Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Ellis
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 1382 Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:53 pm Post subject: Light vans of the 1980s |
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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. _________________ Starting Handle Expert
1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet |
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BigJohn
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Bedford Astra van if I was to spend my working day in it. |
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Ellis
Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 1382 Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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BigJohn wrote: | Bedford Astra van if I was to spend my working day in it. |
Which one BigJohn?
Mark 1 or Mark 2?
I am certain that I remember that the Ford Motor Company had a long argument with the British Government about the small window behind the door of the Mark 3 Escort van and they considered it as being not a van.
The point was conceded eventually in Ford's favour. _________________ Starting Handle Expert
1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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As a young joiner, I had an ex post office escort van.
It was a hoot to drive and service.
Kevin |
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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 3804 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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My Dad had a Mk2 Astra van as his work van. He loved it, reliable and easy to work on. _________________ Various Rootes Vehicles. |
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emmerson
Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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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! |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
Did they continue doing both Morris and Austin badged versions of the 6cwt and 8cwt right through to the end? _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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emmerson
Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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Penman wrote: | Hi
Did they continue doing both Morris and Austin badged versions of the 6cwt and 8cwt right through to the end? |
No, penman. The last ones were badged as Austin. The difference was in the grille and bonnet badge. I believe all the last ones were 8cwt versions. |
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