My chariot for the weekend - 1961 Bedford CA

[PrinceRupert]

Hired but thought a few of you might like to see a few pics.

1961 Bedford CA converted into a camper van.  80s transit engine and gearbox.

[bezzabsa]

looks very 'cosy' LOL

[Zelandeth]

If it's anything like the last CA I drove, I hope they upgraded the steering and brakes to match...it was borderline terrifying with the original powerplant which could manage about 55 with a good following wind.

[BL Bloke]

Nice. My Dad had a CA Utilabrake back in the 70's. I've always fancied driving around with no seat belt on and the sliding door open. 🙂

[PrinceRupert]

Got power steering and brakes are okay so not too bad to drive

Told it will do 70 but is a bit scary at that speed and 50 is better

Have been cruising around with door open and no seatbelts (seats from i think an alfa 156) and its great. Does 50 fine on motorway.  Draws loads of positive attention

Was stuck for the last two hours queing for the dartford tunnel with a broken temperature gauge...fortunately behaved itself

Handbrake is wank though and isnt always easy to get into gear so hill start sections were fun. Managed to stall once after getting 3rd instead of 1st and it took a few goes to get it to start again. Was fun in the middle of a four lane motorway...

 

[Isaac Hunt]

That’s proper chintzy is that.  Don’t go too fast over the speed bumps invade the win in the rear wing below the fuel filler falls out

[PrinceRupert]

[busmansholiday]

That looks ace, what's it like inside?

[PrinceRupert]

Pretty good tbh. Double bed folds down from rear seats and two hammocks.  Would be cosy with 4 tho...

 

Got a fridge, sink, cooker and two lesiure batteries with solar panels on roof

 

 

[High Jetter]

6 hours ago, PrinceRupert said:

. Managed to stall once after getting 3rd instead of 1st and it took a few goes to get it to start again. Was fun in the middle of a four lane motorway...

I bet they were very patient* with the camper wanker  distinguished gent in a venerable mobile home. They do look so grumpy from the front, don't they?

[Matty]

That's absolutly bloody brilliant.

[PrinceRupert]

9 hours ago, High Jetter said:

I bet they were very patient* with the camper wanker  distinguished gent in a venerable mobile home. They do look so grumpy from the front, don't they?

Happened twice in the end and didn't get tooted at once...not sure they would have been so patient if I was in a white Audi!

[BeEP]

Looks like a fun thing to trundle around in for the weekend, but if it's being hired from a professional company (rather than from your mate Dave*) I'd have liked/expected to see a current MOT.  Last one expired 2013.  Yes, I know it's not a legal requirement but...

*other mates are available

[PrinceRupert]

9 minutes ago, BeEP said:

Looks like a fun thing to trundle around in for the weekend, but if it's being hired from a professional company (rather than from your mate Dave*) I'd have liked/expected to see a current MOT.  Last one expired 2013.  Yes, I know it's not a legal requirement but...

*other mates are available

Yes I did wonder that.  It is not hired from a mate but a hobbyist turned van hire company round the corner who has three or four vans being rented from his driveway.

[eddyramrod]

If Mr Hobbyist has the correct hire insurance, I'm a bit surprised they haven't insisted on the vehicles passing regular MoTs.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

42 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

If Mr Hobbyist has the correct hire insurance, I'm a bit surprised they haven't insisted on the vehicles passing regular MoTs.

Maybe a quiet mention of the MoT thing might elicit a response?

[PrinceRupert]

Looking out of place in Ipswich 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

14 hours ago, PrinceRupert said:

 

I can sort of see where the Fiat Multipla got its looks from....

[PrinceRupert]

Couple of pics next to one of the many VW vans we have spotted on our travels

[PrinceRupert]

Bit of roadside mechanics needed as it seems to have burnt through most of its oil in 150 miles 😄