From a cool '69 Early Bay to a stunning 2022 Ocean in two easy steps

KevH · Oct 13, 2023

I never thought, when I traded my immaculate 1969 Early Bay Devon five years ago for a 2015 T6 Denby conversion that the next step would be a to Cali, but here we are.

We pick up our 11 month old Ocean, with just under 800 recorded miles, this coming Monday and we are as excited as the day we drove the old Early Bay home for the first time.

It all feels like we are moving into a different world in a different age, and we can't wait to start our new experience as Cali owners.

I hope to get to know some of you both through these chats and maybe on campsites, and I will have lots of questions to ask.

Kev

Perfectos · Oct 13, 2023

Kev ,

show us some photos all three pls :cheers

ask away

Corradobrit · Oct 13, 2023

Perfectos said:
Kev ,

show us some photos all three pls

ask away

It's the law. Especially that '69. What a gorgeous model. Saw a few at Busfest last June.

KevH · Oct 14, 2023

Ah, I forgot that 'no pics means it didn't happen'...that was a rule amongst the Early Bay community too and I am very happy to oblige.

First pic is the 2015 T6, pretty bog standard and a nice intro to modern vans for us.

Then we have the '69 bay, resplendent in Lous White with Devon interior and pop top. The chap in the hat is the original owner; he sold in 2001 and spotted us in it in about 2015 at a show. We regularly attended Busfest in her, and featured in one of the famous VW roundel displays

Creative Coachworks in Shropshire restored the van, me and the wife redid the interior.

Got no pics of the Cali yet, but will have on Tuesday.

Californication69 · Oct 14, 2023

JW why did you trade that amazing old girl in ?
Looks great, but I guess it won’t last forever ?

Perfectos · Oct 14, 2023

Californication69 said:
JW why did you trade that amazing old girl in ?
Looks great, but I guess it won’t last forever ?

If you’ve ever owned one , they require yearly maintenance (cutting about) to the bodywork, it’s a constant battle.
great looking Vehicle unfortunately with Rust problems that presist no matter what you do .

Enjoy the new Cali @KevH

Corradobrit · Oct 14, 2023

Perfectos said:
If you’ve ever owned one , they require yearly maintenance (cutting about) to the bodywork, it’s a constant battle.
great looking Vehicle unfortunately with Rust problems that presist no matter what you do .

Enjoy the new Cali @KevH

Yes, best to have one in California. UK not so much.

KevH · Oct 14, 2023

Californication69 said:
JW why did you trade that amazing old girl in ?
Looks great, but I guess it won’t last forever ?

Ha ha, she doesn’t know I posted that…yet

KevH · Oct 14, 2023

Corradobrit said:
Yes, best to have one in California. UK not so much.

Yes, the old buses were absolute rot boxes, especially those that never spent time in the California / Aussie / South African sunshine, and eventually the cost of the upkeep got too much for us.

I thought owning a Cali might actually be cheaper until I saw the first five years road tax levy…a luxury car, really?????

Gulp