Advice Needed

[Brock]

Hi, I'm new to your forum and have joined to hopefully get some advice.

My 86 year old dad has had this bus from new in 1972.
He can no longer drive, so my sister and myself now need to decide what to do with it? [Lots of family sentimental attachment!]

Are there any early bay specialist garages in the North East, where we can have it appraised?

 

[Lee C]

Wow, that's a nice bit of history!!
I'm based in South Shields & willing to help anyway I can!!!??
But if I was you I'd be keeping it!!!

 

[Shaunb]

Could check with these guys if your on Facebook, I'm also based in north east if you need any help.
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=108314142526596" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com

 

[Brock]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys.

I will give you a shout if I need any help.

My biggest problem is the approx cost of keeping it and doing any jobs required.

It has lived in a garage all it's life and our garage entrance is 3" too short with our current door.
I could replace the door with a roller, to gain the height, but that would be £1500+ for a start.

So basically I need someone to tell me what it's worth and how many problems it may have? [$64.000 question, I know!]

I have owned a couple of bays myself, back in the 80's and I know how much time they demand.
However I still have a massive soft spot for this one.

 

[Lee C]

Heighten your garage or let the tyres down each time you put it away!!!!
If it's a 1 owner low miles bus you'd like to think you wouldn't have too many problems??? :lol:

 

[james309]

Just keep it and enjoy it, you could never buy another that has the history this one does to you.

 

[triothreetrio]

Lowering the van would cost less and would mean it could fit in the garage

 

[Zcat7]

It would be literally impossible for you to ever find another bus in which you have such certainty of its history. My advice would be to keep it n the family forever. Unmolested buses are SO rare and generally they will be the ones demandingthe least mechanical attention.

If it has been in a garage all it's life then rot wise things should be at a minimum. At worst you know the exact point at which you are starting when it comes to cutting out old and putting in new as you know the vehicle's history.

Regarding ongoing maintenance, any places with a decent reputation (folks on here can help steer you on that) will be happy to help you with a "rolling restoration" so you can address various bits as you need. There is also a ton of advice available on here too (some of it is even good ) to help you over any hurdles

Finally, a mild drop on your suspension would solve your problem and keep the bus very close to stock. A "1 spline" drop on the rear is 4" so should sort your garage problems out - it's what I'd do

Keep it!!

 

[subheatadey]

Keep it 'cos maybe not next week or next year but at some stage in the future you will regret selling it. I know because I look back at some of the vehicles I have got rid of in the past and wish I hadn't.

 

[Hodgins]

Maybe it's worth getting a quote on how much to raise the garage door. I have an up n over door, it was also too low for my van to fit. It ended up costing me £84 to get the door raised. It can be done depending on where the top support plinth is

 

[Bookie]

Definitely keep! If it comes to it you could always put out a gumtree request or leaflet your local area for a lock up / garage? Friend of mine did that for his lambo and now has it stored in a local old ladies garage for 20 a month. Money well spent!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[abby]

Keep, keep, keep!!! I am VERY excited to see more on this bus... can we have lots of pictures please? opcorn:

 

[matty74]

You've just to keep it ... get some more pics up please

 

[Brock]

So, 'keep it' seems to be the only sensible option.

Thanks for all the positive replies, also thanks to Lee C and bertiethebus for sending me info on restorers.

I'm still hoping to get an appraisal of how much work might be required and will post updates.

Will also try to put up some more photos soon.

Cheers all, Brock.

 

[Brock]

Hi All,
It's been a while since I first came on the forum looking for advice.
This post is an up-date on my dad's van.
After lots of thought and a few deliberations between the family, we've decided to put it up for sale via auction.
It will be in the auction at Mathewson's of Thornton-dale, on 12th August. http://mathewsons.co.uk/auctions/auctions/vehicles
There are a couple of other VW's in the same auction, so hopefully it will attract some interest?

Thanks for all the help and interest from everyone on the forum.