A Renovation Project Like No Other. DIY-ers everywhere — Salivate.

Building something from scratch is amazingly satisfying — both in terms of the money saved and the satisfaction from completing a project with your own bare hands. This rings even more true in today’s world of new, expensive shiny must-haves. Everyone is in a hurry, and most people want things right now.

Not this couple from the US though. They found a vintage 1965 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper and decided to do a little light renovation — and by light we mean heavy of course. Enough to knock the socks off any carpenter.

This unassuming exterior belies the work it took to get here, as well the amazing interior.

This is the finished project, but it's how they got there - and what's on the inside - that you won't believe.

This $650 trailer was as cheap as chips.

This is what the camper looked like when they bought it.

Truth be told, it looked fit for a rubbish dump.

It was... a mess.

First, the aluminium siding was removed.

They started by removing the aluminum siding.

Then, the pain was stripped.

Then, stripping the paint from it.

Behold the water damage. It needed replacing…

There was a lot of water damage underneath...

So it would need replacing.

…So they got rid of all of it!

Like, completely. So they knocked it down.

Even the floor was removed, to allow prepping of the frame.

They removed the floor and began prepping the frame.

And priming.

Priming.

That is one good-looking frame.

Primed, waterproofed and ready to go with new hardware.

A new floor was added.

They added on a new floor...

A new wall…

Then, traced the aluminum siding into some new walls.

Ta-da!

Ta-da! All cut out.

The walls were set up and appliances placed for measurements.

The walls set up and appliances placed for measurements.

The fun bit: Building the interior.

Then, they began building onto the interior.

Some had to be built outside of the camper and moved in.

Adequate storage space is very important.

Removable drawers? Cute and functional.

One front wall and one smiling girlfriend.

Installing the front wall.

The cabinets were added…

Then, the cabinets...

Not forgetting space for the water tank, cargo, etc.

Making room for the water tank, cargo, etc.

A ceiling fan was added for surviving those summer months.

They also added in a ceiling fan. Next, they caulked and puttied the inside of the camper.

Prime time again.

Because then it was prime time again.

We love this groovy multi-colored interior.

And the interior? Funkalicious.

Insulation makes this a four-seasons camper van.

Some insulation would be good.

Finally! The aluminium sides are installed.

And then finally installing the aluminum sides.

Almost there! Masking and painting the window frames.

Masking and painting the window frames.

The paint job awaits.

Ready for a paint job!

Where would a retro camper van be without an orange stripe?

Complete with awesome orange stripe.

Officially awesome.

Looking. Good.

A new door, windows and external light was added.

A new door, windows and external light was added.

These lovely countertops were made by gluing strips of wood, sanding and sealing.

Glued together some strips of wood to make cool countertops. This is the finished product (after sanding and sealing).

Finishing jobbies.

Drawers? Check.

Running electrical wires (all 110v AC).

Running electrical wires (all 110v AC).

Phew! The LED lights work.

Testing the LED lights...

This is truly a labour of love.

The finished product kind of speaks for itself.

Not to mention a labour of sweat and time…

Adorable.

…But well worth it.

What a beaut.

I don’t know about you, but I’m off to the local dump to find something old and turn it into something unique, awesome and functional… See you later!