I was wondering if you had any recommendations for someone to restore my Westfalia. I would like someone who can basically fix everything from structure, body, engine and interior. Possibly replace the engine for something more economical to run too. It's a 2.0 1989 automatic and it runs quite as it is.
Thanks
Complete restoration
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
-
Cableguy
- Registered user
- Posts: 784
- Joined: 11 Jun 2010, 12:56
- 80-90 Mem No: 8585
- Location: Worthing
Re: Complete restoration
Whereabouts are you
-
KINGPRAWN
- Registered user
- Posts: 888
- Joined: 29 Jul 2010, 15:38
- 80-90 Mem No: 9516
- Location: penzance cornwall
Re: Complete restoration
"restoration" comes with at least 5digits before the decimal point 
are you ready for that 
are you ready for that in too deep to quit now....
-
Plasticman
- Trader
- Posts: 8077
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: Complete restoration
5 ? please expand on that
mike
mike
Re: Complete restoration
I'm in Wiltshire. The van is getting a little surface rust, I think the underside will be ok to seal/repaint. Interior is not too bad. Engine runs fine, got a few problems with oil buzzer but nothing particularly wrong with it.
I suppose what I'm looking for is to make the vehicle more practical and usable. I'd like the bodywork to be sorted, including the underside; a few bits on the inside to be fixed or replaced (like the inside roof going mouldy, fridge not working, roof hinges rusting, window seals deteriorating); fuel tank leaks at the neck when filled up; electrics sorted (I think this just needs a replacement PCB in dash); and also to see if there is something I can do to make it more economical and reliable, that's why I mentioned the replacement engine.
I really love the van and had loads of fun with it. I've looked around for alternatives, but not much comes close in terms of practical size and character. A new one is £43K+, a used Japanese import is about £18K.
I'm sure once you start taking it apart loads more stuff will be discovered that needs fixing, so I appreciate that it won't be cheap. There are two ways I could go with this, a) just tidy it up so that it looks good and drives ok for a couple of grand, or b) do a comprehensive restoration and keep it for ever. I could agree on a cap on costs and get someone to do it as a complete project.
What do you think?
I suppose what I'm looking for is to make the vehicle more practical and usable. I'd like the bodywork to be sorted, including the underside; a few bits on the inside to be fixed or replaced (like the inside roof going mouldy, fridge not working, roof hinges rusting, window seals deteriorating); fuel tank leaks at the neck when filled up; electrics sorted (I think this just needs a replacement PCB in dash); and also to see if there is something I can do to make it more economical and reliable, that's why I mentioned the replacement engine.
I really love the van and had loads of fun with it. I've looked around for alternatives, but not much comes close in terms of practical size and character. A new one is £43K+, a used Japanese import is about £18K.
I'm sure once you start taking it apart loads more stuff will be discovered that needs fixing, so I appreciate that it won't be cheap. There are two ways I could go with this, a) just tidy it up so that it looks good and drives ok for a couple of grand, or b) do a comprehensive restoration and keep it for ever. I could agree on a cap on costs and get someone to do it as a complete project.
What do you think?
-
Cableguy
- Registered user
- Posts: 784
- Joined: 11 Jun 2010, 12:56
- 80-90 Mem No: 8585
- Location: Worthing
Re: Complete restoration
An easy fix for fuel economy is to LPG it.
You could take it to a trimmer and get the inside bits done.
Elecs would be easy enough to get someone to have a butchers.
What's the bodywork like?
It's up to you how much you spend, but it will only last if the bodywork is solid.
Mine looked scruffy when I got it, but when it was stripped for a respray, it turned out to be very solid with only some minor panel work and the usual rot round the screen. It's 27 years old and should manage another 20
You could take it to a trimmer and get the inside bits done.
Elecs would be easy enough to get someone to have a butchers.
What's the bodywork like?
It's up to you how much you spend, but it will only last if the bodywork is solid.
Mine looked scruffy when I got it, but when it was stripped for a respray, it turned out to be very solid with only some minor panel work and the usual rot round the screen. It's 27 years old and should manage another 20