Page 32 - Transporter Talk - Issue 197

MEMBERS MOTOR
Hi Guys, now for the next part of our journey into the restoration of our 1976 Type 2 bay window. Having already replaced the complete front end, (July/ Aug 23 Club mag) and passenger outer wheel arch, and helping brother-in-law complete his restoration, it was time to take Lotty off the road and redo the body and paintwork.... This is something that I have been putting off for a long time, mainly because of the money but the thought of what might be hidden under all the previous owners paint jobs. After working on doing the brother in laws and seeing things can be achieved with a little time, space and money (spend as much or as little as you feel the need to!) You can achieve good things. No, the vans are not perfect, but they are perfect for us and hopefully last another 30/40 years? First, the removal of all exterior bits and bobs and label up all wiring, something learnt from previous jobs, to make sure everything goes back and works! And then to start. I left the windows in for
the first stage so as to not get the whole interior covered in dust, but that failed and ended up removing 90% of the rear furniture as the removal of the paint proved a mammoth task.
Approximately 30 hrs consisting of only 4-5 hrs Saturday and Sunday mornings using a wire wheel on an angle grinder, we got her to the stage in the first picture. Yes, the nice chrome wheels were removed and my old stock ones put on. Yes, the windows remained, and I wasn't too worried about the rubbers as new ones were going to be fitted on completion of the project. This is where we found a multitude of sins, filler like I’ve never seen before, and the rear passenger outer wheel arch was completely the wrong shape to the other side.
There was also a lot of structural supports to be welded in as the originals had either rotted or come apart from the main body. These were fabricated and welded and seam sealed in.
Lottyanne by John “Undie” Underwood
32 | Transporter Talk Issue 197