tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Bonjour from across the channel! So, after deciding that my Transit van is 'beyond economical repair' - (read: If I'm going to spend 2 weeks welding, £200 on parts, and lose the skin on my knuckles fiddling about with fuel pumps, I'd rather have something a little more exciting than a transit to shoe for it) - I've decided to look for another van. Being stationed in France now, my choice of 'fourgons' is a little different. The early trafics are the Transit of France - cheap and bountiful. Citroen C25 / Peugeot J5s (Talbot van equivalent) are also easy to come by. I've been to see them all, but driving home from a viewing the other day I spotted a Peugeot J7 outside a garage. I stopped for a closer look. There was nobody around, but the van was open. I had a look around and inside it and pretty quickly fell in love.   Pros I can stand inside it It's way cooler than any other van I've ever seen So simple Cons Slow Very slow like, reaalllly slow Anyway, to cut a long story short, I called back and spoke to the owner the next morning. Theoretically I can have it for 200EUR, but somebody else asked before me, and he can't get in touch with them now. So it's a waiting game. 1 week and counting. What I'd like to know is, does anyone have any experience with, or words of wisdom, on these vans? All of my vehicles generally become globetrotters. Clocking up many miles travelling through Europe. Would the ancient design be too prohibitive? I would consider replacing the 1.5 (?) Diesel, and 4 speed box, with a more modern engine. 2.1 Espace diesel being the obvious choice. Any thoughts on that? Finally, any general enthusiasm for these vans can be vented here. It's positively encouraged in fact............ |
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Last Edit: Jul 5, 2018 21:25:43 GMT by tom221
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Pics Added  |
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or, with added nuttyness.  I know, it looks like a demented caravan giving birth to a trans-am. they're not 'cool', so make it so. I mean, there not on everyones rader like others of its type, so do it. |
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Last Edit: Jul 5, 2018 21:31:54 GMT by bmcnut
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I like that - although I suspect I'd die of boredom in OE spec if I was going very far. Modernised a bit on the other hand ... |
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driving with the front door open is a nice tought.
I like them!
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Citroen HY 1962
Toyota CROWN MS75 1972
Toyoya CROWN MS75 1973
Toyota CROWN MS67 1972
Toyota CROWN RS56 1968
Toyota CROWN MS57 1969
Datsun 120a coupe 1975
VW LT31 1995
Volvo XC70 cross country 2007
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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driving with the front door open is a nice tought. I like them! It is indeed! There's a catch to keep it open, and a little chain to stop you falling out |
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Engine swap and cue the music
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Cool van. I don't know anything about them but as long as the body is sound you can update everything else. Is it front or rear drive? I can confirm driving with the door open is cool. My Estafette has a chain to stop you falling out but I'm going to fit seat belts too.
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Cool van. I don't know anything about them but as long as the body is sound you can update everything else. Is it front or rear drive? I can confirm driving with the door open is cool. My Estafette has a chain to stop you falling out but I'm going to fit seat belts too. Pics of the estafette please! They're a bit more expensive here than the j7. The body and chassis is 'nickel', as they say here. Front wheel drive, longitudinal layout. The engine is accessed from inside the cab, and you have to reach behind you to change gear! |
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Brilliant!
I really do like these quite a lot. I prefer them to the Citroen H van that you see transformed into food vans left, right and centre!!!
Get one and share your adventures with us please, that's an order...
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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tristanh
Part of things
Routinely bewildered
Posts: 990 
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Cool. Any similarities underneath to the J5? If so, the world is your oyster with Fiat Ducato diesels.
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Whether you believe you can, or you cannot, you're probably right.
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Cool van. I don't know anything about them but as long as the body is sound you can update everything else. Is it front or rear drive? I can confirm driving with the door open is cool. My Estafette has a chain to stop you falling out but I'm going to fit seat belts too. Pics of the estafette please! They're a bit more expensive here than the j7. The body and chassis is 'nickel', as they say here. Front wheel drive, longitudinal layout. The engine is accessed from inside the cab, and you have to reach behind you to change gear! My Van is on here under Renault Estafette Van. I don't know how to do a link. Same layout as my van so Audi A4 engine and box may be an option. Someone on here put one in a HY but the thread has lost all the photos sadly |
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Stop asking questions and go and buy it - its cheap too - offer him a little more money and nice bottle of vino - that over in UK would on E bay has a barn find retro food van would be on for a £2500 price tag !
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Last Edit: Jul 6, 2018 15:52:46 GMT by Deleted
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Stop asking questions and go and buy it - its cheap too - offer him a little more money and nice bottle of vino - that over in UK would on E bay has a barn find retro food van would be on for a £2500 price tag ! I've pestered him every day for a week. This morning I went and he told me the other fella definitely wants it. Gutted. I tried getting the money out but he wasn't having it unfortunately. Still, we can keep the thread going because I still want a j7, and there are more about. Just not at that price, in that condition, a mile from my house. |
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Cool. Any similarities underneath to the J5? If so, the world is your oyster with Fiat Ducato diesels. I seem to. Remember j5s are transverse? I should know as I went to see one the other day |
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Stop asking questions and go and buy it - its cheap too - offer him a little more money and nice bottle of vino - that over in UK would on E bay has a barn find retro food van would be on for a £2500 price tag ! I've pestered him every day for a week. This morning I went and he told me the other fella definitely wants it. Gutted. I tried getting the money out but he wasn't having it unfortunately. Still, we can keep the thread going because I still want a j7, and there are more about. Just not at that price, in that condition, a mile from my house. Bummer. But I'm sure there's another out that's suitable. France is pretty big. |
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tristanh
Part of things
Routinely bewildered
Posts: 990
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Cool. Any similarities underneath to the J5? If so, the world is your oyster with Fiat Ducato diesels. I seem to. Remember j5s are transverse? I should know as I went to see one the other day Definitely transverse and fwd, the very odd 4wd. 1.9 and 2.5d or td engines. Usually. |
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Whether you believe you can, or you cannot, you're probably right.
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tom221
Part of things
Posts: 133
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Jul 17, 2018 19:53:13 GMT
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I think it's time I started a build thread....   |
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Jul 17, 2018 21:14:20 GMT
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I think it's time I started a build thread.... More French tat to read about. I'm looking forward to it. |
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,430
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Jul 26, 2018 10:49:16 GMT
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I think it's time I started a build thread.... ***waiting....*** |
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