camper van story, then bit of advice

[mark-mk3gti]

just wondered what sort of value it could be worth, had a look around and seems to be quite rare and not readily available, there are some, but not quite like this

1969 bay window 'dormobile' camper

english van so right hand drive, and has english plates, but has being out of country all its life, so will need re-registering

1 owner from new, 

on its 3rd engine with 45k on it, 1st did 94k second did 45k, 2n got retired early because someone did something to oil lines when repairing exhaust, seemingly caused a leak and seized it up.

dormobile roof, opening sideways, includes all bedding etc

its totally original and had no mods or anything, and sounds to be well looked after, it has being his pride and joy for 40+ years

im told it needs curtains, and a repair to fabric on one of top beds,  and a service, 4 tyres and battery and then good to go..

almost sounds to good to be true, and it feels like one of those moments you read about, finding a bargain in a barn style stuff...


the tricky bit

the only downside it is abroad and hasnt moved for 5 years, ive spoke to them a few times and am waiting for pics now, will get them on 24th march when they fly out, he is a pensioner now as he has had it from new, and doesnt want to part with it, but his wife wants to move it on, it is on the island of corsica and they tell me there is not a patch of rust, which sounds possible as not being exposed to much of the elements, however she said it has faded a bit,


the plan,

to get the camper home, somehow! currently researching it, ive asked them to put it through a Controle Technique test
MOT to us, and if it passes, at least i know it is road worthy and then potentially i would probably drive it back obviously insured and euro breakdown, to the uk and then get it back to manchester low loaded or towed etc,, would take loads of tools in case and a belt set, points and other small bits as a precautionary measure,   what a hell of a cool road trip!!!!   bit of a dream to be honest

then get it tip top, show it a few times, then sell on to get some money towards a house for me and the missus..
itll kill me to part with it, but this opportunity is about 10years to early, but i feel it needs to be taken and do what i am thinking

what do you think? im thinking at mo with out seeing it, potential for 15-20k for it given the verbal description, and if it passes the french mot,  and when pics come ill get em up for a better idea...

any rough ideas or advice greatly recieved...


thanks all

[The Mighty Elvi]

I suppose you'll have to see it in person.

For God's sake, don't part with your cash on the basis of "an honest write up" an a few pics.

Corsica.   Yes it's nice and sunny.  But has it been parked on the coast (salt erosion) or in the mountains?

I've seen campers that look mint.  But once they've been stripped and dipped have more holes than an argument with Bellend.

[mark-mk3gti]

I suppose you'll have to see it in person.

For God's sake, don't part with your cash on the basis of "an honest write up" an a few pics.

Corsica.   Yes it's nice and sunny.  But has it been parked on the coast (salt erosion) or in the mountains?

I've seen campers that look mint.  But once they've been stripped and dipped have more holes than an argument with Bellend.

Lol, yeah I have no intentions of paying with out seeing it.. Wanna have a look underneath for def, and in meantime im starting to research more about what to look for,  I maybe biting more than I can chew but need to explore the possibilities with it, just in case it's good,

I'm on holiday in nice in August so maybe if I'm still interested I can nip over for the day to have a look at it,

Ideally Id want them to get it back to Dover but don't think it's gonna happen cos they are elderly and don't sound like they have the energy to do it, but we shall see,
Not commited in any way so we shall see what happens,

I guess a value can't be put on it until I've seen it, I need to work it out so I know what to offer them, obv I'm trying as cheap as poss

Cheers

[justalex81]

what makes you think they're gonna let it go for next to nothing?

[mark-mk3gti]

They've told me how much they want.. 

And it's a good number, although they have it they aren't in the 'scene' as it were...

[SoundillusioN]

They've told me how much they want.. 

And it's a good number, although they have it they aren't in the 'scene' as it were...

So you're quietly going to rob an old granny of something she doesn't really understand the value of? 


 

[The Mighty Elvi]

They've told me how much they want.. 

And it's a good number, although they have it they aren't in the 'scene' as it were...

So you're quietly going to rob an old granny of something she doesn't really understand the value of? 


 

[mark-mk3gti]

They've told me how much they want.. 

And it's a good number, although they have it they aren't in the 'scene' as it were...

So you're quietly going to rob an old granny of something she doesn't really understand the value of? 


 

Hey mate, haha, no, id be paying what they want for it, nothing wrong with that.. And to be fair I think they have an idea of its potential but not bothered bout it etc

[Diamond Hell]

I wouldn't buy it expecting to make a fortune on it and I wouldn't try and drive it back to the UK from Corsica, either.

I also wouldn't get it 'tip top' - if it has great patina then I'd recommend you do as little as possible, but preserve it - scene fools will fall over themselves for it.

Probably the best place to sell it will be Vanfest in early September, which gives you a while to get it to the UK and sell it now.

If it were me I'd go get it with a car and trailer, MOT it, if possible and unload it as soon as possible, before it started taking a fancy to my wallet.

[mark-mk3gti]

Hoping to just have to give it a major clean, degrease bay where i can, and obv re-register and tax it and mot and service and any work that needs doing, won't be doing anything to try and better it, like the idea of it being in standard condition, Patina as u say.. Think that would be best for selling it...

Can't really make any progress until I get a feel for what it looks like,  then if looks good, prob try and get over on the cheap to see it in the flesh/metal and see where it takes me..

Had a quote of 1300 to low load it back to my front door, but hoping someone will quote cheaper, by the time me and my mate rent a trailer and go get it with his x5 it'll be getting close to costing the 1300 so seems a good price, hoping to get an offer the other side of a grand but I'll see if there is any movement on that....

Cheers