'76 Freedom Microlite Project - VZi, Europe's largest VW forum, community and sales

Scotty_B · 04-04-2008, 04:30 PM

With approval from one of the VZi staff here's my latest project. Thought it might be of interest to some of you.
As camper prices are sky high at the moment i decided an old period caravan was the way to go to tow behind the bug.
So a quick search of ebay and i found a Freedom microlite, the seller was unsure of the year but i knew it was a 70's van. I won the auction and upon picking i found on the tow hitch that it's a '76, so only two years newer than my Beetle so it's the right era.

It's been stood unused for a fair few years, the previous owner started to rebuild it but things happen projects get delayed and it didn't get finished. So here's where i take over.

It's a '76 Freedom Microlite 3 berth, with cooker & sink, a double at the back, single at the front, and a pop top roof. The body is made completely of fibreglass so the whole thing weighs just over 400kgs, so it's nice and light for towing with the bug.

As i've not got a towbar on the bug yet i was off to lincoln with dads Sedona, a boot full of tools & a trailer board.
Got it back safe & sound, there's only a couple of lights that don't work. The brakes work nicely but i'll give them a check over.

Thought i'd put the bug up to it to get an idea of what the rig will look like

Looks pretty cool i reckon.
Pop top for extra headroom

Kitchen with 2 ring hob & sink with cold water tap. Will probably install a mini fridge in one of the cupboards.

Front single seating with table that folds down to make a single

Rear seats with table that folds to make a double

Needs a damn good scrub! You can see just above the handle on the right it doesn't clean up too bad, will probably repaint it when the warmer weather arrives though to freshen it up.

Scotty_B · 04-04-2008, 04:31 PM

Retro reflector triangles!

Stored away nicely in the corner of the drive on the back awaiting some love.

Will be doing it inbetween working, which incidently is caravan refurbishment, examples of which can be seen here http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...n%20interiors/ so the task ahead doesn't phase me too much.

I'll be updating it as and when progress is made. Will hopefully be ready to use over the show season and for trips down south.

banana split · 04-04-2008, 06:18 PM

that is well cool dude love retro caravans

Scotty_B · 04-04-2008, 08:28 PM

Same here, can't wait to get it finished!

janski · 06-04-2008, 02:17 AM

Oh, oh was thinking of doing the same. Will be interesting to follow.

*Dons smoking jacket, gets a fresh brew and waits for the saga to unfold*

j

Scotty_B · 12-04-2008, 04:33 PM

Not made much progress at all yet as i've had so much work on, hopefully will get a few things done tomorrow, i've pulled the carpet up to reveal some nice 70's vinyl flooring, parquet style.

Scotty_B · 22-04-2008, 10:45 PM

Got a spare half hour this afternoon so replaced all the crumbling and missing white infill strip with maroon to smarten it up a bit. It's brighter than it looks in the pics.
A few before & after pics:

The vinyl flooring under the retro carpet, needs the remainder of the carpet scraping off:

Scotty_B · 22-04-2008, 10:51 PM

Collected a few things for it and planned what i'm going to do with the interior
60 sticker and GB badge for the rear

Going to install some small led lights into the boarding on the inside of the roof. Also plan to cover all the white boarding on the walls and ceiling with a cream vinyl to smarten it up a bit. Still got to go to the wholsealers to choose the fabric for the seats and curtains then i'll get mum on the case to sew them up.
Outside will be rubbed down to get back to the original cream paint, Depending on how well this goes it might get repainted.
Been looking for an old set of 70's 12" alloys too, need to measure the stud pattern yet though.

Dub-Olly · 24-04-2008, 08:20 PM

Repaint it the same colour as your bug would look pretty good going down the road and seeing a red bug with a red caravan =]

janski · 25-04-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dub-Olly

Repaint it the same colour as your bug would look pretty good going down the road and seeing a red bug with a red caravan =]

.....sorry to pee on yer chips Olly, but I disagree. Less is more.
Its already a cool retro shape, why disguise the fact.
I would clean it up/resto it, to as new, or near as possible.
Then to give it a little extra personality, some red and black pinstriping.
Not obvious when going by you at 60 on a motorway, but enough to catch your eye. And when camped up, different matter. I figure that you just get used to people asking, stopping, touching etc your retro caravan.

Its the interior that you can bling up/modernise/add creature comforts.
One concept on the outside, another on the inside. Winner!

Just my thoughts and ramblings btw as Im bored, cant sleep coz excited about Big Bang and thus typing at stoopid o'clock.

Looking forward to my next instalment...keep up the good work.

j