ELVIS spotted in the UK

[montreal]

ELVIS has been seen recently in Sussex.....He has come back as an 1983 310.
Seriously, thats just a pet name for my new old project.
It just arrived in Southampton but not without some damage. Why cant they take some more care?
Elvis has 48k on the clock and when I saw him running in the US had a good engine after a lot of new stuff and a carb rebuild.
I'll post a picture or two. The pan is to keep the interior fairly standard but to make it more stylish with new covering and colours here and there. I'm not sure how far we will go but I have a few ideas. I still want it to have an American' feel to it. We plan to tour the UK and Europe this year.

The damage...To add to the list of work I am going to need:
New front bumper as it has been really whacked and the metal has split in the middle. New grille. A chunk has cracked off and the horizontal fins are bent. It looks like its cast iron or something really heavy.
New side wraparounds (the parts that hold the indicators) made of fibreglass.
New centre fibreglass panel. I may look at a repair of the fibreglass but I would consider 2nd hand parts (what else is there for something so old).
I know that Inland RV sells new fibreglass but I'm trying cheapest options 1st.
Also one of the wheel arch trims is bent and scuffed. Is there a source?

Is there a source for used Airstream motorhome parts in the US?

I plan to return the bottom painted strip to the original colour. It looks like a glossy graphite grey I think. I have seen later 345's with this but i think this is good for an 83 310? Is there a colour code or RAL number??
Mines has no wood grain or painted mid stripe . its just polished which looks ok. Is the woodgrain available? Are original decals or stickers still made? I'm talking about the ones on the lower section or around the LPG tank. Anyway I'm glad to be here and have been reading many posts.
looking forward to some good conversation.

Del

[Melody Ranch]

I think it is BEAUTIFUL. Get with "TinCrumpet"...Lili and Hans Leatherby and compare notes. They are up in Nottingham....a ways from Brighton...if thats is where you are keeping it. Keep us informed.

[MrUKToad]

Do you have to get it checked out by the DVLA? I assume it meets all the curious UK and Euro specifications. How much are they going to sting you for road tax it?

It looks great, though, just don't take it down any of those lanes in Devon and Cornwall, you might never get out again!

[zlee]

Good grief, I hope they're paying for the damage?

[Keyair]

Great news Del!
Give us the whole skinny!

[dadstoy]

That is sweet! Post some interior pics!

[zlee]

I want to see the interior too!

[montreal]

Thanks all. Yes it looks like they are taking responsibility but I'll belive it when they have paid up. Yes it needs a few things converted like the lights and power and then it should just need and MOT. As it's over 10 years old it doesnt need another test but they may inspect it before tax. Its on car road tax at £215 for the year.
Were looking around for somewhere to store it and might have an indoor space where we can work on it.
I went to an interior trim shop yesterday who do VW camper, boats and planes to discuss leathers and recovering ideas. V exciting.
I plan on changing the button pattern on the sofa's. Maybe 4-5 buttons per seat. I'm a bit of a retro chair collector so will model them after some collectable styles but it will be 80's period. We will change the colour to beige or tan and will do the dash, sofas and chairs.
Is'nt the bed masssive? ive got the twin sofa options with the pull out table. Which way do most of you sleep (head below the rear window or east to west)?

I've attached a pic of the screen and main door. Should there be a cover over the internal door handle? Its a bit wobbly and difficult to close. The lock and warning light work ok. Steps, not all the time. He's having a check over now.

[elbundi]

Who did you ship with, which port in the US did it come from, and if you don't mind divulging the cost too that would be great.

Thanks
Have fun driving this beast through the lanes.

[zlee]

Wow, that's going to be AWESOME!

[montreal]

Thanks thanks and you're welcome. I feel like the king already and I'm all shook up.
Yes it will look so cool in the narrow Lanes of Brighton but might get stuck like Chris Eubanks in his Kenworth rig many years ago. That was real funny!
I shipped with ATI. It gets confusing as to who is who but basically there are only a few companies that actually own and sail the ships (MASSIVE beasts). It went with K-Line from Baltimore but the ship from Galveston also.
Cost on RoRo was $3000-$3600 inc. marine insurance. took 3 weeks.
Are you thinking of shipping?

