Hi all Joined the forum cos I did a bit of reading here and y’all seem to know your stuff. The wife and I have recently got into the idea of owning a Bay. Haven’t been in one since I was a kid (when those things were almost new). Wife’s parents use to own a splittie and drove it and her all over Europe. So she’s keen. Been spending a lot of time reading the buyers guides and checking ads (classic car, just kampers, ebay, etc). So I’m ready to put some cash down when we’ve found the right one. Wish me luck!
Finding the right one for you depends a lot on what sort of Bay you want and you will need to view several to firm up what type of Bay would be best for you. For example would it be a tintop or poptop? RHD or LHD? 1600 engine or up to the 2l? What sort of interior do you want? A project for restoration or a high end fully restored or something in between? Now you are on the forum, you could post a few pics of the Bays you are viewing and get feedback from the experts.
Thanks for the warm welcome! @mgbman pop top, don’t care (drove a lhd for many years here and abroad), larger is better (isn’t it always? ), something that was restored a few years ago and needs little work doing would be ideal - not looking for a concourse vehicle, but a no-frills weekend (occasionally longer) warrior. Currently looking at these: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1222716 https://www.justkampers.com/marketplace/advert/view/id/8158/ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-Volkswagen-T2-Bay-Rare-crossdresser-Devon-Camper/143597057762 Budget is around 15k but can be stretched if the right bus comes along.
A budget of 15k should get you a really good Bay. I think you would be wise to keep back 3k for further expenditure after buying as inevitably you will discover things that need doing once its yours. So I would stick to your 15k ceiling and look to buy for about 12k. Asking prices may be over your budget but you should be making offers for example a 17k van may sell for 13k and come in well under budget. Beware of pretty adverts which highlight the shiny paint and lovely interiors, its the body structure and rusting underneath you should focus on. If the seller says its been restored, get photos and bills to prove. Always check out the Mot history of any vehicle before even looking at it, the history can be searched on the gov website, google, if the photos don't show the registration number, ask the seller for it, if they refuse walk away.
I think you're doing ok here. Those 3 all look ok to me. 1st one the majority of pics could be 10 years old. 2nd one is righteously lowered and might rattle your teeth. 3rd one - have a detailed look and see if that rust shown on rear corner is indicative of the restoration or just what it looks like - one bit. Prices are tricky, nobody knows what the market will do in the medium term but it seems to me that a very large % of buses are owned by people who just go to shows and nothing much else. I figure a lot of these folk will be selling with the future of large social events looking decidedly dodgy.
Guys. You’re gonna be upset. I bought an err lee bay. (Funny I thought my autocorrect was broken - Prototype? Haha) I’ll get me coat.
GET OUT!!!!!!!!!! (or stay a while as we are quite friendly and knowledgeable (not me) and fun to camp with (I’ll let you into a secret, some on here don’t even have a bus at all!!!!!!!))
You mean you bought a proper bay, the folk on here all dream of owning an err Lee bay, well done By the way a warm welcome from a sunny posh East Grinstead
Forgot to add if you need parts @davidoft is your man, and if @crossy2112 wants to exchange photos by pm DONT
'71 Dormobile in Green/white and most of the interior is intact and correct. Not a show bus by any means but I intend to use it for what it was designed for. Not yet. Well I have loads but they're not mine. I'll take some when I get it home. I had a feeling this was going to start a sheep vs goats discussion Thanks for both of those tips
