Jump to content

Austin 7cwt van resurrection


Mat.T

Recommended Posts

2 hours ago, Mat.T said:

IMG_20191112_144337.thumb.jpg.3011afc2cc9a35de86fd4bae131d9070.jpg

The van has escaped the work shop for now. I've driven it up the road a few times and it drives pretty well. After all the horror stories about the marinas handling I was pleasantly surprised. It does feel like a large Morris minor. Brakes are good and it pulls well up to 60. We certainly need to fit at least 1 wing mirror because reversing with a full load blocking the rear window involves lots of guess work!

needs period rood rack and ladder

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Today's big update. Woke the van up from it's winter slumber, checked bulbs brakes etc

IMG_20200224_083710.thumb.jpg.ec0c6cca15f7a7f3776c07ecd97b99f1.jpg

And drove to the bodyshop where my mate Keith of KW restorations operates from. (Also where my Saab lives) it's the first journey it's done over about 2 miles in 18years! It drove quite well really and turned a few confused heads!

Its not the only Marina shaped thing being worked on at the minute eitherIMG_20200225_120216.thumb.jpg.f4a909d2b496fc7f93e10dff6403c0a5.jpgIMG_20200225_120152.thumb.jpg.1dc2d74baec8d22fedccea05f2299ffa.jpg

Hopefully we will have some photos of the strip down soon.

Re the number plate it was already on the van when my boss purchased it! One of the reasons the van survived so long it's because of the plate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, pauldoubleyou said:

Can i be the first to address the elephant in the room - that number plate is an Essex one so could well have come off an Invacar!

FTFY :) 

(as a side note I do hope it stays on the van, the thought of such a valuable/distinct plate on something most people would consider worthless/"just a shonky old van" amuses me :) )

Van is awesome BTW :) (I also hope I see more on that bucket truck you use to change lightbulbs :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

Covid, birth of my first child and various other things and this project has ground to a halt. But Keith is back in the case with the rebuild. We have alot been on the hunt for Nos bits including the rear quarter bumpers.

https://www.facebook.com/259202380902017/posts/1793974174091489/

 

Hopefully the face book linkworks

123977985_1793920000763573_6398593425731

123947686_1793916237430616_6075855796734

123379739_1793920224096884_2642898707720

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not that bad really, Most of what Keith has removed are previous patch repairs from when the van was tarted up 20 years ago. This time we are wanting to get rid of the patch repairs and do a decent factory looking repair.

He is reusing the arch arch repair panels fitted all those years ago. Just fitting them better with a proper inner arch this time.

We ordered new sills as they are relatively inexpensive and will make a nice job of it.

I realize I forgot to update this thread about  our Commer lorry/lift I will get some more photos of it and add them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
  • 10 months later...

Lovely work! Really good to see such nice fabrication going into this old bus.

Mat - any chance you could pass on my details to your mate with the Austin Hampshires? It would be good to get in touch with another owner, and maybe we can help each other out with spares etc as I have a few bits I probably won’t need.

If that’s ok, I’ll PM you my email.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...