53 replies to this topic

[owenlcr]

Hi folks, I am a new member to the forum having purchased a 1968 mini van. The previous owner started modifying the van but decided to sell part way through his project. My plan is to make it as original as possible and keeping as an interest and investment.

Prior to starting the project~









After 2 days of stripping






Now ready for blasting to find any hidden problem areas, and the i can then order any replacement/repair parts

Edited by owenlcr, 21 May 2020 - 10:02 PM.

[Gadgets]

Ooh another nice van project, we have a group of Mini van owners on Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/groups/547726491913780  

 

I look forward to following your build.

[minimissions]

Looks like a really good build the shell doesnt seem to bad either :) good luck :)

[owenlcr]

No the shell looks reasonable, the only obvious part that looks poor is the main floor which is more like a patchwork quilt so I have decided to replace the whole floor assembly, the rest will will be easier to spot once it arrives home from the blaster.

 

Edited by owenlcr, 15 January 2015 - 04:41 PM.

[Vinay-RS]

Very nice looking project. Good luck with the restoration :)

[SAL 821X]

Nice looking project that. Good luck with the blasting hopefully it wont unearth any nasty surprises.

[owenlcr]

Well its Back from blasting and it has reveled alot more battle scars than i first thought, looing forward to the challenge, will be starting surgery next week so will add more info here throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by owenlcr, 13 February 2015 - 09:25 AM.

[SAL 821X]

Blimey! Pigeon poo covered Edam..... 

 

 

Nothing a fresh panel or three can't sort though. 

[Ben_O]

Quite a few nasty old repairs there!

 

Good luck with the project mate

 

Ben

[java gt]

Nothing worse than undoing poor bodges that were all that a van merited when it was a low value work vehicle but at least all the panels are available and you can see what you have to do after it was blasted.Happy grinding and welding.

[owenlcr]

Well thats the van garaged and work has commenced, afraid to say it's going to get worse before it gets better but that's all part of the fun i suppose, 

 

 

 

First to go was the main floor

 

But M-Machine to the rescue

 

then night time homework begins

 

 

Edited by owenlcr, 27 March 2015 - 08:30 AM.

[Ben_O]

Did M machine supply that floor assembled or did you assemble it from bits?

 

Ben

[slidehammer]

Great project, I love the commercials. It is still a lot more sound than what a lot of people are starting with. Undoing other peoples bodges is a real pain as you can always work out how the panels were meant to join etc. Keep the updates coming

[One step at a time]

Great looking project. I take it you sorted the subframes out whilst the shell was being blasted.
What's your ideas for it?

[owenlcr]

Ben - the subframe arrived as per the photo, i have had a measure of it and looks mm perfect.

Slide - To look at the floor it wasnt that bad until it was blasted then the true condition was revealed, most panels from the scuttle down have been poorly repaired at some point.

One step - I work out of the country so only get limited time to work on my commercial, the subrames and seats have been a good indoor project as all parts are in new condition.
I plan to make the van as close to concours as possible but with a few personal tweeks made throughout as enhancements, such as cooper S discs, polly bushed, hilos but importantly nothing that cant be undone to completely original.

Thanks folks