The Crappy Hamper Thread

[LynehamHerc]

By what I've heard the US ones are generally in far better condition than the SA ones as the latter are used as overloaded minibuses.
There's much more of a VW bus culture in the states, as evidenced by the large number of T2 specialists.

I know of a couple of trustworthy guys in the states. If you could find someone trustworthy in SA it might be worth importing one.

[AMCrebel]

Here's a start to mine after a 3 year restoration, some of which was caused by the difficulty of getting parts as VW decided to change some 7 months after production started and 1 month after it was built. The only continent I didn't buy parts from was Antartica.
If you don't like the interior tough shit. I built it and my missus did the upholstery.

Really like that interior.

[LynehamHerc]

Thanks. I went a bit over the top so it's MDF over a wooden frame.
It's probably added another 10 seconds to the original glacial 0-50 time.
The missus is a wizz at upholstery and she did all the curtains as well.

[DodgeRover]

If you really want all the pain of one of those god awful things then look in south africa. I was looking on south african gumtree to see if there was anything interesting to import and the only stuff I found that would probably turn a profit over here were lots of these heaps without the scene tax. Obviously out there you need a motor that will get you home if you do venture out into the wilderness which rules out type 2's. Sorry I really shouldn't be so nasty about them as I am sure they have plenty of fans who love them dearly. Shipping from the states will be 1200 minimum from the east coast and about 2k from the west. Try west coast shipping as they have a quick quote set up on their website, CFR Rinkens who are doing mine have a quote option that might be more accurate as it asks for vehicle type and a T2 might be a lot dearer than a normal car as they can't get 4 in a 20ft container.

If shipping a van in a container from the States is it ok to load the back of the vehicle up as much as you possibly can?

[LynehamHerc]

I know that the guys who import campers fill them with parts.
They've brought a few bits in for me via that route.

[mercrocker]

Only caveat I would offer is to ensure everything is properly manifested (i.e. declared) as the Bill of Lading needs to be quite clear as to contents for ownership and insurance confirmations. Also it will assist Customs clearance this end. In any case you would want to ensure the vehicle is as easily inspected and moved around as is possible to reduce handling charges. You will be charged heavily if they have to unload a gearbox and three propshafts to get at the steering wheel....

[fried onions]

Hmm, a bit too much VW bias here. The better thing to do would be to opt for something conventional and British like a Bedford Dormobile or Ford Thames. When I eventually extract the Commer Walk-Thru from my friend's barn I am looking forward to getting it up and running and staying overnight at car rallies and things. It must be better to have something more spacious and with a bit more privacy than the VW size campers which are like a goldfish bowl. These old ambulances were therefore ideal candidates for conversion.





Mine came from the same batch as this one and is only a number or two away in the registration.





6 cylinder petrol same engine as my Snipe so will be a smooth and very torquey drive if a trifle thirsty. I must check my photos on the old PC as I snapped a few ambulance/camper conversions at autojumbles and suchlike including Morris LD and Land-Rover. They are very interesting vehicles.

[mercrocker]

Looking forward to seeing progress on that Walk-Thru....I did like the roominess of my CF Ambulance, being able to sleep across a vehicle significantly increases scope for an ideal layout.

[mercrocker]

Fifteen years in, I'm a newbie still at this van-life bollocks. Here is Mrs Rocker with her family in 1965 in the CA that belonged to a family friend. Apparently they used to roll-up the living room rug (no wall-to-wall decadence back then) and use it as a carpet in the tent..

image001.jpg (143.43 KiB) Viewed 3649 times

Edit: Just noticed that the red bucket with white handle is the one we were still using in our caravan until we sold it last year......

[Broccoli]

Brazilian splitty busses in the US here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=77
And European splitty busses in the US here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=5
Bays:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=7
Vanagons:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=55

I saw this (Darrens Camper as I found out later) back at Long Marston / Avon raceway back in 1987 or 88 during a bug rally.

913B9BAC-A423-4CA8-91F7-F541C8639C25.jpeg (125.15 KiB) Viewed 3630 times

3B4B7CA0-F4D7-4602-9081-881CFB0C917C.jpeg (81.74 KiB) Viewed 3630 times

Porsche baby blue, tinted windows with white bedding etc in the interior. Chrome Porsche wheels didn’t hurt either.
Apparently his dad was a body guy hence the quick turn out when the VW scene was really starting to get going.
I’ve wanted to replicate this, ever since the day I saw it. I even made sure I brought photos of it from the UK to the US when I moved here. I only brought 3 suitcases and 3 boxes with me, so you can tell it’s been pretty close to my heart!