Reunited with an old friend

[timmy201]

Looks like your link above was to his Flickr account www.flickr.com/austin_mini_van/

His last page of his thread here says he sold the in 2015 - perhaps not so coincidentally on the same day he was last logged on here
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... an/page-19

[Pandora]

Since buying the van I've still had the issue of storage I had with the A40 - the safety roof rack system prototype has had priority in the garage, leaving the van out in the drive.

This is alright in the sunshine, but I did slightly worry while I was away on holiday recently that it might get nicked / damaged, and was thinking up all sort of elaborate trestle systems, then it came to me - fit a roof rack to the mini van and stick the Transit sized platforms on top of it. Kind of obvious, but the VEPS system is quite a bit bigger than the wee van.

So all I had to do was buy a roof rack for a classic mini. Obviously I bought a period new old stock version

In all honesty, I have no plan on using it on the van when it's done, but it should help keep it in out the rain 'till I get round to the work it needs (and at this stage I plan to sell the VEPS project to fund the work on the van)

But, I did get the joy of unwrapping a NOS package to use, so I'm considering it a start!

Al

[mk1]

SORTED!

And you have found a good use for the van

[Pandora]

Absolutely no progress on the van, but with the Skoda a write off, I did buy the van a wee pal

Al

[mk1]

Nice new car Al!

Looks like that pillock crashing into you was a blessing in disguise

[Pandora]

Totally! I really should thank him!

Al

[Van13]

I’ve got a pair of rear doors spare not rotten either

[Pandora]

The GRP doors are encouragingly rust free!

Al

[sabrinal03]

Slightly off topic - but only slightly - did you see the Oxford University bright spark on Who Wants to be £££££££ who didn't know that Thunderbird 4 was used for underwater missions? Ironically mutuelles TNS, he opted for Thunderbird 5 which was as far from underwater as you can get. His lack of a fully rounded education cost him £7000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PklcIlKT2Tk

Very good choice and the thunderbird is very classy.

[IAIN]

Al, Not quite as yellow as the van but getting close. Another project to add to the list. A genuine barn find.

[Pandora]

ooh, nice! Good to know I'll get a loaner while you fix the van!

Al

[Pandora]

Now, I know you are all thinking I'm a slacker who's simply shut the door of the garage and forgotten the van is even in there under all the go karts, roof racks and garden cushions, but no!

I bought a bit for it!

A NOS period correct rev counter, as sort of almost fitted to Ferrari's of the period, apparently (if they were 4cyl...... )

Anyway, maybe one day it'll get started on it and have a working van to fit it to. Bt you don't want to rush these things.

IAIN, you've no plans to retire soon, do you?

Al

[IAIN]

IAIN, you've no plans to retire soon, do you?

Al

There's more chance of me winning the lottery than you getting that van back on the road before I retire.

PS, don't throw the box away it adds value.

[IAIN]

SNAP ! Not bad value either only £6.20 from Halfords.

[roger mcnab]

i had one of those fitted to my 750 ducati it was a good liar most of the time but it would settle down after a few miles but sometimes would explore the upper limits even though the bike was red lined at 7500 rpm but the speedo was on par with the tacho one can understand why they went to nippon denso
cheers roger mcnab

[AndyB72]

Did you pick that rev counter up on FaceBook Al, I had a pop at it but the seller wouldn't post. I fitted one exactly the same to my Innocenti Mini, very nice and a change from Smiths.

[Pandora]

Yup, that's the one. I'd love to say I drove overnight to Bristol to collect it, but he decided in the end that he could post it.

Al

[finchy533]

SNAP ! Not bad value either only £6.20 from Halfords.

6.20? They saw you coming!

[bpirie1000]

Lack of updates here.
I have a willow green van 1961 if you still need pics..

[Pandora]

yeah, it has rather gone onto the back burner unfortunately.

Saving the pennies.....

Al