The Beginning
Bought Jenny as a partially stripped-down project. She was VW Orange, covered in rust, and revealing years of neglect. The body needed full restoration, but I could see her potential. Along with the van came some rust-free doors and parts—a small glimmer of hope.
Jenny arriving on the trailer - Purchase Day, 2017
The Search
Spent two years looking for the right restoration company. Finding someone who understands classic VWs and won't cut corners is harder than you'd think. Finally discovered Sunflower Campers in Romsey, Hampshire. They got it.
Body & Chassis Restoration
Sunflower Campers worked their magic. Complete body restoration—cutting out rust, welding in new metal, restoring the chassis. The transformation was incredible. They also handled the respray: goodbye faded orange, hello vibrant turquoise.
Body Work
- Full rust removal
- New metal panels welded in
- Panel straightening
- Professional prep work
Respray
- From VW Orange to Turquoise
- Professional paint booth
- Multiple coats & clear coat
- Show-quality finish
All the rust that came out
Fresh metal going in
First glimpse of turquoise
Looking beautiful!
Interior Transformation
With the outside sorted, it was time for the inside. Almost complete interior restoration—new upholstery, fresh flooring, restored panels. Just the roof lining left to tackle. The interior went from tired and torn to fresh and functional.
Fresh interior - just the roof lining left to do
Engine Overhaul
The big one. Pulled the entire 1600cc engine and gave it a complete overhaul with help from my mechanic mate Rich and countless YouTube tutorials. This wasn't just maintenance—this was a full revamp.
What Got Replaced/Upgraded:
- New Clutch - Smooth as butter now
- Oil Cooler - Better cooling for long trips
- All Seals - No more leaks
- Fast Fab Rocker Assembly - Upgraded valve train
- Push Rods - Fresh set
- Vintage Speed Exhaust - Sounds incredible
- Weber Progressive Carb - Better throttle response
- Heat Risers - Proper heat distribution
- Bilstein Shock Absorbers - Transformed the ride
- Plus: gaskets, bearings, timing components, and more
Before: Decades of grime
During: Fresh internals
After: Clean and rebuilt
Back in the bay
Current Status: Ongoing Project
Jenny's running better than ever, looking gorgeous, and ready for adventures. But a classic VW is never "finished"—there's always something to improve, maintain, or upgrade. The roof lining is next on the list, plus I'm eyeing some suspension upgrades and always fine-tuning the engine.
This isn't just a restoration—it's a continuous journey. And I'm documenting every bolt turned, every lesson learned, and every triumph (and setback) along the way.
Jenny today - from rusty orange to turquoise dream
What I've Learned
🔧 Patience Pays Off
Waiting two years to find the right restoration company was worth it. Don't rush—find people who care about your van as much as you do.
📚 YouTube Is Your Friend
Between Haynes manuals and YouTube tutorials, you can learn almost anything. Don't be intimidated—just take it one step at a time.
👥 Find Your People
Having mechanic mate Rich to call when I got stuck was invaluable. Join forums, make VW friends, ask questions.
💰 Budget For Surprises
You'll always find more work than expected. Set aside extra funds and don't cut corners on critical parts.
🛠️ Quality Parts Matter
Cheap parts cost more in the long run. Invest in good components from reputable suppliers like JBugs.
📸 Document Everything
Take photos before you take things apart. You'll thank yourself during reassembly, and you'll have a great story to tell.
Ready to Start Your Own Restoration?
Check out the parts and tools I actually use—no fluff, just honest recommendations.
Browse Parts Guide