I've maybe just acquired a moneypit
Discussion
Hey guys,
I appear to have just acquired a money pit.
Usually, i'm the sort who isn't impulsive, however last night via Whatsapp i appear to have acquired a VW.
The information is very limited, other than it's a 'resto project'.
It was the MIL's van, she's 60 now & has it since she was 35.
She gave it to a work colleague a number of years ago as she had nowhere to store it, on the proviso they restored it & used it for their young family, however, when she gifted it, it sat idle mainly for the past number of years as they didn't do anything to restore it, other than strip it out & do some small jobs, prior to them having it, it'd just had a new engine.
They had a 'deal' that it'd never be sold & if the colleague wanted to get rid of it, the MIL got first refusal on it, which is exactly what has happened, she told us about it, i said we'll have it, viewing is imminent.
Said colleague wants it gone now as they need to pour the resto money into other projects.
I/we (brother in law) have said we'd have the van back, with the view to getting it going again & being used by us/our young family.
The upsides: it's free, the brother in law is a mechanic & has done a full restoration project all be it on a mini, he has all the tools & space to restore it via his workplace.
The downsides: i'm involved, it's not been on the road/MOT'd since 2012, it's a VW so it'll probably cost the earth to fix, i also know nothing about VW's.
I have no idea of the condition, however, it's probably rusty & doesn't run.
It's also a 1981 T25 with the extendable roof.
How much am i going to need to throw on the money fire?
I appear to have just acquired a money pit.
Usually, i'm the sort who isn't impulsive, however last night via Whatsapp i appear to have acquired a VW.
The information is very limited, other than it's a 'resto project'.
It was the MIL's van, she's 60 now & has it since she was 35.
She gave it to a work colleague a number of years ago as she had nowhere to store it, on the proviso they restored it & used it for their young family, however, when she gifted it, it sat idle mainly for the past number of years as they didn't do anything to restore it, other than strip it out & do some small jobs, prior to them having it, it'd just had a new engine.
They had a 'deal' that it'd never be sold & if the colleague wanted to get rid of it, the MIL got first refusal on it, which is exactly what has happened, she told us about it, i said we'll have it, viewing is imminent.
Said colleague wants it gone now as they need to pour the resto money into other projects.
I/we (brother in law) have said we'd have the van back, with the view to getting it going again & being used by us/our young family.
The upsides: it's free, the brother in law is a mechanic & has done a full restoration project all be it on a mini, he has all the tools & space to restore it via his workplace.
The downsides: i'm involved, it's not been on the road/MOT'd since 2012, it's a VW so it'll probably cost the earth to fix, i also know nothing about VW's.
I have no idea of the condition, however, it's probably rusty & doesn't run.
It's also a 1981 T25 with the extendable roof.
How much am i going to need to throw on the money fire?
Hi
We have a 1982 2.0CU T25 (aircooled). We have owned it for 6 years and it is great! Prices are slowly rising as the truly rotten ones are leaving the road.
There is really good website club80-90.co.uk which has a good wiki and some really helpful knowledgeable people who will help at every opportunity,
Brickwerks and VW Heritage are good for spares. https://www.alanhschofield.com/ is recommended for any replacement panels.
Just Kampers are okay for spares but very good for insurance.
What engine does it have?
Ours is in reasonable condition and has taken us over to France camping the last couple of years. In the six years we have needed the following 'big' jobs doing
1. New Carbs
2. New windscreen surround welding in.
3. New front jacking points welding
4. Rear trailing arms welding
Plus loads of service items, oil leaks solving, steering rack issues, hall sender, new float chambers, brake back plates, fridge repairs, electrical earthing issues.
It is relatively simple, so the easier tasks I tackle myself (I am not that competent but can follow a set of instructions!
). Luckily I have a couple of local guys who specialise in these - even some classic garages have been bloody useless in solving issues.
I probably spend about £500 - £750 per year on essential stuff (servicing and repairs) But then I spend more on other stuff (newly covered seats, new curtains, new LED lighting, new USB charging sockets, new bumpers, stereo, new tents, new camping furniture, new gas BBQ, new vinyl flooring, wheel trims, sound proofing in cab, solar panels, new non-rusty bolts etc. etc.) Listing all that is quite scary and I have probably missed some stuff...
Most of all, you will have loads of fun though!
Mike
We have a 1982 2.0CU T25 (aircooled). We have owned it for 6 years and it is great! Prices are slowly rising as the truly rotten ones are leaving the road.
