Snow, limited electrical in the shop and the Holidaze

Melmo Resto is chugging along, like an air cooled with a bad lung. Seriously, does nobody work between Thanksgiving and New Years except the Grateful Dead? Whilst I wait for more than three lights and a single 20 amp circuit in the new shop, I have managed to sand just about everything, weld on the new nose and rear quarters, battery tray, repair the front dog legs and the strange hole the previous owner hacked into the interior rear wall. Holding true to my green practices, ( read as frugal, cheap New Englander) I was able to use the metal from the parts that came off the bus for the smaller patches that I put back in the bus. I also saved the passenger side of the old nose in case I come across a future bus hit on that side.Getting ready to paint here real soon, and I look forward to installing the interior.  I also look forward to getting a bathroom in the shop in the (hopefully) near future.... ah, the John Nance Garner Memorial Cup, where would I be without you....

Going Back together!

The '77 Riviera is moving ahead nicely, most of the slow downs due to the move are over... most.  I may have my donor AWD system for the next project arriving any day from a friend.. Urabus....working title...hmmm, I'll have to give that some thought

Shop move equals slowdown

So, I have been moving my shop from one unit to another in the same industrial park.. I was in the way of some contiguous space, and I agreed to move over... back in January when I wasn't busy... so, now that I have the Riviera in tons of pieces, it happens. On the plus side, it does afford me the opportunity to lighten the load, get some things cleaned out and set up the new shop for a clear division of mechanical and woodworking sides.  I have, however, been able to get set up enough so that I began reassembly of the 2.0L. Parts are going together, not coming apart.

Bus gets a nose job! 1977 VW Riviera Camper For Sale!

So sometime today or tomorrow, a gentleman from Washington will be popping by with my new nose panel. this will complete the body panels I need for the restoration of the exterior, and welding will start in earnest this week. This camper, with corian countertops, Bubinga inlay dash, new motor all mechanicals renewed, new paint, new rubber will be available for around 12-13K.  If someone wanted to put a deposit down, custom paint colors other than the sage green could be chosen. For a cost, the camper could be painted as an art car with themes of the new owners liking.

1977 Riviera Bay Full Camper

I would like to take this opportunity to post that the '77 I am restoring right now is available for Sale.  If someone was to want a specific color, RIGHT now is the time to put down a deposit. The bus is in prep stages for paint, I am just going through and POR-15-ing all the window areas, and cargo floor. The Riviera top is a wonderful vinyl rather than the light weight canvas found on a westy ( like my own) Rebuilt 2.0L FI, custom interior, It is all there, ready for your deposit to make it yours.
Contact me at melmorestoration@gmail.com for details.

Welcome to Melmo Restoration

Melmo is what my daughter calls my VW Camper, which in honesty is named Elmo because of it's license plate. As she was only 14 months when we got it, it came out "Melmo" When the woodworking industry died, we decided it was time to do the things I have done my whole life for myself,  for other vehicles. Hand make and restore VW campers.  Specializing in 1970's Bay Volkswagens, we rebuild allof the mechanical systems, restore the entire body as needed and build custom interiors with a variety of green products, salvaged hardwood accents and a few cutting edge extras. Ever wanted a VW Camper with all LED lighting, solar recovery system and DVD wih surround sound? We can do that for you. And keep watch on this page as the AWD 70's Bay Camper, Westy or Riviera will be taking shape one step at a time right here.