Who knows about the stuff I've asked about? Share the love. I need to twirl some sockets.

D

[TinCrumpet]

Originally Posted by montreal

Thanks thanks and you're welcome. I feel like the king already and I'm all shook up.
Yes it will look so cool in the narrow Lanes of Brighton but might get stuck like Chris Eubanks in his Kenworth rig many years ago. That was real funny!
I shipped with ATI. It gets confusing as to who is who but basically there are only a few companies that actually own and sail the ships (MASSIVE beasts). It went with K-Line from Baltimore but the ship from Galveston also.
Cost on RoRo was $3000-$3600 inc. marine insurance. took 3 weeks.
Are you thinking of shipping?

Who knows about the stuff I've asked about? Share the love. I need to twirl some sockets.

D

Sorry I couldn't pass on any good news on shippers ..
And the damage..what a liberty..not surprised..Anything that wasn't screwed down on ours was filched or damaged !..And the 4 new batteries that cost a fortune were as dead as door nails..they left the lights on after driving it on board..
Funny thing ..I know someone who imported a different type of Motorhome for himself and it was full of valuable extras and not one incywincy thing disappeared
Have you included the TAX and VAT in that cost ?
They hammered us for a fortune..although..Ive heard a dodgy rumour..the longer the Motorhome = the more chance it can be described as living accomodation = Less Tax & Vat ..not sure if that's "pie in the sky" ..
If Hx1 can be of assistance let us know..he has eveything but time and money Cheerios

PS An Artist friend of ours Lives on the Beach front in Brighton..last time we visited I chatted to a man on the shingles ..he was wearing not a tooth but
a neck brace..My brothers nickname was shingles as he suffered from it xx
PS Hope Elvis has a Tow Hitch for the Fuel Tanker you'll need to drag behind ya
! Good luck and merry away days and all that !

[Keyair]

Nice one Del...
I think I suggested a 31 would be good, for many reasons, and it looks nice!
I want a full report on the trip and how the first drive felt!

The bumpers are still available, but be concerned about that piece around the headlamp... its a casting. Check the fairing behind and below the bumper... I bet they are cracked/damaged too.
That grill is bent too...
Check and see whats available from Airstream still.
That repair is not gonna be cheap, make sure they fix it right!
Andy at Inland RV has parts...

The interior remodel sound nice, and I am thinking along the same lines.

[Keyair]

Your first priority should be making sure she is watertight from above...
Check inside for darker patches on the floor, softness or flakes...
Check your seams, vent gaskets, AC units and Vents...

[montreal]

I thought you'd all like an update on Elvis.
He's being repaired by some guys who have restored a couple of really nice 345's here in the Uk. They have alot of experience with American RV's.
On inspection here's what was bad:
Split front air bags, roll bar bushes, messy/hanging cabling underneath,steering damper and front shocks, new master cylinder (I had them change all brake hoses as well). The calipers were fine. The rear compressor for the air bags was not working (now fixed with new valve on the compressor?),lights and indicators need to be fixed and converted for UK and my upgrades, no horn. This is the list to get him driveable and tested for road use.
They are getting stuck into the living stuff now which will include repairing the water heater and furnace. The generator works now after a new pump and filter.
So far it's not cost as much as we thought. How often does that happen!

I am planning a few additions and of course need to sourec some parts from the US.

I am looking for a good used patio awning if they exist.

My MH is a 310. How long is the awning rail (the full length one on the passenger side) on a 310. Can someone measure or does someone know how long the awning should be?

Also can someone tell me the make or model of the twin electric roof horns? Mine are not working and were filled with dead bugs and stuff. They still dont work they say. How long are they and are they the same length?
I've attached a few pics of recent surgery