My 1978 Devon Bay [Project Bertie]

Morning folks, well this is my first restoration project EVER. I haven't met my new van yet as he's receiving some much needed TLC in a garage 500 miles away. Once he's MOT'd I'll be letting the train take the strain so I can go collect it and drive her back to the balmy south. A few pics of where we are at the moment, when I get it back he'll be snug as a bug in my garage at home so the work can commence.

I've never done anything like this before, but was trained as a mechanic when I left school many moons ago, so I am confident in my abilities, however I've never done bodywork before - as you can see there's a fair bit to do.











Thunderbirds are go!

 

Hi mate, thank you (I'm treating it with some trepidation after seeing some of the work on here!)

I'm going to check with the garage later, they picked her up with a recovery truck on Monday and were waiting for a free ramp. They'll need to tidy up some of the bodywork (it's a bit spiky in places which is a fail) The starter needs swapping out but it came with a spare, the fuel line needs reconnecting to the tank and the exhaust needs putting back on. She was advertised on evil bay but had no bids so I had a punt and the seller agreed, he seems genuine and has owned her for 8 years. He intended to do the restore but time and cash were an issue so he decided to sell, chassis and structural are sound. He sounded like he'd made a start in lots of places, engine, rear off-side panel, interior! So I think it'll be a case of chopping and replacing the rusty bits then putting it back together... (I'm hoping!)

 

... Garage update, they got the engine to turn over and she's coughing and spluttering in to life after not being run in well over 2 years! Because the bodywork needs a 'tidy' for the MOT it makes sense for me to get them to chop out the rusty bits (rear o/s panel, front arches) and weld new ones in rather than have them fill it only for me to have to drag it all back out and start again when I get her back home.

So, she's on the 'project ramp' and being tinkered with as and when - making the labour cost significantly less, it does mean I won't have her until after Christmas though...

I feel like I'm cheating even though it does make perfect sense, but I'm sure there will be plenty more opportunities to get my hands dirty/bloody/oily in the new year.

 

Thanks Chaps, I bought it totally based on the pics and price (plus a good phone conversation with the PO) and looking at some of the things the good folk of 'thelatebay.com' have uncovered on their seemingly 'sound' vans whilst restoring I have my expectations set very low! On a positive note it appears to be completely original and dare I say it, has escaped bodge-free...

I intend to restore, it's the only way to go with one of these but will probably 'run' too, especially over the summer.

Marc, those pics are amazing! Yours looked in great shape in the first photo then when you got under the paint... Oh dear!! I hope I find this as much 'fun' as you do!!

 

good luck fella!

 

Thanks again for all the advice and comments chaps, the latest work has been to remove the petrol tank and send it off to be repaired, the rot has been chopped out of the rear panel and is ready for the replacement to be welded in along with a bit of rot removed from the top of the arch. The exhaust mounting bolts have been sheared off the engine and are to be replaced, front n/s and o/s wheel arches are on order and next to be sorted. The engine has had an oil/filter service and the gearbox oil checked, all good on that front.

As first hoped the chassis and floors are all good, Progress!

No rust!


Getting the petrol tank out...




Broken fuel pipe


Ready for new metal

 

Some new progress photos finally new metal going in (a rather large section on the side panel due to some unexpected filler!) and the newly renovated fuel tank, I'm going to need some new tyres tho...

 

Thanks mate. Still no firm date on when it'll be ready but they are cracking on, despite the garage having the busiest January since time began. Will post more when I know, thanks again!

 

Afternoon folks, it's been a while and I've just managed to find this post after the problems TLB had with the site and stuff but glad to see all is well now. As an added bonus we have van news! After almost five months of graft the van is being MOT'd as we speak, all of the rot is sorted, the engine finally spluttered in to life and providing the failure list isn't too long I should be able to go pick it up very soon.

Here's the latest photo's - looking much tidier now!





So there we go, another one (almost) back on the road, and in time for some early spring adventures too...

 

There will be LOTS of fields during our planned summer adventure.. #mce_temp_url#