Brought this mk 1 transit as part of a package deal with a few cars from Cornwall a couple of months back. Just starting work on it now- so hence the new thread! I am quite excited about this build, as I sold my last mk1 a few years back- and have been itching to get my hands on another since!
Well, its a pretty genuine truck; 32,000 genuine miles on the clock, 2 owners from new, and its never been welded or modified etc.
I have never come across one so solid and original before.
Previous owner has started to strip, sand and prep the cab ready for a re-spray.
Red originaly- so thats the colour I will be doing it- the paint has just been ordered and delivered- so I'm one step ahead there!
The engine is present- v4 petrol lump, however it has been stripped down years ago- and everything is covered in surface rust and in boxes. Would be nice to have the original rebuilt- due to the originality of the truck, and low miles etc, but I stumbled across a running engine with a load of spares, so had to jump on it as a 'just in case' option!
Unfortunatly someone has removed the rear bed, it was sold to me as pics show- just a chassis cab. I had my heart set on putting it back as original to a drop-side pick-up body, to find an original '70's body is realy hard work- I guess most, being wooden suffered from rot over the years, and proberbly doesnt help that most of these trucks were work horses for builders etc. After scouring the internet for a few months I came across just what I was after- a bed (which was still fitted to a mk1, and the owner didnt want), so a trip with some cash and a trailer and I soon had it sitting in my yard!
The steel work and structure of the bed is in decent condition- just needs sanding back and painting. The timber boards has suffered over the years and were destined for the bonfire, so I now have it stripped down.
I decided to give the truck what it deserves, so I made up a cutting list, and got a saw mill to cut up some English Oak for me. They milled, PAR'd it, then run it through a spindle to give the boards a tongue and groove edge, kiln dried it, then sent it up to me (I tried not to look at the invoice- English Oak isnt exactly cheap!!). Anyway its turned up now- so as soon as I get a spare couple of evenings I am planning to cut and fit the timber and oil it up - after I have had chance to sand and spray the metalwork first.
Will be posting up more photos to show progress- but off to a slow start now- too much in the workshop that I need to clear- and work has got rediculasly buisy again (chipopy/ bricky by trade).
Looking forward to advise and inspiration along the way guys!
Thanks, Matt
Well, its a pretty genuine truck; 32,000 genuine miles on the clock, 2 owners from new, and its never been welded or modified etc.
I have never come across one so solid and original before.
Previous owner has started to strip, sand and prep the cab ready for a re-spray.
Red originaly- so thats the colour I will be doing it- the paint has just been ordered and delivered- so I'm one step ahead there!
The engine is present- v4 petrol lump, however it has been stripped down years ago- and everything is covered in surface rust and in boxes. Would be nice to have the original rebuilt- due to the originality of the truck, and low miles etc, but I stumbled across a running engine with a load of spares, so had to jump on it as a 'just in case' option!
Unfortunatly someone has removed the rear bed, it was sold to me as pics show- just a chassis cab. I had my heart set on putting it back as original to a drop-side pick-up body, to find an original '70's body is realy hard work- I guess most, being wooden suffered from rot over the years, and proberbly doesnt help that most of these trucks were work horses for builders etc. After scouring the internet for a few months I came across just what I was after- a bed (which was still fitted to a mk1, and the owner didnt want), so a trip with some cash and a trailer and I soon had it sitting in my yard!
The steel work and structure of the bed is in decent condition- just needs sanding back and painting. The timber boards has suffered over the years and were destined for the bonfire, so I now have it stripped down.
I decided to give the truck what it deserves, so I made up a cutting list, and got a saw mill to cut up some English Oak for me. They milled, PAR'd it, then run it through a spindle to give the boards a tongue and groove edge, kiln dried it, then sent it up to me (I tried not to look at the invoice- English Oak isnt exactly cheap!!). Anyway its turned up now- so as soon as I get a spare couple of evenings I am planning to cut and fit the timber and oil it up - after I have had chance to sand and spray the metalwork first.
Will be posting up more photos to show progress- but off to a slow start now- too much in the workshop that I need to clear- and work has got rediculasly buisy again (chipopy/ bricky by trade).
Looking forward to advise and inspiration along the way guys!
Thanks, Matt
