Tommy brought back DORIS!!! 1982 HiAce Safari Camper original

[Tom & Doris]

Hi

Brief story, 2 years ago as a backpacker, I purchased a campervan, I found the old gal on Gumtree, the one owner van had not been used but there owners for a while as they were getting on a bit and she was just sitting there gathering dust, the couple had owned the van straight from the factory.

I brought her to take me around Australia whilst I completed my visa required rural farm work, (Being from the Uk you are allowed to stay a second year if you complete 88 days of specified rural work, farming is one of them, plus I wanted to experience the real Australia or at least rural Australia).

We headed to Tamworth, I worked there for a month, then to MIttagong for 7 weeks, then onto Bogan gate! WOW! that place opened my eyes, then back to Sydney, Doris (the name of my grandmother, a caring old gal in her own right) was tired, I was broke and couldn't afford to fix her up, I reluctantly had to sell her, sad times, that was in February of 2014.

Since then I completed my second year and fell in love with Australia, it's customs and people, I got offered a sponsorship in February, meaning I have a work visa for another 4 years.

I was thinking since I am hanging around, how good it would be to get another camper and explore Australia again at weekends, getting out the smoke to the fresh country air, so I started looking, since February I have been searching, then I thought, I wonder where Doris is? I searched aimlessly for her......Then out the blue and to my amazement, I found the same van, with the curtains I hand stitched, the hola doll (Maria) still stuck to the dashboard! I contacted the guy, in Penrith, we had a long chat but some woman had agreed to buy it, I was gutted!

A couple of days later I had a call, the sale had fell through, due to my heartwarming stories about my travels and adventure (the guy told me) he would like me to have it!

I went and picked the old gal up yesterday and are totally over the moon!

Sorry if I went on a bit, just thought I would share that as my introduction.

Has anyone else here had experiences with the HiAce, 1982 or close?

I have a few questions,

I'm looking at recovering the rear seats, Doris is completely original and in great condition, I want to keep to the original and wondered if I could get some of the original fabric ( or close to it), its brown with an orange and light brown stripe running up the center, I have an upholsterer friend in Sydney who can complete the job.

Has anyone ever come up with something to transport a scooter (vespa) on the van? either incorporating a bracket to the back or a ramp into the rear of the van? I would be keen to hear your ideas on this. The bike doesn't really weigh much.

Wing mirrors, I need a new offside, are there any scrap yards in Sydney where you think I could pick one up?

A "Safari" spare wheel cover for the front of the van, that would be awesome, the one I had is missing.

Insurance, any advice here, can I get a classic insurance?

If you have stuck with me this far, thankyou!

Many thanks

Tom & Doris

[jeffy]

Welcome back Doris!

[tcdnorthcote]

Hey TBBD

I too bought a 1982 Hiace Safari camper, late last year. I am in love with it. When we bought it (off the third owner) it has apparently been round the country three times, most recently lived in Tassie for a number of years, bought by that elderly owner from people in the ACT. I paid $6500 plus rego.

We have re-upholstered, but couldnt find the original fabric, which sounds very similar to what you had. There were so many shades of brown in this thing you wouldnt believe. Rear seats were brown with little tan polkadots, We ended up getting the rear recovered in some blue fabric we'd bought at Spotlight. Front we kept the original brown vinyl but replaced megabrown woven material with a blue again. Have just finished the curtains (all bar the kitchen one) and taken it for its first camp last weekend. Photo below.

I insured it through CIL Caravan and RV Insurance. Really reasonable rates $25 pcm. AAMI wouldnt insure it.

I'm looking for a SAFARI wheelcover too! We're still trying to work out how everything works, was trawling around a bit for original instruction manuals for the camper - I have the pdf of the mechanical manual if that would help. I cant help with the mirror - mine has an add on on the drivers side though I think the passenger one is original.

The Fridge is not working yet, nor the interior lights. Thats the next project!