Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[WalthamstowJohn66]

Hi all,

I'm new to the group and new to the world of classic cars. I've long admired the cars from my youth (the 1970's) and have finally built up the courage to take on a small project and here's where I need some advice:
I've got a young daughter and thought that as opposed to buying a car, I could start with a 1970s camper van so we can have some good weekends out. I've seen a MK1 transit camper, looks tatty but runs well. It'll need a couple of door skins and the motorhome bit needs a good sorting out as it's a mess.
I'm pretty practical and think I could do a fair bit of the mostly cosmetic work (other than any welding) - A) should I start with something a bit smaller and B) does anyone know what parts availability is like for these old girls? Any honest advice/help/tips etc will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all

[baconsdozen]

Hi
I've got one of the MK1s. They can and do rot,the worst bit as regards sending them to the scrap yard is the front shackle and crossmember areas.
Some engine parts are iffy but most common stuff is there if you look long enough.

_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum John,

One key thing with a project like this is storage, are you able to keep it under cover while working on it? Restoring and maintaining an older vehicle while outside can be achieved, as indeed previous poster baconsdozen has proven many times, but bad weather can be very off-putting especially when there are already many challenges presented by the restoration itself.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[D4B]

Hi John from Walthamstow who was probably born in the late 1960's...

Welcome here, I too grew up in the 1970's, so can easily identify with your hankering after vehicles from that era. If my wife would allow another van on the drive a MK1 Transit camper would be near the top of my list

Good Luck with it and many happy holidays too

Steve

[Rick]

I do sometimes wonder about a porthole-window Bedford CA sometime for the same reasons ... mmmm

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[baconsdozen]

I forgot to mention that damp is the big enemy of the coachbuilt motorhomes (and indeed caravans). If it has got a hold inside it can be a monumental job to put right.
I converted my van to overdrive and added disc front brakes. A lot of people dismiss the old V4 engines as rough and gutless but mine hauls the heavy body along quite well and it starts up first turn of the key despite having on occassion stood for months over the winter. I know I'm sad but I find it pleasant to drive even if it means going anywhere at a slower pace that in a modern vehicle.
Door skins shouldn't be too bad to do,the bonnets rot badly at the front and oddly so sometimes do the air cleaners as water gets down the back of the bonnet and onto the cleaner. Check the inner wings and the exhaust down pipes,they are now impossible to source although you can get them made. Mechanically they are easy to work on,for any major engine work the front unbolts and there is plenty of room to grovel underneath .
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[WalthamstowJohn66]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looking at the photo of your one Baconsdozen makes me want to just get out there and start! Totally agree with you RJ regarding storage and that's a bit of a problem. I've a driveway and a garage but the garage just about takes a car so I would be working outside. I guess with the spring coming I feel a bit more optimistic.
Steve - you're spot on how did you guess

I'll give an update if I go for it , thanks again guys

J

[baconsdozen]

Go for it.
You know you want to really.
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[D4B]

[emmerson]

John, take care if you do buy coachbuilt. As has already been said, damp and woodrot in the body kills off more of these than the chassis, whatever make that might be.
I did have a go a couple of years ago with a CI Motorhome on a Commer/Dodge chassis. No major problems with the Commer bits, door rot, drivers floor as expected, and foolishly, I did all the chassis work first. I then moved inside, which appeared to be in very good order (the main reason why we bought it: it looked gorgeous!)
This is where it all went pear shaped. The coachwork was rotten as a pear behind the pristine interior panels, way beyond my limited woodworking skills. Fortunately, I'd only paid peanuts for the van, and managed to unload it at a small profit to a guy who was more confident in woodwork.
Moral being, do the body work before the chassis, and you won't come unstuck as I did.
Good Luck!