RE: Mini Van: Spotted

[CooperD]

Used to drive a Black Mini Van when I was in RAF. Had to take the post to a town several miles away each day. I used to enjoy driving it then they brought in the Metro vans.

[soad]

WJNB said:

I suppose that mattress is going to be dumped in a lay-by somewhere, can't think of another reason you'd want a mattress in that van.

Could work for going to a festival...

[spaximus]

I had a mini van, swapped it for a compressor tank, it was red with a Starsky and Hutch stripe. It was just a stop gap but that was one of the most fun cars I ever had, made people laugh and cost peanuts to run.

Now a lot of people are struggling to see where £45k has gone. If he has paid specialist then a top notch A series engine from a reputable engine tuner can easily cost £15k with race engine like in the Jordan race A40's the thick end of £35k.

A top notch body repair and paint job can easily run away with £15k etc.

Is it value probably not at the asking price maybe okay for the right person, it is the same insanity that see's VW campers going for £50k

[TVR Sagaris]

Charlie Croker mk2 said:

This was mine , 1972 - 74 . No longer on the DVLA DB

That is a bloody cool photo.

A Mini pickup is on my lottery-win car list.

[Charlie Croker mk2]

This was the same van "MND567G" registered Manchester April 1969 Cost £180 in 1972 as a one owner total standard van .

[BIRMA]

DoctorX said:

There’s something very cool about a minivan. Even the recent one was a desirable thing, not seen many around though.

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.
They are quick too because there is hardly any weight to them. I've tuned/upgraded mine or at least had it done by people more talented at that sort of thing than me. Currently over 150 BHP K&N air filter, re-map, active/GPS based Tein EDFC coilover system, bigger discs all round with 6 pot fronts 4 pot rears also had to fit wider wheel arches too that give it a more purposeful stance. Just put the summer tyres/wheels on too. I quite like the old old bill blue as well, loading area is very small but I can just about get my 1/6th scale Armortek tank and ramps in the back.

Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 10th April 16:14

[Kolbenkopp]

BIRMA said:

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.

That looks neat indeed, best looking modern Mini so far IMVHO. What bothers me (silly I know) is that I read somewhere they just painted the rear panels and it is actually glass in there. Is that true?

[Who me ?]

Reminds me my old suffix H van with polystyrene sound sound proofing in the rear and a carpet on top. .Swimbo loved that van ( for more than one reason .Formica dash with ammeter and oil pressure gauge on either side of speedo ,and it was complete,. Apart from radio under dash and then it was a LOVE MACHINE. We sat in the van many times as many couples did and cuddled for hours. One addition was a extension to the exhaust , from an old an old vacuum cleaner to extend the exhaust pipe as we found fumes coming in .

[BIRMA]

Kolbenkopp said:

BIRMA said:

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.

That looks neat indeed, best looking modern Mini so far IMVHO. What bothers me (silly I know) is that I read somewhere they just painted the rear panels and it is actually glass in there. Is that true?

You're right it looks like they are sprayed glass, it is covered on the inside with proper headlining type materials though. I do remember reading somewhere that they were glass but never really worried too much about it.

[annodomini2]

BIRMA said:

Kolbenkopp said:

BIRMA said:

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.

That looks neat indeed, best looking modern Mini so far IMVHO. What bothers me (silly I know) is that I read somewhere they just painted the rear panels and it is actually glass in there. Is that true?

You're right it looks like they are sprayed glass, it is covered on the inside with proper headlining type materials though. I do remember reading somewhere that they were glass but never really worried too much about it.

Will be for type approval, if the glass is a structural component they'll probably have to re-do the crash tests if they changed it to metal.

[BIRMA]

annodomini2 said:

BIRMA said:

Kolbenkopp said:

BIRMA said:

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.

That looks neat indeed, best looking modern Mini so far IMVHO. What bothers me (silly I know) is that I read somewhere they just painted the rear panels and it is actually glass in there. Is that true?

You're right it looks like they are sprayed glass, it is covered on the inside with proper headlining type materials though. I do remember reading somewhere that they were glass but never really worried too much about it.

Will be for type approval, if the glass is a structural component they'll probably have to re-do the crash tests if they changed it to metal.

Good point.

[carinaman]

BIRMA said:

DoctorX said:

There’s something very cool about a minivan. Even the recent one was a desirable thing, not seen many around though.

I've really got to like my Clubvan which is the modern re-creation of the Minivan it's not too big either as some of the modern mini's look as if someone has over-inflated them.
They are quick too because there is hardly any weight to them. I've tuned/upgraded mine or at least had it done by people more talented at that sort of thing than me. Currently over 150 BHP K&N air filter, re-map, active/GPS based Tein EDFC coilover system, bigger discs all round with 6 pot fronts 4 pot rears also had to fit wider wheel arches too that give it a more purposeful stance. Just put the summer tyres/wheels on too. I quite like the old old bill blue as well, loading area is very small but I can just about get my 1/6th scale Armortek tank and ramps in the back.

Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 10th April 16:14

I love Ice Blue.

[carinaman]

There's a red Mini 95 on eBay for those that want to build their own.