Progress Update #2: Cutting, Welding & Saving a Westfalia

When I bought this Westfalia, I knew rust would be part of the story. I just didn't know how much of it. After peeling everything back and investigating properly, the rear corner turned out to be far worse than it first looked. Years of moisture had eaten through the bodywork from the inside out, leaving sections that simply couldn't be repaired with filler or patches. There was only one option: cut it all out. This week has been all about metalwork. The damaged sections were removed, fresh repair panels were carefully shaped and test-fitted, and then slowly welded back into place. It's a process that rewards patience more than speed—measure twice, cut once, weld a little, check the fit, and repeat. I'm still learning, and my welds aren't going to win any beauty contests, but they're solid, they're penetrating well, and most importantly, they're bringing this van back to life one panel at a time. Once everything is fully dressed, protected, and painted, nobody will know just how much work is hiding underneath. Of course, every repair uncovers the next one. While working around the rear corner, I also found corrosion in the inner structure that needed attention before the outer panel could go back on. That's the reality of restoring a 40-year-old camper—fix one thing, discover another. It's slow progress, but it's honest progress. Every evening in the workshop means one less rusty hole and one step closer to getting this old Westfalia back on the road where it belongs. The journey continues.