FOR SALE Lucky - 1978 Champagne Edition Late Bay - Sold pending collection

Discussion in 'Late Bay Classifieds' started by MadFrankie, Dec 29, 2020.

  1. Hi all,

    It is with a heavy heart that I am selling my much loved Lucky.

    side (2).jpg

    She is a 1978 Champagne Edition, 2.0l FI. I imported it from sunny California 11 years ago from a dealer on TLB. One of - I believe - only 1500 made back in 1978 and certainly one of only a handful that I know of still working left in the UK - certainly a historic and rare vehicle!

    Totally rock sold, no rust or issues other than a dented front bumper and a patina/chipped front clip,(more on that shortly).

    When it first arrived I gave it a good check over, took out the old interior, added a R&R bed, tidied it up and drove it straight to the garage for a service and MOT. It passed with flying colours, (only a brake light bulb to change)...we named it Lucky...

    Since then she has been well looked after, the interior has been modified a few more times, electrics upgraded where required but the engine has never missed a beat, starts first time - every time, never had an oil spot on the drive, and the interior hasn't leaked once. I had the underside fully wax-oiled to protect it and it is still as strong as rust free as it's ever been. The VW specialist guy who did it said it was one of the cleanest, straightest busses he'd ever seen.

    underneath.jpg
    (Under side wax oiled, nice and straight)

    wheel_arch.jpg
    (Clean wax oiled wheel well)

    side_long.jpg
    (Those are leaves reflected in the paintwork - all I've done is give it a little clean, no polish or wax etc)

    wheel.jpg
    (Original hubcaps and rims)

    It has had plenty of things done to it over the 11 years, no expense spared. From new window seals, door cards, curtains, tyres to new battery, dizzy, plugs and has had a regular yearly service and MOT with an old school VW specialist garage.

    All locks still opened by one key.

    The paint is original as are the retro Champagne 'go faster' stripes, she polishes up well and it wouldn't take much elbow grease and some proper equipment to make her really shine. I always get smiles and waves where ever I drive it. As it's a Champagne edition there is the rear heated window, intermittent wipers, and the almost mythical clock - all still working fine. Even the heating works, (as best a VW heating system can).

    dash.jpg
    (dash, with clock!)

    The interior is homemade but is very functional - made after years of working out what suits us best. It includes a SMEV 2 hob burner - connected to gas - and a Waeco compressor fridge. The leisure electrics have been fitted properly and most of the van now runs from the leisure battery, (which is charged by intelligent split charge from the main battery), with fuse box ready set up for more electrics as and when required. All can be easily removed and replaced to suit the new owner.

    It has a front hammock fitted, (where my daughter slept when out camping), and I'll include all thermal mats for the windows - they kept us nice and warm and the lights out at night time.

    inside.jpg

    The only issue there is with Lucky is that the front clip is tatty / patina and has a dent on the bumper and lots of stone chips. It was like this when I bought it and has never been an issue to me. I fully expect the bumper could be knocked out by someone with the right tools. The stone chips were from a previous owner who covered them up with a bra, I've taken it off and prefer the retro look.

    At some point the front clip will need to be replaced, there are a few paint chips and rust patches forming around the window seal and I'm sure eventually the chips will get bigger but its been this way since I had it and hasn't really got any worse over the years. It has been stored in a cover on the drive so is well protected.

    front (2).jpg

    Now the reason for the sale...

    1) We have started to outgrow it, from my daughter growing up to be a bit big for the hammock to us wanting a few more creature comforts when camping as we've gotten older. We have been considering what to do for a while.

    As she is such a solid van we had contemplated cutting a pop top in and getting it resprayed, (original colours), and we'd have a brand new van but I just can't bring myself to do that to a historical van, and haven't had the time or money at the same time for it to be an option.

    2) The past year has seen lots of changes for everyone, and we are no exception, I've certainly not been on here for a while - so apologies for that!

    I'm working all hours to keep my business going and my wife is in the NHS, busy working on the vaccine trials, so time is at a premium and there are more important life issues and worries going on for us right now.


