The Grin Bin, more images to follow.

[The Grin Bin]

Hello all, I haven’t posted in years, if ever! Our 1973 van is now looking the best she has in the 14 years of owning her. Big thanks to Martin for all of his help throughout.


Hopefully the pictures I think I have attached come through? We call her the Grin Bin. I have read many of the posts you all have posted, they have been a great help; thanks to all.

Cheers Dan

 

[Dodgymark]

Wow what a little beauty…. Martin does do some amazing panels etc and you have done amazing job fitting and spraying them . Well done you

 

[S0updragon]

Wow fantastic. Well done.

 

[jimberlake]

Wow immaculate! Fine finishing job there

 

[Panky]

Gorgeous You've got on our right side and posted pics before we even asked, you obviously know the rules
For one horrible moment I thought the title of the thread was the Gin Bin and we were about to see another van turned into a hipster gin bar. But thankfully we see a wonderful example of an Auto-Sleeper - well done.
Just one little detail I'm a tad uncomfortable with - the front number plate. The Commer engine needs all the cooling it can get and where it is just now could block off some of the air flow to the radiator. I know you will have to drill some holes on that lovely front panel but the plate really needs to be there and not on the grille - the rest is just fantastic.

 

[The Grin Bin]

Wow what a little beauty…. Martin does do some amazing panels etc and you have done amazing job fitting and spraying them . Well done

 

[The Grin Bin]

Hi, so not sure if this works but… thanks to
@ dodgymark
@ S0updragon
@ jimberlake
@ Panky

Thank you so much for your positive replies, these vans are amazing!! I must also thank my mate Symeon who has fabricated two pieces for the floor pan each of which are works of art to my mind. We are lucky that the floor pan/chassis/etc is all in amazing condition and that Martin’s panels saved the rest.

Now that she is turn key and happy again we hope to join you at the next meet. We are in Cornwall so anywhere is a mission but… mission on!

Panky, thanks for your comments re cooling; I really don’t want to drill her forehead but equally don’t want to hang the plate on her bumper! Any thoughts?

Thanks again
Dan

 

[The Grin Bin]

The Grin Bin hit 62.5mph and managed to leap over my Capri in a nod to James Bond!

 

[Dodgymark]

You can get strong double sided number plate tape that will do the job instead of drilling

 

[Panky]

Any thoughts? it just looks better and better

Below the bumper isn't ideal either as it partially blocks the lower inlet. As Mark says plate tape will remove the need to drill holes but can make a mess if trying to remove it. Maybe the plate set central on the bumper or under the bumper but set to one side away from the inlet, not sure if it's legal though. But if you're not having any cooling problems then don't worry about it but keep it in mind for the future.

 

[The Grin Bin]

Hi Panky, thanks for your input. I have considered a magnetic one which could then be put on the grill when parked up. Ideally I’d like to run her without one there at all, but….. I don’t think that would go down well! I guess if I am worrying about such trivial things then she is all but done!!

Do you know of anyone that sells the inserts for the driver and passenger door windows? The glass I have goes up and down in a wonky donkey style and always leaves a slight gap; I think the seal/insert I need may have been felt or leather?

Also, if it helps anyone, my seat foams and diaphragms where knackered and took ages to discover they are Sunbeam Tiger seats. 12 years of cushions!!

Cheers Dan

 

[The Grin Bin]

Other photos as promised..

 

[Panky]

Now that is an impressive awning frame
The glass guides are a steel U shaped section lined with felt. It's a pretty universal section but there are a couple of brackets that need swapping over from the old ones. The channels are pretty long and go most of the length of the door so it's a bit of a fiddly job. Measure the width and look on Woolies trim, they might have it.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Loving the awning frame...

 

[S0updragon]

You could always just put the number plate propped up on the dashboard and if stopped say it fell off etc.