What have you bought for your Cali today :-)

[Viktorgeorge]

I am beginning to wonder if you have this in mind @RetroRed5 :

Concours d’Elegance for 2024 - Stanford Hall Volkswagen Show

The Stanford Hall VW Concours d’Elegance is considered to be the best in the country. It specialises in cars of original specification, with classes covering the whole of the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche ranges.

www.stanfordhallvw.com

I have been twice and they were wonderful days out (including cheap no-frills camping in the grounds). There was an extraordinary range of VW's, including many campers, though early models dominate with wide range of colour and fit-outs.

 

[RetroRed5]

I am beginning to wonder if you have this in mind @RetroRed5 :

Concours d’Elegance for 2024 - Stanford Hall Volkswagen Show

The Stanford Hall VW Concours d’Elegance is considered to be the best in the country. It specialises in cars of original specification, with classes covering the whole of the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche ranges.

www.stanfordhallvw.com

I have been twice and they were wonderful days out (including cheap no-frills camping in the grounds). There was an extraordinary range of VW's, including many campers, though early models dominate with wide range of colour and fit-outs.

This certainly looks like a good day out for sure, I'll check it out - thanks

I am certainly guilty of spending a lot more than I probably should trying to get my Cali back to an almost "just left the factory" condition, but I do use the Cali as well so I'm fighting a battle I can't win really. If I could justify (and afford) to have two Cali's, one as concours and one to use, then I certainly would I think, but since I can only have one, then I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing I guess.

 

[pchmlk]

Genuine question - what’s the appeal in having a concours, non-used vehicle?

 

[RetroRed5]

Genuine question - what’s the appeal in having a concours, non-used vehicle?

First off, I don't own a concours vehicle; had plenty that have come close, but since I've used all of the vehicles I've owned, then achieving true concours condition is near impossible and so I can't speak to the motives of those who do own such a vehicle.

But what I do know, is that for any vehicle that is in some way "precious" to me, then for whatever reason, I take a certain amount of enjoyment of having it look the best it can look.

I guess the short and honest answer to your question is, I've no idea

But great question anyway

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Genuine question - what’s the appeal in having a concours, non-used vehicle?

I think that could be an 'if you don't know I can't explain' question.

It depends what you mean by "used", year ago I had an 80 year old tenant (former farmer) who only really used his pretty smart T1 to sunbathe nude behind his house.

Better to turn up on 3.5.2026 and ask one of the exhibitors - you'll have a great day out as well as perhaps get the answer to your question.

It is hard to believe how may VW's turn up. I stood in genuine awe by the the exhibitor entrance* at about 9:00am three years ago as a hundred or more T1 and T2 campers rolled in (not for the concours de elegance, just for their exhibition area) I had no idea before how many variations there were, but whilst all looked as if driven there I suspect many were mainly kept safely in garages for just the enjoyment of ownership rather than driving. All the owners had big smiles.

I was there with a Phaeton (now replaced by my California), and our stand had a prestige location as it was the the model's 20th anniversary.

OK, newer California are a little different, and warrant more road trips, but my Phaeton (which I had for 17 year from new, and drove all over Europe) is now with an enthusiast who hardly takes it anywhere but - by all accounts - has done as @RetroRed5 and sought to make it as close to how it was when it left the factory.

* https://maps.app.goo.gl/DLcV1jw3a3LfYXzM6

 

[RetroRed5]

Neat little carbon monoxide detector...

 

[The Merle]

Neat little carbon monoxide detector...

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That won’t detect any leaks from your van gas bottle

 

[RetroRed5]

It's to detect for a build-up of fumes mainly from the diesel heater, not for gas leaks.

I'm generally not too concerned about the gas, we always have it turned off at the bottle when not in use and I'm confident that if there was a leak from the bottle, that it would escape via the vent under the bottle.

 

[The Merle]

It's to detect for a build-up of fumes mainly from the diesel heater, not for gas leaks.

I'm generally not too concerned about the gas, we always have it turned off at the bottle when not in use and I'm confident that if there was a leak from the bottle, that it would escape via the vent under the bottle.

