Having handed over my £398.88, and signed the DVLA paperwork, I was given the keys to my very own 'M'-registered Leyland DAF 200-Series. My attempt at winning the Roadtransport.com Desperate Van Challenge.
The old owner, which had already replaced it with a three-year-old Citroen Dispatch, seemed genuinely sad to see the old Royal Mail van go. As I pulled off his drive I'm pretty sure I detected a tear in his eye, then again this could have had something to do with the cloud of exhaust fumes that he was choking on!
The eBay advert had stressed that the driver wasn't a smoker - which was great news as it meant that the torn and badly soiled seats wouldn't have any unsightly cigarette burns on them! But what the advert didn't mention was that the van definitely was a smoker - and not just a social smoker either! In fact, I'm confident that the plume of white smoke that follows this thing around is single-handedly responsible for the warm winter we're having.
Residents of Gosport can breathe again!
Other than the smoke signals, which only lasted for about ten minutes, it soon became apparent that the van was in pretty good shape mechanically.
The gearbox was absolutely perfect, as was the clutch, brakes, steering and other major components. I reckon there might well be one or two dodgy wheel bearings though - which resulted in an aircraft-like drone at speeds over 50mph. In fact it sounded distinctly like the Memphis Belle - after it had been peppered with bullets!
On the motorway I soon discovered that this van was not going to set any land speed records. All vehicles have a speed at which they feel comfortable to cruise at - and this one is around 60mph.
I couldn't find any electrical faults - which is no surprise considering that it had been owned by an electrician for the past eight years. Its original radio cassette player was working too, although I couldn't actually hear it over the cacophony of sounds coming from the engine, wheels, seats, bulkhead and dashboard.
Nearly two hours later and I was home, and without the assistance of the AA too.
Now I just need to work out what to do to it to enhance its value - please feel free to give me your serious suggestions.
I've parked it in RBI's director's car park, where I'm sure you'll agree it looks a little bit out of place.