There is really good website club80-90.co.uk which has a good wiki and some really helpful knowledgeable people who will help at every opportunity,
Brickwerks and VW Heritage are good for spares. https://www.alanhschofield.com/ is recommended for any replacement panels.
Just Kampers are okay for spares but very good for insurance.
What engine does it have?
Ours is in reasonable condition and has taken us over to France camping the last couple of years. In the six years we have needed the following 'big' jobs doing
1. New Carbs
2. New windscreen surround welding in.
3. New front jacking points welding
4. Rear trailing arms welding
Plus loads of service items, oil leaks solving, steering rack issues, hall sender, new float chambers, brake back plates, fridge repairs, electrical earthing issues.
It is relatively simple, so the easier tasks I tackle myself (I am not that competent but can follow a set of instructions!
). Luckily I have a couple of local guys who specialise in these - even some classic garages have been bloody useless in solving issues.I probably spend about £500 - £750 per year on essential stuff (servicing and repairs) But then I spend more on other stuff (newly covered seats, new curtains, new LED lighting, new USB charging sockets, new bumpers, stereo, new tents, new camping furniture, new gas BBQ, new vinyl flooring, wheel trims, sound proofing in cab, solar panels, new non-rusty bolts etc. etc.) Listing all that is quite scary and I have probably missed some stuff...
Most of all, you will have loads of fun though!
Mike
Edited by mike9009 on Wednesday 23 January 20:23
mike9009 said:
Hi
We have a 1982 2.0CU T25 (aircooled). We have owned it for 6 years and it is great! Prices are slowly rising as the truly rotten ones are leaving the road.
There is really good website club80-90.co.uk which has a good wiki and some really helpful knowledgeable people who will help at every opportunity,
Brickwerks and VW Heritage are good for spares. https://www.alanhschofield.com/ is recommended for any replacement panels.
Just Kampers are okay for spares but very good for insurance.
What engine does it have?
Ours is in reasonable condition and has taken us over to France camping the last couple of years. In the six years we have needed the following 'big' jobs doing
1. New Carbs
2. New windscreen surround welding in.
3. New front jacking points welding
4. Rear trailing arms welding
Plus loads of service items, oil leaks solving, steering rack issues, hall sender, new float chambers, brake back plates, fridge repairs, electrical earthing issues.
It is relatively simple, so the easier tasks I tackle myself (I am not that competent but can follow a set of instructions! ). Luckily I have a couple of local guys who specialise in these - even some classic garages have been bloody useless in solving issues.
I probably spend about £500 - £750 per year on essential stuff (servicing and repairs) But then I spend more on other stuff (newly covered seats, new curtains, new LED lighting, new USB charging sockets, new bumpers, stereo, new tents, new camping furniture, new gas BBQ, new vinyl flooring, wheel trims, sound proofing in cab, solar panels, new non-rusty bolts etc. etc.) Listing all that is quite scary and I have probably missed some stuff...
Most of all, you will have loads of fun though!
Mike
Thanks Mike,We have a 1982 2.0CU T25 (aircooled). We have owned it for 6 years and it is great! Prices are slowly rising as the truly rotten ones are leaving the road.
There is really good website club80-90.co.uk which has a good wiki and some really helpful knowledgeable people who will help at every opportunity,
Brickwerks and VW Heritage are good for spares. https://www.alanhschofield.com/ is recommended for any replacement panels.
Just Kampers are okay for spares but very good for insurance.
What engine does it have?
Ours is in reasonable condition and has taken us over to France camping the last couple of years. In the six years we have needed the following 'big' jobs doing
1. New Carbs
2. New windscreen surround welding in.
3. New front jacking points welding
4. Rear trailing arms welding
Plus loads of service items, oil leaks solving, steering rack issues, hall sender, new float chambers, brake back plates, fridge repairs, electrical earthing issues.
It is relatively simple, so the easier tasks I tackle myself (I am not that competent but can follow a set of instructions!
). Luckily I have a couple of local guys who specialise in these - even some classic garages have been bloody useless in solving issues.I probably spend about £500 - £750 per year on essential stuff (servicing and repairs) But then I spend more on other stuff (newly covered seats, new curtains, new LED lighting, new USB charging sockets, new bumpers, stereo, new tents, new camping furniture, new gas BBQ, new vinyl flooring, wheel trims, sound proofing in cab, solar panels, new non-rusty bolts etc. etc.) Listing all that is quite scary and I have probably missed some stuff...
Most of all, you will have loads of fun though!
