Boneshakers UK

04/04/2026

28/03/2026

HALF THE CAGE IT COULD HAVE BEEN - THEOLDDUBSHOP PORSCHE 944.

SPENCER PRITCHARD FROM THE OLDDUBSHOP IN BRISTOL RECENTLY AQUIRED THIS RATHER UNLOVED PORSCHE 944 AND IN TRUE TRADITIONAL STANDARDS INSTANTLY SET ABOUT STANCING THE VEHICLE BEFORE EVEN GETTING IT RUNNING.

WHATS NEXT ON A STANCED OUT LOOKING RACE TYPE LOOKING CAR WOULD YOU THEN DO? A BIT OF MAINTENCE? SOME MOT WORK? NO NOT FOR SPENCER.

SPENCER BROUGHT ME THIS 944, AFTER MYSELF AND TONY SMITH, MY SIDEKICK, PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED THE SHOOTING STAR ROLL CAGE IN THE HEAVILY MODIFIED AND RESSURECTED 1950 SPLIT WINDOW BEETLE, AND THE ROOF CHOP C CAB GP BUGGY WITH A CAGE PREVIOUSLY MADE BY BONESHAKERS WITH A RADIATOR HANGING OFF THE BACK OF IT, ITS SAFE TO SAY THAT IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ANOTHER CAGE WAS MADE.

ONLY A HALF CAGE THIS TIME, BUT HARNESS BAR AND A DIAGNOL WAS A MUST, AND OF COURSE IN TRUE OLD DUB SHOP FASHION, CAPTAIN SHOW OFF WANTED A PLACE TO HANG HIS FANCY STAINLESS STEEL NAME PLATE. SO THATS ALSO INCORPERATED INTO THE CAGE WITH A SINGLE HIDDEN TUBE COMING FROM THE DIAGNOL.

FULLY WELDED IN AND INCORPERATED FOUR 6MM BASE PLATES.

THANKS FOR CHOOSING BONESHAKESRS ONCE AGAIN.

22/03/2026

This 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 is a unique "crossover" model, representing a transitional phase between the Early Bay (1967–1971) and the Late Bay (1973–1979).

What makes this particular cross over more interesting is it is a factory fitted window bus, factory fitted right hand drive, factory fitted tin top, and factory fitted double sliding door!

Has your bus been off the road for a while and need recommisioning? Dm me now and see how i can help.

This sweet little stock bus has had the following in no particular order.

Fuel tank flushed ✅️
Crank shaft oil seal replaced ✅️
Flywheel O ring replaced ✅️
Fuel lines replaced ✅️
Fuel filter replaced and relocated ✅️
Service completed ✅️
Engine bay seal replaced ✅️
Rear light housing replaced ✅️
Both rear light lenses replaced ✅️
Bulb changes and terminal cleaning ✅️
Fuse changes ✅️
Fresh fuel ✅️
Replacement carburetor fitted ✅️

This little bay window now runs and drives beautifully and with spring now pretty much here, got the issues carried out at the right time .

☠️ BONESHAKERS ☠️

17/03/2026

"Free rein" means giving someone complete freedom, authority, or unhampered liberty to act, decide, or move without restrictions.

5 hours sleep in two days is so worth it.

From early bay to custom bay. Work carried out to the front side of this particular bus consists of

☆ lower indicator holes welded up

☆ front lower valance trimmed a bit more

☆ bare metal whole front

☆ bare metal airbox

☆epoxy prime and black stone chip airbox.

☆ weld 4mm hole solid mesh steel to back of a custom made grill piece

☆ weld all the way around carefully the custom 'volkswagen' grill into front panel

☆fibrefill over the welds

☆ prep and epoxy prime front.

Next step is to work on the doors, and prep the front custom tubs, then high build slick sand the whole front of the bus.

