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With the basic frame assembled, we could measure the overall sizes which will give a starting point for planning out the awning. The overall height at the awning rail is 1650mm which slopes down to 1600mm at the side frame. It’s only 50mm fall on the roof but hopefully this will be enough to shed any rain. If we make the fall bigger, it will reduce the internal height too much. The floor area is 1250mm x 2450mm, so pretty well doubles the footprint of the caravan body. We did a test fit of the current awning roof part to the awning rail. It didn’t prove much other than it fits the rail and it’s far too big. The grey material that’s visible is the existing roof, more than long enough to go the entire length of the awning rail. To make it a bit more manageable, we cut it down in the length and width but made sure we left a generous allowance of material just in case we needed it. This is one of the existing end panels laid out on the floor. It zips in to the main roof part all around the outside with a single zip. And here’s one of the two front panels. To give an idea of the size of the awning we’re making, it’s front panel will be a bit smaller than this. The plan is to use what we can from the original awning. We will be using the zips, windows and some of the red fabric, together with the grey vinyl skirt at the bottom that tucks inside the awning and goes under the groundsheet. We carefully unpicked the stitching from the zips. They will be too long but look like they can be shortened fairly easily. When we reuse the white fabric, we don’t want to use areas that have previously been sewn through as this will leave holes where water may get in. Instead we will cut out the panels close to the existing stitching to keep them as big as possible. With the white fabric removed, we decided to give it a run through the washing machine. Although the awning was very clean, there were a few marks on the white and it made sense to try and remove them now, rather than later when the whole thing was sewn together. Also, while the fabric was still damp from washing, we gave it a quick iron to remove the bigger creases which will make it easier to work with later. We will use new blue fabric as well on the awning, but the old red material won’t be wasted. We will carefully cut it out to usable pieces and keep it for possible use on other projects.

Andi - it is a $50 added cost to the regular yearly fee, in California anyway. Other options than black or white available but cost more and supports various causes, fire fighters, environment, etc. richy66 - have never been to Portmeirion but someplace I've always wanted to visit. The Prisoner show had a big impression on me during my formative years. Is it still open to the public? Had to wait till my senior years to get the car though. In reality rear fog lights are unknown here. Even though we get a fair amount of fog here in northern California. People here only know of front fog lights. But you make a good point. The GBS chassis loom places the fog light on the right side and not looking for more work to do will probably just leave it alone. Will probably never remember to use it anyway, and other drivers would just think I'm riding my brakes anyway. nelmo - no IVA or MOT for kit cars but in California anyway you do need to go through a myriad of inspections, brake & light, CHP (california highway patrol), smog referee (if you want to be exempt from smog inspections, unique to kit cars in california), and the infernal beast of the DMV (department of motor vehicles), etc. I kept a humorous diary of sorts regarding the headaches I had getting the car registered. Will send it to anyone privately that is interested but it does need editing. Every state has different laws and requirements for car registration. I only have experienced California which I think is one of the worst. So the same plate could be issues by another state if they offer that option. Here is what my other kit car has;