RE: Vauxhall Astravan: Spotted

[Crimp a Length!]

Astra Vans are the quickest vehicles in the world.

[Vince70]

Not a patch on its older brother the mk1 Astra van,
These still hold the land speed record

[vsonix]

Nice. I'd be tempted to put some banded steels on there...

[BMWill]

I do like sleepers, although that stanced silver 4dr E30 in the background has got me rather curious...

[Carnnoisseur]

vit4 said:

Absolutely love this sort of thing, pretty much the ultimate in sleepers and it's good to see that they haven't chavved it up either. Is the Royal Nail van still about?

o

Plus 1. Awesome effort. Very intrigued by the "Royal Nail" Van? Googling it now....

[RichieB1973]

I have vague memories from the 90's of a fiesta 1.1 popular with an RS Turbo engine. Or was that just an urban myth?

[dave stew]

mat777 said:

Yup, I think it was the ancient philosopher Clarksonius (C15th BC) who once declared "An Astramax is genuinely capable of breaking the land speed record"

Didn't they film it pushing a Lamborghini out of the way at 140?

[Crafty_]

Maybe not quite as subtle!

[anything fast]

dave stew said:

mat777 said:

Yup, I think it was the ancient philosopher Clarksonius (C15th BC) who once declared "An Astramax is genuinely capable of breaking the land speed record"

Didn't they film it pushing a Lamborghini out of the way at 140?

Was a yellow Lotus Espirit!

I remember years ago, my mate being challenged to a race by a rusty transit van, how we laughed.. right up to the point it thundered past with a whoosing dump valve and plumes of turbo smoke! It was Cossie powered!!

[Petrolhead_Rich]

I love this for the fact they have kept steel wheels and a standard looking exhaust.

Considering I currently have a knackered old astra van, this is very tempting (and may have already been thought about), although I'm thinking a RWD setup.

Reminds me of the Transit with the Supercharged Jag engine in the back, I love these because they look totally standard, once you start fiddling with the outside they just look like a boy racers wet dream from halfords!

[Theoldfm]

loudlashadjuster said:

Agent Orange said:

But... word of warning for those browsing their site. Do not look at the "Gary Ames E30 325i/v8" photo gallery. Especially do not look at the "car wash" photos.

Jesus. Mein eyes!

Oh Lordy....

[J4CKO]

I think that is the sleepiest of sleepers, cars are one thing but a very average looking Astra van on steelies, pure genius.

[rsox87]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Reminds me of the Transit with the Supercharged Jag engine in the back!

If we're on the same wavelength then you're thinking of the XJ220 powertrain development hack - which was indeed a grey transit with a twin turbo V6 on the load floor! When I was at university one of our lecturers had been the head of the development team for it, he had some fantastic stories and the photos to back them up! It's now owned by Don Law Racing (who own all the XJ220 spares etc) and turns up at Goodwood and even on a well known TV show....

[Adz The Rat]

I love that, great fun.
I hope the brakes have been upgraded to match.

[soad]

That van will surprise a few.

[Baryonyx]

HorneyMX5 said:

Focus RS powered connect? Yes please!



Nick

Whilst I do find these modded vans a good laugh, the Connect just seems a bad place to start. Far too tall, very poor balance and dire handling. At least things like the Astramax/Escort van drive like cars and have a better balance.

[dangerousbryan]

Yep, royal nail is still about. Somewhere ooop north. Running somewhere around 400 hp through 4x4 cossie running gear. Just search royal nail on YouTube.

[dangerousbryan]

Yep, royal nail is still about. Somewhere ooop north. Running somewhere around 400 hp through 4x4 cossie running gear. Just search royal nail on YouTube.

[PiperCubDriver]

Didn't Clarkson answer the question: What's the fastest vehicle in the world?
Answer: An Astramax diesel driven by a 17 year old apprentice plumber.

[NWMark]

I see this quite regularly around by me, Not quite the sleeper like the OP, but VXR engined with 335bhp.