BO11OX' KNOB van

[phil_lihp]

There is no reason not to do this, be on your way!

[chaseracer]

Talk me out of it!

 

No.  Get it bought.  If you need a co-pilot... 

[Hertz]

[Lankytim]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you shouldn't do it.

 

LOL, JK I think you should deffo do it .

[RedSparrow]

I like how you're attracted to a vehicle with an engine so bad that even enthusiasts would avoid it.

[Cheggers]

I love the way we're all getting excited about the round-the-corner fanbelt, while conveniently ignoring the cracked windscreen pillars

 

Go for it Boll, if all you get out of it is an adventure and something to tell the grandchildren, it's worth every cent of the €350.

[chaseracer]

I love the way we're all getting excited about the round-the-corner fanbelt, while conveniently ignoring the cracked windscreen pillars

Cheggers, honestly!  PRIORITIES, MAN!!!

[Taff]

book a week off work and do it.

when the engine lunch's itself, bung a pinto in there.

leave it French registered, thus avoiding an MoT and the need to weld up those minor a-post issues

 

who's next for life advice?

[seth]

If the rubbish diesel engine is derived from a petrol unit then wouldn't it be possible to put the petrol variant in when the inevitable happens?  Unless of course the van snaps in half first.

[chaseracer]

who's next for life advice?

 

 

[seth]

[Puts on sensible hat]...or you could spend 4/5 days of your time, 350 Euros + flight cost + return diesel cost + ferry cost etc. repairing a broken Maserati[/removes sensible hat]

[mat_the_cat]

Who wants a Maserati when you could have a knackered 305 van with an obsolete engine?

[Louise2cv]

You have had all the boy-answers about practicalities and wot-not, I'm going to chip in with a girly appraisal...

 

If reliantenginedate girl was impressed the other day, imagine what a round the corner fan-belt might do for the relationship? I mean what are the chances of some other guy rocking up and out-wooing you on that level? Truly you will be the bird with the bluest stuff in your nest, the frog with the loudest croak...

[trigger]

This has the makings of a epic thread! You HAVE to buy under your Autoshite duty.

 

I guess the way to look at it is can you afford to lose £500ish if it all goes miserably wrong? You'd still be getting a holiday out of it anyway but I'd make sure I had European breakdown cover just in case.

[greengartside]

Do it, Mr. B....

 

I'm pretty sure the original owner who bought it new in 1981 thought that one day it would be bought by a MIG-welding, shite-loving madman and driven to the UK for semi-retirement. Mustard mitt, that's the first time I've heard of that particular engine and the fanbelt layout is something special indeed. Almost looks like a record player sat on a suitcase.

 

So......are you not in France yet? EPIC KULLEKSHUN FRED please when you do. And top points for driving it home as well.

 

Oh I'd take a couple of orange indicator bulbs with you just in case, as those rear lights are rather weathered around the indicator portions.

[Junkman]

Yeah, and don't forget those daft breathalysers, too.

Tis France, you know.

[chaseracer]

Not any more. Maybe.

 

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driving-abroad-whats-new-2012.html

 

[Vin]

I would do this. Old vans are good.

[Skizzer]

So just to recap, you're buying a van in a remote part of Abroadshire because it's got an engine that's so bad that it's more or less extinct even in the French farming community.  In fact it vibrates so much the windscreen pillars have sheared.  It needs an oil change once a month and parts availability is close to zero.  You will probably never be able to sell it on.

 

That's the worst idea I've heard on here in a very long time, and that's saying something.

 

 

 

When are you going?  Can't wait to see the photos.

[dugong]

It'll have to have a superb paintjob (with associated overspray) to beat mine.

 

 

 

[Jim Bell]

Knob van drag race.

 

Is what the world are waiting for.

[trigger]

I've just read the description with Google translate, it's brilliant!

 

 

 

PLEASE READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT !!!!!! selling peugeot 305 break in the state without technical control 
vehicle running 
for parts or restoration 
mileage unknown (meter disconnected) 
the car is 33 years old so do not expect a new car and saw the nickel price (and yeah le pere noel does not exist !!! finally some people still believe !!) 
prevent yourself questions like dis, belt or head gasket ... 
I bought the car there a year and a half (the ct was ok), I have made ​​no charges above (aside candles glow) 
a tire is to be expected, the handbrake is relaxed, interior fair, some rust spots on body and I may be forgetting !!! 
in Anyway it runs and starts like clockwork 
the price is 350 euros to discuss the vehicle before 
first contact by email 
reminder !!! the Santa Claus does not exist !!! 350 euros is not bought a RCZ or a FERRARI !!! or so miniature !!!

 

[Cavcraft]

So just to recap, you're buying a van in a remote part of Abroadshire because it's got an engine that's so bad that it's more or less extinct even in the French farming community. In fact it vibrates so much the windscreen pillars have sheared. It needs an oil change once a month and parts availability is close to zero. You will probably never be able to sell it on.

 

He's got a point. Can you not find an Iveco Daily a bit nearer home?

[dave21478]

I've just read the description with Google translate, it's brilliant!

 

 

....

a tire is to be expected, the handbrake is relaxed

 

proper LOL.

[Rocket88]

I'm quite parital to a relaxed hand brake

[HH-R]

What about one with a 20p stuck in it?

[hairnet]

how about now??

 

if it was within 20 miles of calais we would just grunt and hand over the euros

 

but thats within 20 miles of the mediterranean and you speak the lingo and love garlic and weird french voitures

 

have you flown out yet

 

dave - help him

[carlo]

I've read this thread with interest, and am trying my hardest to see things from Mr B's mindset.  I agree totally with your opening comments, the Mk I 305s were really Peugeots from the old school, and they definitely had a feel all to their own.  The supple (though sometimes noisy) ride, silken gear change with accompanying transmission whine, super seats and free revving engine.  "Creamy", I call them.  Then to put their original agricultural diesel in that environment seems to go against the grain of the whole car. But perhaps I don't get your fascination with the odd and obscure mechanical bits, (and even then, why would you remove its unique USP and consider sticking an XUD in it?)  To me it would make much more sense finding a derivative petrol model to see what all the fuss is about.  No doubt any road trip write up would be enormously entertaining, but am afraid I am going to have to go against the grain and question this one, and all the expense associated with it

 

Well you did ask!

[Asimo]

Much as I like 305s (last Peugeot Peugeot blah blah blah) and Vans I don't like the look of those rotten screen pillars.

 

But it's worth a go surely, just for the fun and kudos and the petrol station shot. *

 

Forget the XUD transplant idea, the engine bay is quite different in the earlier model, only just wide enough for the smaller engine with gearbox underneath.

 

* and for the three stud wheels!

[scruff]

Surely the whole point of it is that interestingly crud engine. Between the AS collective there's a lot of experience, but there's not many tales above of that donk is there? As a diesel and Peugeot perv, I would love to see it. 

 

Plus it's a wicked adventure, too many people are put off by distance, it's not really that far. Like Trig I'd sort breakdown cover but that's it. If you were overlanding a Trabant from some bombhole in Africa (which one fellow shiter has done) some of the comments above would be valid but come on, it's a Peugeot 305 not a Brighton run crock, that kind of journey should be more than bearable especially taken in the spirit of adventure and not with one eye on the clock fretting about getting back to work the next day. Which admittedly could happen I suppose.

 

I'm dead jel and really hope you do it, both for the selfish reasons of seeing it on here and also as I think you would frickin' love it!!