Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[pigtin]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t103/donthebat/montysvan.jpg

Another confection from the 'Late Great' Monty Mason: I was offered the remains of a 10/4 saloon by a 'shifty' character down on Romney Marsh in 1987. But he had strange ideas about the value of such things and to cut a long story short Monty eventually bought it off him for less than I had offered.

Using some of the contents of his huge and rambling shed he constructed this van, as with all Monty's 10/4s it had a BMC 'a' series engine and gearbox fitted. Sadly, it is rumoured, it has gone to someone who wants to fit a V8 engine to it.

[Old-Nail]

Sad to hear of its fate pigtin but that's a great photo you posted.

[Job-Rated]

Well, it's a little difficult sitting on the fence here....

I suppose I could say my excuse is 'that's the way she was
when I bought her', but I'm afraid I've also been inducted into the
'hot rod' fraternity through no fault of my own. Other than the fact
that the truck was too good looking to resist.
I suppose I can console myself that it wasn't me that chopped 4"
out of the roof & dropped a V8 into her chest cavity.
I considered the purist route, but couldn't find anything available
to sate that desire. Particularly, a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS.
I really hope I'm forgiven.
I shall try to make it up to you all by ensuring she looks even better
when she's done.
Which, incidentally, shouldn't be long now.

NB. There is a fairly good argument for the retro rod idea, though.
A modern power plant & running gear can work out cheaper than a
full restoration in many cases.

[pigtin]

I am the last person that should object to such things, having 'shoe-horned' 40 throbbing bhp of Reiant 850cc engine into my austin 7 special.

[Old-Nail]

When I see a derelict car in a field somewhere in America I can understand the desire to customise it and give it a new, if different lease of life.

Doing that usually makes something interesting out of a vehicle that would perhaps most likely have rotted into the ground anyway.

THE big no-no for me is to take a standard classic in good condition and THEN customise it, that's just not cricket old chap.

[pigtin]

Agree entirely, but what always mystifies me are people that put "Go faster" mods on 60s and 70s MCBs, Midgets, and cars of that ilk. They still will not see off the most humble of modern family cars and they probably have compromised the reliability. I do not, of course, include enthusiasts who use them in track and rally events.

Someone is bound to disagree with me on that, maybe there is some point I have missed?

Don.

[Job-Rated]

They sometimes sacrifice safety for looks, too!

[pigtin]

Good news, I would appear that I was misinformed about the fate of the 10/4 van. Its new owner has it on-the-road and is even talking about returning it to original with a 10/4 engine, so apologies for any slur on his character.