Brownnova’s family TransSport solution - 280 miles in 2 days…

[Ghosty]

Just saying. 

[brownnova]

Props to the trailer man tho. Would recommend for any North Wales based car moveage. He was cheaper than anyone on Shipley, and had a fancy covered trailer! 

Even though anyone who calls their company “intelligent” does worry me.

Discoveries so far: 

- One indicator non-functioning 
- Handbrake release handle MIA
- Fog lights… what fog lights (it is possible I can’t find them…but no internal or external evidence) 
- front tyres cracked  and old, backs look brand new but are infact from 2008. 

These things cast some question on to the clean MoT pass only 5 miles (although a few months) ago. 

[brownnova]

1 minute ago, Ghosty said:

Just saying. 

B20 has been considered… but not at that price! 

[High Jetter]

6 minutes ago, brownnova said:

Even though anyone who calls their company “intelligent” does worry me.

They must lose out on loads of business with stupid cars. What makes yours so bright? 😀

That's worrying about the MOT though.

[eddyramrod]

3 hours ago, brownnova said:

B20 has been considered… but not at that price! 

I wouldn't worry about it.  E5 MBX is going on sooner or later!

[yes oui si]

YES. THIS. EXCELLENT. 

[Snipes]

[paulplom]

Mk1 audi tt?

[brownnova]

A whole week since I took delivery of the TransSport… the V5 arrived yesterday! 

And what have I done with it in this time? Square root of fuck all. Busy with work in the evenings, plus children’s birthday and party at the weekend scuppered all hopes of progress.

So I decided to take some pictures of the interior! 

This one has the six seat option (unlike Bonk #1 which had 7) 

Drooopy headliner! 

The good old inflator! 

A rear 12v point in the back seats is a bit ahead of its time for 1990! I mean it was blatantly for the children in the back seats to light their cigarettes… but… 

Few cosmetic bits in and around it. The most frustrating is that the handbrake release handle has disappeared… 

Under bonnet shot

Seems in good order under there. Clearly been cared for.

Aiming to get tyres/road legalities sorted in the next few days and then I’ve booked into a  very local tiny village show on Sunday… had originally planned to take a 2CV, but I wonder if I can coax this along… 

[mk2_craig]

Spotted in 2008 (somewhere in the UK mainland)

Apologies for dreadful photo, no doubt on the very best 2megapixel phone cam of the day. Reg was G8USA which no longer pulls on DVLA check, did wonder whether this might be your car on a previous plate? 

[brownnova]

Went to fit some tyres to the Pontiac this morning with a short 5 mile drive over to the tyre place. 

Things did not start well… 

Aside from birds shitting on my Saab I had to use it to jump the Pontiac. Allegedly it’s had a new battery, but it was flat as this morning. Thankfully jumped straight away.

Up to the tyre bay. The front tyres were cracked and split, but the back two looked almost perfect despite being 17 years old. Not wishing to take chances new rubber was selected. 

Looks even more space-shuttle with no wheels. 

Thankfulky no bother re-starting and we lolloped home! 

Good news is, it drives really well. Everything seems to be wallowy and squishy, which is exactly how it is supposed to be, but nothing untoward. The difference in power between 3.1 and 3.8 is noticeable but it does ok. 

I think in the medium term new drive belt, and a gearbox oil/brake fluid change might be a good idea. Not because any of these things seem worn or discoloured but out of proactivity. 

Next steps though are a couple more short trips to test it out before attempting a commute in it. 

[brownnova]

On 25/06/2025 at 11:58, mk2_craig said:

Spotted in 2008 (somewhere in the UK mainland)

Apologies for dreadful photo, no doubt on the very best 2megapixel phone cam of the day. Reg was G8USA which no longer pulls on DVLA check, did wonder whether this might be your car on a previous plate? 

No plate changes on this one as far as I know… 

[mk2_craig]

19 minutes ago, brownnova said:

No plate changes on this one as far as I know… 

No headlight washers either, just noticed! 

[brownnova]

You can tell things ar getting serious when this arrives… 

[BorniteIdentity]

On 17/06/2025 at 20:52, brownnova said:

Indeed the Pontiac of Minivans! 

1990 so first model year, running the 3.1 (not the preferable 3.8… but beggars can’t be choosers) full US spec looking like a Florida import early in life. Bought over to the UK in 1992 by the looks of things. Used by the PO as a family/holiday car and then parked up in a carpeted temp controlled garage when the children left home.

Likely needs a bit of going through, but looks very straight and good if I’m honest… a few bits: speedo doesn’t work, headliner is sagging badly. Tyres first, they’re all very very old, although the back ones look brand new!

