Re: Re: Greetings from Stamford
Hi Phil,
Im sticking with the original cream colour, I’m trying to keep it as retro as possible, though am on an orangey brown theme- I know the previous one my dad had had a ‘mustard orange’ stripe on the fat band, but I’m looking at film wrap for that as I’m planning on a few ‘upgrades’ which I wouldn’t want to make permanent.
Did a cunning ‘mod’ today- remembering how wet the carpet gets in the cab when filling the water tank if things go wrong, Ive plumbed in a hosepipe directly to the front of the tank using a brass fitting (walls are about 1/4 ” thick!). There’s a rubber grommet in the floor next to the passenger seat, which is just the right size for a hose (cut out the middle of the grommet). The hose then fits neatly under the seat base of the passenger seat, allowing a good length of hose to be stored under the seat.
Because Moby has had swivel seat fitted, I had to cut a hole in the door side of the seat base, which I have put some U section trim on, so filling the tank will be much easier! An ‘O’ ring around the hosepipe 2′ from the tap connector will hopefully reduce the drip problem, though the tap connector is held upright by a standard hose connector which I screwed to the top of the seat base. A little box inside has a plethora of tap connectors for all possibilities I can imagine.
I’m also fitting a 7″ TV/ DVD MP3/ radio unit into the dash with USB/ smartcard slots and a range of AV connectors so I can do the video camera through it.
I’m hoping to ‘bury’ a laptop somewhere in the dash and a big hard drive- both for work and pleasure purposes; though this is some way down the line.
I’m removing all the curtain rails (my autistic daughter has a habit of swinging on curtains and will be making some press stud- attached insulated ‘blinds’ which will make better use of the windows in the daytime.
I’m planning to tint the windows with metallic gold film (again removable), which will create quite a striking effect. I know its not everyone’s taste, but there are practical reasons for it, between my daughter’s needs and a bit of security. I’m not going to get rid of any of the original parts, though I have a feeling I’ll have to store them for a long time!
All the interior hardboard panels will be renewed as they are looking rather tatty and will take the opportunity to improve the insulation behind them, whilst getting all the new cabling tidied away. (the batteries are wired rather oddly- one of them is in the passenger footwell, which I’m planning to move as its unsightly.
Finally, I will be adding central locking with an immobiliser, and have already started designing shrouds for the locking system which will prevent ‘coat hanger’ break ins.
Moby will be having the few rust patches cut out and new plates welded in before the respray, though the bodywork is in excellent condition anyway. The respray is really needed because some previous owner has done a few ‘quick jobs’ involving filler, paint stripper and canned spray paint, which doesn’t match very well (though Moby looks remarkably good in the photos).
All the cushions are getting recovered in the brown ‘flock’ material that came with the van when I bought it- obviously the intention was there, though I’m going to have to get them done professionally- I had a go the other night and did a reasonable job, but I found it so difficult to think ‘inside out’ and have to concede defeat!
Moby’s going away tomorrow for new clutch plates and the rear springs re-tempering, but then Ill know that all the mechanicals are truly sorted!
Will post some new pics soon, once the cushions have been done.
Money wise, its nerve wracking, though some of the kit I already have, though I’m reassured that Ive already been offered 3 times what I paid for Moby but after 7 years of searching, I’m not letting go that quickly!
Cheers
Mike
