New member with '72 Portafold

[shaun_pierce]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a Portafold off eBay. Pictures to follow...


She needs a bit of work;
- the paint is cracked and flaking (the roof being the worst)
- the roof has sagged in places (any suggestions on how best to fix this?)
- the ceiling is flaking
- the interior could do with a revamp
- the hindges could do with being replaced (only one holding the near side in place)
- a window needs replacing
- the rear lights, door handle and vertical awning channels are missing
- the jockey wheel has collapsed
- the hand brake does not work as a previous owner welded a spacer plate under the towbar and tie wrapped the handbrake to the chassis

So far I have;
- given it a good powerwash
- fitted Wolfies to match my car (which is also '72 and fibreglass)
- ordered new hindges from Isaac Lord
- started the prep for painting

I am hoping to use it at a few shows this year and am planning two trips abroad.

I will post some photos as work progresses and will no doubt have some more questions to ask.

Regards,
Shaun

[Ambubird]

Hi Shaun,
Post some pictures, I need motivation to get started on mine!
What will you be towing it with?
Good luck!
Debbie

[phunkie hiboy]

Hi Shaun,
Welcome to the forum. I can probably help you out with rear lights and door handles, if you're interested.

Chris

[shaun_pierce]

Hi Debbie,

Here are some photos to motivate you (I spent 6 hours last Saturday wet sanding by hand, ice on the van when I started and when I finished).

Van after collection:

Flaking paint on the roof:

Prep for painting:

A big thanks to Matthew for explaining how to upload photos.

I can probably help you out with rear lights and door handles, if you're interested.

Hi Chris,

I could be interested in rear lights & handles, where are you based?

Also if anyone can help with the following please contact me;
- vertical awning channels
- an awning
- sink / bunk

Regards,
Shaun

[phunkie hiboy]

I could be interested in rear lights & handles, where are you based?

Also if anyone can help with the following please contact me;
- vertical awning channels
- an awning
- sink / bunk

Based, Ash or Hook. Have you thought about a free standing/drive away type awning. Working on advice from Vanessa (hattytheherald) we bought a hardly used Just Campers Spacemaker drive away awning. They stopped making these a while back, but are going to start making them again this year.

[Ambubird]

Wow, nice one!
You don't hang around! Keep up the good work & keep the pictures coming, love getting my inspiration from all the cracking work I've seen on this forum!
The wheels look great too!

[Admin]

...love getting my inspiration from all the cracking work I've seen on this forum!

Debbie, so yours will be useable ready for the National Gathering in August...?

You notice I didn't put finished, because they don't have to be anywhere near finished to come along. I used black bin liners as curtains with a camping roll and a sleeping bag for the first year of shows I did.

[Ambubird]

Hi Matthew,
Hopefully will be useable/finished (? are they ever really finished?) before the summer. We are waiting for some better weather to start some fiberglass repairs. The curtains are in the making & I have the fabric for the cushions. Really excited to get going now!
Unfortunately I have double booked us for the national gathering weekend. With any luck I might be able to do both if I plan correctly. Would love to meet up with some of you & compare notes!

[Admin]

are they ever really finished?

Nope, I've had mine 10 years this year and I've still got plenty of jobs to do on it. In fact I try not to think about the list, it just depresses me.