Gertrude

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gazza31112
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Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Never really did a build thread so I thought I'd pop some of my fav pics of the old girl and progress over the years up in here


Picked it up on Halloween 2019 with 19k on the clock, as of Feb 2026 it's just ticked over 120k. The original plan was just to keep it as a work van for my then new tiling business, but as soon as I found this forum the ideas started coming.

I really should have taken more photos of the progress early on but I didn't quite think it was going to get to the extent of the obsession that it's become nowadays.

Most of the things I did to it early on have long been taken out or changed. Iv found most things are a trial and error with me, I get ideas, I try and make them a reality but only some will stand the test of time of me liking them long term.

The van is a constant evolution of ideas. Now most of the "usual" mods have been done, iv tried to get more imaginative and trying different mods and changes that set it apart from others.

It's not a show quality van, and it never will be. I'm not the most technical or "it has to be perfect" kind of person, I try my best but It has it's flaws. Just like me.

My life's been very up and down the last ten years and for most of that time the van has been one of the only stables in my life, while everything else came and went it's always been there, I'm in a much better place now, and the money iv spent on it recently probably shows that! It's driven me all over the country on countless holidays and weekends away, from Cornwall to Scotland and most places in-between. All while being one of the most reliable vehicles iv ever owned, it's gone wrong yes, but it's never left me stranded, she's always got me home.

It's because of this I don't think it will ever be finished completely, iv been offered over double what I paid for it on several occasions now and the thought has never even crossed my mind, I'll keep her until she physically cannot be kept going anymore.

It's crazy how attached iv become to this little van.






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Last edited by gazza31112 on Mon Oct 07, 2024 11:15 am, edited 7 times in total.
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Now been dewrapped to have some bodywork done, slam lock removed, side mouldings removed and smoothed and few little dents sorted, then all repairs repainted.
Front bumper being made to fit better
New GTi 8 rear hybrid bumper being made.
Then off for a new lairy wrap, Honestly at this point I wish I just paid a bit more and got it completely resprayed. Live and learn!! Next time!
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Loving the smoothed sides!!!, been debating doing it for years, glad I finally did
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McCaddyface
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Re: Gertrude

Post by McCaddyface »

Wow that's a beauty AND the beast in the same package! What on earth are those headlights? I've been thinking about getting rid of those side trims but it's just so much work :|
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Hahaha certainly is at the moment!! The headlights were custom made from a company I found on Instagram. And still cheaper than OEM xenons! The colour changing LEDs definitely make them for me.
Iv been thinking about getting the side mouldings smoothed for so long now so I thought being in the bodyshop for so much else now is the time!

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whelp
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Re: Gertrude

Post by whelp »

love the interior, looks really warm especially now as its starting to get cold!
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Paintwork looking fresh.... Kinda shame I'm wrapping over it next week Image, taking me a while to get used to the smoothed sides, but I like it. Its coming together slowly but surely ImageImageImage

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Re: Gertrude

Post by J777AYT »

Hi mate
What was the name of the headlight place? Also how easy was the steering wheel to be coded
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Hi mate, custom_lights_UK on Instagram.
The wheel was quite expensive to get fitted due to the module/emulator needed to get it working


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Re: Gertrude

Post by J777AYT »

Thanks mate looking to get some for mine

And ye I thought it would be expensive looks cool tho 👍🏻
J777AYT
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Re: Gertrude

Post by J777AYT »

Don't suppose you know anyone selling a mfsw do you?

I have an audi dsg mfsw on mine at the min but want a vw
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

I just recently sold my old one mate!! Have a butch on eBay, loads on there

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Last edited by gazza31112 on Sun Nov 10, 2024 2:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
J777AYT
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Re: Gertrude

Post by J777AYT »

Ye seen a few on ebay not sure if they fit tho
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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

New hybrid rear bumper, GTi 8 to match the front, completely changes the rear of the van!!
Just need a dual exhaust now!


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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Changed the coloured strip inside the headlights to match the new wrapImageImage

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gazza31112
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Re: Gertrude

Post by gazza31112 »

Finally have it back, with a new kpmf imperial orchid wrap.
It's been a long road this time, over 3 weeks without the van and problem after problem, but she's back on the road ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

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