Mike
Edited by mike9009 on Wednesday 23 January 20:23
The one we're 'inheriting' which is probably the best way to describe it, is s 1981 with the rise up roof (sorry i'm not a VW nut so don't know the correct terminology).
Apparently the MIL had a new engine fitted to it some years ago before giving it away, according to the brother in law it was mechanically sound, due to the new engine. How much so this is after a number of years sat idle, we'll soon see (also no idea what engine it was).
The way i see it, is we're being gifted something & i'm happy to spend some money on it to get it useable again as it's not really something you get a chance at every day, plus the OH is keen which is the hardest part!
I'm not really mechanically minded, but i'd give basics a go, like insulating/fitting out the inside etc.
I have friends in various trades (one who converts VW's for a living, so i'm hoping with my enthusiasm & ability to make good tea & pizza that i could call in a few favours.
We're going to see how 'good/bad' it is this evening.
theguvernor15 said:
Thanks Mike,
The one we're 'inheriting' which is probably the best way to describe it, is s 1981 with the rise up roof (sorry i'm not a VW nut so don't know the correct terminology).
Apparently the MIL had a new engine fitted to it some years ago before giving it away, according to the brother in law it was mechanically sound, due to the new engine. How much so this is after a number of years sat idle, we'll soon see (also no idea what engine it was).
The way i see it, is we're being gifted something & i'm happy to spend some money on it to get it useable again as it's not really something you get a chance at every day, plus the OH is keen which is the hardest part!
I'm not really mechanically minded, but i'd give basics a go, like insulating/fitting out the inside etc.
I have friends in various trades (one who converts VW's for a living, so i'm hoping with my enthusiasm & ability to make good tea & pizza that i could call in a few favours.
We're going to see how 'good/bad' it is this evening.
Good luck! I quite enjoy doing all the jobs that need doing - just prioritise getting it roadworthy so you can enjoy it.... The 'other' jobs then become more 'icing on the cake'!.The one we're 'inheriting' which is probably the best way to describe it, is s 1981 with the rise up roof (sorry i'm not a VW nut so don't know the correct terminology).
Apparently the MIL had a new engine fitted to it some years ago before giving it away, according to the brother in law it was mechanically sound, due to the new engine. How much so this is after a number of years sat idle, we'll soon see (also no idea what engine it was).
The way i see it, is we're being gifted something & i'm happy to spend some money on it to get it useable again as it's not really something you get a chance at every day, plus the OH is keen which is the hardest part!
I'm not really mechanically minded, but i'd give basics a go, like insulating/fitting out the inside etc.
I have friends in various trades (one who converts VW's for a living, so i'm hoping with my enthusiasm & ability to make good tea & pizza that i could call in a few favours.
We're going to see how 'good/bad' it is this evening.
Mike
theguvernor15 said:
Hey guys,
I appear to have just acquired a money pit.
Usually, i'm the sort who isn't impulsive, however last night via Whatsapp i appear to have acquired a VW.
The information is very limited, other than it's a 'resto project'.
It was the MIL's van, she's 60 now & has it since she was 35.
She gave it to a work colleague a number of years ago as she had nowhere to store it, on the proviso they restored it & used it for their young family, however, when she gifted it, it sat idle mainly for the past number of years as they didn't do anything to restore it, other than strip it out & do some small jobs, prior to them having it, it'd just had a new engine.
They had a 'deal' that it'd never be sold & if the colleague wanted to get rid of it, the MIL got first refusal on it, which is exactly what has happened, she told us about it, i said we'll have it, viewing is imminent.
Said colleague wants it gone now as they need to pour the resto money into other projects.
I/we (brother in law) have said we'd have the van back, with the view to getting it going again & being used by us/our young family.
The upsides: it's free, the brother in law is a mechanic & has done a full restoration project all be it on a mini, he has all the tools & space to restore it via his workplace.
The downsides: i'm involved, it's not been on the road/MOT'd since 2012, it's a VW so it'll probably cost the earth to fix, i also know nothing about VW's.
I have no idea of the condition, however, it's probably rusty & doesn't run.
It's also a 1981 T25 with the extendable roof.
How much am i going to need to throw on the money fire?
Probably quite alot, but hey, you can't take it with you right? I appear to have just acquired a money pit.
Usually, i'm the sort who isn't impulsive, however last night via Whatsapp i appear to have acquired a VW.
The information is very limited, other than it's a 'resto project'.
It was the MIL's van, she's 60 now & has it since she was 35.
