The Restoration
Billy's restoration took just over four months. It was challenging, exhausting, often frustrating, and
at times hugely daunting. It was also, quite simply, one of the most exciting, rewarding and enjoyable adventures of my life.
I love a project and love a plan. I also know that no project ever keeps completely to the original plan!
So I knew that no matter how much research I did, detailed lists I made, timelines and costings I forecast, I'd need to be ready for these to be challenged on a daily basis.
But the biggest obstacle I faced was the day the reality hit home that the restoration was no longer a
'repair and re-fit at the back, and touch-up at the front', - to achieve my vision for Billy I was facing a complete re-build.
RETAINING BILLY'S INTEGRITY
I was determined to restore and retain as much of the original Billy as possible, and to return him to being a glorious camper, ready to be enjoyed for another fifty years.
He had a few 'modern' modifications that I was happy to let go, such as the windscreen visor, the 1980's wing mirrors, and a rather surprising emergency light on the roof. And I could see there were various repairs required to the external bodywork, windows and skylight.
But overall my vision for Billy was a restoration that preserved the integrity of his original design.
TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH BILLY'S RESTORATION JOURNEY, I'VE DIVIDED THE WORK INTO FOUR SECTIONS:
Bodywork and Sub-Frame; Front Cab Interior; Interior Strip Out and Re-Fit; and Final Bodywork and Re-Spray.
Just click on the links to see a selection of photographs and a few words about the work as it progressed.
I knew that the rear of Billy needed lifting to make him level, and there were gaps to be closed where the caravan body joined the front cab. I started by working on the suspension... (more)
Billy's front cab is beautiful, and though small, is perfectly formed. It looked like it needed just a deep clean and re-fresh, but were the cab mats hiding anything worrying... (more)
Billy's caravan was in almost complete disrepair, and didn't retain any of the original fixtures or design features. Almost sixty years of being re-designed and modified had clearly taken their toll.... (more)
Now that Billy was level and structurally sound, and his aluminium panels in place, it was time to move on to the last of his body repairs and preparation, ready for his final re-spray.... (more)
Find out more about my My Journey, my adventure with Amazing Spaces, and Billy's History.