Is it worth it ?

Hello V V community. I'm a new member but wanted ideas/thoughts on some pics of a local van I found. First I wanted to say, while not the exact year I had hoped to locate (1967 DCW) it's pretty close at '65. All the other things I hoped for are there (240, auto, windows all around, benches) but it has some body issues (don't they all). He says it's all original and complete, just may be removed but he still has. Take a look at the pics and tell me what you all think.

What pics? Let me know if you need help posting them...and welcome to Vintage Vans, Brian!!!

Typical rust through areas which can be cut out and patched...how does the underside of the van look? Frame solid? How about the drip rails along the roofline?

I'm going to head over again this week an get more pics, all I got. He's driving it daily. The exterior side trim is all there. Inside panels complete, he has an original bench. Drip rails at the top of roof look good. Corner of side door looks like a tiny bubble forming. Any other body areas that might be a deal breaker if it was something you personally were looking at? Again, I know everyone's idea of 'bad' is different, I just didn't like on the side where door opens step. Looked kind of crunchy behind passenger seat. My old E panel '67 didn't have the step so maybe part of that hole is supposed to be there ?

The underside and frame look straight and solid. I was most worried about the passenger side behind the seat, I guess where the door step control goes?

That's alot of floor rot. The first pic or two up front are typical I think, but it looks like from the other pics, the floor is pretty much a rust cake from end to end? I'm wondering the same thing as Vanny, how's the roof above and around the windshield and the drip rails/gutters around the top? And when you say "worth it", what is the price and how much time, energy and/or money do you have?

,,,,and just how good would you plan on making it?

Depends on the price and what exactly you want to do with it. An automatic, DCW with the 240ci.. May be tough to find another any time soon. Body itself looks ok just from the pics you posted. If you don't mind fixing the floor issues and the price is right go for it! I recently got at 65 DCW and uncovered rot under the front floor once I pulled up the mat. Also has some rot in the lower body which I will repair. Check out my pics under the members showcase. Keep us posted and if you could post some pics of the exterior that'd be helpful too.

Thanks for all the input, it's greatly appreciated. Yes 'worth it' meaning in spite of the obvious floor rot in those four spots. Of course, the purchase price/fix price has to come in under personal budget. It looks like it could cost several thousands just to repair those holes. The rest of the body and floor look pretty solid and except for some spotty surface rust, overall good to very good condition. I tried to show the worst, only to put in perspective. As for long term, eventually I'd love to restore to original, and keep her going another 50 years.
Does anyone have any pics of the side door step mechanism before it's finished? Some of that hole looks factory.

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Got a few better pics with regular camera (post those later) but here's a few. Any VIN decoders out there?

Had to turn them right-side up, I was getting a sore neck...Vanny!

Looks pretty dang clean to me! Not knowing the sellers asking price it's kinda tough to give you a definite answer. But for the right price I'd go for it!

Here you go...

http://econolineid.com/vehicle.php?v=6378

Front looking pretty straight and complete, no damage

Drivers side roof line. Looks dented, but just reflection. All drip channels ok

Surface spot under windshield, all doors open an close smooth

Original AM radio present but needs rebuilding. Are those 4 drill holes for a speaker?

Rear windows open and lock well. Interior panels all present but missing headliner.

Looking forward.

Rear passenger channel looking forward.

Passenger side

Passenger corner

Overall, for 51 years unrestored, outside in good condition.

Thank you Vanny, great VIN breakdown !! I posted those yesterday from an iPhone so couldn't rotate in paint. These look right side up, apologize just not super clear quality. It appears original as I was hoping. Asking $5000. an he's throwing in a 300ci engine because he wanted to swap out and upgrade. (Glad the orig. 240 is in there running well). Original AM radio and speedometer not working, but idiot lights and gas gauge ok. Doors look good, inside and out, no speaker holes cut out, just a bit of surface rust. Orig. bench seat, oil bath air cleaner, hub caps, and all side panels with ash trays included. Side step rotted, but present with mechanism.
I include a few more photos, just disappointed they came out a bit blurry  Must have been the camera settings.

The not so good, the bad and the ugly.

Drivers side floor

The outside looks pretty good though, yeah?

Dripping as I was snapping pics.

Passenger rear floor.

Drivers side rear floor

Rest of floor pretty good

Well, you get the idea now.

I suppose here is where I'm hoping for moral support saying, 'I've seen worse'.

This must have seen snow before heading west  

Behind drivers seat

Behind passenger seat

"Rainy night in Georgia"

Passenger floor.

Yes, front floor is pretty roached. Replacement pan candidate?

I'm going to put it up on a lift an get more underneath shots. So yeah, is it worth it?

You guys have driven, restored, and repaired these. You know the time, money and dedication involved. It's my hope to slowly restore it to original, as it has all the options I was looking for. 240 auto. windows 90" wb etc. I want to eventually do some road tripping in her (Alaska, Canada, Pacific NW.)

