1972 Highwayman?

[lwd]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum, and like many I have spent the last few months reading posts and looking into the world of the commer van. Last year my partner decided she liked the looks of this caamper on ebay.. so she bought it:-( I have now been assigned the job of fixing him up. I have finally decided to start taking it apart to see what's what.. rot, rust, the usual. I'll post a few pics to give you some idea of "Nessy". I think I'm mainly looking to see if she worth fixing myself or passing it on. Thanks Lonny

 

[admin]

welcome!

I think we can all say we've seen much worse

Thanks very much for all the lovely photos - you've obviously been reading long enough to know the demands of your audience - you'll go far!! [8D]

 

[commerchris]

Welcome to the mad house,well your other half has good taste [8D]
How ever that does look like a lot of work.(Yes we have seen worse)What are your skills like? if you think you have time & skills pot of cash etc & your partner will enjoy the van for a long time then definately worth it you will get plenty of support & useless info here.Thanks for all the pic's Hope you decide to go for it & it makes you both very happy.ps looks like it has already started [8D]

Sybhil & no1

 

[renaultvation]

Welcome to the forum.

You may already be familiar with this thread, but if you are in need of inspiration, you may wish to familiarise yourself with the restoration of OK U. [:0]

http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1720&whichpage=4

I wish you well with your challenge.

'It's not a proper slider'

 

[BigMonkeyMan]

hello and welcome! What is your plan for getting Nessy sorted?Complete restoration or a rolling job?

Where abouts are you?

I think most things have been done by someone on the forum at some point so there's lots of experience to draw on. If there's something you aren't sure about just ask.

I presume you are aware of Woolfie and Martin's enterprises. Woolfie (www.coventrycommerpanels.co.uk) makes repair panels and Martin supplies lots of mechanical goodies (www.commervanspares.co.uk)

all the best

Rupert

www.littleyellowcar.co.uk

 

[studiocommer]

Hi Lonny, Welcome to the forum you certainly have a project on there - a prime example (of all the usual commer weaknesses[V]) Its entirely up to how much you love the van really, all the panels are available and help is at hand to give you advice on how best to get them stuck on.

Looking at yer pics am wondering if you'll also have some chassis problems at back end - that little pair of screw holes in floor behind wheel arch let water inside chassis to rot it from the end outward 'til it bursts through rear corners (just like yours have)

All still fixable (am in the process of doing the same repairs) just worth a look as can affect your rear spring hangers.

Hope you decide to stick with it, Will be good to see Nessy raised from the depths

Bessie - four star commerdation

 

[Panky]

Hi Lonny welcome to the Madhouse
As you may have guessed the rot you see is quite normal unfortunately, only thing is you have got the lot in one go [xx(] You could replace the lower fluted panel with flat sheet - they are hidden from view anyway so no one will know :I. I think the most awkward repair you have got is the roof edge above the passenger door, fiddly with all that fibre glass around. Good look with the project, you will find help and support by the hi-top BT van load on here

'Harvey the RV'

 

[lwd]

Thanks for the welcome and comments. I was wondering about the side under fluted skirts, thought I would use panels from cookers and washers as I have an abundance. As far a big pot of funds... think I'll have to sit on it a while. It looks like I'll have to remove the whole camper add-on bits, including the fiberglass front cover to get at all the rot. was also thinking while its apart, doing a ford v6 auto swap like dozers. Anybody know what have been the best suspension mods for stability and ride?

 

[commeracer]

welcome along Lonny pretty much a typical commer there [xx(].
engine swap is a very good idea. rear axle wise the best thing to do is 5 link and coilover, next best fit a panhard rod and some location bars. a good axle to use is rover p5 (same pcd) or ford capri atlas. good luck

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"