Getting hands-on under Jenny - this is how I learn
The Beginning
I'm not a mechanic. I'm not a professional restorer. I'm just someone who bought a rusty 1976 VW Bay Window in 2017 and decided to bring her back to life.
When I found Jenny, she was partially stripped down, covered in rust, and honestly a bit of a mess. But there was something about her—that classic VW shape, the potential hiding under all that orange paint. I had to have her.
Learning the Hard Way
I knew nothing about VW mechanics when I started. Absolutely nothing. Every bolt I turned was a new lesson. Every mistake taught me something. And there were plenty of mistakes.
My education came from Haynes manuals, YouTube tutorials at 2am, and frantic calls to my mechanic mate Rich when I got stuck. Forums became my late-night reading. Every problem was a puzzle to solve, and slowly—very slowly—things started to make sense.
The Journey So Far
After two years of searching, I found Sunflower Campers in Romsey, Hampshire. They understood what Jenny needed and transformed her body and chassis. The respray from orange to turquoise was the moment she truly became Jenny.
But the mechanical work? That was all me (with Rich's invaluable guidance). The complete engine overhaul, the suspension upgrades, the interior restoration— each project pushed me to learn more, try harder, and become better.
Why I Share This
When I started, I would have killed for honest, detailed guides from someone who wasn't a pro. Someone who made mistakes. Someone learning as they went. That's what this site is.
Every part recommendation here is something I actually used. Every blog post will be a real story from the workshop. No sponsored content, no BS—just honest experiences from someone figuring it all out.
If you're considering a Bay Window restoration, or you're in the middle of one and feeling overwhelmed, you're in the right place. We're learning together.
What's Next
Jenny's running better than ever, but she's never truly "finished." There's always something to improve, maintain, or upgrade. Next on the list is finishing the roof lining and exploring some suspension fine-tuning.
I'll be documenting it all right here—the successes, the setbacks, and everything in between.
Let's Connect
Got questions about your own restoration? Want to share your VW story? I'm always happy to chat with fellow enthusiasts.
What I've Learned
💪 You Can Do This
Seriously. If I can learn to rebuild an engine from YouTube, you can too. Don't let intimidation stop you.
📸 Document Everything
Take photos before disassembly. Label things. Future you will thank present you endlessly.
🤝 Ask for Help
The VW community is incredible. Forums, clubs, Facebook groups— people genuinely want to help.
⏰ Take Your Time
Rushing leads to mistakes. Better to do it right once than redo it three times (learned that the hard way).
💰 Budget Extra
Whatever you think it'll cost, add 30%. You'll find more work once you start looking.
🎉 Celebrate Wins
Every successful start-up, every fixed problem—celebrate them. This journey is made of small victories.