Page 29 - Transporter Talk - Issue 197

ERIC THE VIKING
Spend since last report: £353
Total hours labour since last report: 26.5
Nick Gillott nick@vwt2oc.co.uk
The millstone reached a milestone this time, Eric starts and drives! Admittedly half the windows are missing, the outside paintwork is only part complete, the lights are missing, the front seat is in but only partly and the doors are so tight due to new rubber that you almost need a run up to get them closed. Nonetheless, Eric’s engine starts nicely and he can be moved around under his own power which is a huge win. The rev counter was connected up but does not work – need to investigate, possibly a loose connection. The fuel gauge was connected up but does not work – need to investigate, possibly a loose connection. At that point I decided not to test any further circuits!
The bumpers came back from the shot blast company looking rather better than before and I got them to blast the air intake grill between the front indicators. That afternoon I etch primed all of the bare metal before priming all over and top coating inside with 2 coats.
The front panel was drilled for the spare wheel to be mounted and I have used rivnuts to make things both strong and reuseable.
Then there was nothing left to procrastinate over and I had to tackle the metal roof. This roof came from California from a deluxe model and was generally in good order unlike the original roof that had rotted away over the years. There was a lot of patina surface rust which some people think looks good – I’m not in that group and attacked it all with a sander. Once the van was suitable masked, the rear half of the roof was sanded, rust proofed, primed and top coated which took the bulk of a day and looks ok. It will mostly be covered by the upstairs bed and is protected.
Transporter Talk Issue 197 | 29