1966 Poptop Renovation - Stage 3

The Baltic birch 1/8" plywood headliner and side panels were were replaced with new tung oiled ones. A new canvas with three (3) screens was installed with new rubber latches. The front seats were reupholstered and new seat belts installed. The bed and middle seat have new upholstery and have been reconditioned. All new rubbers were installed in the doors and fixed windows. The van has never had a radio. And, it was converted to 12 volt except for the wiper motor.

1966 VW Poptop Renovation - Stage 2

The van was hauled to Pueblo, Colorado for the professional paint job. While the van was in the paint shop, all the jalousied windows were completely taken apart and glass beaded, painted and re-assembled.

Beginning of 1966 VW Poptop Renovation

I purchased this 1966 VW poptop camper about 4 years ago, 2005. It was an original paint California van that had blown it's engine in Southern Colorado some 20 years previously. I brought it into my shop in 2006 and started work on it. At the same time I had a Toyota FJ40 (see previous blog) and several other VW vans, Bugs, Ghias, and Things and the '66 got put on the back burner. I am back on it now and will finish it in the next week.

We re-did just about everything on this camper. We stripped the interior completely, except for the wiring which was in good shape. All the windows were removed and body work was completed and primered. The engine and fuel tank were removed and the engine compartment and behind the fuel tank wre painted and detailed. The fuel tank and fill nozzle were repainted and replaced with new rubbers. The engine is a rebuilt 1600 dual port with a stock exhaust system.

FJ 40 Final Stages

Painting is being completed, new rubbers installed, windows put back in and going through the final stages.