She gave it to a work colleague a number of years ago as she had nowhere to store it, on the proviso they restored it & used it for their young family, however, when she gifted it, it sat idle mainly for the past number of years as they didn't do anything to restore it, other than strip it out & do some small jobs, prior to them having it, it'd just had a new engine.
They had a 'deal' that it'd never be sold & if the colleague wanted to get rid of it, the MIL got first refusal on it, which is exactly what has happened, she told us about it, i said we'll have it, viewing is imminent.
Said colleague wants it gone now as they need to pour the resto money into other projects.
I/we (brother in law) have said we'd have the van back, with the view to getting it going again & being used by us/our young family.
The upsides: it's free, the brother in law is a mechanic & has done a full restoration project all be it on a mini, he has all the tools & space to restore it via his workplace.
The downsides: i'm involved, it's not been on the road/MOT'd since 2012, it's a VW so it'll probably cost the earth to fix, i also know nothing about VW's.
I have no idea of the condition, however, it's probably rusty & doesn't run.
It's also a 1981 T25 with the extendable roof.
How much am i going to need to throw on the money fire?
They are only going one way value wise so you will see a return if you see it out for 'X' amount of time
So it transpires after viewing it today it’s a ‘bit’ of a wreck.
By that I mean it’s a proper money pit.
Brother in law, whilst keen I don’t think will be able to commit his time due to a young family.
So I need to find someone (cheap/enthusiastic/friendly) in Devon who can weld/do car bodywork.
Here’s some photos, feel free to laugh.
It’s a daunting task for someone who’s mechanical talents extend to changing the oil and oil filter on a motorbike.
That’s a few taster images.
It’s got a pop roof, the metal around it needs sorting too.
I genuinely have no idea how much it’s going to set me back to get just the body work sorted. Which is worrying.
By that I mean it’s a proper money pit.
Brother in law, whilst keen I don’t think will be able to commit his time due to a young family.
So I need to find someone (cheap/enthusiastic/friendly) in Devon who can weld/do car bodywork.
Here’s some photos, feel free to laugh.
It’s a daunting task for someone who’s mechanical talents extend to changing the oil and oil filter on a motorbike.
That’s a few taster images.
It’s got a pop roof, the metal around it needs sorting too.
I genuinely have no idea how much it’s going to set me back to get just the body work sorted. Which is worrying.
Timescale is the least of the issue, if i could get it up and going in 12-18 months i'd be happy.
I just want to get the bodywork sorted first & foremost, interior fit-out i'd be confident enough to have a bash at myself & any engine/mechanical stuff a family member can sort out for me.
I just want to get the bodywork sorted first & foremost, interior fit-out i'd be confident enough to have a bash at myself & any engine/mechanical stuff a family member can sort out for me.
The only history i have is it was the mother in laws, she had it for 25+ years, put a new engine in it, then barely used it as her kids (my fiance & her sisters) had grown up by then & weren't fussed about it anymore.
She got into a conversation with a work colleague a few years back who expressed an interest in doing it up.
She gifted it to them, they began stripping the interior out (floor), the husband learned to weld so that he could do the bodywork himself.
As they didn't have garage facilities at their house & young children, the time he could spend on it was sporadic, they've since moved to a new house & as such they don't currently have the time or money to do it as they have a new house to renovate, it's currently stored on their friends driveway who'd like his space back.
They had a deal with the MIL that if they ever decided to get rid of it they'd give it her back, which is where i am now with it.
She got into a conversation with a work colleague a few years back who expressed an interest in doing it up.
She gifted it to them, they began stripping the interior out (floor), the husband learned to weld so that he could do the bodywork himself.
As they didn't have garage facilities at their house & young children, the time he could spend on it was sporadic, they've since moved to a new house & as such they don't currently have the time or money to do it as they have a new house to renovate, it's currently stored on their friends driveway who'd like his space back.
They had a deal with the MIL that if they ever decided to get rid of it they'd give it her back, which is where i am now with it.
The pictures you have taken don't really cover the 'problem' areas.
Seam rash is very common and 'relatively' easy to stay on top of - so those 'bad' bits don't look too bad. The front lip is notorious for rusting out as water gets trapped on the lip. Again not too bad.
Areas I would be looking at (which will determine whether to scrap or not are.
1. Door bottoms (sliding door, cab door and rear door)
2. Lower sill on off side.
3. Jacking points and trailing arms. Get underneath and poke around with a screwdriver in these areas to see how solid it is.
