The white Westy we call Steve

[Moseley]

Well, this was an unexpected purchase... We previously owned a Devon that was bought as our first venture into aircooled VW ownership. It served us well and became the standard money pit that I'm sure others can testify to. But the more shows we visited and the more forums we trawled, it became clear that it wasn't really what we wanted, and once the love started to fade, it was time to sell it on to someone who could finish it off and enjoy it.

The intention was to have some time off from a VW whilst we sorted out the various house and garden projects that were all unfinished, but as ended up being the case, as soon as the cash was in our hand, the search began for a replacement.

After viewing a couple, we found what we are after, an original Westy, imported from California with original metal to everywhere bar a patch in the footwell and original paint we believe apart from the front panel and the various pinstriping and logos.

And here it is, patina, rust, gunshot wound and all!

Annoyingly, we didn't notice the different shade of paint on the front panel, but hopefully we'll sort this in time. Its running a mild spec 1835 engine that was recently built in the States. Other than a re-trim of the interior and some mild lowering, it's pretty much standard Westy stuff, and theres lots to get stuck into!

 

[Moseley]

First job was to give all the brakes, suspension, moving parts etc a once over before putting it through an MOT. This ended up in replacing all the steering arms, suspension ball joints, re-greasing and replacing wheel bearings and stripping and rebuilding all the brakes. As a result, the MOT ran out, and by the time the van was back together and ready to suffer the delights of our local test station, it was 5 days before we had committed to a 1500-odd mile round trip to the Outer Hebrides. Nothing like a bit of pressure! Despite having to disassemble the indicators to add some orange tape to the faded lenses, and then breaking one of the bulbs when putting it back together, miraculously the van passed with flying colours. To celebrate, it was treated to some new door cards and a good clean inside and out.

And shortly after this, it was time to get packed and set off for a long old journey that would only be our second outing in the van...

 

[Moseley]

So our first stopover was just outside Carlisle at a site called Dandy Dinmont. Lovely and clean, and well maintained, but very small and nothing within walking distance. Fine for a stopover, but i wouldn't want to spend much longer there. They also had a strange rule where you could only BBQ on the concrete area of the tent field, so we ended up on the camping stove. Also had the World's most annoying child who just did laps of the camping area in her golf buggy and would not leave anyone alone for 5 minutes.

 

[matty74]

Great looking Bus !! ... Surely it should be GUS the Bus

 

[DubBGood2Me]

Very nice. Love the signwriting 8)

Nice motor too.

 

[Lee C]

Very nice looking bus !!! 8)
Enjoy your hols!!!!

 

[bluebay]

Great looking van mate,looks like your partner is as keen as mine having her photo taken ! :lol:

 

[Moseley]

I need to play catch up with this thread, the Scotland holiday happened a while ago now, but I'll carry on where I left off!

So anyway, after leaving Carlisle we headed north for a stop over with family in Nairn. Unfortunately during this leg of the journey we had our first (and fortunately our last breakdown of the journey). Heading along the A9, as we came round a long, sweeping, uphill bend, the bus suddenly lost power. As it started to quickly lose speed, I pulled the hazard knob but had nothing. Fearing the worst, we rolled to a stop and jumped out with fire extinguisher in hand as the bus let out a massive backfire. No smoke seen, and the most carefully I've ever opened the engine lid, the problem was clearly evident - the positive battery cable had worked its way out of the clamp!

Massive sigh of relief.

The not-so-fun part was trying to re-assemble it in a more robust way whilst cars / buses / lorries came thundering past at 60 on a single carriageway road... Had a couple of people stop to warn us we were in a dangerous place, but what can you do in these situations! Half an hour later of popping in and out of the engine bay in the gaps in the traffic, and we were back on our way again. Photo of me with my arse in the air to follow...

