Help rescue a Bay Camper - please

[jmvv]

I happened upon a Bay window camper very late this afternoon. From a distance it seems to be a Westy.

The body looks fairly straight. It has some rust on the lower doors, all glass is intact, the roof is all there but is a shambles. It has some remnants of the cupboards in the rear. It has the front bumper and headlights, but no rearbumper, decklid or taillights. At one stage, it had an engine transplant - I suspect a V6 conversion - and currently has no engine.

It has no papers and is scheduled to go to becoming a Tata or tumble drier, if not rescued quickly.

I would like to tackle something like this, but do not have the space or time.

It would be possible to secure it for about R5000.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

Any takers?

[beetlefanatic]

I think the lack of papers would be a deterrent for most people.

Anyway, I have a complete interior and 2 pop tops if anyone is interested in tackling the restoration.

[Dappermuis]

The problem is certainly the papers.
I tried selling my Bay camper, which needs quite a bit of cosmetic work, with a reconditioned enginge, gearbox and carbs, new battery alternator, wiring regulator, brand new tires and rims etc, and could not even get 10

It might be that it is a lefty that put people off, don't know why though.


Is the interior for sale???

[Golfmad]

No papers.... serious problems for sure

Maybe good for spares though !

[Blitzkrieg]

As long as the car is not on the current enatis system, no papers are not an issue. It can be reintroduced. I know someone who can do it totally legally, for a very reasonable fee

[Ron&Gill]

Thank you Blitz!! I wish people would stop condeming a car because it has no papers! Particularly on this forum. There are all kinds of things that can be done. Check it out before you condemn the car!

[Dappermuis]

It can be done, I have doen it, but it is VERY frustrating, time consuming and can be expensive too.

[Ron&Gill]

That's right, it can be done. And the level of frustration is usually inversly proportional to knowledge of the rules and regulations (both by customer and often more so by authority!) If you are well prepared, it's better.

The reason for my post was that I get the gist from this forum that if its LHD or doesn't have papers, you might as well just crush the vehicle.

But, like with so many issues, the paper issue will become less important as the availability of cars reduces. Watch someone not buy a Gull wing Merc because it doesn't have papers...

Rules are rules, but they are not only there to confound us as customers, but also to stop the authorities from abusing the powers of their office, which are, more often than not, much less than they think. Particularly when it comes to impounding vehicles.

Anyway, that all I have to say about that...

[jmvv]

As promised, I managed to get some pictures.

This shows the rust on the drivers door.



This is the left hand view - as can be seen, the body is fairly straight.



The oval taillights would make it late sixties, I guess.



The interior is salvageable, with the roof tent that needs major assistance.



The original seats are still intact and in good condition.



The worst rust is at the battery tray.


From what I could gather, Westfalia campers on these cars opened either at the front (like this one) or at the rear (like some I've seen witht the larger taillights.)

[Blitzkrieg]

I showed this Westy to a VW acquaintance in the UK and he's like, you SA guys know how to waste a good Bus, that would have been fixed up a long time ago here in the UK

Jmvv is this scrapyard in Centurion?

[forcecooled]

Somebody go and get it --QUICK -- that bus is far from scrap!

[Edmond]

That Bay still looks fairly straight, pls someone rescue it

[jolas]

Somebody go and get it --QUICK -- that bus is far from scrap!

I have to agree, it's too far away for me and if I come home with another bus my Wendy will make much noise ................. R5k is a give-away for that Westy - even if you must spend another R20k it is still worthwhile.

[buggyfan]

this could be the replacement shell that madbones is looking for as his bus has some serious rust issues.
Whats the condition of the doglegs?

[VW-rules]

I bought one just like that from Chris in Feb last year. Paid R4500.00 for it and spent another R3200.00 with Berg to have it prep'ed for a short trip. Promptly drove it back from CT to EL 1000+Km. Spent another R4300.00 repairing some faulty odds and sods on it and (stupid stupid stupid ) sold it to a local for the R11000.00 I'd spent on it.

If I had the time I'd grab this one. At R5000.00 its a steal.