To restore or not?

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martynbt
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To restore or not?

Post by martynbt »

Hello all,

I've got an 81 LHD 2LTR Aircooled Westfalia Camper. I've had it 8 years and it's been off the road for the last 10 months. It needs the engine overhauling, reconditioning, rebuilding or replacing. It's been resprayed but has extensive bubbling rust on the seems, round the filler cap and under/along the window seals inside and out. Other than that it's great!

Decision for me is restore it, engine, bodywork, suspension, brakes etc or sell it. If I sell it I'll get peanuts fit not running. If I restore it how much am I looking at? Less than £6k - more? Is it worth it - will the rust return? I'm in the northwest, know a few garages round here butcwould welcome any opinions / advice.

Cheers - Martyn.

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dugcati
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by dugcati »

SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT SAVE IT!!!


These things are being axed faster than jobs at the moment, with it being an early Aircooled (metal vents) once you sort it out it's value WILL go up

......failing that lemmie know where you are and if I can I'll have it!
It is by will alone that I set my 'van' in motion!

billy739
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by billy739 »

ask your self if YOU want to restore a van or do you want a van you can use?

if you like the idea of restoring one then go for it.

if you just want a nice clean useable van then let some one else restore it and buy one all ready to go!

wil prob cost more than 6k to do , depends how good a job you want and how much you can do yourself!

rust seem to be the prob , havent seen one yet where it dosent return!

only way i can see it would work is to strip the van to bare shell - engine/box/interior/dash/windows ect all removed then off the van to a proffesional restoration house, not always a vw speciallist and have it stripped/repaird /painted properly!

then you need to add up parts - sliding door £300 + paint , recon engine £1500remember new exhaust/clutch/heat exchangers/carbs rebuilt ect

or just spend the minimum and keep it on the road and ENJOY IT

gaz f
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by gaz f »

I agree with Dugcati, these vans are getting stripped/scrapped far to often. If you intend to do the work yourself you can keep the costs down and enjoy the 'I did that' feeling everytime you look at it when it's finished.

martynbt
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by martynbt »

Cheers everyone. I'd love to restore it, just need to put the cash together. Going to get some prices based on stopping the rot and the complete restoration. Don't like the idea of being responsible for not keeping it running. Kitchen, bathroom, bus - not really interested in the sensible answer!

Plasticman
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by Plasticman »

YGM
mike

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dugcati
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by dugcati »

metalmick8y wrote:YGM
mike

uh?
It is by will alone that I set my 'van' in motion!

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Gadders
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by Gadders »

Acronym Definition
YGM You've Got Mail

'Do or do not. There is no try.'

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dugcati
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by dugcati »

aahh - stupid me!!
It is by will alone that I set my 'van' in motion!

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Gadders
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Re: To restore or not?

Post by Gadders »

Google is your friend...


'Do or do not. There is no try.'

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