To Bay or not to Bay (advice for newbie!)

[strutt]

Hi all.....

Been lookin at Bays a lot recently, in particular Early Bays......
I want a van thats going to be used as a holiday/weekend camper,
so would want a poptop of some description. Really like the look of Dormobiles, after seeing 2 parked next to each other this weekend.
Is this a good roof conversion vs westie or any others?

I do like playing with cars and a bit of tinkering, but im no mechanic...realistically, how reliable can a bay be?
and from what i gather they are quite easy to learn to fix. But with me wanting to use it quite a few trips, reliability would be high on my list.

I was planning on spending upto £8K, so i wouldnt have to do any body work (find this really non rewarding, also not really got skills) but willing
to learn in future, i guess i want something on the road and reliable to run and fix when needed!?

so the question really is....Is a bay for me and will it get me on me hols, with little hastle?


Thanks
Luke

 

[Fortunate Son]

Hi Luke

I have a Dormobile and the roof is great, with loads of headroom and glass windows giving a light and airy feel to the van.
The Dormobile bed however is not really the best; its very high up compared to Westfalias / Devons etc. Also had a Viking (well it was my Dads in the 80s) and a 75 Swagman in Australia (roof similar to earlier Devon rooves - "straight up, rather than side hinged), but non were as good as the Dormy.

Personally I reckon you'll get an OK (RHD) van for 8K but you might need to do minor bits of Bodywork. I paid 6.5k for my Dormy 3 years ago and I am currently doing bits of bodywork (first welding its had). I consider myself an OK mechanic but was initially a bit daunted by tackling new lower rear corners / sills etc but I got pretty fed up with getting quotes for 3 / 4 / 5 and more grand for a bit of welding! so I have taught myself cutting out, MIG welding, replacement panel mods, beating and even panel fabrication from scratch more recently. Im really hooked on bodywork now and feeling of satisfaction that you have done the job yourself and done it right cannot be beaten.

Is an early bay the least hassle for regular holiday trips etc - probably not but it depends on how much style you want to holiday in!! For me, the constant list of jobs needing doing to my Dormy is part and parcel of my enjoyment of VW ownership.

Good Luck with your search

 

[Araon]

I think your best bet would be to get yourself to a vw show, and hook up with a few of the guys on here and view the various conversions....

The dorma roofs (pronounced rooves ) do offer a lot of light into the interior.

The westfalia has a quality feel about the construction though some arent comfortable about the cupboard

Devons offer a nice roof line to the van and a quaint englishness to the interior

Or have a look at some of the factory high roof conversions they can look very different and are very practical

Personally I'm a tintop and awning fan ...

Re reliability well how many T4s have i seen broken down or rattling along the motorway most of it is a matter of keeping ontop of the basics if it gets a little more techy for you, join a club or get friendly with the local mechanic...

 

[steve92]

hi luke. to bay!!!!!! if it was my money id get an import from the states etc. somewhere dry! you will have far less rust issues which could save you alot of money. dont worry about left hand drive, its no problem.look for a sound chassis.mechanicals are alot cheaper to fix! had my van about 18 months now, and done about 5k miles with no major problems(had points problems,now have elec ignition and have replaced the dynamo for an alternator). have done a few long trips too. cornwall and back 1000 trouble free miles! get your self to van fest this weekend and have a look at some different conversions. chat to a few owners. believe me we like to talk about vans! . not sure i would buy from a show though. you tend to see inflated prices.good luck! steve.

 

[mattd1984]

Hi mate, i would say get one for sure. I am the same as you dont really have any skills mechanical or body wise. I brought a cali import bay in February the body was solid just had nothing inside. I got hold of a westy interior fitted it out aver a few months and am well pleased with the job. I've done a few mechanical things myself. Found the info from asking many questions on here, looking at the haynes and on vw-resource website. It is pretty easy, you just gotta throw yourself in at the deep end. We're away in France at the moment on a 2 months road trip, touch wood i've had no problems yet. The bus came with a 1600sp engine but had been put together pretty badly by the person i got it from, you need to find a decent local mechanic to get it running sweet and you really shouldn't have any problems. Go for it it'll be the best thing.

 

[strutt]

Thanks, for the reply guys,

Just seen a '72 dormi for sale, might have a butchers at that!

any advice on buying? (different to all the guides available) anything in particular with crossovers?

Thanks

 

[lard]

Thanks, for the reply guys,

Just seen a '72 dormi for sale, might have a butchers at that!

any advice on buying? (different to all the guides available) anything in particular with crossovers?

Thanks

As most people point out, it's rust that's the biggest issue as mechanicals in comparison are much easier/cheaper to sort out than rot in the van,

Great post here on places to check for issues:
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6409

Don't know if you have the Muir guide for idiots to aircooled VW's - he has a great section on going over a bus when considering to buy, with tips on determining the state of the mechanicals e.t.c - but primarily I'd be checking for any potential issues with corrosion,

If you have time take lots of piccies of the various area's and post them on here as folks would be more than happy to give their opinions!