Carl's 1972 Bay Window Camper

Wed, 6 Aug 2008
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Here's my 1972 Camper, and I’m writing to say a big thank you to Paul Holmes, my girlfriend’s dad, without whom I would’ve ended up with no VW and out of pocket.
When I first got invited to my girlfriend Tracey’s house, I pulled up in my Camper, which at the time was in primer. Tracey has a Beetle, so her parents were keen to have a look around my Bus. A couple of months and shows had passed before I asked Paul if he would look at my brakes. We found that neither rear brake drum was operating and that only one front disc was working! While we were doing the brakes, Paul checked the chassis rails and floor and said there was no way my Camper should’ve passed an MoT! I was also told off for driving his daughter around in it – ha ha!
This is when the work started! At the time I lived in Leicester and was travelling up to Sheffield every weekend to work on the Camper with Paul and Tracey. We stripped out the interior while Paul got to work replacing the chassis rails. As he worked, he kept finding more and more rot! Section by section, the chassis rails and outriggers were repaired or replaced.
With the chassis solid, we started work on the body. This is where I learnt that primer hides everything! Panels like the front wheel arches were held on by three tack-welds, then plastered with filler.
We spent weeks replacing, repairing and rubbing down panels!
Tracey and I made and covered the door cards and upholstered the interior. The only thing we had made for us was the cushions. I cannot take credit for the cool slide-out bed Paul made for us though, nor the pop-up DVD player that uses an electric window motor!
If Paul had not offered to do the welding and spraying for me, I would have taken it to a garage, and I know I would have been in a situation where I wouldn’t have been able to afford the work.
Tracey has been great, too. She worked on the Camper with me and now we are out enjoying it!
Carl, Sheffield