Just checking you knew, diesel heater is outside under van so unless you have a dodge ford t7 rust chassis should be good (joke) smoke detector is a good thing

 

[RetroRed5]

Just checking you knew, diesel heater is outside under van so unless you have a dodge ford t7 rust chassis should be good (joke) smoke detector is a good thing

Thanks for checking

We've used a smoke detector for years, but my reasoning for the carbon monoxide detector was just in case we are pitched up with the heater on and a window ajar and the wind is wafting the fumes back into the Cali through the window, there is a risk, albeit very small of a bit of a build up; same goes for cooking, of course we always have the window open a little when using the hob, but burning even a small amount of gas can create a bit of carbon monoxide, so the detector is to just catch if there is any build up.

It's quite possibly pointless, but it makes me feel a bit better

 

[Flower Power]

CARISTA EVO...... just purchased on their site with a deep discount. A device itself plus 12 months of (dreaded ) software subscription and the delivery in the EU for 52 euros. Discount code CAMPER25.

Truly, I am not sure how useful this gadget will be. Yes, I read all the futures and possible things to do with it, still.... Company's email confirmed compatibility with my t6.1. I guess I went for half price deal more than an immediate need for it. But, when some strange things starts happening I might be very glad to be able to diagnose them myself on the go.

 

[RetroRed5]

CARISTA EVO...... just purchased on their site with a deep discount. A device itself plus 12 months of (dreaded ) software subscription and the delivery in the EU for 52 euros. Discount code CAMPER25.

Truly, I am not sure how useful this gadget will be. Yes, I read all the futures and possible things to do with it, still.... Company's email confirmed compatibility with my t6.1. I guess I went for half price deal more than an immediate need for it. But, when some strange things starts happening I might be very glad to be able to diagnose them myself on the go.

I've got the Carista EVO, it's useful for tweaking certain aspects of the Cali as well as good for checking for fault codes and other things such as soot levels in the DPF, setting the service interval...etc.

I've also got the OBD11 which offers more advanced customisation options, coding, component testing, data analysis...etc. It is more advanced than the Carista.

Both are pretty cool things to have if you are into that sort of thing; Carista is a bit more user friendly at the expense of not being as powerful.

 

[Flower Power]

@RetroRed5, I like your California color combination. I too have that scheme....white Coast and red AR Stelvio. This shows my Polish heritage/flag.

 

[hlobban]

Spacemate (T6.1) version in the Black Friday Bundle which gave 25% Off and Free Delivery!

Photo to follow when installed! Based on the good reveiws on this forum, looking forward to trying it our on our next trip!

VW California SpaceMate – Sliding Drawer Storage for Ocean & Beach

Discover the SpaceMate sliding drawer system for VW California Ocean, Coast & Beach. Maximise storage, keep gear organised and accessible: make every trip more of an adventure, Go on - fill your boots!

spacematetray.com

Simon was very helpful answering questions!

 

[hlobban]

As promised… quick and easy install!

 

[flying banana]

Left + Right bamboo hob covers and aluminium sink cover...

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Accessory hooks...
View attachment 142559

I recently replaced all 3 glass worktops and so to help reduce scratching moving forward, I purchased these so that when the kitchen is in use, I can keep all 3 glass tops open the whole time but still have useable worktop space.

These are very high quality and fit perfect - very pleased.

All from Yes Campervan...

Accessories for the VW California Ocean, Coast & Grand California | Yes Campervan

Specialist accessories for the VW California: Shelves, Tables, Storage Solutions, Chopping Boards and more...

www.yescampervan.co.uk

that van is 'on another level' for cleanliness. did you replace the pot stands because they were discoloured ? have you still got the 'old' ones ?

 

[RetroRed5]

that van is 'on another level' for cleanliness. did you replace the pot stands because they were discoloured ? have you still got the 'old' ones ?

Thanks - my Cali is indeed exceptionally clean and tidy (I'm a bit OCD about it tbh).

You are quite right, I replaced the pan grids (and associated bits) because they were discoloured.

I have replaced a ton of parts on my Cali over the past several months; the plan is that once my garage is organized (it's waiting on a bit of a renovation), then I will be selling most of the used parts on here (and FB marketplace/eBay). Right now I've got a huge mess of boxes full of VW bits I've taken off the Cali.

As it relates to the pan grids (and associated parts), my old ones are in reasonable'ish condition and perhaps worth selling; the only thing you'd need to replace are the rubber mounts. The problem with these is that over time with use, they harden and just fall to bits when you try and remove them. Word of warning though, the price of these tiny little rubber things is nuts, I paid VW £7.70 + VAT EACH, and you need 8 of them!! Maybe there is some non-VW alternative that works just as well.