A story about a much-loved VW Kombi, a trip around Australia and shipping the old girl back to the UK

The Dormobile Interior (D 4/6) Restoration Project

The interior as it was when it was taken from the old busThe interior as it was when it was taken from the old busThe wardrobe unit as it was before removal - falling to pieces!The wardrobe unit as it was before removal - falling to pieces!The main cupboard unit before removal from old bus The interior as it was when it was taken from the old busOld Dormobile units that need *serious* restorationOld Dormobile units that need *serious* restorationOld Dormobile units that need *serious* restorationAll edge trims are damaged/worn and need removing (and hopefully replacing) All hinges are damaged/worn and need replacingPartly restored boards (sanded, cleaned, covered in fablon)Very worn seat fabric (original colour was black!)Rusty looking seat bracketsSeat brackets - sanded and painted The wardrobe unit - sanded, covered and painted insideStarting to dismantle the main cabinet, and restoring the iceboxSome buffed up hingesPainting the inside of the main unitThe wardrobe/temporary tool shelf Inside of lids coveredThe polished hinges back on, secureThe (almost) finished wardrobe unit (with added shelves). Edge trim now addedThe (almost) finished wardrobe unit (with added shelves). Edge trim now addedThe little cutlery drawer, trimmed and with new handle Bracket added to hold up cooler compartmentThe recovered seatThe recovered seat - close-up detailPutting fablon on the main cupboard unitTrimming the fablon on the main cupboard unit Trimming the fablon on the main cupboard unitAdding the trim to the door edgesAlmost complete - just need some doors back on here!Almost complete - just need some doors back on here!Comparison - before and after restoration Removing the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorRemoving the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorRemoving the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorRemoving the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorRemoving the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interior Removing the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorRemoving the old interior, ready for re-furbed Dormbile interiorFloor and passenger seat freshly painted with Hammerite 'Straight-to-rust'Freshly painted with Hammerite 'Straight-to-rust'Oops. I burnt the seat! Oops. I burnt the seat!Front cab area and under seat all painted with HammeriteFront cab area and under seat all painted with HammeriteTinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black!Tinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black! Tinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black!Tinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black!Tinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black!Tinting the windows while out of the bus - Limo black!A much improved can area - tidy! A much improved can area - tidy!Two new door cards cut from hardboard, ready to be recoveredLook - no windows!Rust damage inside the windowRust damage inside the window Masked and paintedMasked and paintedPainting done. I am high as a kite now.Painting done. I am high as a kite now.Painting done. I am high as a kite now. A bit of insulation inside the panels before covering them againA bit of insulation inside the panels before covering them againFitting windows back in is a total *bitch* of a jobThermal lining going inside the door cards(Almost) finished set of doors (Almost) finished warderobe unitThe main unit is in!The seat base starts to take shapeCupboard unit in placeBack compartments pieced together Looking up at the freshly jet-washed (yes!) canvasIan putting in the fold-up seatTired after a hard day's workStill more finishing touches to doNearly there - still needs a table, some proper flooring etc Nearly there - still needs a table, some proper flooring etcPutting in the laminate flooringPutting in the laminate flooringCustom buddy seats for Dormobile interiorCustom buddy seats for Dormobile interior Custom buddy seats for Dormobile interiorCustom buddy seats for Dormobile interiorVan interior, with tableVan interior, with table

These photos might also be available on my Flickr photostream