Los Angeles Mechanic

Hey Everybody,
New guy here from Southern California and with a little luck I'll be joining the vanning family soon. I got my eyes on a First Gen that I'm hoping to check out in the next couple days. From the photos I've seen she's in pretty good shape but the owner says she (the van) has been sitting for a little while but didn't elaborate how long "a little while" has been. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a garage in the Los Angeles/Southern California area that (assuming I do buy her) would be able to give her a good once over. I intend on making her my daily driver so a clean bill of health to start her next chapter is peace of mind I'm happy paying for.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

Welcome aboard, Schwartz!
I'm sure someone from the area will be able to help you with some advice. Good luck on the van purchase. Don't forget to post pics if it does become a reality. If it falls through, keep an eye in our listings for vans for sale sections.

Rust is the deal breaker,,,,,,,,look at the roof rails and windshield,,,,,,,,the rest can, and probably needs,,,,,,to be rebuilt,,,,,,starting with new brake lines and hoses,,,,,,dont buy something with a lot of rust,,,,,,

Thanks guys. I'll be sure to throw up some photos if I pull the trigger.

So I swung by and checked out the van this morning. All things considered she's in pretty good shape and there only appears to be a couple minor body issues. The current owner recently added a new carb and fuel pump/line/filter and she starts right up and idles just fine. Unfortunately I couldn't take her for a test drive on account of a flat tire.

I made an offer and am waiting to here back in the next couple days. Keeping my fingers crossed...

Was there any rot through on the roof rails? That and the cracked bondo area would be the first areas to address to make sure it goes no further as I'm sure you're aware since you took up close pics already. I would also make sure the add-on window is sealed or resealed properly so that you don't get water infiltration...Hope you get good news, keep us posted.

That van has potential.  I don't see any problems in the roof rails.  Looks like just typical factory seam sealer that is all dried out and cracking.  The aftermarket side windows are a bummer, but they could be patched if you had some sheetmetal from a donor van and a good body guy.  

boy all that garbage welded on top of the front bumper has got to go.  Looks like you could cut/grind it off easy enough and restore that front bumper.  That would be my first course of action.

Good luck and hope you get it