13 Window Project

Pictures when I get the chance!

The 13 is going well. It has new safari windows and, when they finaly arrive, will have all new alloy pop-outs - lots of them. We have laid out pro quality wiring and speaker cables for the new hifi. We have also fitted a high-capacitly Bosch battery and charging system to drive the ancillary electrics.

The interior panels and oak flooring are being fitted as I type..................

1970 Westy

Forgot about this one! Last week the 1970 Westy was given a full mechanical overhaul ready for it's new owners. We installed new seatbelts, a big leisure battery, split-charge relay and an additional fuse box for camping equipment. Finally the underside was cleaned and then sealed with a quality rustproofer - essential for an imported bus that has never seen salt or rain before.

59 Devon project

A few photos showing the progress of the 1959 Devon Project. This was one hell of a corroded bus - difficult to know where to start because the chassis was gone, the roof was gone and almost everything inbetween was a mess. In fact, if it wasn't a super rare bus, we would have advised the owner to scrap it.

Photo below shows the initial cutting out of bad panels - most of the underside was contructed from folded galvanized tin

The main chassis rails were holed and warped.

carnage!

although we braced the bus we were forced to repair parts of the chassis before we could cut all the rot away

once the ends of the chassis were sound we got rid of all the old metal

everything was replaced and we put in new conduits for all the cables

New window appatures were fabricated and fitted. A new front panel was fitted along with the new front valance, wheel arches, front floors, rust-free doors......................................
Both sides of the bus were removed and we fitted Creative Engineering panels. These panels are bonded on to the bus skeleton and only require a small amount of welding around the edges. The end result is a side panel which is super straight and doesn't need filling.

High build primer covers the imperfections on the side panel - ready for paint and no filler used!

The bus is now in the final stages of preparation prior to paint

The bus will be returned to it's original Mango colour scheme and reunited with it's fully refurbished handbuilt Devon interior - not long now. There are only a handful of these early Devons left in the world - it will be great to see this one back on the road.

62 Devon

A bit more work on the 62 Devon today. The hacked-up radio grill was sorted out with a donor panel

T4 Dropped Just a Bit

Last week we also had a T4 in for a mild drop. It got 50mm lowered sports springs on the rear and the front end tweaked down about 100mm. The bus will be riding on 18inch Audi rims pretty soon.

Late Crewcab

Right after we lowered the orange crewcab we went out and found another 1979 orange bus (actually if was here at 50-67 waiting for welding) and got some comparison shots.

A couple of pictures showing the Genesis amp, sub and 6x9s

13 Window Project

Some before and after pictures as the 13 Window Project gets a perfect new headlining

Old Split gets new steel

With 7 splitscreens in the unit at the moment we have plenty to get on with. Sam is sorting the decklid hanger on an early bus - he will fabricate the inner panel and fit a new Autocraft outer

new inner in place - our welding is a lot better than our photography!new outer fitted
outer sprayed in epoxy/zinc paint
fantastic job

Late Crewcab Upgrades

This is Marks late bay crewcab - a superb low-mileage truck with a 2 litre fuel injected motor. It's in the workshop for a mild lowering job and hi-fi upgrade. We will be fitting adjusters to the front beam and adjustable springplates on the rear. All will be set up so Mark can go lower when he gets his new alloy wheels.

We will be fitting an IPOD compatible Alpine head unit together with a Genesis 4-way amp, Alpine typeR speakers and a big sub. While we are at it we will fit a split charge relay and a leisure battery.

Picture below - lots of sparks as the plasma cutter makes a neat job of removing the bump-stops

New adjustable springplates
front end nicely down - plenty of adjustment left as well
once lowered we set the tracking
rear end sits really nice
will get some better pictures once the rain has stopped!

SO23 Westfalia

1960 Westfalia so23 in the workshop for a full brake overhaul, 12 volt conversion, MOT and major service

1970 Westfalia Sold

The 1970 Westfalia has been sold. It will be staying with us for a little while for a series of improvements for the new owners.

The Silver Car - now roadworthy

The Silver Car was treated to some new metal before Christmas. The car, a 1976 Jensen GT, is a worthy contender for restoration. Just 511 of these hand-built lotus-engined GTs were built before the Jensen factory closed in 1976 - only a few survive. This particular car (number 175) is now rock solid and got an MOT test for Christmas!

A new inner rear valance was fabricated before the new outer valace was fitted

The leading edges of both rear wings were full of holes. New panels were fabricated in-house and welded into place.