You pull the trigger on the DCW?

What's the price? Everything is relative

Think he said the guy was asking $5k..

Take it from a guy who has been building and flipping hot rods for more years than I can remember; do not put any emotions into your decision. If you have the time, skills, equipment and place to do the work yourself, you can save major bucks on any project. You just have to ask yourself if this is something you're willing to invest in and are your plans to keep or sell it?

Mine have always been a hobby. It keeps me occupied in my retirement. I never put my labor into the "worth factor" for that reason. Everything that you've posted in the pics is repairable and can be done correctly, if you have the skills to do so. It looks to be an "honest" vehicle.

What's even more interesting is when you run into the hack repairs. Used to pi55 me off, now I just chuckle about them. Some are quite ingenious...still hacked but ingenious.

A couple of examples on my 64. They relocated the radiator mount supports. Not a bad job, but mounted the radiator on with six half inch small sheet metal screws. The motor mount crossmember had a section cut out of the middle. Guess it was easier for installing the oil pan. .ol Bondo all over the place without pulling and repairing the dents. Luckily only one rust hole. Notched out a 1/4" section of the floor so the alternator would fit. Totally unnecessary if they would have adjusted the bracket and got the right size belt. And I'm sure I'll find more.

Give me an honest and original starting point anyday.

"I've seen worse!"

The Van looks really nice to me, The important parts to check would be where the suspension and engine/tranny mounts, steering etc. meet the frame, a lot of rust in those areas could be very hard to fix and keep the Van safe to drive.
Most of the rust I see is in the interior in places that can be covered up easily with some carpet etc. after cutting out the rust and welding in some sheet metal.
Personally I build them to drive, I would just use sheet metal.
If your going for a correct restoration then you need the proper replacement pieces which involves more time and money.
Patch the holes to keep the elements out and drive it. You can use a caulking gun and sealer, then clean and weld a section at a time.
I'd start with that windshield area and new seal.

@ 5K I'd say keep looking. I listed a van the other day in the for sale section, very similar to this one that was in BC, it was $5700 USD and twice the van this one is. That is a $2500 van tops, if it's auto and 65 or later it just makes it to $2500 in it's current state. jmo

You will sink endless amounts of time, energy and money into this project either way. If it wears you out before you get to enjoy it, what's the point?

I paid $700 for my van, it's pretty much mostly rust free, but has been around the block. Has poor wreck repair and I'm in it for at least $3500 and haven't even touched the body yet. Just getting a 50 year old vehicle to a point where you trust the drive line is a fair bit of work. Running and driving don't mean a thing. When I took the wheels off of mine to put it up on jacks and go through it after driving it for 6 months, the front driver's side tire popped and deflated as it hit the garage floor as it was pushed over when pulled off. It still put's my hair up to think about it....

I knew they were shot but g'damn. Expect replacing every line, every bearing, rebuilding or replacing the springs and the glides, the bushings, the steering, u-joints, ball joints, brakes, electrics and sending units, engine?, ect. And that's where you start

[quote="Wolfster"]Take it from a guy who has been building and flipping hot rods for more years than I can remember; do not put any emotions into your decision.  If you have the time, skills, equipment and place to do the work yourself, you can save major bucks on any project.  You just have to ask yourself if this is something you're willing to invest in and are your plans to keep or sell it?

Wolf Thank you so much to respond. I appreciate every response, and I do 'take it from you guys'. You've all been where I'm at, and each bring valid points to my decision. Cosmetically from the outside it looks good. Also, I knew not to let emotion creep in, but I feel in spite of knowing better, I'm allowing that to happen a bit here. I like the automatic as my girl could drive it as well, and I'm fortunate to have her on board this project. Long term this would be something I'd be hanging on to, slowly putting a few miles on, while driving and restoring as I go. Maybe spend a night or two in the back in between work shifts. I like what you ended with "Give me an honest an original any day" Agree, an this is fairly original.

Russell, thank you also to point out those trouble spots that are most important to check. I would put this up on a lift for a "brake check", and inspect those areas you mentioned further before a final purchase. It was raining the day I was there, and I couldn't see where the tranny mounts without laying in a puddle. No question those would be looked at closer before any $ exchange. (Notice no underneath pics?)  

Seth, Yep I saw that beauty from BC you posted, and I also agree its a way better deal. Like not even in the same ballpark. Wow, yours was $700. and mostly rust free. That's certainly encouraging, and great advice. I guess I've just been out of vehicles and prices for awhile an not sure what the older stuff is going for. Back in 1992 I bought my '67 E100 for $500. and it was in good shape. Not restored nor crunchy, just a 25 year old van. I don't think this one would 'wear me out before I get to enjoy it' as I hope to drive it a bit as Russ described. Wow That's quite a story with the tire !! Lucky it gave out when it did. Darn.

You've all given me a LOT to think about for sure. I'll keep you posted, and again, thank you so much for the input. Always appreciated.