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She's in the workshop!

Posted 07-19-2010 at 08:59 AM by dave f (1956 Overlander: 26' of iconic family fun. Potentially.)

Tags 1956, overlander, refurb, workshop

With the ARC workshop freshly painted and cleared, the old gal is looking very happy whilst waiting for work to commence.

So we spent an hour or so discussing what needs looking at first...hitch, axles, suspension, clear out, floor... no shortage of 'priority' jobs.

Test-fitted one of my nifty new wheels and, though considerably wider than the current motley set, it seemed to sit on there beautifully - so that was a relief.

Had a proper look underneath...

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dave f

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Posted in Restoration Blogs

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Work finally due to start next Monday, 19th July

Posted 07-13-2010 at 02:39 AM by dave f (1956 Overlander: 26' of iconic family fun. Potentially.)

Tags 1956, overlander, renovation, specification

I went down to the workshop in Taunton again a couple of weeks ago, with Mrs F, to see someone else's trailer almost finished before ours goes on the line.

We met Scott, the owner, a very nice chap from Dundee. He was suitably excited and rightly so, his 60's trailer had been gradually transformed from a rather sad and tatty original - with more holes than England football team's defense - into a really spanking, contemporary refurb with all modern conveniences: leather interior,...

dave f

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Posted in Restoration Blogs

Views 1532 Comments 3 dave f is offline

Stripped down estimate

Posted 06-14-2010 at 11:50 AM by dave f (1956 Overlander: 26' of iconic family fun. Potentially.)

Tags estimate, overlander, refurb

Had another meeting last week with nice people at ARC. I think we're getting back on the right track now and our initial 'ideal' budget of about GBP20K seems a little more reasonable after combing out as much of the jazzy accessories from the list as we can.

Though it clearly won't stretch to include a £5K buff up, I think we are doing the right thing and prioritizing the must-have renovation work (new floor, insulation, chassis, windows, kitchen, electrics, plumbing etc etc etc)....

dave f

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Posted in Restoration Blogs

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Estimating costs - just keeps getting higher

Posted 06-01-2010 at 12:59 PM by dave f (1956 Overlander: 26' of iconic family fun. Potentially.)

Tags overlander, renovation

Using googledocs to build a comprehensive list of works has been helpful - allowing others to dip in and collaborate on details and specifics and total up potential costs and options.

Trouble is, when you list everything down, it naturally mounts up ...and up ...and up.

After waiting patiently for ARC to commit to some figures, I was pretty shocked to see just how many costs this exhaustive approach might uncover. In fact, I almost had a nose bleed.

I...

dave f

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Posted in Restoration Blogs

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nifty wheels ordered

Posted 04-26-2010 at 05:41 AM by dave f (1956 Overlander: 26' of iconic family fun. Potentially.)
Updated 04-26-2010 at 06:03 AM by dave f (changed pic)

Tags overlander, wheels

Been a quiet month, nothing to report as we're waiting in line for refurb to commence in June. Meanwhile, daughter #2 broke her arm again last week - and did a proper job of it this time requiring plate and two pins. third time lucky. She's in town getting a full arm plaster this morning bless her.

Anyway, I just ordered some new wheels - check out these bad boys:
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