1974 Bay ,full resto / 5 year plan "lol"

Hello , i bought this a few months ago , always fancyed a splitty but the asking price of a project / resto is still in the 6 to 10k bracket , so thought about a bay . looking round it seems that 2 to 4k still gets you more filler and chicken wire then you can shake a stick at ,so would still require afull breake down and a full rebuilding , il hold my hands up and addmit i do not know the first thig about these vans so all the help and advice ( pee taking ) you can give will be appreciated ,but looking forward to learn or try

 

Good luck

The first rule of restoration is double the cost and double a time

 

Looks to be quite complete so that`s a good start - the problem will be getting over the "WHY ??" stage when you start pulling it to pieces

Good luck - crack on !

 

I'd start by making a list of all the panels you think you'll need. Looks like that needs everything doing to it!

Grab a copy of Fletch's book and read it cover to cover: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Volkswagen-Bay-Transporter-Restoration-Manual/dp/B016WWVLAW

 

Agreed - the Restoration manual will become your bible .
Schofields every time for seals and panels

 

Apt name... they’re going to be fun!!

good luck!!

 

A few more pictures

 

I think it needs a goodc clean

Good luck with it.

 

Most of that will Tcut out!

 

Those gutters already looks like a headhache.
Will make a nice camper when done

 

My first bus rule has always been not to buy one that doesn't have perfect gutters. When the water gets in right at the top it's never going to end well. I admire all you guys who take on gutter/roof/top structure repairs.

 

I look at with the same level of fear that the Welsh Guards did over the barriers at Rourkes Drift.


And they had Michael ‘man of Harlech’ Cain on their side.



You sir, are a brave soul.


Or a nutter.

 

When you lift the top to get at the rust, then you will see.

It looks like it has all the usual crunchiness everywhere, damp and neglect added for a few years. The black painted sill panels probably will give way if you tap them lightly with a hammer.

Unless you are sitting on the kind of job that pays 4 or 5 figure bonuses, you are not going to be able to afford to pay anybody to do that amount of work, you will be employing them for many months.

Find a decent shed with mains power enough to run a good welder. Get a good welder, go on a course or practice a lot..

Make sure the shed is big enough to put a pile of bits in it while you weld the other pile of bits together. Dont throw any part away unless it comes off as a pile of bits of rust in a bucket.

There will be thousands of pounds worth of parts needed too. Making your initial outlay minor compared with the final bill.

People have reassembled much worse.


I wouldnt try standing on the little step under the slider unless you want a broken nose or a damaged shin.

My bus cost me £6250, reduced from £9100. The year I bought it I paid out £5000 (about £1000 parts) on metalwork and wellding and paint. It cost me another £4600 (about £600 parts) for both sills and centre rails to be done a couple of years ago, with a steady stream of patches to pass it through the MOT between times . A new engine every 30k miles (one I built about £1000, the other new £2600)
I guess I am in for £30k now. And it still looks tatty.. and the front needs doing.

 

Hey, being positive, you know where you stand with a van like that. Expect to work on everything and learn to do as much as you can & you might just be onto winner. start gathering bits slowly & make a plan.

I had no plan, my 5 year plan has turned into a 10 year plan (I have to years to make a start & finish...)

Some great threads on here you will learn a lot. Best of Luck

 

Nutter does rhyme with gutter

 

HA HA , iv removed the fiber glass roof ,it not a pretty sight LOL
Im not sure i dare post picture incase anyone watching has underlying health conditions

 

Let's see it!