Well firstly, you guys are  AWESOME! Thank you so much for the real replys. Im saving all of this so I have a proper starting point when I do return. Haha I was thirty eight and happily married once fe350 :-).  My feeling now is yep who knows what's around the corner and I would rather ride waves than tinker so it's gonna be something almost there if not completely ready. I know its a big trip and also it's gonna be an annual one God willing so plenty of spares and knowledge on top of a good ride will be the way to go. Hsv pls keep me in mind if you do decide to part with yours ok ?!?Thanks again guys.  Looking forward to the car the club and the adventure!
God bless
Ed

Hi to all
I'm returning to the Northern Rivers NSW once I sell up here in London UK and intend to own an FC panel van that will be used for long regular surf trips to Margaret River, Cactus and Bells so it's gonna need to be in excellent running order.  I'm not exactly a stranger to older vehicles having owned a Beetle, a Kombi, a '67 Merc and a '59 Harley Pan at various times and I've had to be a bit handy with all of them. What Im asking is generally do you guys think it's better to start with a project for something like this so that you know exactly what you've got or to shell out for a vehicle that's been the pride of a club member?  My return is at a the demise of thirty years of wedded bliss :-) so I will have plenty of time to chase up a project without anyone telling me to mow the lawn etc.  If however the consensus is that one is better off just getting the right vehicle upfront, if anyone here knows of a great FC van with a worked motor (pref 179) for serious highway speeding thru the desert please PM me if your sale is not immediate. (I'm hoping to be back December).
Thanks and God Bless
P.s of course I intend to apply for full membership to the club once I become an owner!