Mk2 Transits In Royal Blue / Bristol 1980s

[Newmaney]

Good morning all.

The information on this forum is really something, and I am hoping that the experience of members can assist my research.

I am after some background information about royal blue Mk2s. I am specifically interested if this was a colour that was to factory order only ? Any estimate on the number produced in this colour ?

I have also read a post on this forum where a member assigned professions to the colour of the transits (plumbers = blue, builders/electricians = red). Any views of what profession would desire a royal blue transit ? Maybe a Ford dealership's own vehicle ?

I would also be interested to hear from any members that owned or knew someone that owned a Mk2 transit in royal blue and would have/may have frequented/lived in the Bristol area in the 1980s.

Thank you for your time.

[Nordic Blue]

I'm not sure if my reply will help you at all but in '96 I bought a Y-reg mk2. It had been sprayed and the tin of paint left in the van, which said "Nordic Blue" on it, which became a running joke between me an my mates and hence my user name.

Looking at the colour on the inner panels - I would have said it was originally a kind of Royal Blue. It may have been primary blue, not sure - but if you asked me I would have said British Gas blue, which is why I think I always assumed it was an ex-British Gas van.

I bought it in the North East but I seem to remember thinking it had lived its early life in Scotland. I think I got that from the reg which started CCX - but I just looked that up now and it says Huddersfield! Wrong again!

All I know is I wish I hadn't scrapped it in '99. I was after more modern comforts and didn't have the money or expertise to get it through its next MOT but I loved it and wish I still had it......

[Altransit]

I bought a Y-reg mk2. It had been sprayed and the tin of paint left in the van, which said "Nordic Blue" on it, which became a running joke between me an my mates and hence my user name.

There was an old thread on here, where folk explained the origin of their username, and the reasons could be quite bizarre, and not at all what it seemed to be

I thought maybe there was a Norwegian bird with that name

[Nordic Blue]

There was an old thread on here, where folk explained the origin of their username, and the reasons could be quite bizarre, and not at all what it seemed to be

I thought maybe there was a Norwegian bird with that name

I think we were about 5 years ahead of Peter Kay and his annoying "garlic bread" thing but ours was Nordic Blue..... No parrots or pornography involved I'm afraid.....

[Newmaney]

I'm not sure if my reply will help you at all but in '96 I bought a Y-reg mk2. It had been sprayed and the tin of paint left in the van, which said "Nordic Blue" on it, which became a running joke between me an my mates and hence my user name.

Looking at the colour on the inner panels - I would have said it was originally a kind of Royal Blue. It may have been primary blue, not sure - but if you asked me I would have said British Gas blue, which is why I think I always assumed it was an ex-British Gas van.

I bought it in the North East but I seem to remember thinking it had lived its early life in Scotland. I think I got that from the reg which started CCX - but I just looked that up now and it says Huddersfield! Wrong again!

All I know is I wish I hadn't scrapped it in '99. I was after more modern comforts and didn't have the money or expertise to get it through its next MOT but I loved it and wish I still had it......

Thank you for your reply.

I had not considered the possiblity of people referring to Royal Blue as possibly a British Gas blue, so thank you for that.

Forum drift away from transits, but I believe General Motors had a "Nordic Blue". In the UK I think Bedford Astra vans used the "Nordic Blue" in the late 80s.

[ned]

There was an old thread on here, where folk explained the origin of their username, and the reasons could be quite bizarre, and not at all what it seemed to be

I thought maybe there was a Norwegian bird with that name

I think we were about 5 years ahead of Peter Kay and his annoying "garlic bread" thing but ours was Nordic Blue..... No parrots or pornography involved I'm afraid.....

It might be was warped mind but I see it as nor dic blue, like one of my old jokes “Norway” nor f-ing way is it, or Suffolk sorefuck - should have used lube, Norfolk no£uck - wife’s not putting out, marmite pa hopeful ect ect

[ME]

Don’t suppose it will be relevant, but the company my Dad worked for had a fleet of transits around that era. They were blue, I don’t think it was a Ford blue, it was a corporate blue of the company he worked for.

[Newmaney]

Don’t suppose it will be relevant, but the company my Dad worked for had a fleet of transits around that era. They were blue, I don’t think it was a Ford blue, it was a corporate blue of the company he worked for.

Thank you for replying.

That is interesting to know. Another variation on the blue I had not considered. I do not suppose you can remember the name of the company by any chance, or even just its location ?

[Nordic Blue]

Forum drift away from transits, but I believe General Motors had a "Nordic Blue". In the UK I think Bedford Astra vans used the "Nordic Blue" in the late 80s.

I looked it up myself a few years ago and it looks like Ford did have a Nordic Blue too, and it seemed to be around the early 80s. It's hard to tell when looking at colour charts on a computer screen but I'm not sure mine was an accurate representation of the Ford one - a bit like baby blue with some extra grey in it. Nothing like Royal Blue!

[Altransit]

Is this the blue that you're talking about?

TransitMk2GasBoard.jpg

[Nordic Blue]

I was taking the thread OT rambling on about Nordic Blue - but that looks like the colour mine was underneath and what I thought the OP was looking for.

Although, looking at that, I assume that might have started out as a white van? Mine was definitely that blue under the bonnet.

[Altransit]

I seem to recall a time when they were all blue, but can't remember if it was pre, or post, this livery

[ned]

Is this the blue that you're talking about?

TransitMk2GasBoard.jpg

I remember that livery, mostly on Sherpa vans in the ‘80’s, I remember one night in 1980 something there was this almighty bang in the early hours of the morning, we looked out of the window and 2 Sherpa gas vans were on fire in the park opposite where we lived, obviously some joy riders had had their fun and were destroying the evidence

[ned]

I was taking the thread OT rambling on about Nordic Blue.

I do apologise if I caused any offence, my mind was polluted by Mr BJT

[Nordic Blue]

I was taking the thread OT rambling on about Nordic Blue.

I do apologise if I caused any offence, my mind was polluted by Mr BJT

None taken whatsoever. I think BJT was a little before my time on here but I've read some of his posts. Totally up my (back) alley......