24/02/2026

🔥 Volvo 240 Rear End, 4-Link Conversion for a spicy little street rod zephyr 🔥

A mate dropped off his Volvo 240 rear axle/diff, already mocked up with a universal 4-link kit brackets. Richard had already mocked up and tacked in place the brackets to the axle. The length of the 4 rods and the directional panhard rod, and also a new custom crossmember, now i was time for me to weld it all up properly, with some areas even having a double pass weld for extra strength so theres no doubt that this can live comfortably behind a mild 300bhp 302 motor

300bhp might be “mild” on paper…
But torque is what twists housings and tears brackets off if the fabrication isn’t right.

Before final burn-in:

✔️ All brackets checked for square & symmetry
✔️ Pinion angle verified
✔️ Housing prepped and cleaned back to bare steel
✔️ Weld sequencing planned to control distortion
✔️ Full pe*******on welds for structural integrity

A properly set up 4-link will transform how this car puts power down, better controlled geometry under load, improved traction on launch, and strength where the factory setup simply wasn’t designed for V8 torque.

This isn’t about making it look race-ready.
It’s about building it to survive hard launches, aggressive driving, and years of abuse.

If you’re putting real power into something that was never meant to have it, make sure the fabrication matches the ambition 🖤

Get in touch, and see what i can do for you.

Looking forward to seeing all this cleaned up and painted and fitted now :)

06/02/2026

💥 SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE 💥

This Ford Fiesta had a couple of hours with me for a spare wheel removal so the owner could install a custom made rear bumper defuser, and to gain a little extra weight saving.

I thought about doing my usual thing when i make spare wheel well 'delete' plates by following the pressed swages in a factory boot floor, but this time i opted to do something a little different, something noticable more so if the boot is open trackside or at a show and just a simple conversational piece.

So a simple star was bead rolled into the 'delete' plate and well thats that.

I hope you like the simplicity, yet effective design, I was very happy with the owners reaction which was smiles and compliments all round.

☠️ BONESHAKERS ☠️

25/01/2026

Part Three: Custom Metalwork & Fabrication

This is where form meets function, where raw metal transforms into purpose-built solutions.

Here, I showcase the custom modifications I have done, by myself, fabricated by myself rather than using off the shelf products, for my 1977 Bay Window single cab pickup. The goal: ensure critical suspension components have proper clearance and can move freely without interference, all while maintaining the vehicle’s structural integrity and ensuring it has an aesthetic appeal.

From cutting and welding to fitting and finishing, every modification will be photographed and uploaded to this portfolio, and it will demonstrate not just technical skill, but a thoughtful approach to problem-solving on bay window type 2 chassis platforms.

What result am I looking for when building my truck? It's simple, I'm looking to create a unique, functional truck that can handle modern performance demands while staying true to its vintage roots. These projects highlight my ability to take a challenge, engineer a solution, and bring it to life, turning ideas into tangible, road-ready metalwork..... eventually. 🧡

25/01/2026

'IT GETS WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER' - PART 2. BEAN THE 1977 BAY SINGLE CAB.

Warning: these photos aren’t pretty.

What started as “some rust” quickly turned into major structural rot and wishful thinking. Floors, seams, bed supports, chassis rails, panels, nothing was spared, it's all suffered with bad wet rot.

This is the hard part of the build, but it’s also the most important. You can’t save a classic by ignoring the bad stuff. You cut it out, learn from it, and rebuild it the right way. I've ruined enough vehicles in my car history to understand this and that's why I only try to do things once and do it right these days. Even if it adds a few years to the repairs till the finnished product hits the road now.

Anyone who’s torn into an old VW knows this moment, the point where you stop, stare, and seriously question your life choices.
So I’m curious: would you have walked away… or kept going?

Part 3 will start showing where things finally turn the corner.

25/01/2026

BEAN, THE 1977 BAY SINGLE-CAB, MAJOR RUST REPAIRS AND CUSTOM MODIFICATIONS - PART 1.

