Hello

James · Apr 24, 2012

Hello

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name's James and after running a T25/T3 American Spec Multivan I recently had the chance to upgrade to a T5

My initial search was for a Caravelle with the sleep/bed options - then I looked at importing a German Multivan T5 - then I realised there was a California Beach (which I know is Multivan based).

I had a look at a few and they are perfect, just like my old multivan but reliable lol.

So today I put a deposit down on a Yellow - (Betty Custard) dealer demo. I had looked at a few, this came into budget and it had some nice extras. I think the spec is quite basic on these but it's not bad. The only extra I added was decent Kenwood Multi Media System. Anything else I want I will add later from places like Hazzy Days VW.

I had considered importing a German one, there is a whole range of Beaches! lol. But i didn't fancy living again with LHD.

So Betty Custard - I went for the Bluemotion Version, this is going to be a daily driver and will need to be economical as possible to run. I took her out for a drive and it is lovely, I had tried a few pre facelift 2.5 diesel Velle's over the weekend and I was not so keen on them. i thought the 115bhp might struggle but it felt fine. I had tried a 140bhp in a Kombi and there is a difference but for me it is fine.

My only question is - and this is a strange one - I have seen a White Beach - with really nice black California Beach decals running along the bottom. Does anyone know where I can get these?

So, hello to everyone, looking forward to getting to know people and hearing from people who already have a Beach.

James

calikev · Apr 24, 2012

Hi James welcome along
Nice yellow beach I take it that's where your username came from.
Custard. Not sure about the decals prehaps someone on eBay can design and print you some.

James · Apr 24, 2012

Hi Kev

Yeah lol - we are going to call her 'Betty Custard' (humour us)

I can't find the decals - the Beach is on the internet - it's being styled outside a bit like a Sportline. White, black alloys etc.

Anyway thank you for the introduction - I a newbie - be gentle with me

James

Anonymous · Apr 24, 2012

I think that I have seen the same white one, with the Sportline bodykit, alloys and the decals.
I don't know where the stickers were bought from, however I am sure that there are loads of decal specialists you could speak with.

I could personally recommend speaking with Dan at http://www.hollographics.com/ having used them lots in the past for stickers for Le Mans.

James · Apr 24, 2012

Thanks for that

It's a good looking van - out of my price range though and it's 140bhp.

I will check out his website

Many thanks

James

Anonymous · Apr 25, 2012

PS. Hi James and welcome to the club.
Luke

James · Apr 25, 2012

Skywalker said:
PS. Hi James and welcome to the club.
Luke

Thank you Luke - my story of coming to a Cali Beach is a strange one. Last year I bought a 1991 T25/T3 VW Vanagon (US Transporter) with a multi van layout - rear seat into a bed - forward facing buddy/taxi seats.

The plan was to do it up and use it for camping as it provided so much space. It's been a year of frustration - what I wanted was a van that had a 'something' that I could camp in, use daily, change if I liked, and have a scene around it.

Sadly at Christmas my mum was taking ill - it was very sudden, they diagnosed cancer and she died a few weeks later. She left behind some money and we unmmmed and ahhhhed about what we should do. As you can imagine and perhaps sadly you have experienced it, it's pain beyond belief.

Anyway - I like classic VW's - don't get me wrong but I do not subscribe to the theory that only a classic has character and that modern vans are boring.

I looked at some Caravelles and finally came across the Beach - I know it is based on the the Multivan's we don't get in the UK - which is great because that is exactly what I had in my Vanagon and I think it is has as much character and spirit as classic T3 and T2's. Plus it is modern and like all Cali vans - surely a future classic?

And hand on their heart - a classic van like a splittie is lovely but who wouldn't have a modern van with modern driving that provides all that fun without the fear and hassle of owning a classic.

So it has been a very sad time over the last few months but myself and my partner are looking to getting fully aquainted with the Beach over the summer and hopefully, well I am sure it will put a smile on our faces.

James

calikev · Apr 25, 2012

Good for you mate
Go out enjoy and have some fun :thumb

Stewart MCG · Apr 25, 2012

Hi and welcome, yes I agree a commercial sign writer/laminate printer should be able to help.

paul blue · Apr 25, 2012

Hi and welcome
Im sure you will love it and if it helps time is a great healer- i lost my mum just over 2 years ago with cancer and i never thought i would miss her moaning on (in a nice way)- i can hear her now saying why are you messing with them old vans! so like you i bought a california and never regretted it, iv still got my old splitty in the garage, you will find there are a few on here who have had or still got aircooled or t3 campervans.
Good luck and put a piccy up wen you get it.
paul

James · Apr 25, 2012

paul blue said:
Hi and welcome
Im sure you will love it and if it helps time is a great healer- i lost my mum just over 2 years ago with cancer and i never thought i would miss her moaning on (in a nice way)- i can hear her now saying why are you messing with them old vans! so like you i bought a california and never regretted it, iv still got my old splitty in the garage, you will find there are a few on here who have had or still got aircooled or t3 campervans.
Good luck and put a piccy up wen you get it.
paul

Hi Paul

Thank you for the welcome and the message - yes, it was very sudden, and yes, I miss everything lol - even the phonecalls where she rattled on

The T3 is going to go - it's an American Import in rare Carat Spec - not that it makes it worth much but it's a lovely van. Mechanically it probably needs a bit of work but there is no rust on it being a Californian Import.

I will get some pics up - you've all seen the Beach - so nothing too different. I stuck to a budget of 32k which was not as much of a limit as might appear - it cancelled picking the ideal spec and colour but that was not so much a concern. I know there is such a support network and scene with these vans that most things can be done at a later date if require them.

It was the driving experience that did it. i drove some pre face lift vans and I was not that impressed with the manual, auto lovely, manual felt like hard work though that could be the van.

I expected the 115bhp to struggle, sure it was no firecracker but it left my Volvo C30 for dead in terms of refinement. (That's a 2.0d)

I test drove a 140 Kombi, lovely but I want the Bluemotion.

Was slightly embarrassing when I test drove it - stop start - I know it is not complicated but it threw me lol.

Thank you for the welcome. I have placed my deposit to hold the van, and I shall pay the rest when funds come through and then I shall pick her up.

Should be nice drive home

James