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Jan 16, 2014 16:40:42 GMT
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Hi folks, As usual you are the ones to call on. Hope you don't mind. In the not too distant future (i hope) I'm going to need a van. I'm going to be dabbling in freelance sound engineering and doing some band stuff as well so I'm going to need a van to cart gear around. I'd love a 70s van like a bedford CF, but its not massively practical in that it will be really slow, guzzle fuel and rust as soon as i look at it, and you can probably open the back with a teaspoon, not good when you've got a few k worth of sound gear in the back. What I'm basically after is a retro van that i can rely on. Preferences are that it will be able to go through the london low emission zone, its either fairly secure or i can modify it to be more secure, reliable or reliable with mods and not overly rusty. don't mind a bit of welding but I'm not talking body off chassis rebuilt or hefty panel replacement. 25mpg+ would be nice. Budgeting around 2 - 2.5k tops. I did fancy a mk2 transit, but they average 15 - 17mpg which might be a bit steep if I'm doing big miles.  Anyway, thanks for looking, let me know your thoughts! |
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Joe T
Part of things
Posts: 711
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Jan 16, 2014 16:44:54 GMT
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Retro and low emission zone don't really mix. Same with security to be honest. Not helpful sorry!
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Jan 16, 2014 16:47:20 GMT
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Retro and low emission zone don't really mix. Same with security to be honest. Not helpful sorry! Well you can check if its L.E.Z compatible, a mk2 is, for example. Security, I'm not talking guantanamo, just acceptable with perhaps scope to add some security on. |
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Jan 16, 2014 16:55:08 GMT
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Depends if you are using the van every day, but i found using a retro van for work to be a pain and ended up getting the Vauxhall Combo which was the best thing i could do. I get great mpg, it has loads of comforts (power steering, CD player, etc), and as it's not breaking down all the time i am able to fix my cars in my spare time.
I guess what i am saying is that you need to decide if it's worth the hassle of a retro van (parking in london without power steering might be interesting).
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta
2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van
2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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Joe T
Part of things
Posts: 711
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Jan 16, 2014 16:59:47 GMT
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Retro and low emission zone don't really mix. Same with security to be honest. Not helpful sorry! Well you can check if its L.E.Z compatible, a mk2 is, for example. . Am I right in saying those would be petrol only? What kind of mpg would that do?  |
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chrisdcapri
Part of things
Avid collector of rust
Posts: 205
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Jan 16, 2014 17:16:57 GMT
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This is a tricky one, anything retro and LEZ compliant is probably going to be petrol and give poor MPG, also good retro vans fetch really good money.
Thinking outside the box - what about an LDV Pilot, OK - they're not old but they sure look and feel retro being largely unchanged in design since the early 70's and I think (but not 100% sure) with the 1.9 Peugeot diesel they are LEZ compliant, great fuel economy and can be had for peanuts. It may even be possible to graft a LDV 200 or Sherpa front end on, if you can find one, for a more retro feel.
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Jan 16, 2014 17:42:19 GMT
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I went through this a while ago and there is one, and one only, vehicle that fits the bill here! Mercedes V class in petrol or diesel form, not the Vito, but the V class version of it. Firstly, they drive really well, lots of toys and not mega money, plus, as they're actually classed as a car you can drive them inside the LEZ, take them down the tip to get rid of rubbish and other people will also be insured to drive them on their insurance, which wouldn't be the case if you had a van of any sort. The one I have is a 1997 on an R plate and is the V280 model. This is the same engine as fitted to the VR6. It does 20/25 (around town/motorway) mpg has power steering, front and rear electric windows, 2 electric sunroofs, leather interior, heated seats, electric auto-fold mirrors (in 1997!!) and remote central locking. It has 2 seats in the front and 4 in the back, the rear seats can be fixed in all sorts of configurations, such as, 2 rows of 2 (all 4 seats facing forward, or the seats facing each other), 1 row of 3 seats directly behind the front seats (leaving a massive boot), 1 seat in any of the 5 possible locations in the back (meaning 3 of you could go places with loads of room for stuff in the back), or no seats at all, so you can use it just like a van. The back 2 seats even come with a pop up removable table One big up and over tailgate, which keeps you dry whilst you're loading it and 2 side loading doors, makes it a doddle to load it to the hilts with stuff. And they can look quite cool. I'm also lucky with mine as it has an LPG conversion, but as mentioned above, it isn't that bad on fuel anyway and everyone seems to steer clear of the 280, so they're nice and cheap! They also do a diesel one (which I think is the V220) or a smaller engined petrol one, which I believe is the v230. I use it for all sorts and it really is a very versatile piece of kit, I'll never sell mine (I paid 2k for this one about 7 months ago). Pics, if they work....   Or links if they don't; i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/rich2302/v2801_zps8ff5d524.jpgi7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/rich2302/v2802_zps34d81765.jpg |
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Last Edit: Jan 16, 2014 17:44:08 GMT by rich2302
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Jan 16, 2014 19:21:17 GMT
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Shame you aren't interested in a modern van. My 03 Peugeot Expert 2.0HDi needs clutch repair (pedal went to floor like cable snapped but it's hydraulic so reckon operating arm has broken) and MOT. Overall not bad condition - courier firm for first few years who clocked up the miles and then disabled owner, like me, who just did token amount. I'd take £500 to get it out of the drive.
