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Jul 19, 2021 18:50:07 GMT
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I'm always on various forums, Retrorides, turbosport, the mini forum etc, mostly reading what others have been up to with their projects, and have always wanted to start my own project thread which is actually kept updated (I will try my hardest) I've got a couple of projects already but I get carried away on them and before I know it, if I was to start a project thread I'd have to go months back in time so having just bought the van its best to start the thread now. I've always liked the idea of old car derived vans, I've already got a mk2 escort saloon, and couldn't afford another old ford as a van, always liked the idea of having a Vauxhall, chevette/viva so the Bedford was the go to, I viewed a few rough ones local to me and decided to wait until a better one came up for sale, which it did. Which, so far is still in surprisingly good condition, the roof where they all seem to rust is still mostly solid and it appears well looked after having been owned by the same guy since 1979. Anyway, some photos;    Its registered as an 1159cc but has 1256 stamped on the side of the block, which is handy. The plans, for now I want to get the van solid in any structural places which are rusty as i'm sure there will be, not too bothered about the brushed paintwork for now, I'll leave the 1256 in with the standard running gear (if it all works as it hasn't been on the road or even fired up in years). And when I get bored of that, at the moment I'm leaning towards a mazda mx5 engine/gearbox maybe with a turbo, not sure yet its a long time away. Thanks for looking, I'll update it with more photos as and when I make any progress. Matt |
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Last Edit: Apr 16, 2022 6:16:00 GMT by matta777
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,726
Club RR Member Number: 94
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1970 Bedford HA Turboretrolegends
@retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member 94
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Jul 19, 2021 18:53:11 GMT
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Nice velour seats, look like Chevette or Viva GLS items, bookmarked as I’ve always had a soft spot for the HA. 😎
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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Jul 19, 2021 19:06:16 GMT
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I RESTORED A YELLOW ONE BT FOR ME DA 16 YEARS AGO LOVEY TO WORK ON GLWI ILL KEEP WATCHING WINGS ARE SO HARD TO FIND I USED FIBRE GLASS ONES BONDED ON
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Jul 19, 2021 19:10:46 GMT
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So I got the van collected from the previous owners house, about an hour and a half from my unit. Everything was going well...  Until the idiot dropped it off the ramps straight into the wall   Oh well, the damage is done, the rear door doesn't open anymore and its quite bent up but once the engine is all up and running I'll tie it to a tree and drive away, the rest should hopefully tap out with a hammer and a slide hammer! Thank god the van came with loads of spares, thankfully came with a solid set of rear doors and a new rear bumper so should be sorted in no time!  Oh yeah, found an old MOT from 1984 which is pretty cool! Now to get it inside and get it running.  The damage Then whilst waiting for engine parts started welding up sections under the roof gutter;       Got the old engine running today too, had to remove the tank and all the old fuel, replace the fuel lines which were filled with dirt, replace the points, condenser, dizzy cap etc and it fired right up and runs nicely! All the tyres are perished and need replacing so found some 12" banded steels from a metro which has the same stud pattern with good tyres which I'm collecting tomorrow, they should look good especially when the van is lowered a little bit. I'll post photos when I get some. Matt |
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Jul 19, 2021 19:11:45 GMT
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Nice velour seats, look like Chevette or Viva GLS items, bookmarked as I’ve always had a soft spot for the HA. 😎 Thank you! I was wondering what the seats were out of as they're defiantly not out of the van as standard  |
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Jul 19, 2021 19:30:56 GMT
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GOOD ON YE THE DEVIL HATES A COWARD , GOOD WORK
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Jul 19, 2021 19:41:37 GMT
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Not long after I learned to drive I used to kick about in one of the old yellow Telecom HA vans my Dad bought for 15 quid :-). It was a brilliant wee thing.
Keep us posted.
Cheers
Col.
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Jul 19, 2021 19:47:26 GMT
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IS THE RECOVERY COMPANY PAYING FOR THE DAMAGE
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Jul 19, 2021 22:24:23 GMT
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Nice little HA van. Good luck with the build. If the recovery agent is insured why should they worry about covering the damage, shielsy?
