OH... MY... GOD!!!

Well, we finally got a quote from The Farnborough VW Centre for the work to be done on Loki. It's a lot, as in a big number, much bigger than we anticipated. Still within our budget... just, but it doesn't leave us with much with which to buy the not so essential items we wanted (like a reversing camera hooked up to an in car computer, or an awning etc).

At the end of the it is still worth doing as having the underside of the camper almost completely rebuilt will increase its value substantially, but we're not in to make money, we're in it to have fun.

Personally I'm inclined to let Andy from Farnborough VW get on with it as he has done work on Loki in the past and he is very good. Lydia, however, thinks we should get more quotes. We'll have to see who gets to brow-beat the other into submission!

This is what it failed on...

Well, here is the MOT failure list. Any tips anyone???

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Offside Front Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn rubber bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative (1.5.A3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is above 850mm from the ground
(1.6.B3)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (not working) (1.1.4a)

Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.D.1)

Nearside Front outrigger/floor Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
(2.4.A.2)

Offside Front outrigger/floor/outer sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
(2.4.A.2)

Offside Front inner outrigger Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.2)

Offside Rear outrigger/inner/outer sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
(2.4.A.2)

Nearside Rear outrigger/inner/outer sill Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively
corroded (2.4.A.2)

Advisory Notice issued

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn rubber bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.D.1)

O/s and n/s inner and outer sills rusting extensivley

O/s and n/s front to raer chassis rusting

Slight play steering box

Stumbled at the first hurdle...

Uh oh, first problem already! I wanted to make some calls today to get quotes and assessments from local, reputable VW restoration specialists. So I go and look for the MOT failure document and failed to find it.

Not a problem in its self. You can now get your vehicles MOT history online, just type in your vehicles registration number and the document reference number from your V5c document.... hold on, did you say V5c?

Surely the document reference from my V5 would work? No. Apparently I should have been sent a replacement V5C - I suspect I was. However, I don't know where on earth it ended up so I phoned the DVLA and ordered a new V5C.

Guess I'll have to wait a few more days..

The BIG to-do list

So, now that we are back from honeymoon we need to start thinking about getting the van back on the road. There is absolutely loads and loads of work that needs to be done as well as some stuff we would like to have done. It breaks down to the following:

Essential
=======

1. Get quotes and assesments for welding work (sills, jacking points, wheel arches)
2. Get quotes for having fuel lines completely replaced (engine-out job :-( )
3. Get front seats fitted properly (I did a bit of a bodge job of this in the past)
4. Sort out problem with starter motor, possible mounting problem
5. Wiring loom overhaul
   
6. Any other work to get Loki through his MOT test

Would Like
========

1. Twin carbs (better economy, more power)
2. Lowered suspension (better handling)
3. Upgraded brakes (safer)
4. Stainless steel exhaust
   
5. New wheels fitted (bought a second-hand set of original Wolfrace slot-mag alloys years ago, just need fitting)
6. Fit rock'n'roll bed
7. Build camping interior units
8. Fit new head lining
9. Interior panel cards re-upholstered
   
10. Awning
11. Cab step for Lydias short legs
    

And if there is any money left
=====================

1. In-car PC system
2. LPG conversion

Well, that's all I can think of for now. I shall start tomorrow with getting the quotes for the expensive welding work from Farnborough VW and Berkshire Bugs, let's hope that doesn't blow the budget in one fell swoop!

The journey starts before we even turn a wheel!

So, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of all of our friends and family we can finally put Loki on the road to recovery. For those of you who don't know Loki, he is our beloved 1974 VW Campervan...

As you can see, he is not in the best condition in the world, but we love him. He has been off the road, sat in our garage for a number of years now and now we can afford to get him fixed up so we can go away as a family.

I will use this blog to chart our progress and keep anyone interested enough updated on the restoration.

Thanks for reading!