RE: Vauxhall Astravan: Spotted

RE: Vauxhall Astravan: Spotted

Author
Discussion

Agent Orange

2,194 posts

247 months

Friday 26th April 2013
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Insurance has been a nightmare.
I can insure an RS4 Avant and TVR no probs, but you mention van and 6 points in the same sentence and they run a mile....
Try Frank Pickles.

http://www.frankpickles.co.uk/

TheJimi

25,010 posts

244 months

Friday 26th April 2013
quotequote all
JB! said:
graeme4130 said:
After reading this and then visiting their page, I just had to have it
Subsequently, after a few mails with the sellers, I took a drive down today and bought it
It's a very well engineered conversion and it generates far more grip and traction than I expected
Anyway, next job is to fit some roof bars and bolt on (very securely) a very lightweight aluminium ladder and a couple of drainpipes to really make it look less like the performance it holds
It'll embarrass some serious cars off the line and even having driven down in my 414bhp car, it still felt quick
Should be fun

Oh yeah, and due to the internal engine work, it revs to 8.5k

Edited by graeme4130 on Thursday 25th April 15:19
Ace!!!

Put up a reader's ride thread!
This. yes

What a bargain. I gave some serious thought to it myself but lack of space put paid to the idea.

I'm actually quite envious!

graeme4130

3,829 posts

182 months

Friday 26th April 2013
quotequote all
Had a few hours in the van now. Found the way it manages to find traction really impressive. First gear is, of course, 3/4 throttle and early shift, but 2nd will take full power on a decent surface
I've had some odd looks from sports car drivers and its so subtle that my mrs hasn't clicked on that it isn't just a normal van yet - although she's a little miffed as to why I need a van


Not normal van driver info ;


This week I'll source a roofrack and bolt on a super lightweight aluminium ladder and/or some drainpipe and then make up a company name for signwriting to enhance its builder van image
I can see myself having some fun in this smile

graeme4130

3,829 posts

182 months

Sunday 28th April 2013
quotequote all
Hi all
I've added all the spec and info into readers rides and I'll keep it updated there ;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Le Mans Visitor

1,119 posts

203 months

Sunday 28th April 2013
quotequote all
Anyone remember the 'Royal Nail' Escort Van - http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/car-talk/406400-mk4...

Bushi

347 posts

194 months

Sunday 28th April 2013
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
After reading this and then visiting their page, I just had to have it
Subsequently, after a few mails with the sellers, I took a drive down today and bought it
It's a very well engineered conversion and it generates far more grip and traction than I expected
Anyway, next job is to fit some roof bars and bolt on (very securely) a very lightweight aluminium ladder and a couple of drainpipes to really make it look less like the performance it holds
Edited by graeme4130 on Thursday 25th April 15:19
Nice buy, sure your aware, but, the drag of the ladder/s and pipe will be quite noticeable.

graeme4130

3,829 posts

182 months

Monday 29th April 2013
quotequote all
Le Mans Visitor said:
Anyone remember the 'Royal Nail' Escort Van - http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/car-talk/406400-mk4...
That thing is quite incredible, Is it still running ?

graeme4130

3,829 posts

182 months

Monday 29th April 2013
quotequote all
Bushi said:
graeme4130 said:
After reading this and then visiting their page, I just had to have it
Subsequently, after a few mails with the sellers, I took a drive down today and bought it
It's a very well engineered conversion and it generates far more grip and traction than I expected
Anyway, next job is to fit some roof bars and bolt on (very securely) a very lightweight aluminium ladder and a couple of drainpipes to really make it look less like the performance it holds
Edited by graeme4130 on Thursday 25th April 15:19
Nice buy, sure your aware, but, the drag of the ladder/s and pipe will be quite noticeable.
Funnily enough, I did a few drag tests today with a ladder on the roofrack of my RS4 (roof rack for van hasnt turned up yet) to see how stable it would be with a couple of jubilee clips and custom bolts and it was a little too sketchy, so I'll stick with a couple of drain pipes initially. No reason why I can't 'bullet' the tip to make it a bit more aero. Not that it matters too much as this car is more about acceleration than outright top speed

chrisw666

22,655 posts

200 months

Monday 29th April 2013
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Le Mans Visitor said:
Anyone remember the 'Royal Nail' Escort Van - http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/car-talk/406400-mk4...
That thing is quite incredible, Is it still running ?
I saw it a couple of weeks back on a transporter, couldn't catch the driver though but its still in one piece.

