I've been talking to the lovely Graham from Midland prototype bay this afternoon about a 71 deluxe that he's got coming in in a few weeks from the States. I've got a nephew that can do the mechanical bits and pieces but can any of you advise me on getting the interior sorted? I know it's personal taste and all that but for example, if I wanted a rock and roll bed and a bench seat in the front and unit with cooker etc how much would I be looking at and are they easy enough to source other than EBay, which I hate with a passion as just don't trust!!
We took out must of our interior (had 1/2 a westy interior) so we have just the front seats & a rear,plenty of room now,alot of what you asked will determine what your plans are? dailey driver/week end camper? sorry if this doesn't help.as far as part go i can't help you (I'm in the states) if you were closer i would say you could have our left over parts
sjhjoinery will hopefully be around. They do a really good job from what I've seen, and can certainly give an idea of price for a professional job.
If you buy the Heathen van (prototype bay) clear off to the Heathen site *joke* just in case I think your best bet is get to a show and have a good look around interiors of as many vans as poss, try to chat up the owners and ask why it suits their needs etc, even before buying a van if you can or deciding on an an interior. Then sleep on it for a while, all the different options and configurations will go round in your head until you decide what suits you best. Good luck with your choice. Rusty Lee on here does rock and roll beds
p.s Take a look here at some original Devon brochures. http://www.devonmoonraker.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/OthersalesBrochures.html Might give an idea of layouts that will suit you
Big money in them cakes - my missus is just starting out her own business doing it. I will be a kept man soon
You see I'm just proving what a totally clueless newbie I am no idea what's the best bet, a us import early, or late or something lovely and all done for me like the Devon I'm going to see! I want the Devon, other half is looking at options still to be open minded but me, I just want to drive to Warrington, pick up the Devon and keep driving
Earlies look the best, lates have better mechanics and safer. Imports, one hopes to be less rusty, but the mechanics are often shot. Best bet without an interior is pick up a pukka one cheap. Congi got a good deal I think? And easy fit then. Otherwise you could spend thousands and you'll already be skint from fixing the yankee mechanics and the engine blowing up driving it home.
Luckily got the same interior as I already had as mine was shot for £29 If you want to get out camping right away get one with an interior fitted ,especially if you dont have a good budget or it will just be an ongoing pain in the ass
Look at what you want to do with the bus, If its a weekend bus, You won't want as much storage. If your planning on using an awning every time you take it away you'll probably end up cooking in it so you wouldn't necessarily need a cooker in the van although handy for when you just want a brew. though a portable one would do that a treat, Also think of how much room you want for your bed a 3/4 is usually around 1150mm wide, but if you want 2 three point harnesses you'll need to go for the full width. But as Zed say's get the mechanical's right first nothing worse then a nice interior in a bus which isn't running.
