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These are just some of the pictures taken of the bus since
we've owned her. Click Here for
More
We've done a lot of work on the bus during
the past two years, including replacing the engine, transmission and
clutch. All suspension, ball joints, brakes, and CV joints have been
replaced or repaired. We've added a full roof rack and new curtains.
Now, the last step is to get all the body work (rust) taken care of, and have
her painted. Several links below will let you see more.
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Click Here for some
"Before" pictures, taken in October, 2003
Some exterior modifications are visible, but the
restoration is beginning in earnest now. Our eventual goal is not to
"fully restore" the Bus, but to
"fully transform" it, because we will still be using it as an
everyday vehicle (if that's possible in Beaufort, where we usually walk
everywhere and rarely use our cars.) Our goal is to make practical,
durable changes that will stand up over time. |
| Before
Pictures |
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Click Here to view some of the
work while in progress
A good deal of mechanical work has already been done during
the previous year or two. Since we've had this bus, we've probably put
somewhere close to 15,000 miles on her. She's been from Ohio to Key West
and back, Charlotte to Cincinnati many times, from Cincinnati back to Key Largo,
then back to the Outer Banks. The motor was changed in Raleigh, NC after blowing the
motor on the way into town for the ACC Tournament. See Below for more
details. The new motor has been broken in correctly, and for right now, she's running
strong.
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During
Pictures |
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Click Here to view some
After pictures, including some Interior shots
Well, after much blood, sweat and tears - La Bus La
Deuce has come out the other side. She is virtually free of rust,
has two brand new coats of paint (the paint shop got the color wrong the
first time), and is ready for another 35 years of action.
Thanks again to Mike's Mom and Dad for the use of their garage, driveway,
tools, advice and patience.
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Pictures |
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Click Here to view some
Side by Side Before and After pictures
Here's where you can see the most striking pictures of
what the Bus used to look like and what she looks like now. The
before photos were taken in October, 2003 and the after photos were taken 5
months later in March, 2004.
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| Before/After |
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Click Here to see a
time-lapse photo sequence of us replacing the engine "on the farm" in
Raleigh, NC in 2002
After leaving Cincy at 3am, we made it to within 50
miles of Raleigh before the motor blew. That's well within our
goal of making it within 100 miles - 100 miles is as far as we can get
towed by AAA, so we feel like if we can just make it within 100 miles,
we're as good as there. After the ACC Tourney, it took us 4 days to
drop the old motor, find a new one, and get the new one in, and
running. Then, on to Florida. Not bad.
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Motor |
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