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850T 850T Restoration

Introduction

Having bought our 850T off ebay around 4 years back we're finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Had some work done on the interior (optimistic starting point) - R+R bed in the rear, new cab seat made - the back rest can flip to face forwards/backwards.

Gearbox, steering box and radiator have all been reconditioned. Fuel tank stripped and cleaned.

The body work is starting to take shape. All bottom sections has been welded, new sills, wheel arches etc. Now starting on the roof. Time will tell if this was wise but we took the decision to replace the whole roof and fabricate a new one from scratch! Working on the plans now and aiming to start next week.

Will post some pics early next week.
Actually starting to think we might get the little bus back on the road.
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It's a camper.
It has a full length fiberglass top, so the new roof will be largely hidden underneath that.

Plan is to repair any of the main shell (above doors/aframe/tailgate).
New guttering will go on top of that - steel has been ordered but will need a bit of shaping. We're also replacing the top two panels that run down the inside of the van - seemed easier to replace the full length once the roof was off.
Still designing the roof/supports to fit on top. The idea is it would add a lot of support/strength as the roof we had wasn't adding much.

Trying to design a fairly simple mechanism to allow roof to open/convert into a bed etc.

Been watching your thread with interest. Liked the repair section above the tailgate - mine has gone in exactly the same place.

Will get some pics up next week.
 
Some pics of the engine bay.
Originally thought there wasn't much to do in there...
 

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Even more welding needed on the other side.
 

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Quite a few panels pieced together to rebuild the corner.
 

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Roof was a mess. More rust round the outside than metal.
A roughly cut out hole with angle iron around it which had 2 hammocks hanging from it.
Nothing supporting it other than the 1 seam in the roof line above the B post and the metal (rust + filler) skin.
 

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Time will tell if this was the right decision but we though it better and safer to remove the roof a fabricate a new roof with supports closely matching the existing pillars.
Some pics of the roof coming off.
 

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Brillian workmanship Andy. It looks like my job....a labour of love. But that roof....Oooooh! Painful. I like the photo where you're looking at it like "What have I done?!:D
You had surprisingly similar problems at the rear end and I'm pleased to see that my guesswork/images gleaned from the internet, was just about right.
What have you done or are planning to do with the rear arches?
Keep them coming...the are much appreciated both for instruction and moral support.(y)
 
Afraid I cant take the credit. My mate Dave in the pics - have to get him on the forum. He's been doing the welding and shaping the panels. We were just doing it slowly on a Saturday but a few years later thought we better get a move on.
I'm tasked with creating a new loom and stripping the engine.

We've already done the front and rear wheel arches - pretty much welded new steel all round the bottom of the van.

We bought some arches off a Mk2 capri but didn't like the shape so ended up cutting them to bits and shaping. It'll be skimmed with a coat of fiberglass to shape and a little filler.
Inner arches were made out of some 18 gauge steel. We bought a sheet of it and got a 10mm lip bent into a couple of sides. Cut some notches into it to bend then welded up the gaps.

Can only find this pic of the 1 arch bit will try to dig out some more. This was taken before the cill and the rear corner were on.
 

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Afraid I cant take the credit. My mate Dave in the pics -

I'm sure you're equally handsome Andy, but sorry for the mistake.:D
I like the idea with the wheelarches because I agree, having seen images of Capri ones, they lack the subtlety of the originals. It might be quite useful to have a fibreglass coating as these old vehicles with their exposed, welded wheelarch flanges do start to rust quite quickly.
When I made a repair panel for the inner arch on the driver's side, (where I have been able to get a genuine outer arch), it accidentally started to look quite like the proper wheelarch. So I will probably make my own.
Yes, more pictures please!(y)
 
Ha. Maybe I should spend more time worrying about my appearance and less time researching bits for the camper!

Few more pics of the back arches.
 

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New guttering starting to go on and new panels above the doors.

We'll be having a go at a corner sections in the morning - ordered 8 bits of steel - have to see how many goes it takes to get one right!
 

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Coo...ul! :cool:
Before you go ahead with the corners, do you have a shrinker tool Andy? If you haven't I would consider getting one. It makes curves exceptionally easily and controllably.
I'm on my second; I bought the first for my 500 and then sold it for more than I paid for it when I thought I would never restore another vehicle.:bang:
 
Thank Peter. I bought a shrinker/stretcher from frosts a few weeks back - possibly after seeing one of the corners you made.

First trial this morning. Really happy with the results - only offered the panels up this morning but for half an hour messing around with the tool we were amazed how good the curve was.
 

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