VW Combi found in woods is fired up for restoration
Campervan was driven out of woods after enthusiasts brought in wheels, battery and engine to get it moving
This amazing old 1955 VW van was found in woods in Chartreuse by VW van collector and enthusiast Florian George last October.
He had heard about it from a mushroom picker, who told him the van had once been inhabited but had been abandoned for 40 years.
Having found it, he tracked down the owner and bought it on the spot. Getting it out of the forest was more complicated.
He said: "My first thought was towing it out with a tractor, but then I had a much better idea and I contacted some other VW enthusiasts for help."
A few days later they came back with all the spare parts and equipment needed to drive the van out of the forest.
In one day of extraordinary hard work, the team put wheels on the van, rewired it, replaced the battery and the engine, and got the brakes and the gearbox working.
"It was practically finished that first day," said the proud new owner. "But we camped overnight in the forest and then finished the job in the morning."
When they finally turned the ignition key and the van started, everyone shouted with joy. "It was an amazing feeling. We were so excited!"
They drove it around the clearing for around 10 minutes, just to check that the brakes and steering were working fine and then they drove it out of the woods.
"We took turns driving, which wasn't easy as there really wasn't a proper road. But we drove it all the way out of the woods and now, I'm restoring it properly."
