FredTransit's new arrival - 1985 front line ambulance

[FredTransit]

First I would like to say a big thank you to MadMark to putting me onto this van . I won her off ebay after a nervewracking last few minutes of the auction, when it was touch and go after some Czec git started bidding against me, despite the clear statement that the auction was UK only. I closed at just under £500, which was just a bit less than I was happy to go to, I originally didn't expect to be home and in front of the computer when it ended, and to be honest I wish I wasn't cos it added years to me!!

We have decided to call her Belle, her number plate is B311 which looks like bell, and also has an ambulance connection. We will be keeping her all original (have to reistate the blue lights and sirens). The best bit is that she passed her test today (did have some welding though, but that was it), next best bit is she will be working in front of the camera by the weekend, so we will have got our money back by monday! Also, fingers crossed we get to keep the ambulance status on the VRD (cos she is), which means she is TAX EXEMPT




The original ebay pic.




Me looking pretty pleased with our new V6 toy





with her sister Alex.

*** Having trouble with bloody photobucket.

Here are the links just in case -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/Fr ... Belle2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/Fr ... /Belle.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/Fr ... /Belle.jpg

[Luke]

Nice one fred!!!
I used to have a MK2 amby like that!! i scrapped it though!! it had the steps on the bumper (which i used on my mk1-mk2 conversion) - for cleaning the windscreen apparantly! but i never worked out what the fibreglass thingys were for behind the door handles!!

[john leeman]

wELL DONE FRED WHAT A SUPER VAN, WHAT COUNTY WAS SHE FROM LOOKS GREAT, WAS IT COMPLETE,STRECHER GAS BOTTLES ETC. If your going to be taken to the hospital thats the way to go.

[madmark]

luke the thingys were to stop the paint getting scratched!

[mk2panelvan]

Nice one Fred, she looks great!

[Gunslinger]

hope the foriegn fool didnt push up the price too far, obviously you wanted her fairly quick, otherwise you could have complained to ebay or the seller and had the other bids removed

[FredTransit]

hope the foriegn fool didnt push up the price too far, obviously you wanted her fairly quick, otherwise you could have complained to ebay or the seller and had the other bids removed

Agreed, it did cross my mind but as I am due on set tomorrow it might have been cutting it a bit fine!!

She was from Humberside St John's but they had used her as a First Aid post and had put up a partition and fitted cupboards. That's all down now, other than that sadly no major equipment in the back. I am working on that though, and the 'part only calls for patient transfer, so luckily don't need too much, only seating. The director has seen her already and likes her so I will get away with a lot in the short term. A new stripe and insignia has already been ordered. I am dying to see what will happen when I get to the Post Office for the tax.

[Gunslinger]

LOL .... probably a headache, if the post office are their usual anally retentive selves

[DaiTheVan]

Fred that's fantastic - great to see her still going in original guise!

[FredTransit]

Here she is on set, rigged and ready for the camera for driving shots.



Tell me this camera is easy to ignore whilst driving.........

[dean]

nice new ambulance by the way

[FredTransit]

Forgot to mention, got the FREE TAX!! Took the VRD and MOT to the Post Office, and then the lady behind the counter took the paperwork away to her supervisor. Thought I had a fight on my hands, but it turned out it was the new style VRD that she didn't know what to do with!

Also, I have sent a pic to Adult Vid Man, and he wants to do a medical thing next!! So, when that's done, pure profit, tax is free, she's already MOT'd, and we run her on the trader's insurance so no more to pay! I do recommend this as a way to get a cheap V6 van.

[FredTransit]

Here's a night shoot pic, must get that reflective stripe replaced.........

[FredTransit]

I am actually doing a WEDDING with Belle on the 30th!!! I have had a little bit of work done to the outside, and shel will be looking smart. I will even have to wash her! I am taking the groom, not the bride though.........

[FredTransit]

The wedding went well, pulled off the road into the private drive so put on all of the blues, about twenty of the guests came out to take pics!! The bride had been tipped off though. The funniest bit was just as I was about to leave, blue lights still going, the hotel manager came out looking really worried. He hadn't been told, and thought somebody had called an ambulance!! For some reason he had completely missed that Belle is 20 years old..........

I forgot my camera, but after I met up with Gary and took these piccies.







When I was outside the A&E, somebody came up to me and asked where to register. The 80s ambulance uniform worked then.....





















Since getting her, I have had a bit of work done on the front doors, replaced the insignia and refitted the interior with 2 stretchers bough off ebay. I also sprayed the bumper grey as some fool had hand painted it with underseal for some reason. On Boxing Day I spent 3 hours t cutting her, not that you can tell form these pics as it was tipping it down!