Talbot Express camper - how shit?

[Fat_Pirate]

I'm quite interested in getting a camper, and these keep coming up on the radar (usually in Autoshite spec beige with a brown tupperware dashboard). I've been looking at 2.0 petrols, am I in for a world of pain? I'm not afraid of getting the spanners out, and fuel economy is not a huge concern (surely it'll do low 20s?). Any advice welcome!

 

This caught my eye as it's just SUPER, but I understand the 2.5 diesel is a no no:

http://motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/used-motorhomes/elddis/special/1989-elddis-special-300d-diesel-canterbury-mfpa-8aba3ba03d5d9cea013d92fee0c9502b/motorhomeprice/4000/max

[scooters]

That gives me a huge stiffy!

[Mr Lobster]

Thats quite a looker isn't it

 

Not sure on fuel economy but I'm not sure something with the aerodynamics of that ^ plus a 2.0 petrol engine would see the happy side of 20mpg very often.

[oman5]

They seem to still be popular campers, although I believe finding some parts are starting to become an issue.

[darkfour]

Pirate, I've also been comtemplating an RV as cheap holiday provider and have been admiring the sharp lines of this little beauty in the local craiglist for only $2500. With the chevy 454 engine, that should be good for single figure mpg quite easily.

 

 

 

http://staugustine.craigslist.org/rvd/3705238651.html

[Guest Tony Hayers]

 

^^^^^^^ is for winners

[Cavcraft]

I looked at a few Peugeot campers a year or so ago. One thing is for sure, they can rot like there's no tomorrow and the amount of tarted up/full of filler specials out there is unreal.

[andrew e]

Horrific rot as above, A pillars particulary. Steering without PAS is akin to a sentinel steam wagon. Oh and headlamps used to be unobtainum in RHD.

[Barry Cade]

Green ones are nice.

 

[Albert Ross]

You'll be OK with an A Class (Full bodied coach built, as OP) but anything with the original cab will have to be solid, as the scuttles were falling out at 5 years old. Also consider one built on a Fiat Ducato Maxi chassis cab, or indeed upgraded to an Al-Ko chassis extension. 16" wheels and bigger brakes are the give away. As for the 2.5 diesel, there are two. The original type, the U25/661, was belt/gear drive for the camshaft, and could be fussy, but generally a solid unit. Mostly found in the CX or C25 van. Later stuff was reasonably robust, but make sure that oil changes, coolant changes, and belt changes have been adhered to. Later curved front style Peugeot/Fiat vans were fitted with 2.8 diesels as an option. A classes were also available in Freight Rover and Transit flavours, RWD, and also with auto boxes. Also consider a coachbuilt Transit "Herald" for luxury fitments and cheap running costs. Anything by Swift, like the "Kon-Tiki" is also well equipped in Talbot flavour.

[Fat_Pirate]

Thanks for that, Albert. I will set my wob-detector to maximum sensitivity when viewing.

 

What about a Renault Trafic? I used to hoon around in those when I worked at a dealer in the late 80s, I remember them being faster, more refined and better handling than the Marina I had at the time.

[Albert Ross]

Try looking for a Machzone.The shitest Camper you've never heard of. I used to work for their main dealer.....!

[Barry Cade]

Not related to Autoshite levels of camperwagen, but I've seen a few instances in which the newer Ducato's can't reverse up a steep slope without the timing belt jumping teeth. Last one I saw had done 5000 miles... I've also had a few marathon welding jobs on the old ones, some of them probably would have been less work to take the camper bit off and put it on something else...

[Anglevan]

I had one for 7 years - a 1988 E ref autohomes highwayman only recently sold.

Ours was great and only sold it as I've bought an L300 Shitsubishi to convert into a campervan.

Ours took us all over the uk and Europe and never once misbehaved. it was the 2.0 petrol and economy was 20 / 25 max.

As already stated rot is the big issue - mine was spot on but some rite sheds out there. Scuttle is main issue along with sills / front panel.

Petrol tanks can rot out / suck in on themselves. springs tend to sag at rear but you can get spring assisters for em from Grayston.

headlamps getting hard to find now.

steering was light / gear change can be sloppy but repair kits available

if you get a coachbuilt one take a damp meter with you. I bought mine for £4000 7 years ago and sold it last year for £4500 so if you keep em rite they will hold their money.

 

Also look for Peugeot J5 Citroen C25 Fiat Ducato and they also did an Alfa version !!!

[messerschmitt owner]

mine - L985FEL - an Elddis Autoquest 400 - had 17000 miles on the clock when I bought it and I sold it at around 70,000 miles - the 2.5 n/a diesel was good for 80mph pulling 3 tonnes of van and could return heading for 28-30mpg at 55 mph.

 

Recommended!

[lovejoy]

How about one of these ? these are based on a combination of Fiat's prime Italian pasta & iron oxide, but you need to be small....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-900e-Cla ... true&rt=nc

[andrew e]

Try looking for a Machzone.The shitest Camper you've never heard of. I used to work for their main dealer.....!

 

Albert - I know them, named after coins (?) did the directors not build themselves a huge A-class as a finale? Or was that similar ethos outfit Glendale?

 

Can I add 95' on Sevel vans don't have a gearbox filler (I think) ergo can lunch boxes becuse their dry.

[Albert Ross]

You mean the "Millennium"? It was a full coach built Iveco 59-12 Turbo Daily with "Two gold leaves" spec... (I think), with a wheelbase and rear extension stretch, a water bed, and a drive up garage in the back, with a silver Suzuki Cappuccino in it! I finished the garage door rear handle and winch wiring before it went on Blue Peter! Unless they went bonkers on another one. I remember the Glenns particularly, Glenn Junior is a right character, he was an extra in "Boon" with his mates from the Chopper Club. He had V12 trikes, and Yank 4x4s, that kind of toy.

[messerschmitt owner]

I have a machzone brochure or two I think - amongst the boxes of the things.

 

The Millennium was cool, but then again I like Suzuki Cappuccinos.

 

Oh, dodgy worn gear levers in Talbot Expresses or C25s mean you get your knuckles thrust into the dash on every 1,3,5 change.