Cannot wait to get the confidence in it to take it places! 
 

Hard to believe there’s only three years between these two white cars… 

Ugh. What a winner. 

One can only own and pilot such a vehicle when a beautiful woman has already been secured on a long-term deal. I’m fed up of meeting achingly beautiful girls, only for the look of horror to wash over their face when they look out of my bedroom window wearing very little to see something like this winking back at them. They make their excuses quickly and never return my calls. 

But, for the happily settled motorist, this is fantastic. Well done. 

And if anyone can point me at a beautiful Central European woman with big eyes, high cheekbones, pointy boobs and a penchant for forgotten US minivans - please send her my way. I’d love to disappoint her.

Happy motoring! 

[BorniteIdentity]

17 hours ago, brownnova said:

No plate changes on this one as far as I know… 

@LightBulbFun to the special tool please. 

[wuvvum]

2 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

And if anyone can point me at a beautiful Central European woman with big eyes, high cheekbones, pointy boobs and a penchant for forgotten US minivans - please send her my way. I’d love to disappoint her.

You are a 1950s CEO AICMFP.

 

[brownnova]

After a short drive it was no real surprise to find the battery was flat again on the TransSport. I had a plan to film it with fuel during the week and use it a little, but I’m finding I’m so drained in the week at the moment (end of term-itis) I Have no energy for it.

So today I hooked it up to the trickle charger and then this afternoon took it for a slightly longer proving run ahead of its show debut tomorrow! All passed with flying colours, bar a little clattery on hard acceleration and it’s quite slow! Oh and the dashboard having a mind of its own, Speedo reading about 150mph and the rev counter being at 2000 revs, no matter what. Fuel, temp, oil pressure and battery seem to work ok. Will see if it starts in the morning! 

Booked in for the Clwyd Practical Classics car show at Caerwys tomorrow… 

 

[danthecapriman]

🤞for the battery!

It looks the absolute biz though! Very cool.

[brownnova]

Cooling system got a good work out on the way in to the show today. 

The 59 Cadillac and Series 1 Land Rover a few cars in front fared less well and had to be towed. Getting out again might be fun. Well over 500 cars here! 

[Snipes]

How is it with LHD? I often fancy an American car but I just don't know if I could deal with being on the wrong side. 

[brownnova]

4 hours ago, Snipes said:

How is it with LHD? I often fancy an American car but I just don't know if I could deal with being on the wrong side. 

Remarkably easy. I always thought it would be a challenge, but especially on main roads it’s really not hard at all. Sometimes on rural lanes you feel a bit unsighted and some junctions can be slightly harder on the summer with overgrown hedges. I did think it might be odd to make the switch back after a few years away from it… but felt very natural. 

[Heidel_Kakao]

Has anyone ever fitted a turbo engine to one of these a la Buick GNX? I imagine it would be hilarious until you came to a corner.

[brownnova]

Not sure… but a PSA turbo diesel engine was available for some European markets… I might have to scour Europe to bring one in as my daily! 

[Bear]

37 minutes ago, brownnova said:

Not sure… but a PSA turbo diesel engine was available for some European markets… I might have to scour Europe to bring one in as my daily! 

VW wasn't it?

[Bear]

10 hours ago, Heidel_Kakao said:

Has anyone ever fitted a turbo engine to one of these a la Buick GNX? I imagine it would be hilarious until you came to a corner.

They handle okay! But for maximum GM "what might have been" why go for something so spicy when the Northstar is right there? Even an Oldsmobile version of it...

[Schaefft]

39 minutes ago, Bear said:

They handle okay! But for maximum GM "what might have been" why go for something so spicy when the Northstar is right there? Even an Oldsmobile version of it...

I refuse to sell any of my Olds Aurora engines for such shenanigans😂 The more powerful and equally dimensioned 4.6 is readily available in the UK though.

[brownnova]

10 hours ago, Bear said:

VW wasn't it?

That’s what I thought, but everything on the interweb suggests PSA. 
 

Anyway in quick update time. Two issues presented themselves yesterday. A non operational rear indicator and a non operational passenger electric window (well… it went down fine but not up!). Removed the switch for the window and checked the wiring, and then ensured it was all in well, replaced the switch and voila! The indicator was a case of dirt in the connector too. And again all cleaned up and new bulbs on both sides and all worked!

I have no doubt little issues like this will show themselves regularly over the next few months. 

 

[brownnova]

Longest drive yet in the TransSport, slowly awakening it from a long slumber. Done nearly 30 miles today, and all appears well. 

[Peter C]

I’m late to the party, just caught up.

That looks amazing, hope it behaves itself.