Welcome to the ongoing rescue mission of a 1977 Volkswagen Bay Window Single Cab, a vehicle that was taken off the road after it became clear it contained more air than metal.

At some point in its life, rust decided it quite liked this truck and moved in permanently. Floors, sills, chassis sections, seams, you name it, nothing was safe. Describing it as “solid” would have been wildly optimistic. “Swiss cheese with headlights” felt more accurate.

Rather than ignore it and try to hide it, weld on some patches or just simply kill the truck off, I decided this restoration is about building something unique, once again, even when that means cutting out large portions of what was technically still a vehicle.

This build involves:

Rust in places rust should never be

Large sections being replaced because they simply stopped existing

Metal fabrication, welding, and structural repairs

Occasional swearing, head-scratching, and tea breaks

Gradual transformation from “terminal” to “roadworthy”

The aim is to put this Single Cab back on the road stronger than it ever was, without hiding the work or pretending it was an easy job. The outside bodywork is going to remain as original where possible, improved where sensible, and always built to last—not just to pass an MOT and cross fingers.

This page follows the full journey: the rot, the repairs, the small wins, and the moments where standing back and saying “that’ll do nicely” actually feels earned.

If you enjoy classic Volkswagens, proper metalwork, or watching something that absolutely should have been broken for parts stubbornly refuse to die, welcome aboard. This 1977 Bay Window Single Cab is coming back, whether rust likes it or not.

Oh and did I mention it's going body dropped? Tubbed, air ride and a pretty tasty motor and box combination?

Thanks for looking, boneshakers 🧡

12/11/2025

🚗 No Rose-Tinted Glasses, Just Honest, Thorough Vehicle Inspections

We all think we know our vehicles inside out… but the truth is, even the most experienced owner can miss a few things hiding out of sight.

That’s where I come in. Using my two-post ramp, I can get a proper look at every nook and cranny underneath your vehicle ,the bits most people never get to see. It lets me spot early signs of wear, rust, or future issues long before they turn into expensive problems and because I like to keep things transparent, everything gets documented, to issue you a detailed report back, including supporting photographs and videos so you can see exactly what I see.

From the underside mechanicals and structure to bodywork, seals, electrics, and engine checks, this inspection goes way beyond your average UK compliment MOT.

Whether it’s a tiny fault, a part starting to fail, or something that just needs a bit of attention — you’ll know about it. No sugar-coating, no guesswork.

✅ Full underside & structure check
✅ Engine, electrics & components inspected
✅ Photos & videos included in your report
✅ Perfect for buyers, sellers, garages & enthusiasts

Honesty is policy here. It’s always better to know the full picture then you can decide how to tackle any improvements your vehicle might need.

Here is my most recent inspection, a 1971 bay window that came from Taunton to take full advantage of this offer due to the vehicle was for sale at the time. It has now sold and onto the new owner who was able to have the full report for themselves

📋 Book your inspection today and see your vehicle for what it really is — not through rose-tinted glasses.

19/10/2025

🌹 THE STORY BEHIND THE ROSE 🌹

Fourteen years ago, I went to college to study mechanics, and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I tried welding next but didn’t stick with it either. On one of the few days I did attend, we learned to make a metal rose, and I was completely fascinated. The idea of turning cold metal into something so delicate stuck with me ever since.

Fast forward 14 years, I have been working hard to rebuild my skills and push forward with my welding, fabrication especially with custom projects. From classic VWs, hotrods to choppers and art pieces, I’ve found my passion in creating and building.

This rose is a special one. I made it for my partner, Sasha, someone who constantly inspires me and keeps me grounded. It’s hand-cut with tin snips, shaped with pliers, clamped with plumber’s grips, welded, and then finished with fire and paint. Unlike a real rose, this one will never die. 🥀

I’m proud of how far I’ve come and even prouder of what this piece represents: growth, patience, and the beauty of creating something that lasts.