The Clipper Before
Once the deal was done all they had
to do was pump up the tyres and tow
the old girl home and set to work on the
restoration. The Clipper came complete
with its original four-walled canvas
striped awning. The Elliotts chose to cut
the walls off and have re-used the fabric
to make extra awnings for the windows
and to cover the deck chairs they use
when they are camping. They even had
enough fabric left over to make another
awning for one of their friends.
The rest of the restoration has been
done very much in keeping with the
original style, colours and fixtures of the
era, with the few concessions to modern
living such as the ducted air conditioner,
microwave and the conversion of the icebox
to a fridge by using a compressor all
discreetly hidden from view. They still use
the original icebox and make themselves
blocks of ice using Tupperware containers
for when they are camping with no power,
but when they are plugged in, it can be
used as a fridge as well. Don used to be
a fitter and turner so he had many of the
skills he needed to do the restoration
work that was required.
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