1947 Flxible RV restoration (1 Viewer)

[kex66]

Great result there, Kex.:thumb:

Thanks, much appreciated.

Big invoice due this week.............

But with every invoice, there's usually update photo's!...................every cloud as they say

 

[kex66]

The bathroom floor is lowered and the bus structure has been modified.

Fuel tank has been modified and the framework complete.

Everything is now fitted into place.

The wall panels for the bathroom have been made and will be fitted on Monday (last picture)Link Removed

 

[Terry]

Coming along now :thumb:
terry

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[kex66]

I'm receiving a lot of interest about my restoration project from all over the world and getting to know quite a bit about the Flxible Company and the community that surrounds the restoration of these lovely vehicles. I never meant to get so deep into this but "everything happens for a reason" as they say and I'm even being asked to set up a Flxible interest group in Europe (There is already one outside of the USA, based in Australia).

I've started a blog: http://47clipper.blogspot.co.uk/

I've also started a facebook group: Flxible Owners Club Europe (please like or better still join as a member). Don't want to put a link on here, would hate to upset Jim and everyone else involved in this great site after all the support I've had off them since joining MHF.

The restoration is also being features on the Australian Flxible site: http://flxibleclipperclub.com.au/wp/?page_id=3443

Should get some update images through this week so will update as soon as they come through.Link Removed

 

[Bellini]

For the past two weeks I've been scanning for your updates and wondering what's been happening.

Finally!:thumb:

Will look at the links and FB.

How's the restoration itself progressing, Kex?

 

[wivvy's dad]

KEEP GOING KERRY.....




I did mean to shout...................................

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[pappajohn]

fantastic blog Kerry, enjoyed reading it. :thumb:

 

[daisy mae]

Fantastic keep going, brilliant job. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[jhorsf]

The story about your Twins is a tear jerker

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[kex66]

Updates of the interior work.

Most of the carcase work has been completed and the first fix electrics are in place. They are installing energy efficient LEDs so there are quite a few lights going in as you can see from the wires.

The face of the marine ply will be covered with a veneer and I'll choose the colour and finish on Monday.

This photo shows the front of the kitchen storage cupboard (kitchen will be on the right, bedroom on the left)

The image below shows the back of the kitchen storage cupboard and is taken from the rear bedroom. Splitting this area in two allows for storage in the kitchen and a full height wardrobe in the bedroom. Interior lighting in both the wardrobe and shoe storage above.

 

[kex66]

More update pictures

The image below shows the kitchen area and where one of the settee's will fit (over the wheel arch). All of the walls are insulated. treated and boarded. The wires are for the LED lights that will go under the quarter round ceiling cabinets.

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The double bed in the rear bedroom was a pain in the a*se to figure out (not for me but for you guys and the lads at the restoration shopLink Removed). In the end they managed to get a full sized bed and walk around space so Christine doesn't disturb me when she gets up to make me a brew in the morning - Its a good job she doesn't read these posts!!Link Removed.

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[kex66]

More update images

The next image below shows the space around the fixed bed and the emergency exit (This bit was very important for me). The bed base in on a hinge and struts so we can have some storage underneath

Below shows the the room around the bed from outside the emergency exit. On very nice days we could even have this open in the morning.

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[Terry]

Coming together nice now Kerry :thumb: -you could have cut the cnr off the bed if it made life easier but looking at pics you have room to get around anyway :thumb:
terry

 

[kex66]

Coming together nice now Kerry :thumb: -you could have cut the cnr off the bed if it made life easier but looking at pics you have room to get around anyway :thumb:
terry

I should get some idea of the colour and finish for the cabinets on Monday so don't go too far Terry, might need some inspiration

Not ideal choosing from pictures but I don't have any choice unfortunately.

 

[Terry]

I should get some idea of the colour and finish for the cabinets on Monday so don't go too far Terry, might need some inspiration

Not ideal choosing from pictures but I don't have any choice unfortunately.

CHEERY OR MAPLE
terry

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[kex66]

CHEERY OR MAPLE
terry

Good choices!!

 

[kex66]

I've now decided on the cabinet door style and colour for the 1947 Flxible Clipper project (well, Gerry at HB decided and I agreed - same thing!!). Couldn't get a shaker style door with a moulding in the centre panel as the ones in the overhead lockers would look like letter boxes. Going for Maple colour to keep things nice and bright.

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[kex66]

The overhead cabinet carcases are going in now. I didn't want 90 degree corners on the cabinets as I think that can look like sheets of formica have just been screwed together. I really wanted to get away from a "home made" look. On the other hand, I did look at a few builds where the cabinets had a large radius at the edge and this made the cabinets appear heavy and really old fashioned (Kitchen chopping block).

As you can see, I'm a right royal pain in the a*se but I do want it to look right. I think the result is spot on and the Maple colour is perfect for a light, clean look. The Maple needs a gloss finish applied (hence the masking tape) but I think it's starting to take shape. The run of cabinets over the kitchen is 12ft longLink Removed

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[Terry]

nice :thumb:
terry

 

[Granjan]

Wow what a wonderful project,:thumb: don't know why but this is the first time I have seen it, I take my hat off to you and your wife. (But she has my sympathy about the home bathroom!)

Will you keep it or sell it?

It has been such a labour of love it seems terrible that it might have to be sold.

