Wanted Bedford CF/HA, Zephyr mk3, Vauxhall PA, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Marina Van/PU maybe, sometime, eventually...

14,366 · February 8

7 minutes ago, UltraWomble said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286298687880

That looks like the BBC's 1980s TV presenter "Sooty and Sweep it under the carpet" dungeon on wheels. Sticky back plastic and sticky black vinyl and a whiff of Blue Peter presenter with a fondness for powdering their nose...

TBF if suggestions this far from a Bedford CF seem appropriate, why not a 1990s Chevy Astro van? The dayvan I wanted to buy last year was offered to me in the end for £3K when I just didn't have £3K to spend anymore, and it was really nice and only mildly creepy.

(Standards for creepy around here seem like a low bar - there's a silver Corsa Combo van with "STRUGGLE BUS" on the sunstrip and it makes me feel VERY uneasy when I see it, like whoever owns it needs to be on a list or three and probably not driving past schools).

28,853 · February 8

Actually an Astro might be a prospect! What really puts me off though, is that most of them (on our market anyway) seem to have the 4.3 V6, and I've been there. I won't be repeating the experience. I'd also be up for, well, almost anything American, and especially the unloved models. TransSport/Silhouette, anyone?

9,694 · February 8

23 minutes ago, RichardK said:

You need to track down a Vauxhall Albany. This is your new mission.

Wow, that's one for the cars you didn't know existed thread! Found some info on the Albany:

Rusty Old Rubbish blog

23,030 · February 8

4 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

(on our market anyway)

No, that was the engine they dumped in 99% of them.

14,366 · February 8

5 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Actually an Astro might be a prospect! What really puts me off though, is that most of them (on our market anyway) seem to have the 4.3 V6, and I've been there. I won't be repeating the experience. I'd also be up for, well, almost anything American, and especially the unloved models. TransSport/Silhouette, anyone?

U-body rust is depressing. Galvanised my arse.

14,366 · February 8

If I had the money and any skill with paint and so forth...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375952174520

5,292 · February 8

You have to wonder how bad this one really is:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/619654027319200/

Had an MoT until 2020, and they're mostly pretty clean. Hmmm

Pic from 2014:

28,853 · February 8

Shame it's a two-day drive each way or I'd be going to look at that!

5,292 · February 8

27 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Shame it's a two-day drive each way or I'd be going to look at that!

Got to be someone local to Gosport / Portsmouth who could have a sniff round it?

28,853 · February 8

Just now, N Dentressangle said:

Got to be someone local to Gosport / Portsmouth who could have a sniff round it?

The reason I know how long the drive is, is my stepson lives down there! He even has his own camper, but it's a brand new Transporter, so I can't trust him to look at it without brand snobbery getting in the way. We do have a fair few Shiters in the area though, I've met several.

29,509 · February 8

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267054699526?itmmeta=01JKK1GH0ANX2S3R33JVS05HA9&hash=item3e2db35406:g:M2UAAOSw2ghgq5et&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4CodCO1vSDjg2xNOt8By6oAxncefNaYYXxyrT8q%2BJd2fmDaT0ctf4JTOOUialgSdbt22msBC0Zf2BaIpOwYRvtbIQjRavzGRncS%2FKSpeY%2FXiScaaA%2BV93ObLdB3ZjFXZAc%2FIooM3V4X6itJmSmswopp9hVz%2FNGDDNvX1Dn06KjNEgYFnCj2xrDOzkWAM4vYW4qnNJuEdE0fIZHOl4kF8YpegR%2F4GMWbo4JB1sbOS%2FQBwJnYC0C0GqDROtr8RWALfzgjAtpEEJwvKGfnIB06mUFO4AV9JC%2BP7DG69HaTw03QW|tkp%3ABk9SR6CQwuGcZQ

28,853 · February 8

Yes I saw that. Not too far away either! But no MoT, and it's been laid up, so who knows what it might need?

22,628 · February 8

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156661221904

28,853 · February 8

Ticks so many boxes! Shame it hasn't even seen the one marked "Maximum price." I've checked my ticket for last night's Euromillions; I didn't win. Hey ho.

29,509 · February 8

Holiday to Portugal and buy and drive this home?

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1814560

29,509 · February 8

https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-vehicles/chevrolet-g20-chevy-gmc-vandura-v8-american-van-/1492517463

https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/2005-chevrolet-doublecab-avalanche-petrol-automatic/1492426336

28,853 · February 8

Those Chevrolets are terrific, but miles over budget. I'd be very happy driving either of them!

