Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I've got rid of a few motors lately and am feeling a bit like my shite habit is under some sort of control. Unsurprisingly I've thus been having 'the urges' again - inexplicably for one of these rusty old heaps. It started off with this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/039-96-Renault-Trafic-T1100D-SWB-band-van-minibus-66500-miles-/162916901167 Miles away from home of course, non-running but never failed an MOT on rust and looked a straight old tank. I really wanted it but it made £440, which with the cost of shifting it seemed too salty for me. Why do these appeal? I know theyre shite of course. But they have got a bit of that old French 'market trader' van vibe left over from the H-van days I reckon. Weedy petrol engine offerings (1397cc pez!!!!), mega low load floor, and some good utilitarian touches - I think the windscreen is flat for one. The early ones with the smaller petorl engines look great, I guess you need to look over the channel to find a good one: https://www.leboncoin.fr/utilitaires/1398439441.htm?ca=12_s Aint that a beauty? 1200€ hardly seems a mega rip off. https://www.leboncoin.fr/utilitaires/1396001847.htm?ca=12_s FUCK!!! That looks the business and only 600€ https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1393057667.htm?ca=12_s OMG 1397cc petrol!!!!! 1500€, again doesnt seem like a rip. Theres a minibus one of these festering in a yard near my house, its a W-reg (W942XBV - never been through an MOT seemingly??) so a vey late one and is covered in green mould. Of course its got the later face on it which looks rubbish but I might go round and see what the crack is with it. Something that would offset the disappointment of a later one would be to find a Vauxhall Arena-badged one. None have appeared on the bay for a long time though. Were those built in Luton? Anyone got any experiences of these old crates? Barry Cade, forddeliveryboy, mat_the_cat and 17 others 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelandeth Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Nothing in terms of working on one. Mate used to have an E plate one though. Was a decent old steer actually - loved the dash (shared with the Renault 18 and Fuego I think), which had a million clear lensed warning lights. Can't remember what engine it had, but being an ex-ambulance probably the largest option, certainly went well. Exactly how well I don't know as the speedo had been jammed at 43mph for years... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Oh!!! Look at this one!! https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1382099501.htm?ca=12_s Not a giveaway this one (€1900) but take a look at that interior!!! mercrocker, Burnside, Shep Shepherd and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1390004644.htm?ca=12_s Heres a low mileage 1.4 just near the ferry for 1500€. Fantastic!!!!! I am starting a new job soon which will hopefully get me off skid row, if so I am not gonna be able to resist one of these I think somewhatfoolish, warren t claim, Dirk Diggler and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Yeah, I reckon these look great. I've long lusted after a mega early flatface pez panel van. You could get them with brown dash and interior plastics and beige cloth seats!! I have a load of great launch press photos saved on my computer somewhere with a really early Master alongside. I reckon these were pretty much the last vans that had actual proper 'styling'. I'm guessing they weigh nowt by today's standards, so maybe a sweet, revvy little 1400 isn't such a horrendous proposal if they've got the gearing sorted, at least until you put anything in the back?? If you can find a nice early one in France I'll buy it of you when you get bored (maybe). (Self-evident brown dash comments typed before you'd posted that one) Mr_Bo11ox and Lacquer Peel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantingYoof Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 1.4? :shock: Talbot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pillock Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I reckon these have the perfect lack of "styling"... they clearly started with a massive cube and then dedicated as little time as possible working out how to slot three people in the front using only straight lines. garethj 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 https://www.leboncoin.fr/utilitaires/1394757982.htm?ca=12_s Check this!!! Lovely. £1000 Burnside, purplebargeken, eddyramrod and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 This looks a bit 'haphazard' https://www.leboncoin.fr/utilitaires/1359364154.htm?ca=12_s Dick Longbridge, DeeJay, Lacquer Peel and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 so you sell shite you crave for more BALLSACK DOIN IT RIGHT 1.4 sounds misery if you put a ton of sand in the back do it spartacus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Heres a typical UK example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/camper-van-renault-trafic-project-spares-or-repairs-petrol-camping-motorhome/323139332730 DeeJay, AMC Rebel, mercrocker and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Cracking looking things. oldcars 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat_Pirate Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I worked in the parts dept of a Renault dealer back in the late '80s and used to hoon around in a series of these, they were ace. The 1.4 went well; it was more revvy than the 1.7 and on the road there was little real difference, though I was usually driving them empty. In the wet I'd get them around roundabouts by wanging on a load of lock, then using the throttle to understeer it in the direction I wanted to go. Diesels were breathless and awful, totally different to drive. forddeliveryboy, chodweaver, djimbob and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 I'm in France for the weekend so I'll try and find some tasty ones for you. purplebargeken and eddyramrod 