Our Camper Restoration Project c/o Doug's VW Werks

[Seamus]

Having saved our pennies for nearly a year, back in April this year we gave our beloved bus to Doug Harwood at Doug's VW Werks http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111314692238141 in Angmerring, West Sussex. His brief was to chop and dig away at his will, geting rid of any old rotten metal, sniffing out the tin worm and sending it on his way, replacing panels, changing windows, replacing front, side and rear doors and once all done, MoT'ing and finally fitting an LPG system. We dont want her upto a Councours standard just solid, rust free and even more beautiful than she already was!

I have sang Doug's praises on here before although the thread seems to have gone missing which is strange, so here is another shameless promotion of the guys talents and all round good egg'ness. As I said before I cannot recommend the guy enough to everyone, there is nothing he doesnt know about out buses and his completed work has been faultless everytime.

I thought you might be interested if we post a sort of progress thread on here to show the damn fine work the guy turns out. I am also rebuilding the interior as the old one was rotten so I will add pics of that progress too... it may help some people out and answer a few questions... it may be an example of how to completely ruin your interior (hopefully not).

This is (thanks to Photoshop) the colour scheme were going for, White and Savanna Beige and hopefully what she is gonna look like when completed...





So, the work that has been completed so far... running gear and brakes...






All brake lines replaced, discs, pads front and rear.

... and onto the bodywork, the following pics show just how much was rotten on the ol girl...













As for the the interior well this is how she was...





and this is the design im aiming for, pretty similar but slightly more rounded





Cant tell you all how excited we are and just cant wait to get her back and fit the interior. I will endeavour to add more pics as and when.

Any questions feel free to ask... and were also open to suggestions and hints on tips on redoing the interior the electrics and interior furniture too
Sean

[Seamus]

repainted wheels...

[scottbott]

looks good,like the colours,interior looks good as well post photo's when it is finished

[Seamus]

further progress...

tall panel added into offside



offside rear corner replaced with new panel



rear panel bottom half cut off and replaced with a peach of a panel from another van



Spent all day today cutting out the main sections for the new interior furniture using Oak covered MDF and using the old stuff as templates... Ive been sneezing sawdust all evening!

[foggygolf]

Hi Sean

Loving the interior, just about to fit mine out and to be honest don't know where to start.

Don't suppose you have the dimensions of the units you've fitted do you? also what have you made the units out of?

Any tips or advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Rich

[Seamus]

Hi Rich, thanks mate. Those pics are not my rebuilt interior (I wish) but just to show the style were going for.

I have the main cooker/sink/fridge unit built so far, I've used 13mm oak covered mdf, all edges have been sealed with 3 coats of watered down pva glue to make them 100% watertight. They are going to be finished in Thompson's Yacht spec Waterseal Vaternish.

I'll post some pics of the progress of the rebuilt units soon... as for the dimension, yes I do have them writeen down. Im at work at the mo but will add them to the thread when I get home tonight!

all the best

[foggygolf]

I was going to say as I thought that was the interior you were ripping out!!

Dimensions would be great when you get chance!

Will keep an eye on the posts as a great help.

Cheers

Rich

[Seamus]

interior update...

virtually all built now, got the top box above the back seat still to do and then and a little more shelving behind the fronts and thats it. All edges are going to be covered in American white oak iron on edging strip and then everything will be given 3 coats of waterproof varnish.





Going to pay a visit to Doug at Dougs VW Werks tomorrow so will have some more pics of the bodywork. All being well she will be in for paint by the end of the month

[miggs]

you have done a cracking job on that interior

can you give any details on where you got the timber

[Seamus]

its oak covered mdf from Covers... so far I have bought two x 6ft x 4ft sheets but think I am going to need another, they are about £35 a sheet.
All edging has been done with american white oak edging strip, again from Covers.

Sean

[Seamus]

progress...

interior is now finished, fingers crossed the darn thing will fit











were gonna replace the hob and sink unit with an SMG piece towards the end of the year...







showing off in this one ...



buddy seat...





this is a little unit to hold the tv setup, this will sit just behind the front seats facing the rear of the van...





and top box...





back to the bodywork...

new step nearside and offside...





windscreen repairs with new metal...





rear nearside quarter replaced from top to bottom...





new front lower panel...



and finally 300 odd quid later a new set of seals with chrome...



she is now under the final prep stage and will be painted next week... how very exciting

[Jonnyb416]

Some smashing interior there mate, don't suppose you have all the measurements to hand? haha, seriously looks great. Way off doing mine but I fancy something like that. Jon.

[Seamus]

Yes mate, kept a note of all dimensions. I've had 4 people now from here alone ask me to build a set for them. At this rate I might pack in work ha-ha!!

[Cazz]

Your interior looks fab, I'm sure it will fit.

Savannah Beige is a lovely choice of colour, we used to have a Savannah Beige Type 3, until some bafoon wrote it off just before Christmas 2007. Here's a little picture of the colour, typically the best pictures that show the colour are on 35mm.
Your photoshop is very good.

[Seamus]

The Primer is on... now just to get hold of a sliding door that fits...