Buying a C15.

[haggis]

Hi. I have one of my silly ideas and was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice (or a straitjacket) on whether or not it sounds feasible. I recently bought a Hy Top which needs many new body panels because of rust. Haven`t been able to find any doors but a bonnet and two new wings cost £150. I read on the forum somewhere that doors cost over £200 each , so, that`s about £600. There are complete vans on ebay for not much more than that so I think it might be worthwhile getting a van, taking everything off it that I might need, either now or in the future , (seats, wheels, exhaust, engine, etc) and scrap the remains. So, is my idea a) completely barmy, b) completely barmy, c) completely barmy or d) the idea of a desperate idiot who never learns from past mistakes? Okay, gotta go, time for my medication..................Haggis.

[Graham]

Hi Haggis

On the face of it your idea sounds plausible but I can't really advise you to do it as I've never been in your position before.

I think there are probably lessons to be learnt about buying from Ebay, I suppose it's OK if you have a good look at the van first and know what you are looking for.

Personally for something like a Romahome or similar I would buy from a dealer, you do pay a higher price but at least you have got some come back if you aren't happy with your purchase when you get it home.

I hope you can sort out Rusty soon and get him on the road so you can start enjoying some camping holidays.

Graham

[ant]

Hi Haggis.
Keep taking the pills!
Rarely will you find a cheap van on ebay that will have better bodywork or at least bodywork that is worth swapping .
Have you tried getting a quote for door skins rather than complete doors? Providing the internal frame of the door is not too bad the door skins will be fine.
Ant

[haggis]

Thank you Graham and Ant for your replies. I haven`t decided what to do with/to Rusty yet but getting a donor van might just be a case of putting good money after bad, even though he needs so many body panels. The doors are rotten and will need to be completely replaced as is the bonnet, but the wings MIGHT be salvageable. Did I mention the rear cross member which is almost not there? Or the lower radiator support? It would be easier to get a new van and glue the Romahome section on the back.............. Anyone know of a nice high bridge that I can jump off? Haggis

[roamingsue]

A bit too late for you Haggis but I have found out that the RAC will do a vehicle inspection for motorhomes for about £200. If you are buying privately I think personally this is money well spent.

[haggis]

Thanks, Roamingsue, I realise an inspection is a bit late now but, believe me, I wont be making THAT mistake again. Maybe I should stick to bicycles in future, or legs. At least legs can`t rust........ can they?

[Derek]

Hi Haggis

Been there, done that, don't do it ;D

Like Ant sez, panels and doors on an old van won't be worth the effort.



Pic of one of my exploits, trouble was that I bought the back Fiat 500 first and it was a pile of junk. The front one was inspected much more thoroughly before money was parted with. Getting rid of the old body shell was difficult once the running gear was removed for storage. It is on a boat trailer on its way to the scrap yard. Problem is, all the worn and rusty bits are the same on both, and you end up with a pile of spares that you don't need.

Good luck with your restoration project.

Derek

[roamingsue]

I really hope you work out a solution Haggis but it sound like it is a very steep learning curve at the moment. You sound like a very positive person though and that will pull you through...

[haggis]

It isn`t , or at least it SHOULDN`T be a learning curve for me as I`ve had more than 10 vans in less than 20 years so I know I shouldn`t buy things without checking them over first but, hey, it`s only more mistake , and I`m sure it wont be my last......... watch this space. Ho hum