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Jul 19, 2021 22:32:20 GMT
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are they insured are they just friends , i f i got a recovery agent to lift my car , and dome that they would be paying ,
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Jul 19, 2021 22:39:17 GMT
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There is a plague of man with a van outfits round here who have a chassis cab transit registered and insured as an ice cream van or what have you so if you pay peanuts your gonna get monkeys. Not a dig, just if you pay good money for a vehicle dear to you get the right outfit to carry it for you . You pays your money, you takes your gamble etc
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Jul 19, 2021 22:42:27 GMT
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thats what iam asking did he use a good recovery unit, if i asked someone to lift my ha and he damaged it he would be paying for his none pro work ,not a dig at anyone just pointing out the facts
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Jul 19, 2021 22:48:54 GMT
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I would be the same, shielsy. If it was a favour from some daftie I know with a smiley front transit an only one drink drive charge on their license picking up my daily out a hedge after I'd spent all afternoon downing cider like it was my own wake then fair enough. Otherwise, if I'd spent my own hard earned overtime wages which had prevented me from being in aforementioned pub then I would hope that I'd employed a reputable firm with some source of recourse should my valuable goods be damaged in transit (sic)
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Jul 19, 2021 22:55:27 GMT
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you sound like me lol no the man has taken on a lovely project , i wish him well ,but i hope the recovery man works with him am not knocking them just hope it all works out well that s what w
h here here for ,, but then every time i reply i seem to rattle someones cage
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Jul 19, 2021 23:12:42 GMT
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You ain't rattled my cage, shielsy mate. I fear were more alike then we know. I'm as annoyed as you are that the OP has had his van damaged by some shirtless layabout cant be arsed delivery driver. I'd be annoyed as hell as I'm sure you would be. I don't want to clog this thread up with a discussion about inept people who reckon they are recovery agents. Let's agree to agree an have a virtual pint together and I wish this HA van all the very best
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I bought an HA van in the late 70's and ran it for a few years. In view of the fact that I prefer commercial vehicles to cars, this little van was perfect for getting to and from work, with local errand runs in between. I bought it for £350 and eventually off-loaded it for £250.
Smashing vehicle and gave good service. Not the quickest on the road, but got there never the less.
Well done on acquiring your van and best of luck with the refurbishment.
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glenanderson
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,353
Club RR Member Number: 64
Member is Online
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1970 Bedford HA Turboglenanderson
@glenanderson
Club Retro Rides Member 64
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Jul 20, 2021 10:28:27 GMT
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Bookmarked.
The local farm where I used to work/loiter as a schoolboy had several of these lying about. The farmer’s wife used them for ferrying eggs around and drove a succession of them until they dropped to bits. You could see the progression in livery from red GPO telephones, through “Buzby” era yellow, to grey just walking around the farm.
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My worst worry about dying is my wife selling my stuff for what I told her it cost...
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Jul 20, 2021 13:11:46 GMT
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These are ace its begging for a c20let or z20leh engine. Nice find.
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Jul 20, 2021 19:11:16 GMT
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Thanks for your comments everyone, its good to hear peoples stories of these old vans!!!! I picked up the new wheels this morning, it probably would have cost around £150 give or take for a new set of tyres for the original steels so spent a little extra getting some already banded steels with some half decent tyres (couple brand new) Got them fitted on the van, they look good but the van defiantly needs to be lowered a bit! Whilst I was there I took the drums off on all 4 corners to check the brakes, they all look good, I greased all the handbrake mechanism too. The brake pedal goes straight to the floor so I'll bleed the old brake fluid out until the fresh stuff comes through and hopefully I'll have some brakes!!!     Does anyone know the proper way to lower one of these by any chance? The rear should be fairly straight forward, just by fitting some lowering blocks and some longer U bolts, however, with the front having one leaf spring going across the car, what would be the best way? My idea at the moment would be to get the spring eyes reversed but not sure if that would work 100%. I only want a little lower, so its still practical as a van. Thanks, Matt |
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Jul 21, 2021 12:08:04 GMT
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Proton Jumbuck-deceased :-(
2005 Kia Sorento the parts hauling heap
V8 Humber Hawk
1948 Standard12 pickup SOLD
1953 Pop build (wifey's BIVA build).
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