I've been in and out of Earlybay.com for the last 2 years or so and though it was about time I started a thread of my own.
I'm not a life-long VW enthusiast, but after admiring the vans I'd spotted in the South West whilst living in Bristol I decided to hire for a few days and have a go for myself.
A LHD '66 Splity called Dylan was my first choice.
My partner and I picked him up from Devon Classic Campers in South Molton and to Cornwall we headed.
By the time we'd poured the first G&T after setting up camp we were hooked!
The driving experience was a real eye-opener and the feeling of taking your home to wherever you please was great.
Sitting out in the summer evening light next to a classic motoring icon filled me with pride. The friendly glances and admiring comments on the campsite and the fellow VW'ers waves made me feel this was something special.
A great couple of days in Padstow were had - with the obligatory fish n chips at Ricks!
Our next leg from Padstow to Newquay didn't quite go to plan. After leaving the campsite early we'd decided to go without breakfast. We'd stop somewhere by the sea once we were on the road.
However.......half an hour later we found ourselves stranded on a blind corner, on a hill, in a country lane, without mobile phone reception! Being a complete mechanical novice - I was useless! A long walk to find a signal and a call back to Sean at Devon Classic Campers saw us sitting in Dyloa waiting for the RAC. He arrived, he couldnt fix it......we waited again for a flatbed to collect us. Six hours had passed, it had been 30*C - one of the hottest days of the year, we hadnt eaten - we were in the middle of nowhere. The batteries in the radio soon ran out, as did the water, the milk and even the tonic.
Eventually we'd arrived back in South Molton, courtesey of the RAC. Sean had organised for Dylan to be taken to Ian at South West Classic VW's where he came to meet us. Ian and Sean were very helpful and after a night at a local campsite and a much deserved pub-meal and a few pints, we were back at South West Classic VW's where we picked up George - a LHD '77 Westy Berlin. We were back on the road and back on our holiday. Wow - the late bay was so different. Much more practical, with brakes that worked and 2 litre engine. Our planned route in Cornwall was out of the window as we were too far away so to the Devon coast we headed.
A very relaxing and hot few days at Croyd were had and a night inland at a beatiful little site near Tavistock.
We handed George back to Sean and left with 'VW Campers' in our thoughts. We'd love to own one. Despite the breakdown and a wasted day of our holiday and our Cornwall plans being scuppered, we well and truly loved the VW experience and within a week I was looking into buying one to call our own.
With a lot of questions answered by the Earlybay forum amoungst other sites, I felt an Early Bay was the one for me.
The Splitty was lovely to look at, but just not comfortable and practical enough to enjoy. The Late Bay was clearly a more modern drive but lacked the iconic looks of the late '60s. The Early Bay would be an investment too if looked after properly.
The hunt was on. I contacted Sean at Devon Classic Campers and Ian at South West Classic VWs and asked them to keep their eye out for something suitable. Within 3 weeks Ian called me about 'a very solid and dry early bay' - I went to see it and the rest is history.....
So, this is Cyril (named after my Grandad). A LHD Westy born 3rd May 1971.
Photos taken the day I bought him. Notice the Italian number plates. The van is Italian spec and was still registered in Itlay.
The previous owner had been travelling Europe when his circumstances required him to sell his pride and joy.
An Italian detail - indicators mounted on the pillars
After a couple of months and a new carb he was MOT'd, UK registered and back on the road.
A few minor changes to the exterior a tidy of the interior and our first weekend was away was on the cards.
The interior was far from original! Front and rear seats courtesey of a 1980's Nissan, a couple of very heavy planks for a make shift bed and some units cobbled toegther from various doner vans......but it was useable and practical.
The bodywork was dry and in good condition. The usual places were in good order - nothing much to worry about.
There were a few bits and bobs which were mainly cosmetic, but could spoil the van if they weren't sorted out in time.
The canvas was very worn and would need a replacement soon.
The plan was to enjoy Cyril is his current state while we planned his future.
Two summers of day trips and weekend camping and we had a plan. Cyril deserved a refurb. He would be 40 years old in May 2011 and the make-over would be timely to last another 40 years - with a bit of luck!
Being new to the VW scene I'd sought a lot of advice at Earlybay.com and discussed my requirements with various enthusiasts and visited garages for quotes. I eventually came across Ron Richman at VW Endangered Species in Trowbridge - Wiltshire. (Rocket....on here for those who dont know him).
Ron was positive about Cyrils condition and the work I wanted. Ron is a true perfectionist. He had great pride in showing me his work on his own '67 Westy which he is painstakingly restoring to original condition. I was more than happy to put my van into his safe hands.
The work started in September 2010. I would lend a helping hand by stripping-out the interior and removing the bumpers.
Cyril was delivered to Ron in October, where the work continued.
We are going for a full respray in and out in Savannah Beige. Ron began the prep work and the necessary welding.
A pair of replacement doors where sourced from FBI VW in Swansea and Ron did the necessary.
This little scrape on the rear bumper corner (by the previous owner) turned out to be a bit more than it looked!
Ron had his suspicions about a thick patch of filler on the rear wheel arch and we thought this would hold some suprises.
Once stripped, it was clear that an earlier 'patch-up' was more of a 'botch-up'!
Ron sourced a NOS 1971-only panel, cut it down and welded in to replace the botching. A great job done.
Engine out, windows out, dash out, seats out - prep done and Cyril is ready to go to paint.
The van arrived at M and D Auto Refinishers in Street - Somerset in January 2011. Prep for painting is underway.
Meanwhile..... I've sourced most of the parts needed for the rebuild. Including some original cab seats, which I've had stripped and powder coated ready for bespoke trimming.
More to follow.
