'74 Devon Bay Camper - Winston

[acpaterson]

haa hahahahahahaa...

[hendriks]

The camper looks good Alan. Congrats.

I semt you an email regarding the hubcaps you were looking for.

[acpaterson]

Update. Struck a deal with my Spraypainter who did the Porsche. So it's all systems go.
First, hope to float R,Worthy tomorrow, and go grab the licence disc, and then it's all legit, in my name, and I can then go mental.

With the help of Mr Mance, I intend then stripping a lot off the bus, windows etc, and then drive through to the Panelbeaters. 4 Weeks and I should get it back, all rust removed and everything nice and straight, Red and White.

Busy finalizing new Hubcaps, got him a nice car cover from the UK as he's gonna stand outside for Winter, but these car covers are VERY strong and snow-proof. Also bought 4 White wheel sides to go on the tyres.

Then we can start interior build.

Alan

[acpaterson]

Roadworthy passed. Mechanically this bus is ROCK solid, so that's some peace of mind.
Got my Licence Disc, and they updated the description, from a Caravan, to a Panel Van.. lol..

Into the bodyshop in a few days.

[Klaus]

Good going !!

[Dawie]

Good that it passed roadworthy that easily.

Did you ask them to change the description? I would think the category "caravan" is the best classification. "Caravan/special vehicle" is the way they class motorhomes, even if it looks nothing like a caravan. In the heavier weight category, this have advantages, which probably does not apply to light vehicles.

It may however be beneficial to have it as a panelvan if you want to stop next to the beach if caravans are not allowed there.
The law officially applies to what is written/classified on your disc, not what the cop next to the road think the vehicle looks like.

[acpaterson]

Lol, yep, they agreed a "Caravan" cannot be self-propelled. So it's been changed to a Panel Van. Light Load Vehicle.

[acpaterson]

Wednesday the 18th, knocked off work early, got home, changed, asked the missus to follow, and off we rolled to the panel beaters. Got on the N7 and decided to see how he runs.. besides the side winds blowing me into the yellow emergency lane every now and then, I got the needle up to 110 kms.. Bus sounds ok, feels ok, I'm not foot flat, and all seems good. I'm going to do a speed test with an App on my Blackberry when I get him back, see exactly how accurate the speed is because I've got slightly larger dia tyres on the bus.

Anyway, dropped him off same people who did the Speedy, So he's in familiar surroundings. Should get him back in a month or so looking all fresh and new. Will post pics then.

Alan

[Kafer74]

Very nice bus, congrats and many happy miles.

[jolas]

I've also just had a bus passed through roadworthy, a good feeling indeed

Good luck with the project

[acpaterson]

Update.
Asked Branden to please collect my Sliding Windows as he's got a good idea to make internal surrounds for them. Took a Pic as well.
Here's a SNEAK PEAK of Winston shortly after surgery for his new facelift. Getting rid of that double-chin and "growth"...

rustout.jpg

Still a ways to go, but at least he's going to be as good as can be, and look like a rockstar.

[bugspray]

Looking great man. Can you/anybody tell me how come campers have so many different roof variations? My Westy pops forward, this pops up and some pop backwards???

[Derek]

Fig is the expert on all things Westfalia, but essentially from 1968 - 1972 (?) the Westfalia roof was front-hinged, after which the design changed and it became rear-hinged, although none of these were sold on Bays by VW in SA, so any you see were direct imports. A pop-up roof that goes straight up is known as a Devon roof and was produced over a lengthier period of time from as far back as the late 50's I think. A sideways opening roof was fitted by Dormobile, a competitor to Westfalia.

[acpaterson]

Thanks Derek, very interesting.
This one I've got with the pop up top, it also had the original pamphlet with the paperwork from Cock's Camper Conversions that might still be in operation out Brakenfell side.. It looks like they did this roof conversion and the interior back in the day. Brandon seems to think they might still be around.. Maybe try track them down, they might have roof's lying around for you.

Chow

[Bossie2004]

Alan, the last photo makes Winston a properse Cape bus...looks like a "Passion Gap" there bru...

You mentioned

... I got the needle up to 110 kms.. Bus sounds ok, feels ok, I'm not foot flat, and all seems good. I'm going to do a speed test with an App on my Blackberry when I get him back, see exactly how accurate the speed is because I've got slightly larger dia tyres on the bus....

what size are the tires on Winston then, I've been told that I should look for 185/65/14's - read that the Hankook RA08 is the preferred replacement for the Bay's, else Kumho or Vredesteins - all contracted by VW to design tires for the Kombis...I have to replace mine for Roadworthy.

I've also downloaded an APP on my phone (NavierHUD - Heads Up Display) that I'm testing - gives you lekka directions and speed/time/etc on the windscreen - just need to find a way to see it properly at daytime - seems they use some kind of a transparent sheet stuck on the windscreen to assist with the daytime display...

Cheers,
Marius.