4. Bottom of the windscreen in the corners by the seams. If bad, this means windscreen out and a tricky repair. If left it will leak into the cab, over the fuse box and rust the door steps out. (Ask me how I know this?? )
5. The roof gutter and condition of the roof around these areas. I have a high top, so don't quite know the construction of a pop top, but try lifting the roof to get a better look. Check above the cab and rear corners particularly.
6. Rear wheel arches can rust all the way through - check from inside of the arch.
Dependent on these areas and being aware of the cost/ scale of works will determine your action. If all the bad rust is in the photos you have shown, it is definitely worth saving.
Seam rash is very common and 'relatively' easy to stay on top of - so those 'bad' bits don't look too bad. The front lip is notorious for rusting out as water gets trapped on the lip. Again not too bad.
Areas I would be looking at (which will determine whether to scrap or not are.
1. Door bottoms (sliding door, cab door and rear door)
2. Lower sill on off side.
3. Jacking points and trailing arms. Get underneath and poke around with a screwdriver in these areas to see how solid it is.
4. Bottom of the windscreen in the corners by the seams. If bad, this means windscreen out and a tricky repair. If left it will leak into the cab, over the fuse box and rust the door steps out. (Ask me how I know this??
)5. The roof gutter and condition of the roof around these areas. I have a high top, so don't quite know the construction of a pop top, but try lifting the roof to get a better look. Check above the cab and rear corners particularly.
6. Rear wheel arches can rust all the way through - check from inside of the arch.
Dependent on these areas and being aware of the cost/ scale of works will determine your action. If all the bad rust is in the photos you have shown, it is definitely worth saving.
To be honest the bits you can see don’t seem that bad, I’ve just worked on one the same as yours which has been left in an open barn for 5 years, it’s as solid as a rock underneath, but tatty on top, nothing that can’t be tackled in time.
I’d check the underside before I tackled yours, if it’s rotten that’s where your money will get used.
I’d check the underside before I tackled yours, if it’s rotten that’s where your money will get used.
I would watch Soup on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/user/TheeKookTube
If you don't want to do this, send it to the crusher.
If you don't want to do this, send it to the crusher.
Thanks for the replies so far..
I'm going to collect the skip on Thursday.
'Apparently', it's solid underneath, how so, we'll find out once it's on a ramp, i see no reason for the guy to lie about it, he didn't pay for it & i'm not paying him either for it.
I have a local welder coming to have a look at it once i have it back, also a local bodyshop to see if its worth it
.
Panelling via breakers online seems pretty reasonable for parts (a lot more so than i thought, I've joined some of the Facebook VW enthusiasts pages).
The way i see it, I've paid nothing for it, so don't stand to lose anything & i have the support of the OH to get it done if i want too.
However everyone has understandably said if it's not doable to do whatever i want with it.
I'm going to collect the skip on Thursday.
'Apparently', it's solid underneath, how so, we'll find out once it's on a ramp, i see no reason for the guy to lie about it, he didn't pay for it & i'm not paying him either for it.
I have a local welder coming to have a look at it once i have it back, also a local bodyshop to see if its worth it
.
Panelling via breakers online seems pretty reasonable for parts (a lot more so than i thought, I've joined some of the Facebook VW enthusiasts pages).
The way i see it, I've paid nothing for it, so don't stand to lose anything & i have the support of the OH to get it done if i want too.
However everyone has understandably said if it's not doable to do whatever i want with it.
'If' it is not bad underneath, has a new, running engine (bear in mind not all 'new' engines are equal) and needs a little reassembly then just get it MOTed and running. Have you checked the last MOT result on-line? - this might give you some clues as what areas need attention.
You can treat the seam rash yourself with some rattle cans in the short term. The front bumper area will be a little complicated repair, but I suspect a local welder/ fabricator could sort this quite easily with a repair patch.
Then go out and enjoy it this summer, find the foibles and book in for more extensive works next autumn/ winter.
It could quite easily look like ours. <gratuitous pictures for inspiration>
Note ours has been roller painted - so eventually will be resprayed professionally - despite it looking okay!
You can treat the seam rash yourself with some rattle cans in the short term. The front bumper area will be a little complicated repair, but I suspect a local welder/ fabricator could sort this quite easily with a repair patch.
Then go out and enjoy it this summer, find the foibles and book in for more extensive works next autumn/ winter.
It could quite easily look like ours. <gratuitous pictures for inspiration>
Note ours has been roller painted - so eventually will be resprayed professionally - despite it looking okay!
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