Recently in vans Category

Ivan Benic has kindly sent me these pictures of his 'van' to me at Biglorryblog@googlemail.com and says: " Hi, I looked through your site and thought you might like to include my van. It started life as a 73 Chev van . body is custom built and about the only original part is the door handles  and hinges . Nothing else survived the torches, cut off wheels and welded sheet metal."

"You can see more at www.ivanbenic.com  go to Cosmic Cruiser photos At one time I had twin 350s in it---- but now runs a 454. But am looking at Detroit Diesels---that's how I wound up on your site!" And why wouldn't you Ivan? Now click through here for more... 

And you thought it was just old Volkswagen microbuses and hippies that went off to Asia and beyond? Well Bigloryblog can tell you that it's not just the oldies having fun, for word reaches me that a VW Transporter has successfully completed a 27,000 mile trip to the southern tip of India and back and to prove it here's a picture on BLB. And for a pie, what do they call that tent thing on the right?

Anyroadup it seems that Helen Simpson and Michael Broadwith set off from England in their Transporter campervan (from the specialist converter Bilbo's) and travelled through more than 30 countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, China and Pakistan without a mechnical murmur from the VW.  Then, once they reached the southern tip of India, they turned around and returned home again via various south eastern European countries, including Greece and Turkey.  A comprehensive route, blog and a gallery of stunning photos of their adventures can be viewed at www.roundtheworld2007.co.uk.

Some of the many highlights from the trip included the fantastic scenery and friendly people in the Hunza Valley in Northern Pakistan; crossing the 15,600 ft high Khunjerab Pass between China and Pakistan; camping in the van at some stunning, picturesque locations, such as Agonda Beach in Goa, India; and paying as little as 20p a litre for diesel in Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Now click through here for more...

Now you all know what one of these is don't you? That's right the Ford Transit Connect and today Biglorryblog has been pottering around the lanes of Oxfordshire in a selection of them as part of a Ford commercial vehicles event. Over dinner tonight, Ford of Britain's charming Brummie (and proud of it) press officer Anne-Marie Chatterton sets us all an anorak quiz....so see if you can get the answer.

And here's the question from Anne-Marie: "What was special about Transit Connect winning the International Van of the Year competition in 2003?" Hmmmm, that's a bit vague A-M but I'm sure BLB's anorak army are up for a quiz, especially if I tell you the prize could be more than just a pie! Now that's got you interested hasn't it? Post your answer and I'll pass them all on to Anne-Marie and we'll then choose the winner and send him (or her) the prize. Now click through for another quiz question....and for a pie this time.

After seeing all the shiny new trucks and vans at the NEC, it was sad to see this Sprinter meet an untimely end on the M40.

Back in 1972 Commercial Motor was unlucky enough to test drive the Renault 4 van (aka the Fourgon) – and here’s a picture of it taking a bend at 10mph!
Overall CM tester Trevor Longcroft was impressed by the van’s performance, although not necessarily by its appearance – stating: “It does not have a particularly attractive body shape.”
But what does impress him is the uncluttered cabin – a consequence of the Fourgon having bugger-all to clutter it up with. I think it’s safe to say that Guantanamo Bay detention camp cells have more in the way of creature comforts!

He wasn’t overly impressed with the non-cancelling indicators and the “inconsistent response to brake-pedal effort” sounded rather worrying.
But my favourite quote of all refers to the van’s handling: “Driving the unladen vehicle along stretches of derestricted road I on occasion experienced a floating sensation attributable, I think, to the soft suspension of the vehicle.”
No kidding! Check out the body roll in this photograph. Another 5mph and he would have scraped the mirror on the tarmac.
But, despite looking like crap, and having the same handling abilities as a blancmange, the Renault Fourgon did have a few positive aspects. For a start it was cheap – with an on-the-road price of £632. It also had an extremely handy roof flap for carrying oversized loads. Also, let’s not forget that dash-mounted gear lever. Thirty-odd years later and just about every van on the market has one of those.

If you think you’re an expert at spotting old commercial vehicles, then we’ve got a great competition for you.
Back in 1973 Commercial Motor ran a light van round-up – publishing a picture and spec table of almost every van on the UK market. The question is; how many are you able to recognise today?
The picture quality isn’t great, and some of the vans are in my opinion close to impossible to identify, so we’ll be giving the prize to the person who gets the most answers correct. Up for grabs is a copy of my book Roadside Relics, and collectable 500,000th Vauxhall Vivaro model. Good luck – I reckon you’ll need it.
Just email your 25 answers to will.shiers@rbi.co.uk
I'll let you know the answers and who the winner is on Monday.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Click below for the rest of the mystery photos