Thanks for looking and thanks to everyone who has helped so far.
Kev
I'm not a life-long VW enthusiast, but after admiring the vans I'd spotted in the South West whilst living in Bristol I decided to hire for a few days and have a go for myself.
A LHD '66 Splity called Dylan was my first choice.
My partner and I picked him up from Devon Classic Campers in South Molton and to Cornwall we headed.
By the time we'd poured the first G&T after setting up camp we were hooked!
The driving experience was a real eye-opener and the feeling of taking your home to wherever you please was great.
Sitting out in the summer evening light next to a classic motoring icon filled me with pride. The friendly glances and admiring comments on the campsite and the fellow VW'ers waves made me feel this was something special.
A great couple of days in Padstow were had - with the obligatory fish n chips at Ricks!
Our next leg from Padstow to Newquay didn't quite go to plan. After leaving the campsite early we'd decided to go without breakfast. We'd stop somewhere by the sea once we were on the road.
However.......half an hour later we found ourselves stranded on a blind corner, on a hill, in a country lane, without mobile phone reception! Being a complete mechanical novice - I was useless! A long walk to find a signal and a call back to Sean at Devon Classic Campers saw us sitting in Dyloa waiting for the RAC. He arrived, he couldnt fix it......we waited again for a flatbed to collect us. Six hours had passed, it had been 30*C - one of the hottest days of the year, we hadnt eaten - we were in the middle of nowhere. The batteries in the radio soon ran out, as did the water, the milk and even the tonic.
Eventually we'd arrived back in South Molton, courtesey of the RAC. Sean had organised for Dylan to be taken to Ian at South West Classic VW's where he came to meet us. Ian and Sean were very helpful and after a night at a local campsite and a much deserved pub-meal and a few pints, we were back at South West Classic VW's where we picked up George - a LHD '77 Westy Berlin. We were back on the road and back on our holiday. Wow - the late bay was so different. Much more practical, with brakes that worked and 2 litre engine. Our planned route in Cornwall was out of the window as we were too far away so to the Devon coast we headed.
A very relaxing and hot few days at Croyd were had and a night inland at a beatiful little site near Tavistock.
We handed George back to Sean and left with 'VW Campers' in our thoughts. We'd love to own one. Despite the breakdown and a wasted day of our holiday and our Cornwall plans being scuppered, we well and truly loved the VW experience and within a week I was looking into buying one to call our own.
With a lot of questions answered by the Earlybay forum amoungst other sites, I felt an Early Bay was the one for me.
The Splitty was lovely to look at, but just not comfortable and practical enough to enjoy. The Late Bay was clearly a more modern drive but lacked the iconic looks of the late '60s. The Early Bay would be an investment too if looked after properly.
The hunt was on. I contacted Sean at Devon Classic Campers and Ian at South West Classic VWs and asked them to keep their eye out for something suitable. Within 3 weeks Ian called me about 'a very solid and dry early bay' - I went to see it and the rest is history.....
So, this is Cyril (named after my Grandad). A LHD Westy born 3rd May 1971.
Photos taken the day I bought him. Notice the Italian number plates. The van is Italian spec and was still registered in Itlay.
The previous owner had been travelling Europe when his circumstances required him to sell his pride and joy.
An Italian detail - indicators mounted on the pillars
After a couple of months and a new carb he was MOT'd, UK registered and back on the road.
A few minor changes to the exterior a tidy of the interior and our first weekend was away was on the cards.
The interior was far from original! Front and rear seats courtesey of a 1980's Nissan, a couple of very heavy planks for a make shift bed and some units cobbled toegther from various doner vans......but it was useable and practical.
The bodywork was dry and in good condition. The usual places were in good order - nothing much to worry about.
There were a few bits and bobs which were mainly cosmetic, but could spoil the van if they weren't sorted out in time.
The canvas was very worn and would need a replacement soon.
The plan was to enjoy Cyril is his current state while we planned his future.
Two summers of day trips and weekend camping and we had a plan. Cyril deserved a refurb. He would be 40 years old in May 2011 and the make-over would be timely to last another 40 years - with a bit of luck!
Being new to the VW scene I'd sought a lot of advice at Earlybay.com and discussed my requirements with various enthusiasts and visited garages for quotes. I eventually came across Ron Richman at VW Endangered Species in Trowbridge - Wiltshire. (Rocket....on here for those who dont know him).
Ron was positive about Cyrils condition and the work I wanted. Ron is a true perfectionist. He had great pride in showing me his work on his own '67 Westy which he is painstakingly restoring to original condition. I was more than happy to put my van into his safe hands.
The work started in September 2010. I would lend a helping hand by stripping-out the interior and removing the bumpers.
Cyril was delivered to Ron in October, where the work continued.
We are going for a full respray in and out in Savannah Beige. Ron began the prep work and the necessary welding.
A pair of replacement doors where sourced from FBI VW in Swansea and Ron did the necessary.
This little scrape on the rear bumper corner (by the previous owner) turned out to be a bit more than it looked!
Ron had his suspicions about a thick patch of filler on the rear wheel arch and we thought this would hold some suprises.
Once stripped, it was clear that an earlier 'patch-up' was more of a 'botch-up'!
Ron sourced a NOS 1971-only panel, cut it down and welded in to replace the botching. A great job done.
Engine out, windows out, dash out, seats out - prep done and Cyril is ready to go to paint.
The van arrived at M and D Auto Refinishers in Street - Somerset in January 2011. Prep for painting is underway.
Meanwhile..... I've sourced most of the parts needed for the rebuild. Including some original cab seats, which I've had stripped and powder coated ready for bespoke trimming.
More to follow.
Thanks for looking and thanks to everyone who has helped so far.
Kev
