Well Its Here! My Caravan

[222s]

IMHO you really need an Amazon or 140 estate to tow your new hutch as it doesn't look right on the back of something as modern as the 740!!!!!

[alsner]

You Ol' B'stard you

Congrats mate, it does look different from the norm and in great nick for its age, the only really low point is the fabrics (DATED) but they can be replaced easily enough.

Best of luck though and enjoy

Ali

[Drew]

Not bad at all that. I don't think it is something i will ever do - i have too many kids and too little cash - but i can only imagine it is a lot of fun

[LankyTim]

Im not a massive fan of the older stuff but thats a beauty, so elegant. The view of the inside looking out of the front looks like a cockpit view from a lancaster bomber!

Make sure the chassis isnt rotten and if theres no damp (or atleast not much) then youve got yourself a bargain!

Theres one of those for sale in a field next to the M6 south just by Sandbach services. Not as nice as yours though. Hasten to add that the guy sells alot of caravans, its not just a van in a field!

[James_N]

Originally Posted by dave r

What a cracking "Tin Tent" ! I can't get over how well preserved it is for it's age. Are the "mechanicals" in as good a condition as the body and interior? These old vans have so much more charachter than the newer models.

They do have more character, i agree. This one looks so much more than just a box on wheels.

The Mechanicals are OK. it could do with a service. The brakes need slight adjustment according to the chap i bought it off, it tows VERY well.
Handbrake needs looking at as its not the best, but its all cheap enough to fix.

All in all, its pretty solid!

Originally Posted by alsner

You Ol' B'stard you

Congrats mate, it does look different from the norm and in great nick for its age, the only really low point is the fabrics (DATED) but they can be replaced easily enough.

Best of luck though and enjoy

Ali

I agree on the fabrics, thats why they are going. The seats are going to be recovered in something much nicer. The carpet is going to go also.

The object is to keep all the origional features of the van, but just bring it up to date a bit inside if that makes sense

Originally Posted by Drew

Not bad at all that. I don't think it is something i will ever do - i have too many kids and too little cash - but i can only imagine it is a lot of fun

This setup is far from expensive. Car + Caravan for £500. cant moan at that. Obviously ive spent a bit on the car in maintenance and will be spending probably double what the van cost me, but hardly expensive at all The kids might be a problem though

Originally Posted by LankyTim

Im not a massive fan of the older stuff but thats a beauty, so elegant. The view of the inside looking out of the front looks like a cockpit view from a lancaster bomber!

The front of the van is really nice, almost looks like the VW split screen vans. Coolness in every way

Originally Posted by LankyTim

Make sure the chassis isnt rotten and if theres no damp (or atleast not much) then youve got yourself a bargain!

Theres a few damp looking marks here and there, but its not actually damp. I think all it needs is a good airing out. I dont think its been used in a long time.

Originally Posted by LankyTim

Theres one of those for sale in a field next to the M6 south just by Sandbach services. Not as nice as yours though. Hasten to add that the guy sells alot of caravans, its not just a van in a field!

Might be worth a go depending on the price he wants for it. There is always demand for carlights, and they fetch VERY good money when in good/mint condition. A nice profit to be made on some of them

Thanks for all your comments so far. More welcomed, good or bad

[madder93]

After seeing the first photo I thought what the !!!!!,but after seeing the inside well its a little cracker. realy realy nice. Well done James, and you dont have to be old to own one, I had one for years, graduated to narrow boat.and believe me there is nothing more pleasant on a nice summers day. Good luck son.
Car looks good as well

Being a fully qualified designer and well know pratt of this locality I would congratulate you on a fantasic buy. Are you aware of the value when you have fully restored I think you will be very pleasantly surprised. The interior for a 30 year old van is out of this world. Hope you have many hours of restoring it Is that the original paint finish or has it had a respray during its history. I would love to see it when finished.
S80T6 2003 - V7MDA

Originally Posted by madder93

After seeing the first photo I thought what the !!!!!,but after seeing the inside well its a little cracker. realy realy nice. Well done James, and you dont have to be old to own one, I had one for years, graduated to narrow boat.and believe me there is nothing more pleasant on a nice summers day. Good luck son.
Car looks good as well

Good luck son
Stan LOL
how old are you Stan me 65 going on 30 LOL

[timway]

I would also recommend fitting some 10mm thick armour plating for when Chow does some strafing runs on you in his Mk2 Spitfire with 20mm cannons

[James_N]

Originally Posted by Alasdair Mackay

Being a fully qualified designer and well know pratt of this locality I would congratulate you on a fantasic buy. Are you aware of the value when you have fully restored I think you will be very pleasantly surprised. The interior for a 30 year old van is out of this world. Hope you have many hours of restoring it Is that the original paint finish or has it had a respray during its history. I would love to see it when finished.
S80T6 2003 - V7MDA

Hi

Thanks for your comments. Im well aware of the rarity and value of restored carlights, and carlights in general. This is why i say, that even if i have to spend upwards of £1.5k on getting it looking as perfect as i can, i can make that money back come resale time I'll be keeping an up to date log on the progress.
Its been re-painted during its life but its starting to flake off now, hence the bad need for a re-spray.
Maybe this will spur me into getting my dam website up and running again

Originally Posted by timway

I would also recommend fitting some 10mm thick armour plating for when Chow does some strafing runs on you in his Mk2 Spitfire with 20mm cannons

As Chow cant see the pictures, i wonder if i should email him the pics