My Daughter had a beautiful vintage VW for her wedding car ..... Maybe you could make a bit of Dosh back by doing something like that, all my daughters guests had their photos taken with the car.

 

[kex66]

Wow what a wonderful project,:thumb: don't know why but this is the first time I have seen it, I take my hat off to you and your wife. (But she has my sympathy about the home bathroom!)

Will you keep it or sell it?

It has been such a labour of love it seems terrible that it might have to be sold.

My Daughter had a beautiful vintage VW for her wedding car ..... Maybe you could make a bit of Dosh back by doing something like that, all my daughters guests had their photos taken with the car.

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I'm going to keep the bus (if I can). They had a guy over to the bus last week from one of the transport museums in America and he stated that the Flxible was probably the most complete and solid example (structure and body panels) that exists. He was very upset that the original seating had been removed! Can't please some people

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[kex66]

Sorry to land this on you good people but the DVLA are driving me round the bend with conflicting advice and indecision!!!!!!!!!

The Flxible is 67 years old (1947) and is registered as a private motor coach.

I am trying to find out the following about my Flxible:

What documentation do I need in order to register the vehicle in the UK?

What modifications are needed to the bus in order to comply with UK road use legislation?

What documentation do I need for import purposes?

What import duty and VAT is applicable to the Flxible?

How do I get an age related licence plate?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SuperMike]

Kerry, I was born in February 1947, which makes me 67, please don't make me any older.

 

[kex66]

Kerry, I was born in February 1947, which makes me 67, please don't make me any older.

It's early SuperMike and I've had a busy week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[Terry]

Hi Kerry I am pretty certain you will have no import duty (too old) but cannot help with the rest I may even be wrong/out of date with the import duty but I am confident
terry

 

[Bellini]

Kerry,

When I imported my RMB, I needed a CofC but I don't know what applies to US imports in that regard. Mine was issued by the German registration office when getting the export plates.

I expect you'll need UK / Euro compliant indicators and lights, presumably including a rear fog light.

You'll also need proof of the vehicles age which means US registration documents. This validates you not needing SVA testing. I imagine you may need a VOSA test or you may get away with a simple MOT test using the VIN as identification.

You won't need to pay VAT but you must go through HMRC within two weeks and print off the validation for registration. Even if nothing to pay, you still need to do this as proof.

I don't know if there's import duty to pay from the US.

DVLA will is due you with an age-related license plate on successful completion of the V55/5 registration document. They will then re-issue your MOT certificate on the registration number.

I would suggest a US import specialist or even possibly a post on the Yank section of Pistonheads would give you more accurate answers.

Please, if not already done so, get an Export Pack from DVLA online. In fact, get two just in case you cock the first one up. Just apply twice. This gives you all the documentation that DVLA need completed. It's not much but you must get it right or they'll reject it.

Take colour photocopies of all original documents before you send any originals away.

Si.

 

[Bellini]

Kerry,

This UK-based shipping company comes highly recommended on Pistonheads.

http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk

Si.

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[kex66]

Kerry,

This UK-based shipping company comes highly recommended on Pistonheads.

http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk

Si.

Thanks Si, I'll have a look in the morning.

 

[SueBaz]

Sorry to land this on you good people but the DVLA are driving me round the bend with conflicting advice and indecision!!!!!!!!!

The Flxible is 67 years old (1947) and is registered as a private motor coach.

I am trying to find out the following about my Flxible:

What documentation do I need in order to register the vehicle in the UK?

What modifications are needed to the bus in order to comply with UK road use legislation?

What documentation do I need for import purposes?

What import duty and VAT is applicable to the Flxible?

How do I get an age related licence plate?

Thanks in advance.

Kerry

Apologies but sat in The Algarve with limited access to sources of info but...

Certificates of conformance relate to Vehicles that are subject to European Type Approval requirements. Your vehicle predates all that by a substantial margin. However to get the vehicle registered you will I believe need to substantiate its age and origin ( which should be straightforward with your American documentation ) and you will need to establish that it complies with UK Construction and Use Regulations. These will however, with a few exceptions, be the requirements for a vehicle manufactured in 1947.
Can I suggest you call VOSA at their head office in Bristol and ask to talk to an engineer responsible for single vehicle approval - they will be able advise on the technical requirements (sorry I know they've changed their name recently but I haven't kept up)
If you are still getting the run around with DVLA ask for the name and e-mail address of someone at the Department for Transport in London responsible for policy and legislation relating to historic vehicles so that you can write to them with your list of specific questions for a considered reply. That should either prompt some focus at DVLA and/or get you to someone in London who can tell you and them what is required..................
Sorry I have no knowledge of import requirements but I have been told by someone importing other goods from America that the Customs and Excise website is a helpful resource.

Good luck with it all. Very much looking forward to seeing the finished article!


Barry and Sue

 

[kex66]

Some great progress made this week on the 1947 Flxible Clipper project. The seating has just been placed into the bus to see if it fits OK. It will look like it belongs there when it's actually fitted correctly. Love the sofa's and drivers chair. Just what I wanted, something stylish and simple. Having the Flxible logo in the seating works well. The front of the sofa's are on a hinge and pull up to increase the width of the base cushion when it's being used as a bed.


The dash is exactly how I want it, again simple but stylish and the cream colour matches the seat backs perfectly. Exterior bodywork is coming along and the roof looks fantastic!!

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