Anyone recognise this van?
Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 11:35
Hi all,
been on 80-90 for a while with 3 previous t25s, but just climbed the social ladder to my first Syncro.
Here she is....
Question is - anybody know anything about her?
What I know so far is that a previous owner spent an absolute fortune (about 10 years ago) converting it for longe range expedition use, with water/gas/fuel tanks and heating system fitted at Torksey Caravans, then it went to M G Raw's garage in Lincoln, basically replacing everything that was slightly worn, ready for a two year round the world trip.
During the trip Raw's continued to send any parts needed out to them (like hoses etc to America). I know it was a 1.6TD when it left England, and it was a 1.9TD when it came back! I'm told engine was fitted in USA, and it looks to be a decent job. Certainly pulls and goes well.
The very sad end to the story is that the owners were on the last leg down through Africa, ending up in Namibia waiting for the boat home, when the guy crossed the road to get a newspaper and was tragically knocked down and killed. The van was shipped back home to UK, and that's as much as I know.
I bought it late last year with no MOT, having been resprayed but still in bits, from a guy in Gloucestershire who said he had a thick file of history for it, and a massive box of spares to go with it. Unfortunately as soon as he took the money out of my hand, he turned into a complete A-hole and didn't want to know. He refused to supply the parts or the history, and nigh on did a runner! Never will know why he behaved like that, because if he thought he should scarper because he'd ripped me off with a dodgy van he was wrong - she's a bute! I put her back together and drove her home to Grantham with no problems at all. Stuck her in for test to see what's up....just a front coil spring. That's it, not even any advisories. Wow!
Jobs left to do: Propshaft is missing, and was never supplied so I'm after one of them. Anyone got a spare?
Diff locks aren't working but I'm on the case with vac pipes et al.
Interior needs finishing - after a newer fridge coz the one in there is working but a bit rank. Seats and hitop all need retrimming.
So there we are, that's all I know so far, but if anybody has come across this motor before, you're probably on this forum, and I'd love to get a complete history together for such a unique and awesome vehicle.
Looking forward to seeing some of you at various syncro do's (when I get me prop on)
Update: Plan is to get it all done ready for Germany in April!
been on 80-90 for a while with 3 previous t25s, but just climbed the social ladder to my first Syncro.
Here she is....
Question is - anybody know anything about her?
What I know so far is that a previous owner spent an absolute fortune (about 10 years ago) converting it for longe range expedition use, with water/gas/fuel tanks and heating system fitted at Torksey Caravans, then it went to M G Raw's garage in Lincoln, basically replacing everything that was slightly worn, ready for a two year round the world trip.
During the trip Raw's continued to send any parts needed out to them (like hoses etc to America). I know it was a 1.6TD when it left England, and it was a 1.9TD when it came back! I'm told engine was fitted in USA, and it looks to be a decent job. Certainly pulls and goes well.
The very sad end to the story is that the owners were on the last leg down through Africa, ending up in Namibia waiting for the boat home, when the guy crossed the road to get a newspaper and was tragically knocked down and killed. The van was shipped back home to UK, and that's as much as I know.
I bought it late last year with no MOT, having been resprayed but still in bits, from a guy in Gloucestershire who said he had a thick file of history for it, and a massive box of spares to go with it. Unfortunately as soon as he took the money out of my hand, he turned into a complete A-hole and didn't want to know. He refused to supply the parts or the history, and nigh on did a runner! Never will know why he behaved like that, because if he thought he should scarper because he'd ripped me off with a dodgy van he was wrong - she's a bute! I put her back together and drove her home to Grantham with no problems at all. Stuck her in for test to see what's up....just a front coil spring. That's it, not even any advisories. Wow!
Jobs left to do: Propshaft is missing, and was never supplied so I'm after one of them. Anyone got a spare?
Diff locks aren't working but I'm on the case with vac pipes et al.
Interior needs finishing - after a newer fridge coz the one in there is working but a bit rank. Seats and hitop all need retrimming.
So there we are, that's all I know so far, but if anybody has come across this motor before, you're probably on this forum, and I'd love to get a complete history together for such a unique and awesome vehicle.
Looking forward to seeing some of you at various syncro do's (when I get me prop on)
Update: Plan is to get it all done ready for Germany in April!
.
