Keeping warm..

                                         

In England it can get really cold, and in winter it can get even colder (!) so I decided to insulate the bus to keep some heat in and also to add some soundproofing to make for a quietier ride.

After removing the side panel this is what I
found, a worn out, crumbling piece of foam about
10mm thick which is not good for insulation or
sound-proofing

After a trip to B&Q this thick insulation was
pressed into every crevice

Then covered in foil to help reflect any heat
back into the bus

I did the same for the rear door

Once again the panel recess was insulated and
covered in foil

Da Dah..! when the cover panel is put back it
looks no different, but hopefully I will feel
and hear the difference!

All the panels will be done the same, and
anywhere else that has a recess for cold air
to stay!

Collecting the bus from House of Dub & HOD Imports

House of Dub agreed to put an adjustable front
beam in and lower it for me as well. (check out
their website:
http://www.houseofdub.co.uk/Welcome.html)

How smug do I look..?

Just signing the paperwork, with Spike
looking on.

Driving away being the proud new owner

Spike and I admiring his handywork.. and the
adjustable beam

My 1969 US bay import

When I was looking for a bay window I had two criteria in mind, #1 I wanted a solid bus without too much rust and #2 it had to be reliable. When I saw this import from House of Dub and HOD Imports(http://www.houseofdub.co.uk/Welcome.html )  I knew she was the one. Zoe and Spike,the owners of House of Dub and HOD Imports are friends of mine, they told me that the bus came from Sacramento, California so I knew she would be relatively rust free being from a 'dry' state, I also knew that Spike was letting Zoe use the bus to commute to her day job and back so I knew the bus would be also be reliable. (don't forget to check out my blog archive pages from the menu on the left)

Sitting high and proud, just as she was imported.

Just love the rusty bumper..

   

Not very pretty but functional

HOD Imports even threw in a new headlining as
part of the deal

Microbus interior complete with sun bleached seats!

This is what I mean about being solid..

Quite a straight body under the dodgy orange-
peel effect paint

OK, her distinctive 'Princess Fiona'
ear's.. in California it's HOT, you
need to get as much air in as possible,
hence the extended vents and cut outs

Mmmm, so comfortable.....