Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Ellis · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:53 pm Post subject: Light vans of the 1980s

If you were a single tradesman or fleet manager which light van of the 1980s would you have chosen for your own use or as support for a larger fleet?

The choice was not that extensive in fact but here are examples of what was available at that time :

The Mini Van and the Bedford HA were both at the end of their lives by 1982 and both were discontinued but still available on our list.
I am also certain that a Datsun Sunny van was for sale but I cannot find a suitable photo to post on here.

The Moskvich was sold from 1983 on but not in any great numbers but which one would you have chosen?

I would have bought the Astra Mk 1 because the car version was a pleasant car to drive and the van version was as well except in diesel engined guise.
The Mark 2 version was equally pleasant to drive but lacked the solid feel of it's predecessor but there was a better diesel engine in it.

Your choice OCC forummers.

Edir. There was a Datsun Sunny van :

Was there not also a Toyota Corolla van as well?
I am open to correction.
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BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

Bedford Astra van if I was to spend my working day in it.

Ellis · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:28 pm Post subject:

kevin2306 · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 2:16 pm Post subject:

As a young joiner, I had an ex post office escort van.
It was a hoot to drive and service.

Kevin

Rootes75 · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 10:30 pm Post subject:

My Dad had a Mk2 Astra van as his work van. He loved it, reliable and easy to work on.
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emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Ellis, there was also a Chevette van. I had one once. Bl**dy awful thing, replaced by a mk1 Astra petrol & diesel, then a mk2 Astra diesel. Also had HA Viva, Escort 1,2 & 3, minivans, and the very last of the Morris 1000 from 1972 we had was still in use in 1982.
Personal choice? Probably the Astra mk1 petrol.
But I must admit that as fleet service vehicles, I always preferred pick-ups. Easier to chuck tools, wheels, gearboxes etc in!

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Did they continue doing both Morris and Austin badged versions of the 6cwt and 8cwt right through to the end?
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emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales