the big bus invasion – Brighton Breeze 2016 (pt 1)

With my bus on axle stands at Resto Classics whilst I help with protecting the underside, I wasn’t able to get to this years Split Screen Van Club organised Brighton Breeze event, but fortunately I was able to catch a lift over with a couple of friends. Glad I made the effort, lots of cool vehicles on display on Madeira Drive in Brighton …

Living in Hastings, this is one of my local shows, so no need to get up too early to drive across to this one. In fact this worked to our advantage, as first thing it was raining, but by the time we got across after stopping off for an obligatory full English breakfast en-route, the rain had stopped and the sun came out! 🙂 That’s what you call perfect timing!

A good mix of air-cooled and water-cooled vehicles on display, with some pretty rare stuff from both the UK and Europe having made it to the show.

very cool and rare Early Bay ‘Kemperink’ conversion

Great to see some more unusual conversions on display along with the more traditional camper conversions.

vintage tech upgraded to LED and HID lighting systems

Always interesting (for me at least!) to see some of the details, like these LED and HID upgraded headlights, very high-tech and no doubt with marked improvements on visibility when driving at night, plus they look like something from the Terminator movie, very Sci-Fi!

I also love seeing the simplicity of restored stock classics next to original paint, sun burnt survivor buses, there’s a look for everyone!

sweet looking sunburnt Early Bay deluxe – awesome

Really liked the flat matt/satin paint finish in a classic period paint combo on this panel van, very understated.

flat matt/satin paint finish in a classic period paint combo… nice

This Early Bay with original Dormobile conversion took me back to my childhood as it was a very similar conversion that my Dad had in one of his buses!

cool looking Early Bay Dormobile conversion

Of course it was not just buses on display either! Check out the beautiful curvaceous nose detail on a stunning Karmann Ghia Type 34 Razor Edge (as known in the UK) or ‘Der Große Karmann’ (the big Karmann as it was apparently known in Germany?)

stunning Type 34 Razor Edge or ‘Der Große Karmann’ (the big Karmann)

My bother on the Isle Of Man now has a LT28 Sven Hedin camper conversion which is pretty spacious, and there were a few similar Florida conversions on display, but this LT40 4×4 syncro really is a monster go anywhere expedition camper!