My 1970 dormobile

[Robc2]

Well im a newbie to the forum and over the last few days ive been looking at a few of the resto projects and i must say im well impressed with some of the work being done. I purchased my bay in august but havent had anytime to spend on her yet. But my mum and dad have kindly allowed me to move her to their garage so as i can now get on with her over the winter.
Well just a little info on her, as i said i bought her in august. This was after looking at a few early bays along the way some of which were quite nice some were dogs! I just missed out on a 69 westy which i was gutted about so carried on looking and came across the one i now have which is a 70 dormobile. I got her at a reasonable price but i knew straight away she was gonna be alot of work! She came with no interior, a leaking pop top and no engine! but this didnt stop the image i had in my head of how she would/will look.
My plans for her are to do a complete resto which will include replacing the front section of chassis completely and repairing a fare amount at the rear. She also needs a complete roof chop as the gutters and roor are rotten! Ive decide that she will remain as a tin top after the roof change as the new roof i have is a complete roof. The interior is yet to be decided but that is quite away off yet anyway. As for engine choice i have decided im going to do a TDi conversion using a VAG lump from an audi A4 which i bought reasonably cheap from my bro Im hoping this will make for an interesting drive.
Well today i managed to get about 4 hours on her so set about cutting the rot from the front end. Im going to try and put pics up so i hope they work?? ill post them shortly.

 

[Robc2]

 

[Robc2]

im struggling to get pics up, ive read the help thread on uploading but still cant get it any help?

 

[Doris]

Are you using photobucket? When you get the picture on photo bucket, which link are you copying mate?


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[Robc2]

 

[Robc2]

Are you using photobucket? When you get the picture on photo bucket, which link are you copying mate?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Was on image shack but change to photo bucket and sorted

 

[Robc2]

Ive also removed the front beam today so as i can firstly remove the whole front section of chassis and i also want to narrow the beam and fit adjusters to it.

 

[Robc2]

As you can see the roof is quite bad but i managed to source a rust free complete chop. Ive aslo got a rust free front chassis chop on its way to me soon.

 

[Fortunate Son]

Welcome! - Good to see you're getting well stuck in and saving another RHD Dormy - nice one!

 

[Doris]

Yay, love pics! As above, great to see another Dormy kept alive, keep the updates coming Rob.

Cheers - Rob (Doris)


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[Mickey Sam]

Welcome to the forum Rob.

Looks like you've got your hands full there :shock:

It takes me back to when I started my resto over 4 years ago. If it's any consolation, I just got my bus in paint on
Saturday and the sight of it finally painted made all the hard work of grinding , welding, prepping etc well worth the ag.
You'll no doubt have good times and down times during your resto but hang in there -

'Rome wasn't built in a day' and all that good luck...

 

[Robc2]

Thanks forthe welcome chaps I have alot of work to do i know, but i so cant wait to get it on the road it will push me along. Wow 4 years to get it in paint :shock: well maybe my time scale of 18 months is poss optimistic? unfortunately i dont have an endless amount of money to throw at her but all my spare cash will go into her (and the wife agrees to this!) i have a few panels on order and should be here soon. ive got the new roof in storage at work till its needed which wont be for a while.
Does anyone know where i may be able to buy a new A post? i only seem to be able to find them for 72 on? It may be that i have to fabricate one? Anyway thanks for the comment and ill keep the updates coming which i hope will be quite regular. Most of the time i get to spend on her will be weekends but i may be able to sneak a few evenings in.

 

[Robc2]

Well first off im sorry its been soooo long since an update! what with working over xmas and the bad weather we had i just simply didnt get to go anywhere near her.
Well i had a week off last week so managed to get a few hours to spend on her so i decided to get the replacement chassis chop in her so ive taken a few pics of my work this week. (i hope i can remember how to upload them!)


This is the chassis chop after a clean up, it was in very good condition!

starting to chop out the old chassis.

more cutting out of rotten metal!!!

and more!

 

[Robc2]

new chassis leg in place on ns.

New chassis leg with strenghening plates in place on outside.

and finally os chassis leg in place with first plate welded in.

Im really pleased to have got on this week and hopefully weekend s and evenings will free up a little so more time can be put in? Next job is to finish off plating and clean up then ill be removing cargo floor so as all 'I' beams and top hat sections can be removed and replaced. Im also replacing both main chassis rails front to rear as they are in bad condition and have both had several shoddy repairs in the past.