Discussion
Considering buying a classic camper van and an Austin JU250 has come onto the market. It’s been given a new breath of life by the selling owner now just needing a few trim items to finish off. The camper can be found on the car and classic site, finished in blue and cream.
I have checked on the MOT check site and it’s lists the camper as Austin Unknown? No MOT history at all? If I were to buy this camper what actions would I need to take to bring the vehicle up to date from a legal pov, or is it best avoided. Thanks.
I have checked on the MOT check site and it’s lists the camper as Austin Unknown? No MOT history at all? If I were to buy this camper what actions would I need to take to bring the vehicle up to date from a legal pov, or is it best avoided. Thanks.
It looks very nice in the pictures but.........
I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
crankedup said:
Considering buying a classic camper van and an Austin JU250 has come onto the market. It’s been given a new breath of life by the selling owner now just needing a few trim items to finish off. The camper can be found on the car and classic site, finished in blue and cream.
I have checked on the MOT check site and it’s lists the camper as Austin Unknown? No MOT history at all? If I were to buy this camper what actions would I need to take to bring the vehicle up to date from a legal pov, or is it best avoided. Thanks.
This one?I have checked on the MOT check site and it’s lists the camper as Austin Unknown? No MOT history at all? If I were to buy this camper what actions would I need to take to bring the vehicle up to date from a legal pov, or is it best avoided. Thanks.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1042784
Can't read the plate in the crappy pics, but if it's been off the road since before 05ish, then there won't be any MOT history - it only covers the modern computerised tests. "Austin Unknown" is just what's on the V5C - it would originally have been registered with the council in whichever area (<peers> are the letters PFM? If so, it's a Chester plate, so Cheshire County Council.), and only transferred to DVLA in the early-mid 70s, when everything was centralised.
Legality-wise, it just needs to meet the regs that were in place when it was new - doesn't need "updating" in any way.
Sparky137 said:
It looks very nice in the pictures but.........
I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I spent many holidays as a kid, in this type of vehicle rented for a week by my dad. Bedford CA, Commer, Thames Atlas, VW - all of them completely overwhelmed by the weight of bodywork and asthmatic when asked to climb a gradient. They used engines taken from the makers' saloon cars, and just hadn't got the poke to accelerate or even ascend a minor hill. I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I am always amused at members of the public on game shows who want to spend their winnings on an old campervan and travel Europe. They haven't got a clue.
Thank you for advise & comments.
I am well used to ultra slow vehicles having enjoyed pre 1930’s iron for many years, used to tow a 1929 Eccles caravan with a 1928 Vauxhall until a couple of years ago!! That was SLOW.
At the moment I tow a 1934 car cruiser and my 1958 MG Magnette (I modernised) but have recently been drawn to the classic camper vans for ease. I spend many weekends at steam rallies and Country shows using the old. aravans for exhibition and accomadation. The camper would be ideal for this perhaps.
I am also considering the Commer camper van which is on car and classic web site as well. It’s double the money but has had all the work done apparently.
I am well used to ultra slow vehicles having enjoyed pre 1930’s iron for many years, used to tow a 1929 Eccles caravan with a 1928 Vauxhall until a couple of years ago!! That was SLOW.
At the moment I tow a 1934 car cruiser and my 1958 MG Magnette (I modernised) but have recently been drawn to the classic camper vans for ease. I spend many weekends at steam rallies and Country shows using the old. aravans for exhibition and accomadation. The camper would be ideal for this perhaps.
I am also considering the Commer camper van which is on car and classic web site as well. It’s double the money but has had all the work done apparently.
Join the I love commer vans group on FB. I'm on there as I have a van that I'm currently bringing up to highway speed spec. Reason I say that is because fairly often there will be a post of somebody saying "I'm thinking about selling my van" and some flirty PM's later you could have a cheap van. Also good for finding parts but Martin Maltas has most of them.
Providing the engine shop hasn't given me a bum steer, I'll be installing the Sunbeam Rapier 1725cc with Lexus 6 speed box this weekend. No more 40mph trips for me!!
Providing the engine shop hasn't given me a bum steer, I'll be installing the Sunbeam Rapier 1725cc with Lexus 6 speed box this weekend. No more 40mph trips for me!!
nicanary said:
Sparky137 said:
It looks very nice in the pictures but.........
