Description

BERTHA

My wife and I bought “Bertha” in 2005 from a lovely couple in Hull. She had 77,000 original miles under her belt and was in amazing condition.

In 2006 we took her on a 6,500 mile four-month European tour of five countries and possibly every mountain in the Alps and Pyrenees! We wrote three articles about our journey, which were published in VW Ultra magazine. She is very comfortable and practical inside, loads of storage space with a ‘rock n roll’ bed at the bottom and sliding double at the top. Two gas hobs and a grill, cool box and sink.

In 2008 we bought a Dutch barge and moved to the Netherlands and then Northern France, taking Bertha with us. For five years she was our only vehicle, workhorse and travel bus. She never let us down, even in -20 degree French winters.

We moved back to the UK in 2012 (with the barge) and Bertha was laid up for nearly three years as all our time was spent working on the boat. Sometime in 2015 we realised that Bertha was showing advancing signs of deterioration, mostly as a result of being laid up for so long. We decided we couldn't sell her in that condition after she'd given us so many great years – we then began a four-year rolling restoration, which to date includes:

Brand new hand built engine, made with all German parts by Chris Finlay (Volksdreams) at 124,700 miles. Run in schedules strictly adhered to by me. Oil serviced at 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 miles. Valves checked at all the above with engine cold.

All original tinware present.

New clutch, flywheel, cable etc.

New starter motor.

New fuel tank and all hoses.

New battery.

New alternator regulator.

Carburettor stripped and rebuilt.

New distributor.

New fuel pump.

New inlet manifold and seals.

New starter relay.

12v windscreen washer pump fitted.

New brake distributor valve fitted.

New brake discs and pads.

New brake pump.

All door locks removed, serviced and repaired as necessary. Original ignition key fits all.

New accelerator cable.

New propex heater HS2000, aircraft grade ducting and stainless steel Y manifold purchased (not fitted as yet).

Body work restored professionally with Alan Schofield panels as necessary.

Bodywork completely repainted in original colours with 2k paint.

Original bumpers and hangers restored and refitted.

Chassis and underbelly stripped, treated with vactan and repainted with Hempatex marine paint (I also use this to paint the underneath of my 111 year old Dutch barge).

All new best quality window and door seals etc.

All original doors, tailgate, engine lid, sliding door restored inside and out.

Original Moonraker interior restored - removed, steel stripped, sanded and repainted and refitted.

Internal steel panels lined with butyl sound deadening, 50mm thermal insulation and marine engine insulation where necessary.

Original double top roof restored, hinges refixed using stainless steel nuts and bolts instead of aluminium pop rivets!

Original canvas restored.

Original gelcoat double top elevating roof restored and in incredible condition!

Full original interior including rubber mats, rear lino, carpets and door cards in great condition for their age.

All five wheels glass blasted and professionally painted.

Fire ball fire extinguisher fitted in engine bay.

Bertha will be tax exempt as of 1 January 2020.

She drives beautifully. In 15 years and almost 60,000 miles, Bertha has only put me on the roadside twice! Once with a failed fuel pump and once with a snapped clutch cable.

I have the original under-slung water tank, rear-mounted spare wheel carrier and various spare parts etc.

I am continuing to do bits and pieces to the van on a daily basis - fitting a new kick panel underneath the rock'n'roll bed, getting new numberplates etc.

Reluctant but necessary sale as we are setting off on a new trip in another motorhome next year. Bertha awaits a new owner and more adventures!