Important message for you enthusiats --- please read this

[clanforbes]

I know this is off topic and I am deliberatly posting it here as I want you guys to see and read it.

Some of you know I was the winning bidder on Ebay item no. 4623208173 - a 1979 Transit mini-bus. I went down to see the van with cash in hand ready to buy her and the wonderfully friendly couple who were selling her had aggreed to have her put in for an MOT on my behalf.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I arrived at the garage this morning at 0830 (Thursday 30/03/06) to inspect the van and I met the mechanic who has dealt with this vehicle for quite a number of years. There is one chassis outrigger which he rebuilt a couple of years ago and he showed me it. It, like the rest of the van, is immaculate. The undersealing is superb. The exhaust is brande new (well most of it) but, sadly, she wasn't the one for me. I decided against buying her because of a bit of patching which is needing done. If any of you guys are interested I'll try to describe this as best I can (forgive the laymen's teminology.)

Just to the front of the rear wheel arches is a boxlike section of the body NOT the chassis legs or any part of the chassis, these bits are what I would call the inside of the side skirts below the level of the floor pan. Hopefully you know what I mean. The nearside section is quite badly corroded and is needing replaced or repaired. This would involve removing the doorstep (which pulls out when in use) and then the section would need to be rebuilt or patched. The same section on the offside is also holed but to a much lesser degree but will need done too. I have seen some of the work most of you lads have done to your vans and I know it would be a doddle for y'all to rectify this, probably quite cheaply, but for me , who wants to use the van on a daily basis up in the highlands of Scotland in mud, snow and severe salt conditions etc, it would be a disgraceful way to treat this lovely old bus. I really am quite sad about it as this van is so sweet. I kid you not when I say I was standing right beside her and didn't even realise the engine was running until I walked behind her and felt the exhaust gases hit my trouser leg, I looked down as I thought a dog had nudged me and only then, when I really listened, did I realise the engine was running.

There was some evidence of oil on the sump which the mechanic reckons was probably from the oil pressure switch, but the switch looked like new to me, that's how clean this van is,everything looks like new, I think it might be from the sump gasket or possibly the rear oil seal but the gasket was my first thought on this.

I have since spoken to Janet and Martin on the telephone and they are quite happy for me to give out there mobile telephone number if any of you guys are interested in the van.

Rather than publish it here publicly though, please private message me and I will pass it on to you. They are a very warm and friendly pair who are only really interested in seeing Martin's father's pride and joy going to a happy home where it will be rewarded with the love and care the old gent has lavished on it for 26 years. Martin's father, I don't think they'll mind me saying, is now 92 years old and he bought this bus brand new on the 1st June 1979 (I've seen the V5.)

Lads and lassies, I kid you not, this gorgeous 1979 mini-bus conversion in the Nottingham area, is a real gem and will be a wee beauty for the right person.

Ron.

P.S. I should also add, the van passed it's mot with flying colours, these repairs are NOT structural load bearing areas.

[FredTransit]

I think you are mad! You can't seriously expect a 27 year old transit to have no rust what so ever, and from your description I think you should have gone for it. Are you a relation of madmarks?

[Luke]

heres the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 08173&rd=1

she looks a real beauty - once the metal is replaced its as good as new



why dont they just offer a second chance to the runner up bidder

[clanforbes]

Yes, I know that a certain degree is to be expected and I truely expected a lot worse than what I saw, I'm not easily fooled by patter so I was expecting a bit of a rust bucket, though having spoken to Janet and Martin on the phone I very quickly realised that they were far too decent to be con-merchants. Truely, this bus is a delight to behold and I feel it really would be a disgrace for me to buy it and run it ragged on a daily basis as a commuting vehicle through our winter weather...............infact, between you and me, I felt so bad at leaving her behind I EVEN PAID FOR THE MOT before I left the garage..talk about guilty consience jeeeeeeeeeeez.

Seriously though, I know some of you guys are passionate about your tranny's and I couldn't do the dirty on this bonnie auld bus, when one of you lucky sods will have her for years to come, it just wouldn't have been right.

Ron.

[rover]

Well I gota say I'm not interested personally, but if you want to PM me the details (address phone number etc) I will go and have a look, you did mention Nottingham right? What garage was it at? If it is local I'm quite willing to go and take some pics of the parts that need repairing so everyone here can see it.


Rover.

[rallyevo3]

I thought winning on Ebay was a binding contract.. you won it you bought it... lucky these people let you pull out....

Still thing you should buy it... not expensive and for little work will last years

Ian

[clanforbes]

Hi the garage was Rotex, which is Just off Coppice Road in Arnold, but I don't think the transit will still be there now as I am sure Martin will have taken it to his father's house by now. Please forgive me for being careful, but as you are not personally interested in the van I'd prefer it if you contacted Janet and Martin through the ad on Ebay.

Yes, a winning bid on Ebay is a binding contract but like all contracts if both parties mutually agree then it can be cancelled. I agree and abide by Ebay's rules to the hilt as I think it is a wonderful site.. I feel bad enough about having reneged on the dealas it is, and I have always said that they are a very nice, warm and friendly couple, but I thank you for your candour all the same.

Ron.

[madmark]

what are you saying fred that i am fussy??? at least one thing when people buy a van from me its a minter!

[rover]

Hi the garage was Rotex, which is Just off Coppice Road in Arnold, but I don't think the transit will still be there now as I am sure Martin will have taken it to his father's house by now. Please forgive me for being careful, but as you are not personally interested in the van I'd prefer it if you contacted Janet and Martin through the ad on Ebay.

Ron.

Well al I can say is that if anyone is interested in it then do the contacting etc yourselves and let me know if you want some pics taking, that way no-one will think I'm taking the piss!


Rover.

[Luke]

Well al I can say is that if anyone is interested in it then do the contacting etc yourselves and let me know if you want some pics taking, that way no-one will think I'm taking the piss!


Rover.

you just want an excuse to have a nosey!!

Ron - why dont you tell them to advertise in on here! it as its free and full of transit nutters!!

[madmark]

she looked a very tidy little van!

[FredTransit]

:shock: what are you saying fred that i am fussy??? at least one thing when people buy a van from me its a minter!

Yes, Mark fussy is too small a word!

[Andrew-v4]

He's not that fussy Fred, he just doesnt like driving crap

[Neil]

I think you are mad! You can't seriously expect a 27 year old transit to have no rust what so ever, and from your description I think you should have gone for it. Are you a relation of madmarks?

mine has nt