Hi all, 12 years ago my van, Purdy suffered a catastrophic engine failure in the pouring rain, on tour in Belgium. Three years ago I was finally able to get the restoration underway. Today, I collected her and drove her for the first time since 2007. She went 35 miles, with only the occasional snag. 12 years on, it was fitting that the weather was exactly the same today as I pulled away from the garage. But the smile never left my face the whole way (except when one of the wipers fell off). I’m looking forward to many future adventures, and maybe meeting up with some of you at the shows! And here she is: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for all the comments. I’m looking forward to many happy adventures! She did her first ‘sprint’ yesterday - 35 miles in storm Hannah! Now we’re home from her first marathon - 200 miles from Northumberland to Derbyshire! Got a bit of an oil leak though (don’t they all?). What’s the best oil to put in? I think my lack of knowledge on the subject contributed to the previous engine’s meltdown (literally). It’s an AD, if that helps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice bus. For shear practicality I’ve always liked a pop top, but then a really nice tinny like yours turns up and I think hmmmmmmmm that’s ace. Hope you get to make up for 12 years of missed adventures this summer. What did you have done on your resto? Got any pics?
You’re right - a tin top looks awesome but as a six foot man, it’s quite difficult to manoeuvre about in the back! I’ll put some pictures up soon (they’re on my computer mostly). She was stripped back to bare metal, and needed pretty much everything underneath, and about 6 inches up the sides, either welded or replaced. I’ve got a spreadsheet for all the costs and work. She’s definitely a cautionary tale for anyone buying a van with no knowledge of them (like me in 2005!) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I live here, but born a southerner, before then becoming an honorary northerner. I’ve always been a bit nomadic so the campervan life suits me! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk