Sick Transit

Moby Vic · 29-05-2015, 09:11 AM

The original Supervan:
https://www.facebook.com/37723375235...0/?pnref=story

You first hear the engine around 1:30.

(I can't figure out how to link directly to the video.)

ford71V8 · 29-05-2015, 10:45 AM

What a great find, never heard of this before

Moby Vic · 29-05-2015, 12:05 PM

Learn about later versions here:
http://www.rebelvanners.co.uk/SUPERVANS.htm

Vesper Martini · 29-05-2015, 12:16 PM

Nice
I heard back in the day the Transit was quicker than the cars anyway.

Made them popular with criminals

Moby Vic · 30-05-2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Nice
I heard back in the day the Transit was quicker than the cars anyway.

Made them popular with criminals

They used them quite a bit on The Sweeney, but on there they couldn't outrun a Granada.

mechanic · 30-05-2015, 10:40 AM

Certainly a lot different to the V4 rubbish we used to service in the dealerships.
Roomy van though.

blackf6 · 31-05-2015, 04:43 PM

Now that is a muscle van.

**Ratmick** · 31-05-2015, 05:10 PM

When I was in the Army in the 80's the SAS had 'modified' Transits as their tactical 'I'm going to drive through town in this nondescript van and then pull up and blow someone's door in' vehicle of choice.

They weren't your stock Transit, these had something grunty under the bonnet, fat tyres and tinted windows (plus civvie number plates, unlike all other Army vehicles).

We (as in a group of generic diggers) had to pick up a fleet of their vans from RAAF Sale and drive them back to Broadmeadows in Melbourne. We were told to drive individually and in civilian clothes as not to draw attention to the fact there was over a dozen identical specc'ed Transits (in different generic colours) on the move. AND we were told to stick within the speed limit but on the freeway we often ended up as a small convoy, until the last in line blew past the other and took off into the distance.

Must have looked...odd, especially as if I recall the number plates were consecutive

Sabantien · 31-05-2015, 06:50 PM

I'd probably still take the Patrol I saw at Lakeside a couple months ago.
Blew away nearly everything on the day.

XR Martin · 31-05-2015, 10:41 PM

Renault took the idea one step further

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTEy3sVqhw

EDManual · 01-06-2015, 08:29 PM

That Renault was crazy! Imagine that going past you accelerating at full speed!!

Kieron · 02-06-2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechanic

Certainly a lot different to the V4 rubbish we used to service in the dealerships.
Roomy van though.

What was the problems with the V4? My parents had a K reg (same year as the supervan) 2 litre V4 Transit that had been driven from Birmingham to Fremantle, thing was gutless but tough as nails.

Moby Vic · 02-06-2015, 10:22 PM

My father had a Saab Sonett III with a Ford V4. It felt fast because it rode so low.

mechanic · 03-06-2015, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

What was the problems with the V4? My parents had a K reg (same year as the supervan) 2 litre V4 Transit that had been driven from Birmingham to Fremantle, thing was gutless but tough as nails.

It's over 40 years ago now but 2 things come to mind about Transits.
A bonnet the size of a postage stamp and head gaskets on the V4's although to be fair a lot of pommy cars had heating and head gasket problems [ BMC minis and 1100's ] when used in our hot conditions.
I should think a lot of those issues have been sorted now.
The Falcon 6 went into them but they had a bit longer bonnet.
Toss up which was the worst, working on Transits with a micro bonnet or the vans with the engine beside the driver.

Kieron · 03-06-2015, 01:10 PM

Thanks mechanic, they bought it in 1975, I do recall their being a set of head gaskets in the spare parts box that sat on the roof rack so probably a known common issue. IIRC, it was essentially an Essex V6 (which itself was under the long nose pommy Trannies) with the 2 rear pots lopped off.

Tonz · 05-06-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

What was the problems with the V4? My parents had a K reg (same year as the supervan) 2 litre V4 Transit that had been driven from Birmingham to Fremantle, thing was gutless but tough as nails.

January '79 went from Grange (Adelaide) to Gawler temp around 42* trip took over 4 hours. Due to engine design fuel pump sat directly above exhaust manifold so eveytime we stopped fuel would evaporate. We finished up with 10 litre plastic drum (inside cabin) and small hose from drum to fuel pump.... come up to a set of lights and start pumping water over the fuel pump. FUN? No!

mechanic · 05-06-2015, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

January '79 went from Grange (Adelaide) to Gawler temp around 42* trip took over 4 hours. Due to engine design fuel pump sat directly above exhaust manifold so eveytime we stopped fuel would evaporate. We finished up with 10 litre plastic drum (inside cabin) and small hose from drum to fuel pump.... come up to a set of lights and start pumping water over the fuel pump. FUN? No!

Without taking the condition lightly, Alzheimers is as your signature says.
A lot of my close relatives have had this condition and all of those events are common as per your post.
Strangely at 92 years old my auntie can accurately remember all her relatives birthdates but has no idea of their names or where she is.

Tonz · 05-06-2015, 04:00 PM

I totally agree mate, it is a heavy burden to carry and to share with family members but if we let every battle weigh us down we would be crushed. There is always a lighter side to life.

My grandfather with alzheimer's around his 80's would flirt unashamedly with all young ladies and thankfully they saw the joy that it brought him. Me in my 60's is trying the same thing and thankfully the young ladies still know just a harmless ole man..

BlueOvalPrint · 05-06-2015, 04:20 PM

sic transit gloria indeed...

Kieron · 05-06-2015, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

January '79 went from Grange (Adelaide) to Gawler temp around 42* trip took over 4 hours. Due to engine design fuel pump sat directly above exhaust manifold so eveytime we stopped fuel would evaporate. We finished up with 10 litre plastic drum (inside cabin) and small hose from drum to fuel pump.... come up to a set of lights and start pumping water over the fuel pump. FUN? No!

Certainly not fun mate but I remember the fuel pump being quite high up and forwards like in this pic -

Still not clever with the radiator hose right next to it but I guess in Europe, it didn't matter.

I just remembered what failed on it, the hex shaft that drives the oil pump rounded off and the oil pump stopped turning, my mum just kept driving the thing for about 15 mins and it chewed the main and big end bearings out.