I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I spent many holidays as a kid, in this type of vehicle rented for a week by my dad. Bedford CA, Commer, Thames Atlas, VW - all of them completely overwhelmed by the weight of bodywork and asthmatic when asked to climb a gradient. They used engines taken from the makers' saloon cars, and just hadn't got the poke to accelerate or even ascend a minor hill. I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I am always amused at members of the public on game shows who want to spend their winnings on an old campervan and travel Europe. They haven't got a clue.
dmulally said:
Join the I love commer vans group on FB. I'm on there as I have a van that I'm currently bringing up to highway speed spec. Reason I say that is because fairly often there will be a post of somebody saying "I'm thinking about selling my van" and some flirty PM's later you could have a cheap van. Also good for finding parts but Martin Maltas has most of them.
Providing the engine shop hasn't given me a bum steer, I'll be installing the Sunbeam Rapier 1725cc with Lexus 6 speed box this weekend. No more 40mph trips for me!!
Ta for that, just had a look, good site.Providing the engine shop hasn't given me a bum steer, I'll be installing the Sunbeam Rapier 1725cc with Lexus 6 speed box this weekend. No more 40mph trips for me!!
Johnspex said:
nicanary said:
Sparky137 said:
It looks very nice in the pictures but.........
I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I spent many holidays as a kid, in this type of vehicle rented for a week by my dad. Bedford CA, Commer, Thames Atlas, VW - all of them completely overwhelmed by the weight of bodywork and asthmatic when asked to climb a gradient. They used engines taken from the makers' saloon cars, and just hadn't got the poke to accelerate or even ascend a minor hill. I had a van version of one of these many years ago when I was seventeen. Get ready for a life at a maximum speed of 45mph and mpg that rarely gets out of the teens! A true cacophony of deafening noise as well.
The engine in mine was a 1600cc 'B' series that gave a massive 49 bhp so had to work VERY hard to move the thing. If you buy this probably the best thing to do is to replace the engine with a fettled MGB 1800cc version and an overdrive gearbox. At least it may then make it to 60mph and not deafen you in the process.
Quite frankly unless you just want to use it as a show vehicle I would keep well away. It's not particularly practical as a holiday camper vehicle in modern traffic.
I am always amused at members of the public on game shows who want to spend their winnings on an old campervan and travel Europe. They haven't got a clue.
nicanary said:
You're right. Old man brain fade. We used a Thames 15cwt 400E. The Atlas was marketed by Standard - the early ones had the Standard Ten engine. Just imagine the poke from that!
hehe my daily driver is a Standard 10. Great car. Has a diff that looks like two pins in a grape. The performance of these vans needs to be experienced before you buy. Growing up in NZ, my Dad bought an Austin J2 based camper in the 1970s. It had a large caravan body on the back, built with little regard to weight saving. There was some debate about the engine size - it was advertised as a 1,600, but actually was a 1,500... NZ is a lot more hilly than England, and when on holiday we had massive tailbacks behind us as we literally crawled up hills in low gear. As a teenager into cars this was maximum shame for me. On the other hand I could play cards in the back with my brother while we ambled along.
At that time the Austin JU250 was almost exotic, promising better cornering due to the wider track and longer wheelbase (I became a sad van nerd for a while). But we never got that far - Dad traded the J2 in for a new caravan, to be towed behind our Triumph 2000.
I Love these old campers, but you'd have to stay well away from motorways and major roads.
At that time the Austin JU250 was almost exotic, promising better cornering due to the wider track and longer wheelbase (I became a sad van nerd for a while). But we never got that far - Dad traded the J2 in for a new caravan, to be towed behind our Triumph 2000.
I Love these old campers, but you'd have to stay well away from motorways and major roads.
This isn't a bad group and has a few ads now and then.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345383752261522/
Steve.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345383752261522/
Steve.
Stevesmg said:
This isn't a bad group and has a few ads now and then.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345383752261522/
Steve.
Nice one, thanks.https://www.facebook.com/groups/345383752261522/
Steve.
TJS10 said:
What about this Austin J camper coming up for auction ?
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-3...
They've made a nice job of trimming the dash - https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-3...
...and no expense spared on the bog!
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