Restoration costs..

He could come look round our shop in Accrington!?

You always say that! Blokey could live next door!! Just messin with you Para

 

Main thing is even when your bus is in resto you can bring a car and a tent to techenders and join in the fun

 

I can't help wondering what's more important, that it's a VW t2 or that it's a camper?

If it's the camper then get a bongo and go and have fun as a family. A work colleague recently bought one in cracking order for a smudge under £5k, fully kitted with propex etc.

Even if you need a loan for the £5k it'll cost you less and give you many years of pleasure during which time you'll be thinking of all the time you could have been getting rust in your eyes and figuring out how to find the next scene taxed spare part, while the wife and kids watch on with the thousand yard stare of long passed enthusiasm. Dreaming of holidays they might have had.

I'm sure there will be a equally pleasant forum to advise you and share stories with too.

Just thought.

 

@Rob'n'shauna go with your guts. You know you want it. I've restored my bus on the driveway and glad I went with my instinct. You see sometimes you have to make this decision yourself as everyone will have their own opinions. You only live once!

 

Is @mgbman your dad

 

Lol why..... under any other circumstances I'd join the crowd and encourage them to crack on and get it done.

But low budget, young family and a bus with more than it's fair share of issues seems like a recipe for unhappiness when they could be out enjoying life.

 

If you want a bay you want a bay, we've all been there, better to start with a £800 project than get stitched on a £10k bodger due to lack of knowledge and experience.
At that price they can't go wrong, a few hours stripping it out and inspecting it will tell whether it's a goer or not, if not they've still gained loads of knowledge about what to look out for and financially could even make a profit selling the bits!

 

Indeed there is that. I did say I was wondering what's more important the VW t2 or the Camping....

I agree there's likely more than £800 in parts there to recoup if it turns out to be unfeasible.

 

Thing is any wreck can be restored. It just takes a lot of time, effort & unfortunately money!

 

Money is what they haven't got.

 

Sorry but where exactly in this thread have they said they haven't got any money?

 

Sorry all about the confusion with this thread and the restoration thread. (Started the restoration thread as a running document for me to upload pictures of the progress and ask questions when i inevitably get stuck.)

Mgbman is right in a way, i do have money but.... just not lots of it thats.. around 400-500 disposible each month.
But yes we are a young family recently married.

This isnt the first vehicle i have restored but is the first vw and let alone bay.
Previous cars have been mk1 and mk2 fietas and a dolomite 1300.

I do have most equipment but undoubtedly there will be a few things i will need. As i have never undertaken such a massive amount of metal restoration a jig is on the list ( made from box section of 4mm so will be strong) rather than buying one its cheaper o make one

I come from a family of classic car enthusiasts my granad has an prototype bay but getting hold of him can be hard at times due to him working 12 hour nights as do I.

My brother also owns a 2.0 laser auto capri and he is currently doing a small amount of metal work to his and being free this evening we spoke about the best way to tackle the camper and the solution is this.

Sheet steel of the same gauge can be bought and pieces cut out and effectively make the panels up that way. Example battery tray platforms... they may not look like the original vw fitted panels but.. does the job just the same if done correctly. And surely this way is better than either stripping ot and selling in parts or scrapping?. After all its keeping another on the road.

As for the pictures sorry about the auality however i had come home from having done a 12 hour night shift (6th one on) and had to do bits of running about shopping etc, and was able to get these photos once my phone had charged enough.

So... although some may disagree about tackling the rust and panel issues this way.. i do understand however it will be just as strong as the original and okay they may look a little different in the engine bay or underside but if its just as strong... whats the issue?. Better than an expensive bus thats a crumbling reck under the filler and underseal surely?.

As for the outside panels with them being flat or slightly curved its quite easy having thought about it.. dont grt me wrong i may buy some panels from suppliers etc but this will be such a release on finances and will ensure the bus is strong and structurally sound.

And has pointed put earlier... if after it is stripped and we do begin to get to work on it and it has to be sold for any reason.. engine can be sold gearbox, glass.. will recoup most losses as the engine has been refurb and has plenty of compression.. glass is fine so.. not a huge loss i guess.

After all being young still and having the money for the little one starts school and also having liked them since i was a little'un.. and todays current prices even for projects being given the opportunity to own one that does habe the engine and such but needs work.. all for the risk of nlt being able to get it road worthy due to the possibility of financial difficulties well.. only live once and may aswell make the best of it while im still young as i know the day will come when im like my grandad and will struggle to complete such work..

I will be taking lots of pictures when im able to as i want to start a portfolio.. always have before bit with time so short...

It would make great camping vehicle too i reckon with the little'un and on the plus side... it wouldnt be a daily driver so will get used in free time and holidays so...

As for the paint thing... i nust began to work out a list but.. doesnt matter about that now.

Thanks all

Rob

 

@Rob'n'shauna how young are you?

 

Go for it,!

 

Nosey git

 

Get on it then! You'll get all the help and critique you ask for or not as the case may be in here. Sounds like you have the skill and if not it's in the family.
With £4-500 a month to play with you'll be fine that will keep you plugging away at it.
In terms of parts if uou are on a slow build there are some people in here that over a period of time seem to turn up the rarest of bits at very reasonable cost, so again as long as you are not in a rush the forum for sale section should help you massively. Best of luck.

 

Go go gadget resto! As much as everyone complains about scene tax some of the repro panels are pretty good (Autocraft and Schofields) and are well worth a look. You'll find yourself having to make some parts no doubt, but where possible try and get the genuine VW part; you won't regret it.

 

Thanks guys and i will try to obtain panels schofields seems to be the best for prices and autocrafteng seems okay too.

Having looked through the resto threads for a bit more knowledge etc i did find this thread.

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/my-75-panel-restoration-my-first-bus.296/

I donfeel the condition of this van to be in a similar condition to mine. So... until i can get some pictures at least i dont feel alone having back end that needs work so.. great work by the owner too!

Thanks all

Rob

 

Thats the spirit, Crack on and good luck!