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Ok, so I had no idea that these existed until last week but now I want one as a shop/display van. This is what I've spotted on Ebay: www.ebay.com.au/itm/261068507483?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649#ht_502wt_1396it's rough, but I love the shape of it. Anyone know how horrible they are to drive? Are they a separate chassis/can they fit onto any particular more modern chassis easily? Not something I can do in a hurry but I love the style and size of it and am very curious in the longer term. Thanks!
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Remade In Australia thereimaginarium.com.au
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,214
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My father had one of these back in the late 60's and I spent some time in the passenger seat, he even let me have a little drive, aged 10!
Slow, very slow, it used to hold up traffic even then, when cars were slower. I remember trucks overtaking us on the old A11 at our max speed of 45!
Not very economical either, the engines were underpowered, under geared and overstressed!
No comfort, the engine is the cab and has little or no soundproofing, the seats are little more then kitchen chairs, no heater and the heaviest steering known to man, my father would stand to turn the wheel when maneuvering the van!
They're also smaller than you think, with less load room than a LWB Transit, which is why they disappeared when the Transit arrived! But they are a walk through.
However, paint it in Castrol colours and it'll get you in the paddock at Goodwood! (probably!)
And with a basic chassis and flat floor, it should be fairly easy to drop more modern running gear in. You'll need power steering, unless you want to look like Popeye!
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Brian Damaged
West Midlands
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 9,555
Club RR Member Number: 33
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Morris LDs?Brian Damaged
@damaged
Club Retro Rides Member 33
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Jul 20, 2012 10:13:03 GMT
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Basically you've got a hefty chassis with a 2.2 litre four-banger in either petrol or diesel form, mated to a 4-speed transmission (which may or may not have synchromesh, depending when it was made). I've never driven one but if it's anything like the (slightly bigger) BMC FG I once drove it'll be, erm....challenging to drive. Glacially slow, with (as has been said already) ponderous steering, and rubbish brakes. And about 15mpg. Needless to say I'd love one.
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Jul 20, 2012 11:44:45 GMT
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That good ;P sounds like a complete driveline transfer would be in order.
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Remade In Australia thereimaginarium.com.au
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Jul 20, 2012 12:02:10 GMT
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Had a look at one of these with my mate a while back. All I can remember is that the engine seemed very confined within the cab so any transplant would have to be for a similar sized lump.
The one we looked at had a part wooden body, petrol engine and decking for a floor..
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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fogey
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,614
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Jul 20, 2012 15:42:30 GMT
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Lowman's the Bakers of Southampton had a whole fleet of these back in the day.
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kenb
Part of things
Posts: 604
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Jul 20, 2012 16:44:39 GMT
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The axles on these are well over engineered. Probably date from something built during the war. They were very sought after in the 60's 70's 80's for the big Brisca Formula one stockcars, and easily handled the 600 hp they kick out. Many a LD died from giving up an axle.
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Morris LDs?mudbitz123
@GUEST
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Jul 20, 2012 18:12:45 GMT
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my mate had one in 1970 did handbrake turns him not me and drifting again before drifting came in fashion young then didnt consider their future worth mate went on to race cooper s after that initiation with morris ld great all rounder its day job was delivering groceries roses stores sandwich kent
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