    These 2 things have combined to make the time right, it is now a luxury that we can't afford to keep on the driveway in terms of time, love and money.. I really don't want to sell as Lucky has become part of the family and we have had many amazing memories, but needs must. I would rather someone else make some memories with her than her sit on my drive not getting any love or use.

    My garage is filled with parts for her that I haven't had time to fit; chrome trim for the deluxe window seals, silent gliss curtain rails, spare light clusters, oil filters, FI pressure tester, all sorts of wonders. I'll throw them into the sale if the buyer wants / needs them. It wouldn't take much to bring her back up to a perfect campervan.

    I also still have all the original interior in storage, minibus seats, spare wheel cover, original door cards and the front seats are still original in place, (they just have a seat cover over), all very sought after, so if the buyer pays the full asking price I'm happy to throw them all in to the sale too.

    I have hundreds of photos so if you need any more just message me on here and I'll do my best to send what you need. It's not on eBay yet as I thought I'd give a member here first opportunity.

    Happy to do a socially distanced viewing for serious buyers - based in Dorset.

    Thanks for looking

    MadFrankie/Gary
     
  2. back (2).jpg
    (rear with heated windows)

    front_wide (2).jpg
    (from front - roof rack included)

    engine_bay (2).jpg
    (engine bay - 2.0l FI)

    under_back.jpg
    (underneath from back)

    door_card.jpg
    (door cards made by Delilah from TLB)
     
  3. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Very tidy, I do like a champagne edition. GLWS. :)
     
  4. Nice worth every Penney
     
  5. Thanks guys, I’ve priced it to sell hoping that someone on here will love it and get the same joy as I have had.

    Might have to shove it on the other general auto sites soonish if there are no takers.
     
  6. Soooo nice wish i had the money now rather than next year.....would have bit ya hand oooffffff .....anyone worth their salt knows its a cracker. I will be buying one int future.

    Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk
     
  7. Bump, it’s now on autotrader for reference.
     
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  8. Price drop to sell...
     
  9. Still for sale?
     
  10. Hi all, still for sale. She's been sitting under cover all winter waiting for the Spring to find her new home...
     
  11. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Well... it's next year now. :)
     
  12. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Good luck with the sale @MadFrankie
    If it's as good underneath as it looks it's a 25k plus bus with a Westy roof and bit of repair on the front panel. Anyone in the market for a bus would be mad to discount this cracker :thumbsup:
     
    MadFrankie likes this.
  13. Was this chrisradioman's bus originally?

    Very cool bus madfrankie good luck with sale

    Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk
     
    MadFrankie likes this.
  14. Hi,

    Thanks all, yes it’s an absolute rock solid bus and if I had the money and time I’d be doing it up, sadly we don’t so it’s time for her to get the TLC she deserves in a new home.

    I imported it from the states, I know ChrisRadioMan had a similar bus and Rickyroo had the same Champagne edition but with the Westie roof.

    Started her up for the first time in about 4 months yesterday and started first time and idled lovely, never let us down.

    It’s a real great example of a very rare bus.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2022
  15. Hi where is the bus located? Thanks.
     

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  17. Hi, I'm also happy to do a facetime or similar video call and I can be your camera man...you'll have to give me a few days as it's in storage at the moment so I'll need to get it back onto my drive.
     
    Gas Man Dennis likes this.
  18. So
    Ok let me know, my number is 0790 3715360 thanks.
     
  19. Still for sale? Seems to have sat waiting for a long time!
     
  20. Hi, yes it's still for sale. It's been on and off for a while, partly covid related with people not travelling, can't travel etc...I had one person seriously interested and was coming from op Norf to view and collect but his wife got ill so he pulled out...and then I've just been a bit tardy in updating people...life got in the way.


    So, I'm finally back on it...I've got loads of photos and a few people interested...they will be winging their way shortly...if anyone else is interested pm me your email and I'll send them on too.
     

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