graeme4130

3,829 posts

182 months

Monday 29th April 2013
quotequote all
chrisw666 said:
graeme4130 said:
Le Mans Visitor said:
Anyone remember the 'Royal Nail' Escort Van - http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/car-talk/406400-mk4...
That thing is quite incredible, Is it still running ?
I saw it a couple of weeks back on a transporter, couldn't catch the driver though but its still in one piece.
I'd love to have a good look at that. it's a proper power van. Those lumps can make so much power and an old escort van weights, what, 1000kgs ?

ToothbrushMan

1,770 posts

126 months

Tuesday 25th March 2014
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graeme4130 said:
I can see myself having some fun in this smile
Cue the rolling eyes.....

Vladimir

6,917 posts

159 months

Tuesday 25th March 2014
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I love a sleeper; this is brilliant!

Pixelpeep

8,600 posts

143 months

Tuesday 25th March 2014
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not your usual 'still registered as a 1.7 diesel so cheap insurance, up to new owner to change...' advert?

FBP1

500 posts

150 months

Tuesday 25th March 2014
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How about this? A nice little early 90's 1.8 GL impreza ... with over 700bhp...



Not mine, but the guy who built now has a relatively normal looking Sierra drag car with a big block v8 in it.

Yes, he's a bit mad, but then all the best people are

Liquid Knight

15,754 posts

184 months

Wednesday 26th March 2014
quotequote all
This tread popped up at the bottom of the page today. Missed it first time around. Superb idea, well executed parts bin engineering so fair to say completely safe but...

DVLA said:
Date of Liability 01 06 2014
Date of First Registration 09 02 2002
Year of Manufacture 2002
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1598cc
CO₂ Emissions 0 g/km
Fuel Type PETROL
Export Marker N
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour BLUE
Vehicle Type Approval N1
...still a 1.6 on the log book. rolleyes

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...



Edited by Liquid Knight on Wednesday 26th March 13:04

TheJimi

25,010 posts

244 months

Wednesday 26th March 2014
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Someone on another thread coined the term "logbook police"

Does that make you the chief, LK?

Liquid Knight

15,754 posts

184 months

Wednesday 26th March 2014
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TheJimi said:
Someone on another thread coined the term "logbook police"

Does that make you the chief, LK?
Would you rather have a fellow motoring enthusiast on an open forum highlight something dodgy or would you rather buy the vehicle get stopped by the Police or VOSA and have it impounded and possibly crushed?

Not to mention the possibility of six or more points on your licence and/or a criminal record for receiving stolen goods or an accessory to the theft of a motor vehicle, if the unregistered engine is from a stolen donor vehicle.

As a collective Pistonheads is as much about looking out for one and other as it is about messing about with cars. I would personally hate to hear about someone buying a car and losing their licence as a result or worse buying a dangerous vehicle and hurting themselves or others.

I like the van, a little pricey but really well done. It's such a shame that a few minutes filling in a form and the price of a stamp has made it questionable.

eskidavies

5,376 posts

160 months

Wednesday 26th March 2014
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A company that works on my brothers car has the engine and associated bits out this are on the floor in his garage,so my bro informs me.



Super charged civic type r engine,after reading this thread ,"how much to be put in my van sir",my brother seen it and reckons it was holding its own at Combe .not sure it be practical with all my tools and plumbing kit in mind.scratchchin