Magic Bus Resurrection

That is one sharp dressed Van.    

That is a "SHARP" looking Econo you have there Magic...   

Pretty as a Picture!!!  

That's sweet Terry. I like the 61-62 turn signal lights. The go with the paint.

Duane in Tennessee.

I don't want to cause no fuss...but can I ride your Magic Bus??? I want it, I want it!!!   

Getting ready for some new tires and turning all the drums while the wheels are off.

Whites in or Out ?????

Raised white letters out

New sneakers for the 'Bus'!!! Gonna look Great!

I'm really liking that paint scheme with the light colored roof. If I ever get to that point with mine may have to steal an idea or two from you 

Love the slots, That's what I'm working on for my 67 pickup. I have this old set of Rocket slots that I picked up somewhere. I don't even remember where. They are pretty crusty like most old aluminum wheels. I've been cleaning and polishing on them in prep for my new tires.



Gonna go with 235-60-14's. What's wrong with the Firestones? I thought they were new. LOL. How close are you to road ready?

Duane in Tennessee

WOW she's a beauty. Like it's been said before........I want it, I want it, I want it.......

Thanks for the gracious words everybody, Im just glad Im as far along in my build as I am. I spent so much time working and sweating I didn't think Id ever get this far...Old tires looked good but were second hand and were dry rotted, pretty scary looking where the tread met the sidewalls..Im not into that kinda thing at 60mph.

Your wheels are looking good Duane, I had to polish mine up as well... You said you were going with 235 series...I don't have room for those with the -5 mm offset these wheels have, they would definitley rub the fenders.

In addition to the dry rotting the old tires were hard, Im kind of  a tire nazi.  I do not like driving on old hard tires.

I was hopeful and when I got these on the bus drives beautiful! It steers nice, rides soft and is much more responsive.  Its really like driving a different van. The key word here is smooth. In addition to the tires I turned the drums and eliminated a vibration I had when I was braking, so overall Im really happy with this part of the build. Its almost hard to comprehend how far this thing has come from the rusted strugglebuggy project it was when I got it.

It starts right up, its quiet, shifts good, stops good, rolls smooth down the highway, Im stunned.

Heres a quick pic I snapped with the new cobras on.

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I was concerned about them rubbing but I have a couple of the 235-60-14's still mounted on my wheels and they have plenty of clearance up front. I'm sure they will be fine.

The Bus is really looking great. I can't wait to see it in person.

Duane in Tennessee

Tires and rims look great. I have run those coopers on several vehicles over the years.I have a set on my 61 right now I like them.

Been working on the interior.  

Installed some seats out of a Mitsubishi Eclipse and the seat belts that came with it.

Also laid some "magic carpet"  down that I bought at Menards.

Turned out pretty good.










Next up, gauges and cupholders.....

Looking good Magic Bus. Those seats look great in there.

Looking warm and cozy! Does the doghouse cover clear the side cushions of the seat? They look nice!!!

Seats look comfy and the mags look really cool! Good job on the polishing!

WP

Loving the Magik Buzz!!!!

vanny wrote:Looking warm and cozy!  Does the doghouse cover clear the side cushions of the seat? They look nice!!!

Thanks, No the lid won't open, I tried every combination of forward, backward, tilt forward, recline one or the other, no can do.  Lid has to have the hinge pins pulled and then pulled out the back....which sucks

Had it out the other day, had to take a pic don't you know....I spent so many hours sweating and sanding and busting knuckles and.....

Sweet!!

Awesome looking van.

That's what it's all about, putting in the hard work and then getting it out on the road and enjoying the heck out of it!!! Love this Econo!!!