Saul's 1969 import westy in for a roof and respray

[camperman3617865]

Saul Mahony has asked us to fit a full westy roof including all the panel work and respray the van back to its original colours, The van is a 1969 bay window USA import

Thought some of you would like to watch how we do it

Firstly i got Mike {another early bay owner} to steam clean it

then we put it in the workshop to dry off

 

[camperman3617865]

Then after quite a lot of discussion and even more measuring we proceeded to cut a big hole in the roof to the correct size.

Then the middle support bar was removed

We already have the double skinned roof panel that has to be fitted in its place

This is Mike just cleaning up all the edges on the new panel

 

[camperman3617865]

Here he is again cleaning off the roof of the van before lipping the panel all the way round

again

and again

 

[camperman3617865]

Right..... let see if it fits

Pretty good i think

He will continue fettling it in the morning and welding it into place

 

[gninnam]

WOW :shock:

Nice work, but why do this to a perfectly looking straight tintop and not buy a poptop westy already?

(not having a go, just wondering )

 

[camperman3617865]

Customer bought the van at vanfest last year and decided to put the roof on it afterwards, his choice, and i was waiting for someone to ask that

 

[gninnam]

Customer bought the van at vanfest last year and decided to put the roof on it afterwards, his choice, and i was waiting for someone to ask that

That be me then And fair enough

 

[mattd1984]

Looks like some good work going on and you guys are just up the road from me.

 

[camperman3617865]

Mike has been busy welding the new roof in place

 

[Ands1]

Good work Russ & Mike, I went over to the for sale section at Vanfest after you told me about this green early bay you were taking on. The seller was just trailering it away so I was trying to get a look whilst he was trundling along with it :lol:
Looks a good un though. How did Mike go on with his bay after the little accident..
Andy

 

[camperman3617865]

Unfortunately he is still waiting for them to sort everything out

 

[Toad]

Hey Andy!
Yes, following an accident in my Early Bay on August 4 last year in North Devon, I am still without my vehicle and still waiting for the insurance claim to get sorted out. I bet the shitty escort that crashed into me was gaffa taped back into service the following day!
Needless to say....I'm a little frustrated with the situation!!!!

I hope that you have been enjoying having POE back!!

Cheers mate
Mike

 

[camperman3617865]

This has now been stripped ready for paint, more pics to follow soon

 

[thebustemple]

dude nice work any more shots.....

 

[camperman3617865]

Having stripped out the inside we have finally managed to rub down the whole inside and spayed it pastel white the day we left for Big Bang,
Now i am back i will mask it up, ready to get on with the outside

 

[camperman3617865]

We have been experimenting with the colour and some flip as well this week


Here is the original colour all-though its mat

and here is the roof rack part with colour and flip, it seems that if we stand in a different place for the photos they come out with a different colour .........................................................just what the customer wanted

 

[gninnam]

Top work and looking great 8)

Keep the pictures coming :mrgreen:

 

[thebustemple]

Dude I love the work u r doing here , great fotos keep snapping away I like kodak moments!

 

[camperman3617865]

Went back to work and applied the sealer last night before i went home {way after dark}, so it would be ready for rubbing down in the morning

 

[camperman3617865]

Just got back from work today and we have been pretty busy.

Rubbed down the sealer and sprayed the top half of the van with 3 coats of filler primer

Also managed to rub down the front grill, rear hatch and sliding door insides, spray them with sealer and primer

I do love these import vans... the panels don't need so much work

And Finn managed to rub down the new wheels ready for paint