Hello All, I have been working on my van for three months now but have reached a number of obstacles to the on going restoration. The obstacles are I cannot locate a serviceable or new right side front wheel tub and also the inner lower valance on my van is totally rusted up to the floor. Am I going to have to get creative with some sheet metal and a lump hammer to crudely mould some replacement pieces or does anyone know somewhere I can locate the two pieces I need? I understand from having contacted the usual places (Alan Schofield, JK etc) that the issue is that VW in Brazil have stopped producing the panels. Is this correct or does anyone know when the repair panels may reappear in the UK. Thank you Mike
Hi Mike, I discovered the same lack of supply but at least the tubs were good. The panel between the cab floor and inner valance is difficult to repair unless the whole front panel is removed, I replaced the bad bits on mine before replacing the front see: http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/lottie-a-79-full-restoration-part-1-2-3-4-5.53655/page-4
Thanks Martin, I have already cut the whole of the front panel off as the area underneath the air vent and around the bottom of the windscreen had rusted through, so access to make the repair should not be an issue. Did you make the repair piece in several parts or did you make it out of one piece then tack it into place? Seeing Lottie with her winter coat on made me smile as my van looked very similar with an indent in the cover where the windscreen should be. It seems I am on a rite of passage during this restoration. I have to get it done though, as I have 5 other project vehicles to get completed as well........
Hi Mike, I did mine in small sections as it was too long and with too many double curves to do at once. Also doing in sections keeps the relationship between the good adjoining panels stable. Best of luck with 5 projects, I like to get my pleasure slow with no deadlines. Martin
