Cousin Eddie

[Munga]

Hey Guy’s and Gals, so I introduce to you cousin Eddie the home coming, now since then I’ve done some repairs, not many but I’ll elaborate.
Now Ed is ex Australia Post and from the west coast I believe and as it so happens I work at post, have done for ages and so I’m actually torn between “fully restoring” or a “sympathetic restoration” because a vintage post van could be cool and actually I’m known for my sympathetic restorations on vehicles this old lorry of mine is an example of this.

 

[matty74]

That truck is so cool

 

[mike202]

Nice panelvan.. Looking forward to seeing your updates on this.

The truck also looks great.

 

[ozziedog]

Hiya Eddie mate and welcome home. Liking your new cobber the stepside.
I’m guessing the extra vents at the rear near the the crescent shaped engine air vents are for the cargo area in the van, they’re not ducted to increase air volume into the noisy cupboard are they ?
In my own opinion, I’m liking your thinking about the exterior and anything along the lines of what you’ve done with that stepside would be great. I reckon I’d also try and make the cab look as stock as it can. The cargo area is a different matter though, you can get creative as you like here. There’s virtually no cross over view from inside to outside and visa versa because of the lack of glass as it’s a panel. Perhaps an industrial looking cab separation bulkhead along the lines of the Westphalia stock one that is heavy duty rubberised canvas I think, held up with spring pop clips around the roof brace cross member. It fitted down to the seat backs and the middle bit was weighted and longer and went down to the floor between the seats on the walkthrough. There was also a soft pvc window in the middle with a fold down flap. That would really separate the areas off and provide all you want in the way of curtains too. Roll it completely up if required or simply pop it off and fold it away behind the seat. Basics in the back are all that’s needed, Rock and Roll bed, nice big cool box, and a small kitchen unit. I do ninety nine percent of my cooking outside under a gazebo and that stops the van smelling of sausages or bacon for two weeks.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,it’ll be interesting to see how it materialises bud

 

[Munga]

Hiya Eddie mate and welcome home. Liking your new cobber the stepside.
I’m guessing the extra vents at the rear near the the crescent shaped engine air vents are for the cargo area in the van, they’re not ducted to increase air volume into the noisy cupboard are they ?
In my own opinion, I’m liking your thinking about the exterior and anything along the lines of what you’ve done with that stepside would be great. I reckon I’d also try and make the cab look as stock as it can. The cargo area is a different matter though, you can get creative as you like here. There’s virtually no cross over view from inside to outside and visa versa because of the lack of glass as it’s a panel. Perhaps an industrial looking cab separation bulkhead along the lines of the Westphalia stock one that is heavy duty rubberised canvas I think, held up with spring pop clips around the roof brace cross member. It fitted down to the seat backs and the middle bit was weighted and longer and went down to the floor between the seats on the walkthrough. There was also a soft pvc window in the middle with a fold down flap. That would really separate the areas off and provide all you want in the way of curtains too. Roll it completely up if required or simply pop it off and fold it away behind the seat. Basics in the back are all that’s needed, Rock and Roll bed, nice big cool box, and a small kitchen unit. I do ninety nine percent of my cooking outside under a gazebo and that stops the van smelling of sausages or bacon for two weeks.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,it’ll be interesting to see how it materialises bud

Now that’s something I never thought off Aussiedog and sounds like a great idea.

Over the last couple of days I’ve been cutting out rust and filling i with fresh steel on the drivers side front nose , it’s coming up nice and I’ll post pics soon

 

[Munga]

That truck is so cool

Thanks Matty for the advice on creating a new build thread, I’m looking forward to this build

 

[Munga]

Ok so I’ve finished repairing the windscreen curt that was rotted out and now we’ve installed a n windscreen as well

 

[matty74]

Skill

 

[ozziedog]

Just spotted something Munga bud. Not sure if it’s worth digging into or not or if there were differences on the borders between different states or if it was only on certain year models. Most if not all Aussie Bay imports over here in England have a noticeable detail on the wipers and yours dosent. I was under the impression that the Australian government over ruled VW and insisted on having RHD wipers fitted to all Bay Windows but not sure when this started. So on Oz imports we’d expect the RHD wipers and grommets fitted to where the LHD units were fitted previously. Your Eddie has LHD wipers so maybe it wasn’t a big deal with commercials especially those bought in hundreds if not thousands. Everything over here all has LHD wipers which means a bit of the drivers vision is not cleared. Repairs look great and nice bit of Duco too.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,tone it down a bit now ??.

 

[T2 Brinky]

Great taste....

Looking forward to fallward to following.

 

[Munga]

Just spotted something Munga bud. Not sure if it’s worth digging into or not or if there were differences on the borders between different states or if it was only on certain year models. Most if not all Aussie Bay imports over here in England have a noticeable detail on the wipers and yours dosent. I was under the impression that the Australian government over ruled VW and insisted on having RHD wipers fitted to all Bay Windows but not sure when this started. So on Oz imports we’d expect the RHD wipers and grommets fitted to where the LHD units were fitted previously. Your Eddie has LHD wipers so maybe it wasn’t a big deal with commercials especially those bought in hundreds if not thousands. Everything over here all has LHD wipers which means a bit of the drivers vision is not cleared. Repairs look great and nice bit of Duco too.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,tone it down a bit now ??.

Thanks man, as for the wipers this van was purchased by the federal government as in OHMS the PMG (post master general), that said I do know that in today’s day and age Australia Post has had but not now I believe, a seperate supply of motorcycles for their posties, the domestic version of the same motorcycle is double in price and has disc brakes and ABS a completely different animal that said was this the case even back then I’m wondering?

 

[ozziedog]

Thanks man, as for the wipers this van was purchased by the federal government as in OHMS the PMG (post master general), that said I do know that in today’s day and age Australia Post has had but not now I believe, a seperate supply of motorcycles for their posties, the domestic version of the same motorcycle is double in price and has disc brakes and ABS a completely different animal that said was this the case even back then I’m wondering?

Yes, yes, yes, it’s just very interesting. Try having a look at photos on local VW groups as in see if you can spot what I’m rattling on about. The main other thing but primarily with Ozzie campers is remote access to the gas supply and the little trap door for bottle access if required. Cant think of any other uniqueness type stuff apart from air vent variations for warmer climates. As yours is a panel I’m assuming you don’t have rear heating pipes at the floor to firewall / tank junction just a slight intrusion.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,I’m rattling on again, sorry bud, but the pubs open and I’ll be away soon