Iris the 1972 panel van conversion

As suggested by some of the other members I'm starting a topic here for Iris, our 1972 panel van conversion.
This is her the day after we bought her. Probably one of the most nerve wracking drives of my life, having not driven for 18 months and just spent all my savings on a 40 year old van.


This is the camper interior that came with it (apologies for the picture quality). It definitely wasn't the selling point of the van for us, as it's quite an ugly interior. Anyone have any idea what conversion this is? I think it was a fairly DIY job but could be wrong.


One of the first little jobs, a fresh oil change. Prior to owning this van I'd never touched an engine, but I'm slowly picking bits up. Note the yellow on the interior of the engine bay door. So glad someone decided to paint her blue again, although from the MOT papers I believe she was white at one point.




The current state of the interior after removing all units. By and large the interior is in pretty good shape, some surface rust on the walls (in the process of rust bulleting and repainting) and a few holes in the floor which I'm getting welded in the next few months.


Starting some of the interior panels. Nice wheat carpet from mega mats to replace the horrid flesh coloured material it came with:

 

Looks a nice bus

 

I think the interior is a dormobile.
Nice to see you cracking on with the work.

 

Looks great, keep the pics coming...

 

Nice bus - doesn't look too bad a state (though I'm no expert!). I like the number plate ... 'OMG' what have we done!!!

I hope you and the little pooch have many happy travels in Iris

 

Everyone comments on the numberplate! We love it.

 

Does anyone have any idea of the paint code for the interior metal paint of my van (see above pictures)? I'm doing some rust treatment work, which I'll eventually be re-spraying and would like to get hold of the correct colour.

 

Good looking van

 

Nice bus

 

Look a good solid van

 

So, I'm due to pick Iris up from the welders tomorrow, can't see that happening with the current weather though!
I've had all the holes around the cargo area welded shut and cleaned up, and the entire cargo area stone chipped. Looks a darn sight prettier! Now all I need to do is finish up cleaning up the roof rust (back 3rd is done) and I can finally get round to putting in a new headliner and floor.

 

Hey, did you pick Iris up?

 

I did indeed! Now I just need some nicer weather to get on with the remaining bits.

 

Coming along nicely. You'll have it "ship shape" in no time. Already for the camping season.

 

Finally got some J-channels made up for Iris' headliner, £35 from a local metal worker for 6 metres. I seem to be at a point where I'm almost ready to do a fair chunk of work on the interior but I'm always missing one last bit. Still trying to track down the correct size seals for my rear windows; the current seals have a 3-5 cm gap at the bottom where a PO cut the seals too short and I need to get the windows out on a dry day (good luck with that!) to make sure I order the correct size. Once I get the seals hopefully I'll be able to finish carpeting the rear and putting a new headliner in!!

 

I did order the C & C panel van side window seal (http://www.customandcommercial.com/...seal_with_black_insert_68-79_775/#mainpicture) but it didn't seem to fit (seemed to be too small, although I might try it again at some point).

Looking at the windows on my van they look to be a different size to most (the gap at the top and bottom between the window and the roof/slide cover looks to be larger?), so I think the only option is to get the window out, measure the existing seal and try and find a decent match online someone. Unless anyone else has other thoughts?

 

Yeap, all the pictures I've found seem to show the factory fitted windows. Anyone else have a panel conversion with windows? Would be useful to compare.