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 There's a tidy looking R reg one knocking around here, but I've not yet been able to take a picture of it. And at SF '15 we managed to get this going, to try and chill people's beer: trigger, Angrydicky, Dirk Diggler and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2_craig Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 What the HELL is wrong with you man, I can't ever read a thing you post without practically pissing my kecks laughing, especially after the first decent night out on local gut-rot in years. I gotta say. A manky old Renner Trafic appeals enormously, if only because a five year-old visiting Jersey's Faggot Road Garage in 1983 could see the potential in fitting a surplus kitchen sink into a bog stock standard panel van one of these, while ignoring the long term investment value of a metallic blue R5 Gordini in the same somewhat cramped showroom. chaseracer, scruff and chodweaver 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 No need to go to France, this gem is awaiting a bit of TLC in the Peak District: 1987 Renault Trafic T1300 LWB 2.1D by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I'm envious of Bram's trip to France, he'll see scenes like this where it appeared a retired garage owner was living the proverbial dream: Renault Trafic T800 and others by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Surely the only thing better than a T800 with a 1.4 is a T800 with a high-roof? Renault Trafic T800 High-Roof by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Stylish motorhome options are also available: Renault Trafic Eriba Motorhome by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Got to ride in one of these last year: Renault Trafics x2 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr It was alright actually, felt like a simple and sturdy thing that would keep plodding on. Lacquer Peel, Dirk Diggler, eddyramrod and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 trafic is a great idea. I remember seeing a minibus version parked next to a mk1 Espace when they were both new, and thinking I was probably odd to prefer the trafic. Anyway, there is this which almost has your name on it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Project-van/263544545843?hash=item3d5c7aa233:g:faQAAOSw7VhapZkn DeeJay, somewhatfoolish and chodweaver 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket88 Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Heres a typical UK example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/camper-van-renault-trafic-project-spares-or-repairs-petrol-camping-motorhome/323139332730 borrowed one of these from my Uncle once for a camping holiday...apart from needing about another 3 gears, it was great.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Snipes Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Clearly you've all missed the most important question, which is"Can it be parked in a field and lived in?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaseracer Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Good choice. Exceeded in shitey greatness only by an early 'industrial design' Master with the SOFIM 2.5 diesel... egg, Mr_Bo11ox, mitsisigma01 and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 . My old man had one seen in the background here.. he loved it but the box went French. He wouldnt part with it but didnt want to tax it so he parked it in this raised flower bed between the road and footpath. Argued somewhat successfully that it wasnt on the road or blocking the footpath when challanged about its lack of tax or insurance. Dick Longbridge, jumpingjehovahs, Mr_Bo11ox and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I can't figure out where that picture is in modern day Newcastle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 St Anthony's Road, Walker. Looking at the junction roundabout on Welbeck Road. J4mes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I can't figure out where that picture is in modern day Newcastle. all of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Fearn Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I reckon in 2.2i form, it'd be a reasonable alternative to a Talbot Express. I wonder if the driving position is as bad? Anyone for a TATA WINGER? J4mes, eddyramrod, Lacquer Peel and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 1988 my boss bought a new 1.4 petrol Trafic.Can you imagine anyone buying a petrol van now? Sadly it was not a quality product. In the first 6 months, Renault replaced the carb and the distributor and tinkered endlessly trying to get it to run right. It never did and got traded in against a Cx Estate and a shitty metro van. When I think of the shit he bought the mind boggles. scruff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Love it. That looks like the perfect place to while away an afternoon trundling through the countryside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Spares & Tyres Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 Used to drive one regularly, belonging to a friend. It was his family 'Dingle Bus' An imported minibus converted to RHD, with the side door on the wrong side unloading passengers into the road. It was a very reliable old van, never went wrong. Towed a huge caravan all over France. Undergeared though, at 50 it was just about happy but no more than that. Some rot but nowhere near as bad as the equivalent Transit. He still has it festering away in the garden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quicksilver Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I actually saw a Vauxhall Arena earlier this year, it was on the road and everything and looked like it was still being used by a tradesman. There's something so characteristically French about the 80s Renault vans, a charming simplicity that's disappeared and modern vans are all hideous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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