1976 TaigaGrun Dormobile Overhaul - Toodle Deux

well done on the sewing you've done really well.
I've only sewn through my finger once and it hurt a lot so i def advise avoiding sewing yourself.
bek

 

yeah im definitely not up for it. ive had a nailgun through the thumb, that was especially nice, but a needle and thread, no thanks. lol.

PSG

 

Top job Phil, I don't think I'd have picked something so difficult for a firt atempt. I'm so lucky to have the TMI cover set. 8) I've even dipped out of the rear stuff. And I've got an industrial sewing machine in the cellar... I feel slightly ashamed. Only slightly though.

 

An industrial sewing machine in the cellar.. GET IT OUT they are fun trust me. I sewed a piece of paper as practice on our old singer.Fun times.

 

Looks really good phil, ive been looking for a good upholsterer in kent ,who would have thought i was that close to one a few weeks ago.Keep up the good work mate its looking very nice

 

yeah i know the feeling zed. but this leatherette was free, a whole roll, and so was everything else. My inlaws are ex-upholsterers to the furniture trade, not automotive, but most of their supplies cross over to automotive in one way or another so im well equipped so far, and they have completely given up, not even touched a machine for 3 years, and no intentions of doing so. shame as they were mint at it.

I got a book called automotive upholstery handbook by don taylor from amazon for about a quid and it is awesome and detailled. Recommend it to anyone. Oh and i watch 'west coast customs' alot/'custom my ride' and their upholsterer 'ish' is his name, he is second to none. amazing.

 

Ok, here is the chair, almost finished, couple of bits to tidy up then done. Shame this one isnt going in the van though. its the spare we took out on the passengers side. Might sell it if anyone needs one.



just a little hand stitching to be done where my templates were taken from ripped fabrics and therefore not the greatest. Think i have got the new ones dialled though to the next one is going to be mint.

 

Stunning mate.

 

Excellent work on the seat!

8) 8) 8)

 

Phil, you are incredible.

 

Nicely done dude

 

Great work on the seat Phil. I know where to come when I want mine done!

 

waiting to be fitted.



Got a 4mx4m waterproof gazebo turning up tomorrow
so i can get to work on the van out of the rain at least. Bargain.

PSG

 

Sneak preview of the van. I refuse to upload a pic of it in this Marmite weather, i will wait til the sun comes out and it is GLEAMING.

However heres a taster for all you picture freaks


Sat there rubbing my hubcap so hard i broke the vintage garden chair we bought at Elemental. Gutted, but this is the result from the filthy look it once donned.


And finally, i have been on a salvage trip to my brother in law's farm, and this is my new stash - amongst the treasures is an electrolux 3way fridge, an 85ah leisure batttery, a 40ah battery, a whale electric water pump with added footpump.......



So i look forward to showing you the whole picture of the van as soon as it is bright enough. I had all of the windows fitted by a auto glass fitter for 80quid, and a few are leaking so hes going to be back next to put sealant in like i asked originally but he was ademant that he knew that new paint provides enough of a seal. That'll teach him.

Im covering the drivers seat this wknd, just done all the cutting and joined all the patternd and piping together, just need to fit to the seat tomorrow maybe.

So cant start the interior install until the leaks are eliminated. But plenty of boring sewing to do in the meantime.

Hope all is well with you guys.

PSG

 

Looking good Phil,well done mate

I need a passenger seat for Rusty (when i get that far : ) so if its still knocking around then i'll give ya a shout.

Planning on spending a day cleaning more chassis tomoz - although the forecast is looking better so under pressure to do gardening

Cheers,

MM

 

The van progress:

Under the coleman with no windows.


With windows and no longer under the coleman


The full width westy fire damaged, and butchered by speaker install from P/O, this was previously hidden with grotty shagpile carpet


Two variations on a theme, the left is my favourite, which is yours? The one on the right is my drivers seat and the left one is the spare. (for sale but not advertised yet.)


got a new fuel sender yesterday, and a NOS fuel gauge from germany coming over courtesy of my new contact. final bits for of seals like sliding door handle seal, and sliding door buffer are here but need to be installed. The window fitter will be comiong back today and sealing the windows like i asked him initially. I knew they would leak, but he wouldnt have it. Shame now hes got to come back, it has held us up with interior work as the water was seeping in from all angles.

Thats all for now.

PSG

 

Looking really really good, paint looks awsome, seats look great, (gotta say its the left one for me), what more can I say, Brilliant!

 

great to see an update - its looking real nice - look forward to seeing it on the roads round here soon

Seat on the left looks best

MM

 

Quick update, got the eberspacher BN4 working today. I am so pleased i cant tell you. From getting it in a non working/repair state to a fully working model without knowing a bean of info about them.

Also got the 3way fridge working today. I thought it was broken because when i turned it on it didnt make any noise. But they dont make noise. They are deadly silent. But there is two less things to worry about now.

The windows are all re-sealed and hopefully watertight now, fingers crossed.
Skylights are equipped with new Dormobile seals - do not get the seals from anywhere else, they just dont fit. Original ones are always going to work.

Sliding door buffer is on, and sliding door handle is on, just need wingmirrors, windscreen wipers, reg plates and VW badge and its complete on the outside.

Its a good feeling when things start to come together after a lot of hard work.

Obviously maximum respect goes out to those who take on fully mental resto's, but i think this has so far been a great introduction to my dream of owning a bay and living freely.

Hope all is well with you guys.

PSG