Hi there,
I'm looking to buy an old Bay VW Camper to do up, but I'm kinda stymied by a total lack of experience...

I know some people who can do the harder work (welding etc) for me, but I have no idea how much a real wreck will cost to restore, or even how much it would cost to have one transported to where I can work on it (and the Internet is for once not being very forthcoming).

A case in point:
Ebay Camper 

This seems like a real bargain, only bodywork and interior need doing, but it's perhaps 3 hours drive from where I want it (Herefordshire) and I don't know how much/ how long it'll take to restore. I would need to hire someone with a car and trailer to move it, as I'm currently without wheels.

Sorry, I know it's a lot, but could someone who's done this before give me a rough idea of what cost and work I'm looking at, or give me some places to look.

Thank you,
Stubson

I bought a bargain £200 bay window camper a couple of years ago.

Spent over £1200 on replacement panels.

Spent £2200 on the welding.

Bodywork and paint is set to cost £1800.

I have a 1641cc engine to fit which cost me £900.

A complete set of new seals is around £500.

I bought some Cali import cab doors, engine lid and rear hatch for £250.

So that's £7050 so far!

(I still need to get all the roof seals as well)

If I was to get another camper, I think I would just find a nice original unrestored one! :?

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Don't do it![/b] I bought a Beetle a couple of years ago to restore and it has turned out to be a complete nightmare. Before you do anything be sure to do some extensive research on exactly how much such a project is going to cost. I was quoted around £4K for a complete respray for my car, from several bodywork specialists in the South East. After the interior and engine work is finished, I will have spent well over £6K. If I were to sell the car it would fetch no more than about £3K - if I was lucky.

I would only advise that you undertake such a task if you have the necessary bodywork and mechanical expertise to carry out the work yourself, (this will save you THOUSANDS), or you have the financial means not to worry. I see too many people 'nickle and dimming' themselves to death over projects and it just isn't worth it. I am afraid that you will never get back what you have spent on the vehicle, if you were to sell it in the future.

Before I undertook my project I was advised by an expert in the field to purchase a vehicle that had already been restored. Unfortuantly I failed heed their advice, as I wanted the challenge of restoring the vehicle myself. Big mistake!

Let somebody else do all the hard work and buy a vehicle that has already been restored. It will save you thousands in the long run.

I wish you all the very best in your search for a vehicle.

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Its is always cheaper and better to start with a good/rustfree as possible van, but not everyone is able to outlay £5k+ in one hit so buying a project is the only option.
There are plenty of project Bays around though, try and find one closer to home as you dont have transport. ( Not just on Ebay)
You need the person doing the welding to see the van or lots of detailed pics at least of all the areas that are always! rusty, before you buy it!

As six-o-one says people usually forget the high cost of replacement panels/metal/parts. Always spend more on genuine vw metal over repro if available/given the choice, it will save labour time and give a better result.
But if you are getting reliable! non-costly welding, you could probably do everything else yourself. Its a steep learning curve but do-able so long as you dont expect a show van at the end!
You can prime & paint over each new repair as it is done with a brush to start until all welding jobs are completed. Dont be tempted to cut all the rot out at once! You need to retain buses shape/rigidity! work around it 1 or 2 rust repair jobs at a time.
It will cost more than you think even if you do it, but you could find it hugely satisfying!

Another thing, buying a bay camper, buy a bus that was converted into a camper from a factory 'minibus/ or with factory side windows rather than a factory panelvan converted later, as the 'converted side windows' are less desirable/attractive. ( As your ebay example!) Unless the van is an absolute bargain!
Try to avoid home converted vans in principle. Stay with identifiable conversions. Private sellers are not always so honest with this! This is a hard one to spot but worth the extra care regarding future value.

Get these books (vw books sell them) They are both excellent reference!:

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