So the story starts like this.

Some time early December 2008 Tony a delivery driver who delivers to us a couple of times a week, mentions that at one of his other regular drops their is an Aussie chap who has been restoring a camper van but is returning home around Christmas time and needs to sell the van. Our first response is we have far to many VW's and dont want any more, but get some more details and if we hear of someone looking for a project we will point them in that direction.

A phone call from Andy the owner and i now know a bit more about the van. VW late baywindow van registered 1973 but built 12th December 1972 so Tax exempt, full westy interior in fair condition, fairly recent recon 1600 engine, solid chassis but poor bodywork, but comes with 2 new doors with a full set of trim and rubber seals, 2 new bumpers and a new exhaust.

Sounds like a nice project for someone but not me as i already have to many VW's. So i wish Andy luck with the sale and his future back in Oz.

23-12-2008

13.30 My phone rings. "G'day mark its Andy with the camper, look i have to leave for the airport at half four if you can get £xxx to me before then you can have the van and all the parts for it"  So following a quick trip to the cashpoint i find myself in Towcester in the dark looking at a van i dont want.

Its all a bit of a rush but a deal is done and it is agreed that we will collect the van the next day.

24-12-08

So following a night of wondering why we have bought another van, Joe and i set off with the trailer to pick it up and have a good look at what we have paid for.

Well i must admit to having mixed emotions about the van, on one hand it will need a lot of work to get to the standard of something i would be happy with, on the other hand it has a great original interior that only needs a spruce up.

We park it in the warehouse and decide to have a good look at it between christmas and new year.

26-12-08

This is what we have then!

Decision time, We have made a list of work that has to be done, a list of what we would like to do if we are to keep it and a list of how much we can sell parts for and scrap the rest.

3-1-09

Its a keeper

Time to strip out everything, whip off the westy roof and order up some new panels.

12-1-09

Off to the welders

Well after stripping out the van we have found a few more holes and rot but nothing that is beyond the skills of Chris at Savage Custom Werks. The list of new panels ordered is as follows.

• Front panel
• lower front deformation panel
• 4 x jacking points and outriggers
• complete drivers side front wheels arch

15-1-09

Plenty to do

The van is now well underway with chris, on removing the front panel it was clear that a lot more work would be needed. It seems that the van had been in a front end crash at some point and the rust had spread further than first thought.

More parts ordered.

• Inner front screen repair left
• Inner front screen repair right
• RHS cab floor repair section
• Above front jacking point section.

And while Chris has been working away i have also been keeping busy cleaning up the parts to go back on the van, below are some pictures of the westy roof having years of green stuff removed.

22-1-09

Welding Update

Here are some of the many pictures sent over from Chris, You will get a good idea of the work that is being done however i don't think you get a true reflection of the quaility of Chris's welding. Top notch!

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

6-2-09

20-2-09

New front beam

The old beam was in poor condition with some rather suspect patches welded on here and there, so we have been to T2D to get one of there new narrowed adjustable beams. This will be fitted with all new ball joints and shorter dampers.

24-2-09

Wheel time

So we have been working on the fuch wheels and i must say i am very pleased with the result, so pleased if fact that i will be keeping them polished with no detailed paint.

Click on a pic to enlarge.

2-3-09

Kylie's back from the welders

Picked up the van after work today. Still have a few more small welding jobs to finish off but these can be done here while i get on with other jobs and get Steve from the bodyshop around to have a look and talk time scales and price.

This is how it looked tonight.

3-3-09

The most important Job

It had to be done as soon as the van was back i just had to bolt on a couple of wheels to see what they looked like. However i must point out that these are 2 fronts as i am still trying to find the right size tyres for the rear.

7-3-09

Big day today

Lots to do today, Chris is coming around to do the last of the welding jobs (small repair to wheel arch, front and rear captive nuts for the fitting of bumpers) Strip of metal work from westy roof rack for refurb, remove last of the headlining, swap over tailgate and engine hatch for good solid used ones i have tracked down on VZi.

Aghain click on any images to enlarge.

12-3-09

Dash refurb

The dash was looking a bit rough so even though the top will be covered by one of our fabulous new dash mats i have given it a good rub down and a few coats of black paint.

13-3-09

Front seats and door cards

Back at the end of last month we gave our old seats to Vaughan at Custom Classic & Retro and asked him to fully refurb the seats and make some new door cards to match.

And today is the day i went to collect them, what can i say apart from "well cuffed"

14-3-09

Off to the painters

Took the van of to Steve at Central Garage Raunds today. Should be there for between 3 and 4 weeks. Colours will be Pastel white over Briliant orange.

Once the van is back from the bodyshop the trailer will be for sale so if you or you know someone looking for a decent van sized trailer give me a call.