The Continuation of a Quickie Paint Job....
Re-Assembly Page 1

Clara (1966 Westphalia)
11-Mar-01

Well, I know it's been a while, and that you've been tossing and turning nights just wondering what's up....
                           (ask me how I know...)   
I can't answer that, but there's another wave of productive work coming on, and its about the fun stuff now!

Finally, after taking up much space in Michele's pottery room, the garage, and the entry way to our house, Clara's interior bits are going back together!

The wood panels, which are not proper at all, more's the pity, still look better than the rotten, holey wood that was in there before...with the exceptions of the two rear side panels and the rear ceiling panels....those all have their own look...then there's that Westy laminate with its pinkish hue, and my home-made front panels...they were most reluctant to go in, and they aren't coming out whole!  Oh well....it could all be better, but then, it could stay here for another year or so, too!  NOT!  We's gotta be gettin' on the road this spring, so she'll be rough, but imbued with character!

Check out the most serious mod:  An upper grab handle for passenger!  I used the old dash grab handle with some oaken blocks as ends, which made it easy to use.  The bolts go through the metal, and made it difficult to install the wood above!  Also...a freshly painted dash, and unmasked wiring waiting....

       

You'll note the shiny insulation everywhere.  I didn't use any fiberglass in the nose, front doors, or front ceiling.  Too much of a possibility of it wreaking havoc later with rust...there's several layers of this aluminum stuff, though, installed with special care to drainage.  Sorry there's no pic of the overhead vent flap freshly painted and with new seal!  It was great to put that all back together finally...we'll see how air/watertight it is!

The last couple of days have been great.  We installed the windshields, stationary side window, and rear hatch window.  We didn't break anything!  They were challenging, but they're in!  The front door windows are awaiting seals from OldVolks Home, and painting of the frames.  Michele and I are stoked to see so much back together finally!  Of course, there's still tons to do, but we got a boost from seeing the upholstery and Westy cabinets back in....front seats and panels next...cassette player from Ronnie, and parcel tray goes in.  Michele applied POR-15 "GlistenPC" to the jalousie window frames that she spent 2-1/2 days sanding and polishing only to find that the stuff is "gloppy" and now we get to figure out how to make it smooth...hmmm...

After some pondering, I figured out how the Z-bed parts went together, and our re-covered cushions, etc. went back in.  Very strange, the way that bed is....is it adjustable, I wonder?  The various parts are all at different heights!  Then the behind-the-driver seat/cabinet, and the icebox....

Since the Westy kit is partially from a bay-window, I'll not feel bad about modifying it.  I am using oak trim instead of the yecchy plastic gunk (where I can), and that's that!  I think it helps with the disparity between the cabinets and wall/ceiling panels, and it helps the pink Westphalia finish look more "not pukey." 

I couldn't bear the thought of the paint on the edge of the cargo floor getting all chipped up, so here's what it looks like with grip tape.  

I guess that's all for now....the interior is getting there...then it's the bumper/rim nightmare, and the 15-gallon gas tank goes in, and the engine (after I de-rustify it), and a full maintenance week (grease, grease, grease), etc, and then all the things I've forgotten, and then we're off to put some dents and dings in it!  There's nothing like the frustration of chipping paint off of a vehicle when it's still in the booth!  What I wouldn't give for a real rock chip or something.....just kidding.

Clara will be back on the road before the end of March, I swear!

Progress 1   Progress 2   Progress 3  Paint 1   Paint 2   Paint 3   Interior 1

Shop    Compressor    Booth 1    Booth 2    Booth 3    Blast Cabinet   Reassembly 2

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mizamook@sonic.net  (Gene)