 

[Moseley]

So our next leg after Nairn was a jaunt over to Ullapool to catch the evening ferry to Stornaway. The scenery was fantastic on the way over, and the roads were lovely and quiet. We came across a reservoir on the journey, and stopped for a leg stretch and some recently acquired Krispy Kreme doughnuts of the Reese's variety.

And check out the bug carnage so far!

 

[Moseley]

Next stop - Stornoway! Check out the super cool camper waiting behind us in the queue for the ferry. Silly bint had parked so close that I couldn't get the boot open...

And on the ferry, getting the standard level of attention from our fellow sea-goers, including a whale watcher who was keen to give us leaflets and tips on what to look out for. As we found out once at Stornoway, we managed to miss seeing all the sea creatures that our resident expert had spotted.

And the view looking back to Ullapool.

 

[Grazy]

Nice to see it being used as a proper camper mate , Think this used to live near me in Woodbridge

 

[Moseley]

And for some photos of the Outer Hebrides. The landscape is truly breathtaking, and not like something you'd expect to see within the UK. Crystal blue water, white sand, and then not a person in sight for miles.

However, and this was a big however for us, we just couldn't get over how windy it permanently is and how hard it is to find a cafe, or even just a local shop to buy some stuff for dinner without having to take out a loan. It really is desolate, and although the scenery is amazing, it was just a little too deserted for our liking.

 

[Moseley]

Nice to see it being used as a proper camper mate , Think this used to live near me in Woodbridge

It did indeed, that was where we bought it from. Imported by some guys in Scotland who had some affiliation with DTH (hence the logos) and then brought down to Woodbridge. Now residing in the West Midlands!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Moseley]

As promised, photo evidence of our 'breakdown' on a seemingly quiet road.

Most people were courteous when passing, but one woman clearly was trying to swap paint with the side of our bus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bluesnailman]

Nice Westy, and good to see it used as intended. Looks like you had good weather in the Hebrides. I visited last year in our Westy but not got around to sharing my photos of the rain yet. It sure is windy, think our roof was unpopped for about 10 days.....

ps - bad place to park to fix a breakdown - bet you didn't even put your hazard lights on.. plan breakdowns better!

 

[Moseley]

Nice Westy, and good to see it used as intended. Looks like you had good weather in the Hebrides. I visited last year in our Westy but not got around to sharing my photos of the rain yet. It sure is windy, think our roof was unpopped for about 10 days.....

ps - bad place to park to fix a breakdown - bet you didn't even put your hazard lights on.. plan breakdowns better!

I did feel like giving a sarcastic response to the folks who stopped, but I guess they were probably just trying to help. Lucky it was an easy fix!

We got incredibly lucky with the weather, it wasn't warm (maybe 14degC was the most we saw) but I still managed to get a good head and face tan from a few days in the outdoors. But even with the sun, the wind really does stop you from being able to just sit comfortably on a beach without a windbreak. Great if you like being on the move as I do. I think we'd have both been thoroughly pissed off if there had been any rain, umbrellas would be out of the question!

 

[Moseley]

Just a few more beach photos and some of the standing stones that I've pinched off the other half's phone.

 

[Moseley]

And a few more if you weren't bored enough of the Hebrides already!

A short respite from the wind with a small cliff behind us.

 

[Welly]

Looks like a great place mate with fantastic scenery, van looks lovely, how you finding swapping over to LHD?, your old beast is going well , just done around 800 miles in her travelling around wales and the lakes without any issues.

 

[Moseley]

Looks like a great place mate with fantastic scenery, van looks lovely, how you finding swapping over to LHD?, your old beast is going well , just done around 800 miles in her travelling around wales and the lakes without any issues.

Ey up! Moving to LHD was surprisingly easy, it's just the getting used to driving along next to the curb that feels a little odd. Good to hear the old bus is going well - we did put a lot of time and money into getting it running / driving reliably and safely as there had been a lot of dodgy tinkering in it's past life. Sounds like it is paying off! Have you done much to it since?