GEC Mk1 Transit on the move today

[conrod]

okay so we are going a little bit off topic, but who cares? Here is a pic of the VIN plate off my van, does this look like a British one? "UM" stamped in the SVC box, but build date box unstamped?

Conrad

[DougT]

Hi Conrad,

This info is from the 74 parts manual but it seems to make sense.

It looks like the same as the UK plate but I would say that it has been stamped in NZ

In the Serial No section you have "CL 05 UR"

"C" = Manufactured in England assembled outside England
"L" = Assembled in Wellington

"05" = Transit

"UR" means assembled in Oct 78 in Wellington

and the SVC code is the date that it (presumably the chassis excl engine axles etc) was manufactured in UK using the same code so "UM" is July 78

Does that fit with what you already know ?

Cheers

Doug

[conrod]

Hello Doug,

thanks very much for that, very interesting to hear

I suspected that Transits may have been assembled in NZ, but was never sure, so very interesting to see your response.(after a bit of googling it appears they were assembled at the Seaview plant, Wellington) From what I have seen on the roads here over the years, the range was far smaller than what you have in the UK. All vans I have seen here were the "100" SWB's, with 2.0 engine, a 5.1 diff ratio, brown or black vinyl interior, and very limited colour choice (most were white like this) Mine was first registered 21st Feb 1979, so that fits in with what you say. They must have only built these up to 1980, as the last regstered ones were 1981, and the only "phase 2" Mk2's I have seen here (I only know of 2) were private imports. As well as the 100 vans, there were also SWB chassis/cabs and LWB chassis/cabs, all fitted with the 2.0 Pinto. (no diesels) I have not seen any "custom" spec vans, or any LWB vans. The minibus was also built here, but I think they were simply converted 100 vans with rear seats added and holes cut into the sides and windows added (as they were not flush fitting) Many had engine conversions fitted by dealers, usually the Ford Australia Falcon 6 (4.1 crossflow) being fitted. Many private owners fitted Ford V8 engines to these, usually 302 or 351 ci engines, also from the Falcon.


cheers Conrad

[limitedblack]

I had a very late mk3 cortina, all genuine, but had a few odd mk4 bits on it, additionally I had a very early one, that also had unique bits only the first few thousand off the line had.

That's ford for you

[Muttley]

Ford doesn't waste anything

[FredTransit]

exactly. Thats why l believe the reports of Mk2s with V4s.....

[Neil]

ive seen a mk 2 with a v4 in

[baconsdozen]

I
(Nothing to do with Mk1s or Mk2s but I've seen a boat or two with a V4 in it and a couple of generating sets. I think the V4s were being sold for such use some years after they'd stopped being used in transits.There were some brand new ones in crates on ebay only a few years ago.

[oldyellar]

A mate of mine had a mk2 with the mk1 type screen its was a 78 so prob a kind change over thing

[Neil]

was it v4 as well

[FredTransit]

A mate of mine had a mk2 with the mk1 type screen its was a 78 so prob a kind change over thing

do you mean toighened as apposed to laminated?

[oldyellar]

A mate of mine had a mk2 with the mk1 type screen its was a 78 so prob a kind change over thing

do you mean toighened as apposed to laminated?

No I mean no rubber lugs and no place for them

[Neil]

rubber lugs or ears purely cosmetic for looks

[Neil]

could it be an Antipodean thing?

Would have been made in Langley, same as UK ones .................... wouldn't it

I am unsure whether FORD NZ assembled them here from CKD kits, as they were doing with other British Fords of the time. Date of first rego was 2/79, so was probably built 1978. How many other Mk2 owners on here have this type of screeen surround/rubber fitted? I bet I am not the only one

Conrad

ford nz produced transits from 1971 to 1980

[FredTransit]

A mate of mine had a mk2 with the mk1 type screen its was a 78 so prob a kind change over thing

do you mean toighened as apposed to laminated?

No I mean no rubber lugs and no place for them

oh I get you, so Mk1 type shell then. Never seen that! You live and learn!