1984 Caravelle

[DoubleOSeven]

Lockdown: Just had a thought, the spare wheel, it sits there unloved. I always look at it from time to time, thinking, I should do something about its condition. What better time...I'll drop it out and see what state it is in. I know the tyre is pretty bald, but can I remove it at home with a crow bar, so I can rattle-can the wheel, hmm - ponder.

[DoubleOSeven]

... like they said at British Leyland during the 70’s, “that’ll do”









I think the tyre will just about make it to the nearest kwik-fit should it ever get used.

I like the 14” Steelies.

[DoubleOSeven]

If I had a white bus, I’d be seriously considering this vinyl wrap



Love the boxed wheel arches.

[DoubleOSeven]

Changed the oil & filter. I’ve done a whopping 1584 miles since last change in June 2019! Ordered some spark plugs, been a while. K&N air filter, spotless. Changed a few vacuum lines to the carb. Carb cleaned the jets. Starts on the button, revs freely. Service Done.

[DoubleOSeven]

I had the 32mm (early) Stainless Steel coolant pipes fitted to replace the factory mild steel ones many moons ago.
Never had any coolant leaks, or coolant loss since. Good investment. I had the handbrakes cables done same time as they share some of the routing under the van.

[DoubleOSeven]

Cork floor comes out when it becomes a builders van. Handy!

[DoubleOSeven]

Powerflex bushes & Bilstein B8’s

[DoubleOSeven]

Bought a set of Brickwerks numbered ‘pin’ HT leads. Shame the numbers 1 & 2 are upside down on the leads or do I have OCD?

[Cobra88]

Mine where 2 labels the wrong way round too 

[DoubleOSeven]

Tracking done today. I had a bit of steering wheel wobble at 70mph. Too much camber, which was good in a way as I am at -70mm drop and had changed it myself to max camber with the eccentric washes. Had toe in too. All fixed, a joy to drive now.

[DoubleOSeven]

Air Brake Hose replaced.

[DoubleOSeven]

‘Day Van’

Primarily used for daytime activities, commuting, days out, transporting, but also has sleeping and camping capabilities. So basically, it is a campervan without the kitchen.
This makes the van much more useful on a day-to-day basis; and has much more space than a standard camper does since less room is taken up with cupboards, sinks, storage etc. For people who want to camp occasionally but also need a vehicle that’s practical for doing the long & short journeys, picking up flat packed furniture from IKEA or carrying bikes & boards. It means that you don’t live with equipment you hardly ever use. The addition of a full width Westfalia ‘rock & roll’ bed make it great if you camp occasionally, like to cook outdoors or just fancy a lie down on a day out. A nice full width sofa in the upright position is very good for two adults to sit comfortably.
Some companies make camping pods containing a sink/cooker/fridge; it means you have a little portable camp kitchen you can remove at any time. My option is a portable gas stove (stored under bed), a portable 'Icey-Tek' cool box (doubles as a seat at the table) & camping 'buddy' box for when Friday comes around. It's always ready to go, minimal packing required.

Manufactured in Hanover, Germany in July 1984

2 USB’s in dashboard (main battery fed)
4 cup holders
5 speed dog-leg gearbox
Air vents in front doors
Always garaged throughout its life
Armrests for front seats
Bilstein B8 sport shocks (Great handling, but without the harshness of an all-out "sports" damper)
Bluetooth stereo and new speakers in doors
Brakes lines replaced including handbrake
Captains rotating passenger chair
Dashboard rev counter & oil temp VDO gauges
Dove Grey Metallic LH5U (blue to you & me)
EVO -70mm suspension springs
Factory cork flooring and carpet
Factory Windows (this is not a panel van with windows cut in it)
Fuel pump (replaced)
HT Leads, Dizzy Cap & Rotor (replaced)
Immobiliser
‘Jailbars’ interior luggage bars to protect glass
K&N Air Filter
Land Rover wing mirrors
LED internal lights
Leisure battery under passenger seat with voltage display & 2 USB’s (leisure battery fed)
Mefro 16” steel wheels (no longer available from manufacturer)
Michelin ‘energy’ tyres 205/60 16” with good tread
Mud Guards
New brakes pads front & rear (disk front / drum rear)
Perfect Headliner
Powerflex bushes on all suspension mounts
Privacy Curtain for front or Silver Screens
Quarter light front windows
Rear heating in floor walkthrough with dashboard controls
Rear window heater
Rear window intermittent wash/wipe
Reimo Camping Table
Single key entry for all doors
Spare wheel reconditioned
Spotlights work off factory wired fog lamp switch @ position #1; position #2 for rear fogs
Stainless Steel cooling pipes (front radiator to rear engine)
Tinted Windows
Undersealed
Waterboxer engine
Westfalia rock & roll full width bed with custom made mattress for rear section
Wheels individually balanced and laser tracking carried out

This is coming up for sale very soon (March 2021)