Paul H
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Jan 16, 2014 19:31:13 GMT
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This is a tricky one, anything retro and LEZ compliant is probably going to be petrol and give poor MPG, also good retro vans fetch really good money. Thinking outside the box - what about an LDV Pilot, OK - they're not old but they sure look and feel retro being largely unchanged in design since the early 70's and I think (but not 100% sure) with the 1.9 Peugeot diesel they are LEZ compliant, great fuel economy and can be had for peanuts. It may even be possible to graft a LDV 200 or Sherpa front end on, if you can find one, for a more retro feel. Convoy with a sherpa front is not a bad idea. I wont be hitting london very often at all, but theres no way I'm paying 100 quid + congestion charge for the privilege. I'm not after a modern and i don't want one soon, this is just a plan to get myself out of the misery of zero hour contracts and into self employment. Long way off, but i could use a van sooner rather than later. |
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Jan 16, 2014 19:33:35 GMT
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Shame you aren't interested in a modern van. My 03 Peugeot Expert 2.0HDi needs clutch repair (pedal went to floor like cable snapped but it's hydraulic so reckon operating arm has broken) and MOT. Overall not bad condition - courier firm for first few years who clocked up the miles and then disabled owner, like me, who just did token amount. I'd take £500 to get it out of the drive. Paul H might be interested in the pug Paul, could you ping me some details? |
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Last Edit: Jan 16, 2014 19:36:52 GMT by welshpug
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Jan 16, 2014 19:41:42 GMT
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I've got my transit for work now, mpg isn't too bad and its going to be running on gas shortly. Security wise its not a lot different to a modern, a mate had his transporter cut open in on the street in London. Locks, alarm and a cage are my current thinking. A v8 yank day van is also OK in the LEZ....CFS are cheaper than transits. Haven't found I need power steering parking.
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Jan 16, 2014 19:51:42 GMT
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I've got my transit for work now, mpg isn't too bad and its going to be running on gas shortly. Security wise its not a lot different to a modern, a mate had his transporter cut open in on the street in London. Locks, alarm and a cage are my current thinking. A v8 yank day van is also OK in the LEZ....CFS are cheaper than transits. Haven't found I need power steering parking. CFS as in CF's? I'd be open to the engine swap idea if i could find a solid base and avoid too much electrical nonsense. V8 yank van would also work, providing i could run it cheaply enough (lpg perhaps). Power steering, don't care, never needed it. |
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Jan 16, 2014 20:05:40 GMT
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It's not retro, but has fallen into the unloved category that will become retro....post '94 Ducato/Relay? Cheap because they're unloved, and come with simple old school 1.9 & 2.5 diesels. Absolutely no idea on L.E.Z. compliance as I'm nowhere near it Not as cool as old vans, but possibly a better bet for the reliability to help you get paid day-to-day.....and everything has potential [later facelift model though]  |
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Jan 16, 2014 20:20:54 GMT
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Basically anything pre 2000 and diesel isn't compliant, unless its an MPV - not a minibus or pre '73. Its going to be changing again soon, or the rumour has it that it will - going from Euro 3 to Euro 4 from memory cheers Boris! Yes sorry i meant CF's, its taken me ages to find my transit though so i'de start looking ASAP, if you think outside the box Mk1/ Mk2 Dormobile Transits (Bread Vans) come up regularly on ebay for not so much money and there are a few campers that have been turned back into vans A day van would also have a bed in the back which would be handy for groupies nights away |
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v8ian
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,764
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Jan 16, 2014 20:30:33 GMT
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Atmo V8 Power . No slicks , No gas + No bits missing . Doing it in style.
Austin A35van, very different------- but still doing it in style, going to be a funmoble
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Jan 16, 2014 22:46:02 GMT
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Basically anything pre 2000 and diesel isn't compliant, unless its an MPV - not a minibus or pre '73. Its going to be changing again soon, or the rumour has it that it will - going from Euro 3 to Euro 4 from memory cheers Boris! Yes sorry i meant CF's, its taken me ages to find my transit though so i'de start looking ASAP, if you think outside the box Mk1/ Mk2 Dormobile Transits (Bread Vans) come up regularly on ebay for not so much money and there are a few campers that have been turned back into vans A day van would also have a bed in the back which would be handy for groupies nights away I'm more than happy to go non diesel. I hate diesels anyway. If i could get more than 20 to the gallon in something 70s/80s looking i'd be super happy. A rust free CF panel van with a v8 in it and LPG would be a dream but someone could probably get in with a can opener? |
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Jan 16, 2014 23:41:34 GMT
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Have you thought of a petrol T4 transporter? should be plenty of early ones out for your budget and most will have power steering to.
Find a clean one and it'll only increase in value to.
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Jan 17, 2014 12:32:48 GMT
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VW T4 caravelle. The velle's are all LEZ compliant as they are classified as a car, the rear seats come out with just a couple of bolts, centre seats on mine just clip in and out but on some they are bolted too. Plenty of room inside for gear (i used to be the drummer in a band) and are quite civilised. Earliest models are about 1990 / 91 so sort of retro. I bought my AAB engined 2.4D Caravelle as a fast turn around profit maker and here I am 3 years later and I wouldnt be parted from it. Unfortunately they are kind of pricey for what they are.  |
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,410
Club RR Member Number: 52
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Van ideas help!qwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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Jan 17, 2014 13:11:05 GMT
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It's not retro, but has fallen into the unloved category that will become retro....post '94 Ducato/Relay? Cheap because they're unloved, and come with simple old school 1.9 & 2.5 diesels. Absolutely no idea on L.E.Z. compliance as I'm nowhere near it Not as cool as old vans, but possibly a better bet for the reliability to help you get paid day-to-day.....and everything has potential [later facelift model though] This. They're 5x130 pcd so Porsche wheels fit! |
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Jan 17, 2014 13:26:50 GMT
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Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet:  Not a proper "van" as such but remove the rear seat rows and it's pretty big in there. Also definitely retro these days, won't suffer from rusty bodywork since much of it is plastic, has a good chance of getting 25 mpg if you're careful, will drive vastly better than most old vans and you should at least be able to make it vaguely secure. Bad points: Rare as poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo these days. |
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