1960 SO-23 A.K.A. Gunther

[Marla]

This will be just like a hotel room Sean.

Thanks for the photos Craig. I will be running aux power not using the starter battery. I was going to have a portable power station to plug the main switch into. Then run all of the electrical to that switch, same as it was originally designed.

[Marla]

Did a little work at Bruce’s shop yesterday. We went through a few odds and ends.

The main objective was to check/ inspect the clutch cable. There was a lot of play in the legal. We ended up replacing it as well as the pin connector. We also adjusted the brake pedal, greased up the front end and did a valve adjustment.

Gotta love having a lift and air conditioning. thanks Bruce.

[TRL]

A little love goes a long way!

[Dual Port]

In addition, we changed the pushrod boot on the MC, replaced the Bowden tube, filled the leaking tranny, checked the front end and lubed miscellaneous pivots. The rear socket of the drag link has about 1-2mm play in it, so it will need replacing soon.

[Marla]

One project I decided to tackle this winter is replacing the window seals all around. They are pretty crusty and the rain at KoK this year highlighted a leak in the one.

I started by taking the door panels off and removed the widow frames from the door. I have wood door panels that came with the bus. They were a little rough so I decided to clean them up and apply three coats of lacquer on them.

I removed the frames and stared prepping them for paint and new seals.

All in all everything looks really good. Not a lot of rust, very clean and things came apart easily. The seals were very hard and definitely in need of being replaced.

The plan is to clean them up, treat any rust and paint them. The exterior of the bus has been painted before me and the colors aren’t correct. The interior of the frame still has the original color, I am going to go back to that as best as I can.

[TRL]

Looking good! Those front door windows are alot of work!

[Rob]

Nice job! Door panels look great!

[Marla]

Thanks Rob!

Yes, lots of work Rick. I had practice in the single cab so I know what I am in for. Good thing I have a helper who will be home from college this month.

I am going to go get some paint for the frames this week. I have the color code for Beige Grey from info on The Samba. I will see what SW Automotive paint store can do to get me a single can of it. If this goes well and the color looks good, I am hoping to do all of the white on the bus eventually. All window seals are being replaced.

[TRL]

Sherwin Williams is pretty good on old paint codes. I like the automotive store on Brookpark Rd for single stage stuff. If they cant get you a spray can and you end up with a quart can or something. Buy a Preval paint sprayer. On amazon or some local stores. Really handy little for little spray jobs.

[Marla]

I decided to switch gears a bit in Gunther. I’ll be stripping it down and painting the exterior. I have a contact at Sherwin Williams helping me out with color and paint selection. Hoping to get some spray outs for samples to see how good we can get it.

Ib the meantime, I have been slowing taking everything off of the bus, packaging and labeling all of it. I’m not sure I’ll remember where all of this goes. Numbers, lights, cargo door panels, curtains, mirrors and wipers all removed so far.


I had a helper home from college so I concentrated on some of the work that is best with two sets of hands. All of the windows are out now. We worked on the cabinets but having a hard time getting the two rear most cabinets out. I’ve had them out before, I’m just not remembering the trick. So pause in that for now.

I also did a small area of stripper to see what I will be up against. It’s looks like I “should” be able to get it down to metal. We’ll see how this goes.

Here are some photos.