To those who are not familiar with the Transit Sundowner, Ford Australia built these in 1978 and 1979, and only made 140 of them. They were all fitted with Ford's new 4.1 crossflow 6 cylinder, lifted from the XC Falcon, with either a 3 speed manual or 3 speed auto bolted behind. The engine was a low comp. version, with 114hp and 200 ft.lbs, so not exactly a rocket, but still a big step up from the 2.0 Pinto with its 78hp and 109 ft.lbs. A BW78 type rear axle was fitted (same as the Falcon) with a 3.9 ratio. Stripes, "captains chairs" seats with swivelling bases, white 8 spoke wheels, truck style mirrors and full length headlining were some of the features which made it different to the regular Transits of the day.
I have been looking for one of these for a several years now,they are getting very hard to find as you can imagine, I think maybe 10-20 would remain? After paying for it, and nearly a month of waiting for a suitable sailing , it is finally about to leave Australia, bound for NZ
Yesterday, loaded up ready to leave for the port:
And today, sitting at the port waiting to be loaded up. The old boy is sitting quietly in the corner down at the Rack and Pinion, away from the new flash harrys, having a quiet pint of beer and contemplating the big voyage ahead
the ship sails on Sunday, and is due here on August 12th, looking forward to seeing it after what seems like ages:)
