Hi Guys,
I was in WA for work and went to look at the Carawagon that has been mentioned in the earlier post from 2nd Oct 2016.
It is for sale still.
Unfortunatley.... the vehicle would require a complete restoration.
Unfortunately the previous owner has let it stand un used (and mostly outdoors) for the last 20 years.
The bulkhead is completely rotten. The front doors are completely rotten.
The engine is seized and the rocker off it.
All the brakes, and hoses etc under the bonnet and beyond require replacement in full and all steel lines are corroded.
The chassis is ok except I did pull out 5 to 10 cent piece sized pieces of shale rust from the drainage hole on the left side longitudinal section around the centre of the vehicle chassis. The rear RHS corner has taken a hit and the rear out rigger has rust in it as a result.
The head light surround/radiator support panel and bonnet underside structure had heavy surface rust, if not, worse.
The vehicle would require re-wiring from the firewall forward.
The Carawagon roof timbers are rotted through and the perspex 'alpine' windows in the Carawagon roof section are all crazed and the seals are completely dried out and shrunken leaving gaps to the outside world.
The interior is quite good for its age - although well used the interior is complete.
The rear awning is completely brittle and stuffed but would suffice as a template.
The springs were rusty and would require overhaul and repainting.
The gearbox and transfer were covered in the usual thick old aged oil and I don't know the condition and operation of these or the diffs/axles.
The paint was quite faded and chalky and the front left 1/4 guard was very faded.
This vehicle is redeemable but would require around $20K on parts alone, not including painting, if one was so inclined to go that far.
I know this is a Carawagon and therefore rare in a way (there was a mint S3 Carawagon for sale somewhere online recently in the UK for $20K) , however I believe the current seller (son of the owner) is being unrealistic on price at $7500. He wouldn't really enter into a conversation about a better price.
As a result I offered a low ball price on account of the amount of work that was required and the fact I live over east and would need to freight the vehicle over at great cost also, but the vehicle really is very close to being a basket case....
It is such a shame that such a unique vehicle has been let to go to waste like this.
If someone out there is prepared to spend the money the current owner is asking, then I hope it is brought back to life to live another day.
I hope this finds any prospective buyer and gives them help in deciding, especially if you are considering it from a long way from its current Perth based location.
Kind regards, CK
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