Gimme shelter

For the forthcoming weekend away at the Run to the Hills show I thought it would be a good opportunity to get the old canopy out.

Bought from Bluebird Customs, the canopy was originally used on our old T3 camper, it was just the right length. The overall length of the T5 roof line is a bit shorter than that of the T3 so there's a little overhang front and back.

It looks okay though. And for a short weekend where it's too much hassle to take the big Khyam, this should do the trick!

Oh, the van's finally lowered too - did you notice?

T5 and a half

Here's the 2010 facelift of our favourite VW van.

I'm hoping it's a grower because right now the jury's out on the new nose. It's understandably very 'scirroco-esque' in-line with Volkswagen's range, especially the next Polo:


The whole 'Facelift' thing is a tricky one to get right. In the case of the next-gen T5 it feels a little 'bolted-on', it's a shame some of the lines didn't flow further down the sides of the van. Expense in re-tooling is clearly the issue.

As our current T5 will be a 'keeper' for quite some time I'm hoping that the original T5 will be remembered as one of the last 'good-looking' Transporters. Only time will tell...

Show report: Tatton Park

A great show for the discerning rim-perv!

For quite a few years now the VW-Northwest show at Tatton Park has become increasingly bias towards the water-cooled end of the VW spectrum.

As a one-time air-cooled vee-dubber I used to sneer at the Golf-boys with their shonky 'modified' cars and rattly bass bins...

But all this has changed.

The water-cooled scene has been maturing nicely and there seems to a higher benchmark of vehicle quality. Restorations and body-finishes that would rival even the finest classic v-dub, subtle styling cues, none of the brash, in-your-face nineties stuff. This is carefully considered, passionate and high quality work.

T5s were in limited numbers - there were a few around. T4s seem to be everywhere in the car park - where do they all come from?

All-in-all a great show, the weather helped too. As one-day shows go it's up there with the best.

Look out for future blog posts where I try and decide which wheels are going to look best on the van - Tatton certainly provided lots of fuel for thought!

Time to Escape...

Here's a cool little 'making-of' video from Volkswagen's summer campaign; VW Escape

You were right to go lower...

...as Bruce Forsyth used to say!


Whilst chatting to Graham at Exploria about some new cab seats, we deviated onto the subject of lowering springs.

Exploria stock the finest in german-spec (TüV approved) springs from H&R perfect for bringing you VW T5 that bit nearer the ground.


There's more to lowering your van than just the cosmetic appearance.

Here's the before:


And (with a little help from Photoshop) here's the projected outcome:


The springs provide a lower center of gravity and reduce body roll for better handling, no more of that van-wallow when diving into corners. A full report will follow when the springs are fitted.

Mr. Smith - an update

So the time has come for the van to go in for repairs. Aire Valley Workshop have said around three days for the work, including bodywork to the rear arch, so there having the van from tomorrow; Monday, until next Saturday.

After several phone calls from Mr. Smith's insurance company about a replacement vehicle we have ended up with a bottom-of-the-foodchain spec Ford Ka. Unimpressed.

They first asked if we needed a replacement van. No, not necessary, a car will be fine. About Golf-size? Yes, great a Golf for a week would be fine.

So we turn up at Europcar to be shown to a Vauxhall Vivaro van. Nah, not we asked for...

You can have a Vauxhall Corsa Automatic or a Ford Ka.

Great...

This coming week can't go fast enough.