The Moldy Manner-71 High Roof Westy

Early Bay Forum

Help Support Early Bay Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

canterburyfour

Well-known member
Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Location
North of Wonderland
We had sold our T25 Syncro Westy a couple of years ago and really missed camping in a VW. With this said we wnt on a seach for a Westy and a high roof. With a family of 4 the pop top did not offer enough storage or standing room.

So we found a 71 Westy with a motor.

3465177576_6f5e3b6390.jpg


3464361069_72e8f22e53.jpg


3465175216_65e3c5699b.jpg


....and we found this roof from the same guy.

3464355195_336d1de9e6.jpg
 
The next step was to strip it down and see what we had. I knew there was some rust in th floors and under the windield, but what we were not prepared for was the amount of mold and rat nests and rat pee and shite.
We could have filled a large bag of nasty-ness. It was really bad.

3478643341_64d9f4dee0.jpg


...we had also removed the pop top and set the high roof up on top to get it out of the way.

3478642003_ef7c5be5cb.jpg


3479440608_d336ea612f.jpg


After cleaning the floor I used a 2 part epoxy paint to seal it up.

3478632027_c7b616a9de.jpg


figured I'd remove the spare tire off of the nose and pop the dent out of the front corner.

3490180549_211b469bf2.jpg
 
Cleaned the outside paint and gave it a little bit of wax and while I was at it installed a rear safari window from Wolfgang International.

3490993326_3aafe092c8.jpg


Cut the stock roof back to make standing roof and a place for the upper bed and front upper storage cabinet.

3497884602_1634e13745.jpg


3497070461_d20e5dcce9.jpg


The fiberglass top was so moldy that the mold was eating into the top. I sanded it all out and painted it with the same 2 part epoxy used on the floors.

3540813293_4ae8e4ef3a.jpg


found this under the paint. the original Safare Camper logo.

3541623516_7a8843fb1a.jpg


3541622114_6c0e582a37.jpg
 
Time to start on the interior. A lot of the orginal westfalia wood was rotted away and there was nothing backing the laminate and the mold was 5-10mm thick. Lots of cleaning, sanding and clear coating.

3575620280_e07ed4701a.jpg


3574807721_98bc93ab4e.jpg


3575737316_75363e6d82.jpg


3575802156_671dc715ac.jpg


making a new bed

3584962050_9c733f5d31.jpg


3599524381_15f1d01067.jpg
 
It's ready to head over to http://www.latenightaircooled.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for the mechanical stuff like brakes, suspension motor and transmission.

3610445480_faccc342e0.jpg


3610445116_d56ae2279b.jpg


3610444684_5e53ef40ca.jpg


3610443920_f1dc668124.jpg


3610435550_6867e52e51.jpg
 
Wagenswest 4" narrowed beem with drop spindles

3627001571_2531c0fdbe.jpg


Junk yard motor. It had on the fan shroud 'low compression". the folks at Light Night their majical tune up on the the engine test stand and it pures like a kitten with plenty of power. So much for needing a rebuild. The wife pisstriped the air cleaner. I figured thta would make it go fast.


Well she's ready to take home
3626990277_fa570c48f5.jpg


Here is the almost finished product

3628222962_42a33ea203.jpg


3628222376_ca89863445.jpg



Tired helper
3628210592_8319f7b5bc.jpg


Here is link of over 500 pictures of the build http://www.flickr.com/photos/canterburyfour/sets/72157617071629339/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and us enjoying it http://www.flickr.com/photos/canterburyfour/sets/72157619679672111/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Decided to tub the front 2".

3650194098_9fb8778bed.jpg


3650178640_425459697d.jpg


More pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/canterburyfour/sets/72157620187328012/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
really nice work, spottedyour van in yor sig on another thread, so great to see a thread devoted to it

i have never liked either pop tops or high tops, but you've proved that, like most things, when done well, it really works :mrgreen:

how i would love some US forests to visit in my van ;)
 
I just love this bus, looked at your Flickr thread with the roof bunk pics and it looks great on the inside as well as the outside, now where can I get a high top EB from :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Thanks. I might know where there is a 68 EB HT.

Graham L said:
I just love this bus, looked at your Flickr thread with the roof bunk pics and it looks great on the inside as well as the outside, now where can I get a high top EB from :lol: :lol: :lol:
 

Latest posts

Top