Restoring Back to Original or Uniquely Customized?

At least once a year it seems, I get an email from "movie makers" looking for vintage vans in original condition to play a bit part in whatever production they are working on.  They have been filming up around the San Francisco area, Los Angeles and as far away as New York.  It would be a nice gig, getting to spend a couple of days on a movie set and making a little cash at the same time...  But as most of them are making "period pieces", they INSIST the vans appear stock just as they were back in the day.  


Well now days, those vans are getting rarer and rarer as most enthusiasts are restoring their vans, but putting thier own "something special" on them and making each one truly unique.  And who can blame them?  I myself can't resist taking a second or third look at a van with a mural or theme graphics painted on it.  And if the inside theme matches, that's a bonus! 

The time, work and money involved in bringing these early vans back to life can be staggering...  It is something to be admired and respected at no matter what level of restoration or customization.  Very few vans actually ever get "completed" even after years of working on them.  Why?  Because even though it looks done to many, the owner may have some upgrade, new mod or "finishing touches" in mind after he/she gets home from the show!

So you rescued a van from the crusher, or found one abandoned in a field/garage/barn somewhere...  Do you intend to restore it back to it's original glory?  Or will you create a gas powered work of art on wheels unlike any one has seen before?

I look forward to your comments!

 

 

Who does the Work on Your Van?

There are many people out there who are skilled with a wrench in their hand...  Some have made a living at it, some are very proficient "hobby-ers", some do their best and end up needing help...  

Then of course there are those like me, who can describe what they want/need done and either wait until it's done, or watch as someone else busts a knuckle.  Don't get me wrong, I am well seasoned at the art of tinkering, but I leave the bigger jobs to those who are far more proficient than I am.

For some it comes down to dollars and cents...  Just affording the parts can be an issue, and the budget doesn't allow for paying someone else to put them on.  Others have the means and want things done right (better than they could do it themselves) so they hire the professionals.

Then there are those who love to do most or all of the work themselves, and the sense of accomplishment they feel when it's done is priceless...





Which are you? 
I'm looking forward to reading your comments!

 

A Vanner Putting His Retirement to Good Use

Each year in early May, Don packs up his TransVan with his Honda Scrambler on the back and heads to Chicago...

to eat at Chicago's food joints, visit family and work on their vehicles... 

In THAT order!  

Along the way, we are treated with photos of his trip which include tourist spots and other vanners he stops by to visit...





"Nipring" travels 140 miles to have lunch with Don in Chicago

                  

A retired mechanic who currently resides near the San Diego area, Don is still turning a wrench, only now he can pick and choose what he wants to work on and when he wants to do it (and he's always busy)...  Donivan65, as he is well know as in the Vintage-Vans.com & Vintage Chevy Van Club forums, goes above and beyond "the call of duty" to help other vanners out with their repair or restoration problems.  Don will often supply pictures, diagrams or use his own van to help explain...

In his own way, he is this generation's embodiment of the "Shell Answer Man"!

Work is a four letter word to Don...  No matter what he's doing, he likes to have a little fun too!  

If you would like to know more about Don, check out the member's page about him on Vintage-Vans.com main site...