Dickie524
Well-known member
I'm certainly no 'pro' either - this is my first VW, thought not my first 'classic' and I am (dare I say it) reasonaby competent mechanically and can have a reasonable stab at 'soft stuff' such as painting too...
But just to add my bit too, as it is fairly recent experience - we looked at plenty within a 50 mile radius, which appeared gorgeous, some with beautiful interiors and fantastic resprays, but chassis rails that were soft and sounded like they were full of cornflakes. In the end I bought one which was very shabby by the standards of what I had been looking at, but which was honest and straightforward, and critically was solid everywhere. But it had been lacquered, with terrible peel everywhere, and a battered interior - but as I say, it was honest and hadn't been tarted up. Oh, and a knackered engine - so I knew for sure that I would be replacing it, but at least I knew exactly where I stood, before we got stuck in.
I have spent a long while improving it cosmetically, inside and out, re-upholstery all round, - and yes - correct cupboard door handles ;-) , and fitting a new engine etc, replacing gear box seals and CV boots, and haven't found anything shocking along the way. I have opted for 'reasonably' original, though not totally religiously so, where subtle or 'period' mods have been available. The purchase price was £7k, and I've spent about the same on top over the last 18 months or so, though some of this was on 'accessories' which was discretionary - so it probably stands me at £13k or thereabouts.
(Mine is a very early 1968 bay Dormobile, RHD, incidentally, and by chance was one of the closest ones to home I looked at!)
If I'd bought the nice shiny one with a well written advert and matching bunting and cushion covers, I'd be finding all sorts of horrors by now such as the rotten chassis rails.
I suppose in summary, go in with your eyes open, see the bus yourself personally, and appreciate what you're taking on, and don't be fooled by the glitzy bits - try to look past them at the bits that really matter.
Good hunting, Rich
But just to add my bit too, as it is fairly recent experience - we looked at plenty within a 50 mile radius, which appeared gorgeous, some with beautiful interiors and fantastic resprays, but chassis rails that were soft and sounded like they were full of cornflakes. In the end I bought one which was very shabby by the standards of what I had been looking at, but which was honest and straightforward, and critically was solid everywhere. But it had been lacquered, with terrible peel everywhere, and a battered interior - but as I say, it was honest and hadn't been tarted up. Oh, and a knackered engine - so I knew for sure that I would be replacing it, but at least I knew exactly where I stood, before we got stuck in.
I have spent a long while improving it cosmetically, inside and out, re-upholstery all round, - and yes - correct cupboard door handles ;-) , and fitting a new engine etc, replacing gear box seals and CV boots, and haven't found anything shocking along the way. I have opted for 'reasonably' original, though not totally religiously so, where subtle or 'period' mods have been available. The purchase price was £7k, and I've spent about the same on top over the last 18 months or so, though some of this was on 'accessories' which was discretionary - so it probably stands me at £13k or thereabouts.
(Mine is a very early 1968 bay Dormobile, RHD, incidentally, and by chance was one of the closest ones to home I looked at!)
If I'd bought the nice shiny one with a well written advert and matching bunting and cushion covers, I'd be finding all sorts of horrors by now such as the rotten chassis rails.
I suppose in summary, go in with your eyes open, see the bus yourself personally, and appreciate what you're taking on, and don't be fooled by the glitzy bits - try to look past them at the bits that really matter.
Good hunting, Rich
