Probably 60% 15% combi’s and pick ups and doka’s made up the rest. The panel van was the stock n trade, but buses are are more prolific now as they had a easier life and are more desirable and likely to be preserved
Yeh I was meaning what's left now on the roads, just from looking around at meets and shows I'd say there are definitely more campers on bus bases than vans.
Whilst panel vans were in the majority, they were used like transits, bashed around, driven into the ground and scrapped. Camper conversions on the other hand were only used for a couple of weeks a year, generally kept clean and well looked after by their owners. That's why thee are more combi busses than panel vans on the road today.
Some panelvans were converted from new but the fact that the conversion companies cut holes for Windows and roof rather than factory pressed panels made them more susceptible to water ingress, the Devon roof cut and bending of the edge is particularly rough!
I got the van stripped down a couple of weeks ago and should be collecting it from the blasters this week! There was a little bit of hidden damage and wee bit of panel rust but the floor and most of the chassis is solid. Now it’s time to buy repair panels and new window seals. Where is the best place to buy and do sites do discounts for big orders ? And since the engine is out what do you guys suggest doing ?
Devon only used panel vans in their 79 Sundowner, all they converted themselves were kombi's, but some owners would take their own panel van to Devon and have them convert it.
Schofields are doing 10% off .. for items collected at the Stanford hall show I got some from there last year.. (I've even... fitted some of it...)
I have made no progress on this since the last post it’s been sitting in my mates shed. Basically I got a quote for repairs and paint and it put the fear in me! So I’ve decided I’m gonna tackle the welding myself. I’ve purchased the pannels and a welder but before I let loose on the bus, I’ve aquirred scrap car pannels and I’m gonna practice welding on thin metal. Here’s the pannels I’ve ordered I should be more active on the forum in the future.
I’ve been reading the Subaru engine swap thread and it’s got me thinking it’s a 1600 twin carb set up at the moment and I’ve bought all new gaskets for the engine my plan was to just refurbish the engine. What do you guys think?
You did say ‘I’ve just bought my first T2 to restore and throw all my money at’. Finish the body first, then throw all your money at the engine.
That’s a great idea. You’ll be a great welder at the end of it and have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself and saved a load of money.
Thats The originality gone out the window then. There’s plenty you can do to beef up the original engine. And although it may not be cheap, it keeps the van more original and worth more as time goes by.
