WANTED VW T2 Bay

Have a good look around the site linked below ... Then at least when you get some blarney about "full original westy interior" etc you'll know how many pinches of salt you'll be needing.
Opinions vary as to which conversion is the "best" but then everyone has different preferences.
For me the much praised Westy interiors are too cramped and neither the front or rear hinge roof "work" as well as the longer Devon roof with clear sections, or the Dormobile roof, BUT! Devon units can be a bit flimsy and the Dormobile bed arrangement is a little odd.
Not necessarily deal breakers, but it will help to know what YOUR preferences are when comparing actual buses.

http://www.camperinterior.co.uk/index.html

 

Might want to look at all the variables with leisure batteries, "hook up", solar etc?

 

I used to think that but left hand bends on country roads with hedges or banks and walls are a worry when you think there could be a cyclist or a horse just round the corner - you can't see round left hand corners far enough IMHO - I found myself crawling along in my LHD and I wouldn't want one now.

 

I don’t drive in the gutter until there’s oncoming traffic, then at least you know you can pull over as far as poss because the hedge is on my side!
Plus it’s a bonus when you go abroad

 

Get an early

 

Not so bad with a collision alarm/wife in the passenger seat!
Pulling out to see if the road is clear to overtake when you're solo is a bit of a worry too but with someone in the passenger seat they soon let you know! It feels stranger to be the passenger than the driver I think - close to the oncoming traffic, driver bobbing you out across the white line as you describe - but no steering wheel.
Other than these admittedly few scenarios I was quite happy driving LHD really, but not everyone is and having gone back to RHD it is more relaxing.

 

Someone gave me some advice of not buying a shiny van and I’ll pass that on.

Some would say not to worry about it being shiny as long as there are pictures backing up the resto.

These vans are going to give you a world of pain, the parts are mostly made of cheese so buy old original where you can.

If I was doing it now I’d be looking at something modern but that doesn’t give you the enjoyment or smiles per hour.

Before setting off to look at anything, do post on here as someone said, so we can tell you all the bad stuff about it first.

When you go look at a van, try and take someone with you, plenty on here have done it for others.

Advice on here costs you nothing.

 

You …” Overtake” apart from the odd old Massey tractor, a non Lycra wearing cyclist and another struggling T2 ….just doesn’t happen!

 

I wouldn't worry about a spare wheel, just carry a can of squirty foam/puncture repair gloop and a little compressor.

 

Absolutely I do, anyone dawdling for no reason gets passed. Round here people seem blind to speed limits, they'll drive at 40mph everywhere, through the 30 limits, in a 60 limit... it's a very very common driving style. Funny, when I overtake them because they are doing 40 in the 60 limit they speed right up and when I then slow to 30 in the 30 they drive up my bumper getting cross. It's a sport of a kind just annoying them - nobody likes to be overtaken by an old camper.

 

Hi I'm quite near you I think. I'm just north of Bourne also in the hilly bit
I also preferred RHD so I looked for a South African bus. Found one with virtually no rot too. The disadvantage is they're usually hammered mechanically so you have to enjoy rebuilding.
Happy to help locally if I can.

 

I admire anyone that can drive a left hand drive, my brain just doesn't cope with it!

 

Thank you so much for the invaluable tips and the website link! We shall have a good read through.

 

Thank you we will, I wasn't aware that solar (for the leisure battery presumably) was available so will now look into that thank you.

 

What are the benefits of an early? To be honest I love the look of all of them - from Split screens to Late Bays

 

I really can't thank you all enough, this is a lovely community!

 

Thank you so much and yes we're a little further up in a little village south of Grantham! My husband spent his 20's restoring a Triumph GT6 and now he is in his 60's would prefer someone else to have done/to do the work! He won't mind the general 'upkeep' and getting a little greasy though! We always admire the vans at Air Cooled Works in Boston, do you know if they are a good garage if work is needed? I've also found Ravesby VW near Boston and wondered if they would be a good source for restoration work?

 

That's a shame, they are usually in better nick.

I would make a full list of your requirements and their relative positions.

Like,

1. tin top versus pop top (Westy or Devon)
2. Engine Type 1 or Type 4
3. Fridge, or Cool Box ok?
4. Bed, what style, full width or 3/4's
5. Brake servo, or not.
6. Original interior or don't care, fit your own? Or happy with just a bed.
7. Etc...

Good advice about converted panel vans, after market rust proofing is often poor and they rot.

Good luck and welcome to the mad house.

 

If nobody has said to check out the mot history on anything you have in your sights, do that. It’ll give you a good picture of how much, if at all, of a basket case it has been in the past plus, through mileage readings, how much it’s used. You see many which were used heavily 7-10 years ago but have done 500miles since. That would be a reason to sell in itself but also may show the price is there to be, a’hem, negotiated.

 

Hi - Welcome from West Lancashire (although I was born in Sleaford).
We have had ours 7 years now but are thinking of selling shortly as we don't use it enough. Just about to take it for some welding on chassis before its MOT.