Up for sale is Vincent our VW T4 Swift Royale 550 coachbuilt PROJECT. ! Bought back in 2020 we used it regularly all year and then in 2021 as we prepared for a holiday we found the rot!!! To cut a long 12mth story very short. All the rot has been cut out and replaced, l have loads of photos and videos of what l found and how bad it was. After the frame was repaired l took the old ali roof off and found 100s of pinholes which had been caused by the ali reacting to other metals over time. The roof was replaced with a new thicker ali so this should last another 30yrs. Im no expert or a professional and the job isnt perfect the thicker ali roof was alot harder to work with l also decided to delete the over cab window at the front due to the rot ld found around the old window. BUT its now bone dry and dare l say it must be 1 of the driest wooden framed coachbuilts out there not the prettiest but definately solid. The body was then painted with static caravan paint with added protection and more hardwearing, the roof could do with another couple of coats of paint. Then all new ali trim was fitted along the edges and a heavy duty rubber waist trim was also fitted and looks great. All 3 skylights were replaced with brand new modern items and look so much better. The running gear is the bullet proof 2.4 diesel and has been treated to a turbo conversion upgrade and yes it makes a massive difference no sat at junctions wondering if you will make it or stuck behind trucks on the motorway, its by no means quick haha it could do with the 5th gear mod for better motorway cruising to bring the revs down but it drives so much better. Also whilst having the turbo done l had brand new Sash HD shocks and t5 dropside rear springs fitted for a less willowy drive it feels so planted now. Comes on a rare set of 17 Audi s8 winter alloys fitted with commerical tyres. The cab has the usual signs of the well documented T4 sill rust so they will need sorting the arches are pretty solid to be fair it has the earlier welded on wings it being an 94 plate. Other than the paint splattering from the body because numpty lad here didnt realise the cover had come off the cab the paint is pretty good, later model front bumper fitted and badgeless grille oh and it had a new windscreen fitted last year this was done correctly with no signs of the dreaded screen post rust. So to the inside this is where the project has stalled l was always in 2 minds wether to rip the lot out and start again as its very dated (remember its near as damn it 30yrs old) the layout never suited us l was going to put U shaped seating along the bulkhead with a central table, then maybe replace the wall units with modern lightweight materials to give it a more up to date feel. One area that needs the most attention is the kitchen the cooking unit is crap, the appliances are all dated and need upgrading l had every intention of fitting a smev hob and sink combo for a sleeker look, remove the oven completely (who makes a sunday lunch in a motorhome) thats what pubs are for and fit more storage. The fridge is the 3 way kind but can be temprimental on gas, l had it explained to me from other coachbuilt owners that the gas ignitions can get clogged up with rust and dirt so wont light up again it would be better with a 12v item or a 240 plugged into a converter, this leads me onto the wiring. I had planned on a full rewire again its pushing 30yrs old and l also wanted to make it alot better off grid so big solar panels on the roof and boy theres enough room up there and all the control panels renewed. Theres no carpet in the kitchen area this was replaced then ruined when l found the rot never got round to fitting new or lino. The blinds and fly screens are naff they have torn over the years so need replacing l was going to fit household roller blinds or even venitian style and l also removed the curtians and the rails they were crap and kept coming down plus who has curtains. ! I have to state that all the interior work was personal preference and the van does do what it says on the tin and is quite useable although dated and with some tlc and a few jobs sorting it could be a great van again. 2 front seats have 3 point seatbelts then there are 2 lapbelts on the front facing bench seat at the table, l will be refitting the bike and roof rack with ladder. The van will also come with a fresh 12month mot. Been there seen it got the t’shirt. !