Our new Leisure drive hightop

[ghost123uk]

any picks of the other [van] in progress
mm

The body shop (in Saltney, Chester) say they have taken lots of pics. They also say it will be finished before the end of March. Will post comments and pics then, good or bad, but I am assured by quite a few folks their work is good. The reason he has had it for so long is that he does small accident repair jobs as a main business and VW (etc) resto's are put on the back burner when accident jobs are waiting. (Instant cash flow situation I reckon )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway the new van is here

Looking good so far, except the radio doesn't work, so that's first priority, I cannot do without Radio 4 Then fit the Carats and the Caravelle steering wheel. Then that's it for at least 5 years

Oh, did I mention I cannot drive it for a few weeks yet as I am only 4 weeks on from a full Hip Replacement operation (but progressing very well )

[meggles]

Very nice looking van. Looks very "hip".

[kenwales]

^^

[donnieg]

thats a lovely looking van you managed to get yourself

[ghost123uk]

Very nice looking van. Looks very "hip".

I only just "got that"

[Bowton Lad]

It is a DG powered Leisure drive high-top that we are told was built as a Camper, not converted later (not sure what difference that makes...)

The difference is that it's never been anything other than a camper. My previous 1986 van was a Leisuredrive conversion but it wasn't converted until 1990 having been a small family builders van before that and worked for a living.

Bren is spot on with the above information about Leisuredrive. Their factory is in Kearsley, Bolton & they currently convert new T5s into campers. They also sell secondhand VW campers eg. T3s, T4s & T5s. They will also supply & fit Leisuredrive interiors for a van/bus that you supply (any make).

[KamperKev]

Just had a bit more time to have another look at your piccies. Really nice. I have a 1987 Liesurdrive. Similar but full width Rear seats. If you are going to any of this years Camper - weekends you should enter some of the "Show and Shines" and see if you can blag a few trophies.

Kev

[fodtommo]

That is a very tidy Leisuredrive, mine wasnt always a camper and the difference is big! Mine has carpeted everything inside including full headlining and to be honest it smells of 30 odd years of camping whatever I try to do yous looks more modern with the vinyl panels.

Bed is comfy but a right pain to put up and down, a rock and roll bed it is not! - and you find that when its down you cant quite get the cupboard door open so get your brekkie stuff out the night before!

Lack of a front door in the rear under seat storage area is annoying if the bed is down.

Get hold of that table - it is a neat storage design and one of leisuredrives better ideas!

[ghost123uk]

Thanks for all the positive comments folks

There are a couple of things I need to get my head around...

Firstly, we got so used to where stuff goes in our home brew Tin Top that I am amazed at how hard it has been to figure out (even WITH the extra roof space) where routine stuff should go.

The cupboards below the sink are quite small and our usual "collection" of tins of all day breakfasts, Stews, Pot noodles, New potatoes, Peas etc would just rattle around in there. And where do pans and plates etc go !

Then the main cupboards (rear of the sink) are quite deep and so, piling stuff on top of each other, makes it hard to get at stuff at the bottom

Then the bed does not have an overhang at the front, where we kept the Porta Potty etc, so I wonder where that will go ?

The cupboards under the front of the bed cannot be opened when the bed is down, so what goes in there !

Then we plan on getting it LPG'd (like our Tin Top) but where to put the tank ? No room under the bed, if in the wardrobe, then loads of hacking required Maybe do away with the spare wheel ?

I suppose we will get used to it, but it is more of a logistical "change" than I anticipated !

[meggles]

Then we plan on getting it LPG'd (like our Tin Top) but where to put the tank ? No room under the bed, if in the wardrobe, then loads of hacking required Maybe do away with the spare wheel ?

I suppose we will get used to it, but it is more of a logistical "change" than I anticipated !

When Steve at Gasure did mine he put tank in wardrobe. Made a real neat job of it too. Not sure how much different your wardrobe area is to mine though.

[ghost123uk]

Keith, is that the torpedo shaped tank or the doughnut shaped one ?

[meggles]

Keith, is that the torpedo shaped tank or the doughnut shaped one ?

The torpedo one.

[ghost123uk]

Ah good, That will fit in mine too I reckon

That helps me decide what to put in that cupboard as, when camping, we don't tend to need to hang suits up on coat-hangers in a wardrobe

[maxstu]

Hi Ghost,

Very nice looking van indeed. Wish you all the best for future camping. However, because of you (envy) I now have an unlined Leisuredrive roof sitting in my back garden

Would it be possible to send me a few close up photos of roof interior so I can get an idea how to furnish the internals. Not sure whether its a solid lining (insulated, boarded and covered or soft lining then covering)

PM if you wish?

Many thanks
Stuart 07961 423324

[1664]

couple to get you started