classic vans, specs and ratings.

[Du1point8]

Im going to be needing a van to lug products round to different locations in London and to store extra products in whilst employees are at market stalls selling them.

So I figured I would do it with a bit of style and go retro.

Only stipulation is that its tax exempt and can carry something the size of a euro pallet or 2 that weighs in at 500kg per each euro pallet.

First thought would be a nice classic transit:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C338401

but is there anything else that would fit my criteria? In fact can the transit quite happily take that?

Also I would like something that I can uprate the security on without losing value as I really dont need it being easily nickable.

It will live outside all the time too, no heated garage for this work horse.

[CAPP0]

How much would a Thames van set you back?

[

Can you still get a Bedford CF?




Or a Commer?

Edited by CAPP0 on Monday 29th October 23:40

[s2sol]

It'll need to be a petrol if you want to use it in London, or you'll fall foul of the LEZ.

[theadman]

I'm not sure you will be able to go too retro and have a 1000kg payload with room for two Euro pallets...the Transit 120 or Bedford CF 350 both have carrying capacity in terms of space and weight, but I think you would have to go for the long wheelbase and twin rear axle in either. Old Volkswagen Transporters have the payload (just) but can't accommodate two Euro pallets and no LTs will be tax exempt (introduced in 1975). Older Merc 'Bremen' vans would do the job but not sure if any are tax exempt. Avoiding Sherpas goes without saying!

The Transit you identified is pretty much spot on and about as old as you'd want to go...anything older would be very slow and truck like as you'd then be restricted to the bigger 'forward control' models of the late '50s early '60s, with the engine in the cab between the seats. I don't think the Bedford CAs, Commer vans or Thames Traders would have the space or payload for you.

Of all of them I think the Transit is becoming the coolest. I'd avoid the 'York' diesel engine though - it's a bit of a marmite thing (some love 'em, most hate them) and driving one today would constantly remind you of how far diesel technology has come in the last 40 odd years.

Never thought an early career in vans would be useful today!

[longshot]

How about one of these lovely things...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C264376

[davepoth]

s2sol said:

It'll need to be a petrol if you want to use it in London, or you'll fall foul of the LEZ.

Will it though - I thought there was an exclusion for classic vehicles?

[Humper]

I may be wrong but im pretty sure if its used for business purposes the
tax exemption isnt valid?

[niagra]

Here are a few ebay finds - must admit to thoroughly enjoying that search, might have to get an old van!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-TRANSIT-MK1-DIESEL-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Commer-Panel-Van-PB-/170...

Going larger
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-VAN-1957-5-TON-/...

Doubt you'll get a pallet in but very cool
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Renault-Estafett...

[s2sol]

davepoth said:

Will it though - I thought there was an exclusion for classic vehicles?

Might, or might not. More than likely not going to be exempt:

Exemptions for historic and classic/niche vehicles will be considered on a case by case basis. Anyone applying for this exemption will need to submit a full business case to TfL showing their vehicles:

Should be considered as historic or classic/niche vehicles
Are essential to their business
Must be used in preference to other vehicles

[jith]

A word of warning Du1Point8.

If you jump out of a new Transit into an old 60s van you will get the shock of your life.

No power steering. A 1.7 litre V4 petrol engine which, although quite torquey, will devour fuel like a big block Yankee! It also suffered badly from blown head gaskets, stripped cam drive gears, (they were made of Tufnol, a fibre material), constant carburettor problems, noisy diffs, failing syncromesh at very low mileages, and remember it's a 4 speed.

The 2nd generation Transit with the flat front end was fitted with the 1.6 litre overhead valve engine from the Cortina, and is arguably the best engine Ford ever produced. Totally reliable, very much better on fuel and dead easy to repair. That's the one I would go for.

Do NOT touch a York diesel. It is beyond doubt the worst diesel engine ever made.

J

[Du1point8]

It would be used to do about 5 miles a weekend and not a lot more... Except for regular garage visits to get fixed.

New transit doesnt have the character of an old one, since I will need a van at some point in the next few months, Im not going to let the business partner force me to get a boring one.

[tr7v8]

I've owned lots of vans from this period. A Mk1 1966 1700V4 petrol which blew headgaskets for a hobby, but otherwise was pretty reliable. A Bedford CF Mk1 2.3 petrol which was nicer to drive than the Transit as it is independent front suspension. SOme of the spares availability was flakey in the 80's for this so I'd be careful about one now. A Commer Forward control which was awful, despite having a Rapier spec 1725 in it. An Austin J4 which was dog slow with the 1622 B series in it.

Rust wil be a major issue for old vans, keeping the Transit up to scratch was quite intensive. Brakes are a PITA as well as vans didn't get disc brakes for a while after cars did & wheel cylinders are damned expensive now. The Transit mechanicals of the period are pretty robust as they seemed to have derived from bigger small trucks.

Early Transits will be Perkins 4/108 which is a hateful lump. In fact aside from the LEZ issues I'd avoid the diesels from this period completely. All will be pretty grim, none are reliable & they'll be costly to maintain.

[LordBretSinclair]

The only classic van to have in my opinion.

Ugly as sin, slow as a snail but "mon dieu Rodney" what a statement

[Roman]

Something American like a Chevy/GMC or Dodge?

This Ford Econoline looks very tidy, is relatively young but still has the classic American Van shape:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-FORD-ECONOLINE-E250...

[na]

Du1point8 said:

It would be used to do about 5 miles a weekend and not a lot more... Except for regular garage visits to get fixed.

and most of those visits will be because it's only used about 5 miles a weekend and not a lot more

that type of use used woud be bad for a modern van but especially bad for a classic, if you can't also use it regularly during the week for much longer journeys then I'd recommend you forget getting a classic

don't shoot the messenger

[cahami]

5 Miles a week you need one of these. No tax, No insurance, No mot

[Du1point8]

cahami said:

5 Miles a week you need one of these. No tax, No insurance, No mot

yup... no security, no nothing... £7-8k worth of stock goes missing in seconds when left parked up.