A nice project and nobody else has mentioned it so it must be just me but isn’t Camper Jam about 10 months away? You probably won’t get the bus for a couple of months so just 8 months to fix the rot and dents, prep and paint, source and fit a non-original engine and install a new interior. And you’ll probably take a few pics and keep us informed of progress. For me that would be a mad timescale and I wonder what you could achieve if you weren’t doing it only as and when time allows? Good luck
You're not familiar with Grazzer's history are you? http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/winnie-the-poo-our-new-van-has-arrived.24062/ Last time he restored a bus in time for Camperjam, he did it in 2 months.
You’re right I’m not familiar with Grazzer's history and it would take me longer to read the thread of Winnie’s rebuild than it took him to do it. It would still be a mad timescale for me and I still wish him luck.
To be fair, I do own a garage, I've been in the motor trade for 25 years and I know lots of capable people.....but even I have had absolute " nightmare" situations with Campervans! I'm in awe of some of the brave restorations taken on here, and I certainly wouldn't take on anything with the sort of rot you see in a UK right hand drive. Getting a good solid US import makes a lot of sense and it's really quite easy to restore a relatively solid original van.....but, some arrive and turn out to be a nightmare, I've had two of those..
Well, here's an update. The Tango Scooby Bus is on it's way at last! Thanks to Chris at CFR Lines it should be picked up and transported to Houston early next week, so it's likely it will arrive before Xmas...... I've still got Winnie, so I'm going to be a two bus man for a little while, and I will have to hold back on any major spend until she's gone. I'm thinking I may get the Scooby engine in fairly early on though. Have been keeping my eyes open for a decent donor Scoob, but haven't managed to find anything yet for my somewhat optimistic budget! Missed one this week, a 2.2 Legacy with a dodgy waterpump for £200, but I'm sure something will turn up.
Here's some really cool picks of the Tango Scooby Denver Broncho bus - the first three are as it's leaving Colorado, and the last is taken in Wyoming as it's loaded on a truck and moving from it's resting place for the last few years - it's the start of a really long journey. If I'm lucky, I'll get it for Christmas!
I really like that bottom photo - might stick it on my works computer as a screen saver - so I don't forget how much work I've let myself in for....
Result!!! Found a nice cheap low mileage two owner Scooby run out of MOT Going to seal the deal tomorrow afternoon, it's quite near Fellows, so I might pop in if they aren't too busy!
is that the one on autotrader ,looks ideal, @Grazzer ... let me know if you want a hand when you come to strip it down as i may be doing one next year, im a dab hand with electrics, and mechanical stuff, would be good to be involved, im in northants...
It is indeed - sounds ideal but will report back tomorrow evening... I'm planning to strip it down fairly soon, as I'm short on space, plus the sooner I weigh the remains in, the less I've laid out Your most welcome to come and help, but it won't take long - especially with my large petrol angle grinder. ...
Blimey.. A "Large petrol angle grinder" I dread to think Look at my avatar and what I did to a Subaru doner with not much more than a hack saw
Well - here goes. Went to see said Scooby - but I never understand why people can't just be honest.. Speak to owner, yes 93000 miles from new, I had it and then my son, yes, full history with Subaru, oh yes yes genuine mileage. Elderly chap I'd like to point out, not the usual numpty. So I get there, and have a look round the said Scooby. Speedo reads 93k, car is in ok nick, but a little battered. Not too worried as that bit will be binned and the interior is mint so I'm sure I'll get some money back there. It had a good Turbo style front bumper and the alloys and tyres are ok. So, I ask, has it got a nice history? Oh yes, let me get the book for you.... And I does indeed have lots of stamps in it..... Loads in fact..... So, I ask, how come it's been serviced so much? The vendor replies, oh yes, the speedo was changed at 110,000 so the engine has done about 200,000 miles........ Erm....what?? What would you do?
Knowing you were going to see it in the service histiory you wonder why he wasn't more honest. Some people.
Well, on the basis that it actually ran really well and sounded sweet, I bought it......... For £230. My rationale was this... The actual engine isn't the bit I'm concerned about, it's all the other bits and this car has everything I need. Now, I know the mileage is high but it runs fine, and doesn't smoke and has been meticulously maintained by a Subaru main stealer - I'm not going to be doing 25k a year in my van, be more like 3000, so I'm not worried about miles really, and if it blows up, then I can buy a Scooby engine for £200 off eBay. We drove it back from Solihull to Oxford, and it was fine! There's at least two or three advantages. One, I can weigh in the remains and get back £150. Two, I think the front bumper, gearbox and the wheels will sell for at least another £100 - so that's everything I need.......and twenty quid - for free! It also had half a tank of petrol. I'm not mad am I ?
i was gonna say at least ya know a scooby engine can do some miles.... now you have 1st hand proof..... when ya breaking it ...
