Club 80-90 Forums

Ok so this kind of follows on from my post "a tragic introduction" in the general section, as we yet discover more things about our van than we ever dare imagined.

I have recently purchased a 1988 westfalia club joker pop top. It has the double glazing, nice comfy isri seats, heater, everything. The interior is immaculate for the age. Fridge even works on gas, I did have to service it mind. The sills are in great condition, in fact the whole underside is not bad at all. The doors are in really good condition. Overall I thought it was a snap at 10k.

Hidden behind a curtain screwed to the body, which covers the window that goes behind the cupboard of nearside quarter we found a massive hole. Basically all along that lower window sill there is zero body work. On the outside to my eye it was a bit lumpy, but on closer inspection you can tell it has had some kind of impact to the rear corner.

I've taken it to 3 classic vw van specialist garages around where I live in Hastings, and they've all said the and things:

1. We've never seen anything like that ever, especially not on a Westy.

2. The whole rear quarter inside and out needs replacing.

3. Thankfully you've bought a westfalia club joker, and so it's worth fixing, not least because the rest of the van is in great shape.

Some of them said best to buy in panels, then you know what you're getting. Others have said best to get a body cut. And I've heard arguments for and against both ways.

I've also had estimates from £1k to £10k to do the work. Not including the panels.

At the minute I'm just trying to take this all in, and guage my next step. Tbh I want to fix it, and I'll even happily travel to get it done right at the right price. I don't think there's any massive urgency on this, but it is niggling me.

Any advice or help would be hugely appreciated.... And sympathetic hugs

Pictures to follow

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Here's the damage...

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Its rusted away - big time ! The wheel arch panel has been bodged up and resprayed. Luckily the left side for lhd is still available for window vans , Brickwerks has them for about £450. The inner panel for that side is sold out but you could easily get a cut from another van, a panel van would be best as the window edge wouldn't be spot welded to the outer so easier to cut out and less chance of rust. The rear corner panel is also available from Brickwerks.

I've only seen the inner panel sold on campervan cultures website so far. I kind of thought a body cut from a breaker would be the best bet, even if the panels need some tlc. Just need to find one.

Then it's finding someone to do the job properly at a fair price.

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I have a rear wheel arch side cut from a lhd window van, its got the inner panel attached as well, can you measure how far up the window pillar the rust on yours has travelled. Measure it from the body line that is just below the window rubber.

Sorry mate but my first van like that. I'd have a really thorough look at every thing including jacking points trailing arms etc . I reckon there'll be a lot more corrosion, it looks like its spent a lot of its life on the coast

Cheers Sir Brixalot, I really hope not. I've had 3 garages who specialise in old Vw vans take a good look all over, and this corner does not represent the rest of the van at all. Something serious happened in it's life to the corner.

Multsi, that's really kind of you. I'll go and take a look and update asap.


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Outside the rust doesn't seem to travel much above the window line, but the is a little coming through at one point.

From the first body line below the rubber I measured 4 inches to what looks like solid body work. It's tricky as it's all been patched up.

Inside I measured from the rubber up, and that's about 3 inches.

Can't tell what's happening behind the cabinet, but would expect it to be no different.



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Ok I will have a look at the cut I have tomorrow.

This cut I have is going to be ok , its about 4 inch as well, it has the top half of the inner panel still attached and no rust around the window. Its still attached to the big middle panel which im keeping so that will have to be removed first. It can be posted to you in a big sturdy box. I will pm you with a price when I have separated the panels.