71 Westfalia resto

[Olaf/DFL]

I purchased this US-camper one year ago from a dealer in Germany, who imported the bus just a few weeks ago.

First I planned to do only necessary things and prepare it for my wife´s and my honeymoon this summer. But after I cleared out the interior, I had to admit that a full resto would be even better.

So I completely stripped the bus first.

 

[Olaf/DFL]

In February this year the body went to a body shop, where first metal works has been done.

 

[Olaf/DFL]

In July the body and several other parts have been sandblasted.

Currently it´s back at the body shop where the metal work will be done. Hopefully the body will be ready for painting in October/November...

 

[lard]

Excellent, looks like it will be a very interesting resto thread!

What are your plans on building it back up - colour? interior?

 

[Myvanway]

Proper job. 8)

 

[Lee C]

Garages in Europe are so much cleaner than British ones!! :lol:

 

[Lee C]

Oh, and you were'nt kidding when you said you stripped it dowm either!!!!! :shock: 8)

 

[Olaf/DFL]

Thanks for the kind comments. 8)

What are your plans on building it back up - colour? interior?

The original color of my 71 was pastell white, but it will be painted in lotos or pearl white. The front and rear will get a slight lowering job (as there should remain enough travelling comfort and the original steel wheels will be swapped for Flat4 BRMs.
I found an original Westfalia SO70 Campmobile interior which is going to be restored by myself at the moment. I´m thinking of red seat covers in the rear and front as well as red door panels. If there´s any money left, there will be some fat biscuit style as I´m a Cal Look addict.

Have a quick look at my 65 Cal Looker...

Cheers
Olaf

 

[mychatype3]

Looking good, love a good Westy

 

[Olaf/DFL]

It´s about time for an update, I guess... :shock:

In November 2012 I cancelled the contract with the former body shop. Their progress was too slow and the quality of work wasn´t as good as expected. So I pulled the bay back into my garage and searched for a new body shop. I found one which unfortunately was very busy for the following 12 Months. Because of their excellent reputation, I accepted the long waiting period. When the planned date of kickoff came, the body shop told me that they had to close down their business. So the last several months of waiting without progress on the body were for nothing.
Then I received a recommendation of a friend. He had restored his Thing at a body shop near his location. Unfortunately it was more than 600 km away from my home. But I called the owner of the body shop, had a look at some pics of some restorations they did and after all I brought my baywindow to the body shop this March.
Now all the bodywork has been done (the result is just awesome) and the bus is currently at the paintshop. In November the baywindow will return into my garage!

Here are some pics of the latest progress. All pics of the restoration can be viewed on here.

 

[gvee]

:shock:

Wow 8)

P.S. Your album on Google doesn't look to be publicly available?

 

[Olaf/DFL]

P.S. Your album on Google doesn't look to be publicly available?

fixed...

 

[trebor]

I bet you can see yourself in the reflection off that chassis :shock: fantastic job !

 

[gninnam]

Missed this the first time round somehow

Bad news about the start of the project but looking great now 8)

 

[matt-me]

Looks like a great job so far. Will keep an eye on this..

 

[Olaf/DFL]

Here's another shot of the front floor. I must confess that I didn't expected such a finish on the front floor, because you won't see it when the carpet has been laid.
But I can't complain.

 

[gninnam]

:shock: 8) My eyes hurt :lol:

 

[dodgy]

well worth the wait you must be pleased :shock:

 

[Olaf/DFL]

Well, the paintshop has now been finished. I´ve received some pics from a friend who lives near the bodyshop where the bus is now waiting for cavity preservation and underbody waxing.
In 1-2 weeks I´ll fetch the bus back into my workshop. Then the niciest part of the restoration begins...

 

[gninnam]

WOW - that paint looks so deep 8)