Transit vans, the first ones.

Yesterday on a program called For The Love of Cars on the Velocity channel, Ant fixed up a 60' s model of the first Transit by name vans in the UK and restored it to better than new.

As an historical piece, it was interesting to see where the usefulness of vans first came into being and set the pace for other manufacturers to produce their own before Ford, Chevy, or Dodge jumped on the bandwagon.

VW might have had vans around that time too, but I think the Transits were the first. My first vehicle was a 63 VW transporter in 67. A true gutless wonder with 36 hp and a death trap if hit anything head-on. My parents hated that thing for its crushable front end. And the heater, well, it was barely existent. I remember closing up the heater boxes on the rear end of the motor to force a little more hot air into the front seat area. I would wall that up to save what heat did come through there. It was a cold joke on anyone who owned one.

The memories off what went down in that thing are mine to savor.

Enjoy the Transit program if you can find it repeating on the Velocity channel in the next couple of days. For van lovers, it is a treat. Thanks to all here.
 
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lindenengineering

Well-known member
Yes i remember them in the UK as an apprentice.
They had a Taunes based V4 engine in them in "them days" and the big issue was the fibre half time pinion in the timing case. Occasionally some plug in the front end of the block would drop out and the oil pressure would be abruptly lost--yes causing crank lock up!
They actually were a huge leap forward from what was out there in the competition.
Lets see!
BMC LD van in both diesel & gasoline !
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...Z7YPaAhUU3mMKHcjiDxAQsAQIKQ&biw=1902&bih=1040

Standard Triumph Van 15
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...C7YPaAhUD3WMKHUDAC5QQsAQIKQ&biw=1902&bih=1040

Vauxhall Bedford 1500 van
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...w7YPaAhVVVWMKHZ2rCAIQsAQIKQ&biw=1902&bih=1040

The Commer Cob Van
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/commer-van.html

The Trojan Van
https://www.google.com/search?q=tro...e.1.69i57j0.6988j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

And I must include my favorite chuggabug van as hard up student!
The "De" Jowett Bradford van!:thumbup: Reggae man on the Danset record player ! :thumbup:
Me and my Jamaican girlfriend Elian went all over Southern England in that two cylinder POS!
Mattress in the back & go any place any time Maaan!
https://www.pinterest.com/graemefduncan/bradford-jowett-van/
Dennis
 

owner

Oz '03 316CDI LWB ex-Ambo Patient Transport
Dennis, I'm quite frankly shocked you would omit the 1960 onwards mini van from your list...


It was my first car. I think mine was a 1967 model still going strong in the late 80's when I got it. Twin 13/4 SUs on a 1340cc with a head ported to within an inch of its life. All still on the rubber cross UJ's lol. That thing would haul. Mine was an "Estate" model rather than the van. Only difference was it had sliding side windows and a fold down rear seat. It was just long enough to sleep 2 in comfort with the front seats flipped up. Great times were had. I fitted 8 people and a keg of beer in it once - and immediately broke 2 teeth off reverse gear when driving out of our driveway. It sounded like a train when reversing after that lol.

Its a great series "For the Love of Cars" I fully recommend it. I like it because it goes into a bit of detail about the problems that the particular car has, and how to fix them properly using modern techniques/gear.
 
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lindenengineering

Well-known member
Oh the countryman style mini--well I had several Mini cars, my first was a duo tone blue 1962 model.

As a funny way back when in Blighty I used to work at the local council repair shops.
To get there in the morning rush you took the ring road and went around several tight roundabouts. This one at St Barnabas had lane segregation to aid flow.
A bloke in a red mini like yours would just go flying through the roundabout every morning in the wrong lane cutting everyone off doing his Brit follow the the queue routine.

Of course this would start the beep beep --flash flash beep beep routine by those following the rules! Then as if automatic a false arm doing the Churchill V Eff Awf Mate would come out of that flip air vent on the roof with one or two hoistings; then disappear before he sped off down Cole Avenue. I used to look, forward to seeing that spectacle every morning, hoping I could time my arrival at the same time! Made a boring ride to work funny!
Cheers Dennis
 

owner

Oz '03 316CDI LWB ex-Ambo Patient Transport
Thanks Dennis. I knew you would have at least one anecdote about minis, and a mini van no less! Love your work.
 

lindenengineering

Well-known member
Thanks Dennis. I knew you would have at least one anecdote about minis, and a mini van no less! Love your work.
Owner
Working for British Leyland Truck & Bus Div for 14 years I have PLENTY of anecdotal stories.
Some of the best are from your part of the world and my one and only visit for a truck trade show & exhibition. The blokes (Truckers) from Queensland & Northern Territories were absolutely bloody crazy!:lol:
Dennis
 

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