A more formal introduction, pics, and questions

Hello, my name is Robert Lawrence, most call be Bobert. If you saw my other thread I was talking of acquiring a 1965 Chevy Van, well I now have it! I have been a van enthusiast for a while, been wanting one of my own to work on and fix up, in high school, I was in love with the microbus, as I got older a new lady caught my eye the 1st gen Chevy van. I had relegated this to a pipe dream because of cost and time, and other extraneous factors. As fate would have it though, I had been slowly nosing around for a van as a driver/ project car and a buddy of mine clued me in to this 65 model, and I lost my mind. It was love at first sight. Well it took some doing but I got up the money, and finally got it, with help I had it trailered the 3 to 4 hours back to my house. I hope I am ready for this undertaking, I have worked on cars here and there all my life, and have done a lot on motorcycles. I also build props for stage and screen as one of my jobs, so I'm use to fabrication. I also have car savvy friends that I can get to help too, so looks like the talent is in place.

Now for the part that will scare/anger most of you I'm sure. In addition to being a van lover, I also love Scooby-Doo, so yes this will be a Mystery Machine replica, but the guy I got it from bought it with the intention of turning it into one also, before finding a "better" van for it, and my friend who pointed this van out to me wanted to buy it to do the same thing, but couldn't afford it. Seems like no matter who had it this thing was destined to be a Mystery Machine by the end of it. In all honesty though, a MM is 99% a paint job, and I understand that most don't agree with the aesthetics of it, but lets just agree to disagree about the looks, and focus on making it the best van we can! Also since I build props, and also I do children's parties (I'm a clown/ entertainer) this will be awesome publicity.

So now without further ado, the photos! This is right when we got it on the trailer, it drove up on the trailer no less! It has new plug, plug wires, distributor cap, in line electric fuel filter, new battery, battery cables still look good (I wouldn't be surprised if they were newer used ones that the owner added.) new master cylinder for the brakes.


Ah the brakes, they didn't work in spite of the new master cylinder, it was the first mystery for this Mystery Machine, and it was quickly solved, the owner apparently didn't put all the brakes back on after the master cylinder job. Thankfully though they are laying in the back waiting to be put on.


Here we are at a rest stop on the way home. Trailering it was awesome, people kept slowing down to take pictures, or give us the thumbs up as they went by. Everyone already loves it!


Now for a turn around of the van, it has all its glass, uncracked, the tail light lenses are on the dash but I have them too, the only exterior part that is missing is the front bumper in fact.








The body other than all the rust is pretty good, straight, no dents and such, I have found 2 heavily bondo-ed spots, so they will be looked at, and only couple of places that will need patches, inside or out.

The running components of the van are mostly there, I am having to replace the gas tank (there isn't one so repair wasn't an option), so I have ordered this tank, http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GTPDS66 , the only other needs for running part is the air cleaner, I'd love to get a vintage one on here, but I also and in a bit of a hurry just to get this thing going around the block. I don't want my neighbors being able to claim I have a "junk" car in the yard, if its running and such then its not a junk car, its just "ugly". That said I know I need one of these http://quadrajetparts.com/rochester-1bbl-monojet-carburetor-parts-monojet-misc-air-cleaner-stud-bracket-rochester-holley-p-1455.html mine is missing it, and I'll just get a small aftermarket air cleaner to get me by. does anyone know if this one is a good one or will work? http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tri-Bar-Wing-Nut-Style-Air-Cleaners,7202.html If not can someone point me in the right direction?

Now for some less than awesome news, the wires to all the lights have been cut, and other than the ignition switch nothing on the instrument panel is hooked up so I will be re wiring the whole thing. Mind you I wanted to do this anyway, but I was hoping I could get away with putting it off for a while. Also the dash has be stripped of everything but the main instrument panel, so its really ugly, but at least there is room for customization.


In addition to that it will get all the normal tune up/ TLC something like this will get, replace hoses and clean the radiator, those kinds of things, just want it to be as great as possible.

So what do you guys think? Any help, tips, or advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome= Bobert!= as for advice - you are at the right place for that - many here =will help you! nice project & yes -many will "Prod & help you along"!! Just ask when something troubles you! Just some friendly advice too= What ever you do / theme you select for your new project- Pleas e refrain from referring to that wonderful van as a ="scoobe do or Mystery machine " as were all mostly stereo typed on those frases. We get that alot from those that grew up watching that on tv as kids -so all vans are called that by people thet are -NOT in the Know! Again =Welcome & were here to help , advise & get you thru all the problems =easily!

Welcome to the site. I'm  new to the site as well and just bought a 65 a couple of months ago without a gas tank, and that needs a rewire. There is a wiring diagram on this site that is spot on and will be very helpful. I just bought a label maker and am starting the process today. I'm going to take it slow label every thing and take lots of pictures. Yeah your on your own with the Scooby-Doo thing lol. I've only had my van a couple of months and it's starting to wear on me a little. Not sure if it's because the Scooby-Doo van looks like an early 70s chevy van or the fact that my wife wants to paint flowers on my van.

Hey =Magic=at least she sinterested in painting the van!! Just take her to a van meet !!

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure it's the same as when she wants to paint or wall paper a room, she picks the colors I do the work and she cracks the whip. But I am looking for to my first van meet.

welcome to the site. lots of help here. it's your van, you have to look at it every day,
so make it to put a smile on your face and money in your pocket,
that is the best of both worlds!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, I'm not expecting open arms about the scooby thing but didn't think it would be fair not to tell you guys. On the bright side I don't thing all these vans are scooby vans and can easily see your annoyance with it. Smiles and money, kinda what it's all about right. Just gotta get her running good, and I'm sure that's something we can all agree on.

Welcome to VV. As many will say on here...It's yours, so make it the way you want, and I agree with that. I don't get the "scooby doo van" thing as much as people call mine "A Hippy Van"...lol...I can live with that. So enjoy and keep it fun and do one thing at a time, and it will be done before you know it.

Looks like a good project! I have no problem with someone making a MM,, just when they call mine one ! LOL  Just put it out there when you need something . Never know what pieces someone has laying around. Good luck and Keep it fun. BTW it's not only missing the front bumper ,but the ears that hold it on to.

The ears? Can you elaborate on that? Also anyone know if the posted air cleaner will work?

Front bumper has holes in the face for the ends of the frame and also support brackets on each end where the 2 pairs of threaded holes are. Not sure on the breather. Someone may know if there is clearance for it.

Ah I see, thanks. I'd love to find some bumpers similar to solo's and from what I understand if his I'd need to fiddle around a mounting method anyway, so maybe those being missing won't be to detrimental.

Make a big list of everything it needs, exterior, mechanical, electrical, etc. and just start knocking off things one at a time. As for Scooby's, there are several threads with pics of the many versions of this theme to get an idea of ways to do one, good and bad....looks like you are missing all the dash switches, headlight can be bought new, wiper is tougher, NOS are around but expensive, look for a complete used pod with all the switches, usually around $50 when they come up....

working on the list now, quick question about the master cylinder, its "new" looks good though, and has new gaskets and all, but the cap is just sitting on it, shouldn't that lock down in some way? Am I just missing something obvious?

*edit* never mind was at the parts store getting stuff and asked them about it, they showed me what it should look like so I was able to figure it out.

Congrats and welcome Bobert! Make the van what you want it to be...that's the best part of owning one of these. As long as it makes you happy and gets you where you want to go, that's all you need! Lots of knowledge and advice here for the asking. Enjoy the process!!!