the Tale of the Beauty, continued...

We have been busy grinding on the Beauty, a 1966 VW Standard Microbus that was dragged out from a riverbed to be resurrected once again...

Kudos and major props go to Robert Skinner from Vacaville Auto Body Center, Inc at 938 E. Monte Vista Ave. Vacaville, CA 95688, website: www.vacavilleautobody.com 

The plan of attack once we brought the Beauty over to Robert's shop was to fabricate and install the heating components which were rusted out after years of sitting on the riverbed. We also smoothed up some of the body panels so it will be safer without having to cut us up while walking around the bus- it had too many jagged and rough metal edges all around the bus.

 Towing the bus to the Vacaville Auto Body Center

Clint (Deaf Volks member and owner of the Beauty) discussing the task 

at hand with Robert Skinner (shop owner in dark blue sweater)

Vacaville Auto Body Center, Inc

Patching up the rusted rocker panels with whatever scrap metal parts we can find.

 Work begins on the Heating ducting and system

 Cleaned up and ready to install new piece!

Fabricated and installed scrap metal hose so we have HEAT during Shasta Snow Trip!

 As you can see above, the front heater elbow piece was nonexistent. 

We added in donor metal piece, thanks to Robert!!!

 Cleaning up the area for install

 The donor elbow piece fitted in place, so the heated air can travel to the front cab area.

Welded in the piece after all the measuring and fitting.

Next up: Shaping the body panels to smooth it up.

Pounding away....

Whoo, you can see the rear corner taking shape. It was smashed in all the way in, and its amazing with the skills Robert got, it nearly got its shape back when it first left the VW factory!

Whew, burnt all the midnight oil, gotta stop for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Here, the Beauty is hoisted up in the air among its friends at Vacaville Auto Center...

Heres a parting shot for you all until the next update: STAY TUNED!!