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Oct 10, 2007 16:00:51 GMT
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I thought I'd post up a couple of pictures of our new ride. It's one of 10 in the UK and it's a 1993 Volkswagen T3 from South Africa (known as T25 in the UK, but production at VW Germany stopped in 1990 to make way for the new T4, but VW South Africa carried on making them until 2002). These South African vans are a bit different to what you find over here. The noticeable differences are the larger side windows with more flatter bodywork and the enlarged rear air intakes for the engine. Under the rear engine cover hides something a little bit more different than the VW flat four motor, the S.A T3 was treated to 5 cylinders in-line and this one uses the 136HP 2.5i Audi engine, giving this bus a 180 KPH top speed (110 mph) and the acceleration my Avenger Tiger would have been proud of. These things drive very much like cars (a world a part from our 1969 VW Bay camper van, also from South Africa) and has very good road holding which is also helped by having lowered AVO adjustable suspension all round and it's RWD.   |
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2007 18:36:39 GMT by rmad
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Oct 10, 2007 19:07:49 GMT
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I like.... Have driven many of them as Hire cars, with every seat, and the lugguage filled, big reps, and all the curse word that goes to busines meetings, and loaded or light, these things haull ass.
The roadholding is very good as well.
I sometimes think it was the right motor, just sorry it found its way to the bus after its number was called.
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vambo
Part of things
Ratrods, Muscle Cars, Pornography and Death Metal!
Posts: 445 
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Oct 10, 2007 19:30:26 GMT
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Wicked ride, pisses all over more modern people carrying type affairs!!  |
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2007 21:25:37 GMT by vambo
1970 Hillman Avenger 1980 Datsun 240K Skyline 1992 Volvo 240 Torslanda 1992 Toyota Hilux Turbo Bizzle 1995 Volvo 850 T5  |
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oldone
Part of things
www.exile-rotorsport.com
Posts: 149
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Oct 10, 2007 20:39:25 GMT
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I like.... Have driven many of them as Hire cars, with every seat, and the lugguage filled, big reps, and all the curse word that goes to busines meetings, and loaded or light, these things haull ass. The roadholding is very good as well. I sometimes think it was the right motor, just sorry it found its way to the bus after its number was called. and tow a Venter trailer or race car trailer for 1400km with the aircon on ;D don't we all miss ol 'GUS' or 'VOLKSIE BUS' |
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2007 20:40:55 GMT by oldone
Oldone's disclaimer: "It is very difficult to convey sarcasm, humour, inuendo and other subtleties of speech over what is essentially a text-only-communication tool. please take all posts with a pinch of salt" www.oldones.co.ukwww.oldones.co.uk |
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Speedle
Posted a lot
Need a Country Rock band in the Hampshire Area? https://www.facebook.com/DirtRoadDiaryUK
Posts: 2,221
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thats really cool! and an impressive spec too! love the black wheels with the red looks very cool!
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Ruki
Part of things
Posts: 480
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Very impressive THAT is how to build an MPV.
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Nice.. I do like a nice 5-Pot.... I likes T3's I does.... this is my 2.1 Wasserboxer Multivan...  |
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Oct 11, 2007 10:50:48 GMT
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Thanks for your nice comments, good to know the old girl is appreciated for what it is. rainking: Its nice to see I'm not the only one on Retro Rides with a T3, cool bus mate, I went to look at a Carat with the same 2.1i engine, they really pull well those motors I much in impressed by it.  |
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bazzateer
Posted a lot
Imping along sans Vogue
Posts: 3,653
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Oct 11, 2007 12:42:47 GMT
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Really like it mate  Rainking - How d'you get yours to stick to the wall like that   |
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2007 12:43:36 GMT by bazzateer
1968 Singer Chamois Sport
1972 Sunbeam Imp Sport
1976 Datsun 260Z 2+2
1998 Peugeot Boxer Pilote motorhome
2003 Rover 75 1.8 Club SE (daily)
2006 MG ZT 190+ (another daily)
2007 BMW 530d Touring M Sport (tow car)
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Oct 11, 2007 12:48:20 GMT
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I used magic tyres We had a couple of Caravelle's with 1.9 wasser's before this one, and they're no slouches, but the 2.1 is a cracking motor. Our multivan took 6 people, and luggage for a week down to Wörthersee in austria this year at a steady 80/85 MPH and returned best part of 30MPG I've got some 60mm lower springs and all associated paraphernalia for it so it cures the altitude issues too - just gotta get round to fitting them! |
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Ed
Part of things
Posts: 600
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Oct 13, 2007 16:57:19 GMT
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tidy t3 ;D
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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Oct 17, 2007 18:32:37 GMT
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Had a few of these, and really like em. Had a really good opportunity to get a 91 T4 off a mate though, so got rid of my panel a couple of years ago. Would love another, but hey're getting pretty expensive now, especially the top spec models! Ho-Hum, we shall see!
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Oct 17, 2007 18:38:55 GMT
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When I was into my T25s, I would regularly dream about going and getting an SA one - I was already a big fan of the Audi 5cylinder engine from my Passat GL5. Is it better on fuel than a Wasserboxer?
It looks like a stunner.
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2007 18:55:40 GMT by rmad
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Oct 17, 2007 21:39:45 GMT
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When I was into my T25s, I would regularly dream about going and getting an SA one - I was already a big fan of the Audi 5cylinder engine from my Passat GL5. Is it better on fuel than a Wasserboxer? It looks like a stunner. I can't comment on if its better on fuel than a wasserboxer as I've never had one, this is my first T3 but I can tell you it does around 23-25 mpg around town, not sure about motorway driving yet but I can't see it being much more than that. I'd be interested is hearing how it compares on mpg though. Performance wise its very good for a VW van, surprises most people and the noise from that 5 cylinder engine when its on song is something else ;D |
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Oct 18, 2007 14:21:45 GMT
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Our old 1.9's used to return late 20's early 30's mpg (depending on weight of right foot) upwards of 80mph on the 'autobahn' would see mid 20's mpg... around 70mph would be low 30's....
the 2.1 is a little thirstier, although we returned an low 30's mpg average when we drove it to austria 6-up.
usually get around low to mid 20's around and about.
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Oct 18, 2007 14:27:17 GMT
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Really nice T3 - reminds me of my well missed Whitestar Multivan (R/R thread here [ftp]http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=1131965512&page=1[/ftp] ) With your big colour coded bumpers - any thoughts of adapting side planks to fit onto your van (think these are only available in LHD flavour?) I don't suppose as this is your first T3 you can comments on the quality of the SA build compared to a Hanover built van? |
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Last Edit: Oct 18, 2007 14:44:10 GMT by DerbyDan
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Oct 18, 2007 17:53:02 GMT
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DerbyDan I love those WhiteStar's, something about a T3 in white and the one you had looked fab . I actually inquired about one before we bought the S.A one we have. It was in London and the vendor was very unhelpful with answering questions as to when we could go and view it, anyway it ended up on ebay and sold for less than what I offered, I guess he was trying to be greedy but shot himself in the foot. The South African build quality seems very good to be honest, it has proper aircon system which runs the full length of the vans roof, very comfy seats with the driver and passenger ones having adjustable arm rests, all mod cons like power steering, electric/heated door mirrors, electric windows, four speaker sound system, rock n roll bed, seating for 8 and quite thick carpets through out. Yep, I quite like it to say the least . |
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