3,456 · February 8

Probably a bit new but if you've entertained the idea of a Rascal why not a Hijet or Supercarry?

13,377 · February 8

8 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

You have to wonder how bad this one really is:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/619654027319200/

Had an MoT until 2020, and they're mostly pretty clean. Hmmm

Pic from 2014:

I owned one like that for a while. My dad bought it new and owned it 11 years until he died. £10,000 it cost him plus a p/x iirc.

28,853 · February 8

33 minutes ago, Markeh said:

Probably a bit new but if you've entertained the idea of a Rascal why not a Hijet or Supercarry?

Or even a Honda or Subaru. Any of them. They do, as a class, have a certain merit. I should say though: I haven't even sat in one for at least 30 years. I've grown since then, and stiffened up despite going to yoga for the last three years or more. Would I be able to fold enough, or in the right directions, to drive one?

That Autosleeper does look lush. Shame it's at the wrong end of the island.

28,853 · February 8

And it appears to be sold. I've just looked at the listing again.

February 8

Talking of those micro vans, what about the little Honda Acty campers? My kids used to call them 'Sooty Mobiles' after the TV programme. Could be fun, though I know they are getting on a bit now.

28,853 · February 8

Well yes, as said above: I would. But I'd prefer a plain van or pickup over a camper, whatever chassis it's on, from Honda to Dodge Ram.

21,244 · February 8

This seems the best of the CF's on LBC at a price - petrol. It's actually located just south of Paris near the historic Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry race circuit - so its a place to visit maybe when there is an event on. Anything in the S. of France would be more difficult logistically.

Ad says the van is a stalled restoration but would need a careful look. But if you have a holiday anyway it doesn't matter yes or no.

I'm not sure how fluid the Bedford CF 'market' in France is - so it may hang about right into the summer and beyond.

The thing to do would be to combine having a nice few days away with looking at any vehicle.

Vendor is open to offers apparently - also seems to have a mag-wheel fetish.

Then come back for it once the formalities are done. It would need trailering back as its not roadworthy of course that does add to the cost.

Non-French residents can't buy and register cars in France except for export.

Being UK manufactured I have no idea what duty is paid bringing anything in.

There are a lot more Bedfords around than I thought. Lots of old Rover's and classic Jaguars too.

21,244 · February 8

Crazy really. All hiding in France.

12,488 · February 8

10 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

Got to be someone local to Gosport / Portsmouth who could have a sniff round it?

@Cheggers

15,831 · February 8

2 hours ago, Markeh said:

Probably a bit new but if you've entertained the idea of a Rascal why not a Hijet or Supercarry?

Rascals & supercarry's are badge engineering, Hijets are Piaggio Porters built under licence in Italy, for Europe.

1 hour ago, eddyramrod said:

Or even a Honda or Subaru. Any of them. They do, as a class, have a certain merit. I should say though: I haven't even sat in one for at least 30 years. I've grown since then, and stiffened up despite going to yoga for the last three years or more. Would I be able to fold enough, or in the right directions, to drive one?

That Autosleeper does look lush. Shame it's at the wrong end of the island.

No folding necessary, and the best bit is the seats aren't low! So easy for access, tho smoll.

17,897 · February 9

[mention=1440]Cheggers[/mention]

Always happy to help

21,244 · February 9

Alternatively if you want to go the Ford route there are plenty of unusual vans available.

This is a stripped out camper in running order - owner even offering an 'MoT' check as part of the sale.

Retains it's elevating roof. Probably an expensive thing in its day and likely to have had less hard use than a works van.

Petrol.

€1,500 in the Loire region.

28,853 · February 9

A camper that's been stripped out wouldn't put me off, certainly; it helps that the yellow one is the van body with elevating roof, rather than a coachbuilt. It's cheap enough for a Transit too, I wouldn't have expected to find one at that price. Petrol of course, it'll be a Pinto in that, most likely 1.6.

I could probably sell it on once I got it home and registered, and make a tidy bit of profit just because it's a Ford! It wouldn't be a keeper because I simply prefer the Bedford, but it might be an acceptable staging post.

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Wanted Bedford CF/HA, Zephyr mk3, Vauxhall PA, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Marina Van/PU maybe, sometime, eventually...

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