. Jerry kindly sandblasted and painted the frames for me. Now to make the final color selection.... Trying to decide between beige to match original and tie into the wood colors and beige is in the curtains, Or, red, to match the cushions on the rear seats. Leaning toward red.