*NOW BOOKED FOR 2024* Transitmania 15 @ Santa Pod 19th to 21st July 2024 *ALL DETAILS HERE*


Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Transit Mk1 & 2 Forum. All Transits 1965 - 1986

Moderator: Luke

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Neil » Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:17 pm

bambi mk 1 wrote:
Neil wrote:cool door mirrors 8) 8) think I got a pair somewhere

Are you another Vandelazyman using them for Christmas tree decorations :wink: :?:

no it might look a bit daft with more than 1 pair on
Neil v6
Neil
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 5921
Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 5:09 pm
Location: Preston

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:49 pm

Neil wrote:
bambi mk 1 wrote:
Neil wrote:cool door mirrors 8) 8) think I got a pair somewhere

Are you another Vandelazyman using them for Christmas tree decorations :wink: :?:

no it might look a bit daft with more than 1 pair on


Hahaa! Yep you might have a point there! :lol:
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Neil » Fri Dec 06, 2019 7:21 pm

have a look on American ebay under vintage van mirrors as they sometimes come for sale on there
Neil v6
Neil
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 5921
Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 5:09 pm
Location: Preston

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Sun Dec 08, 2019 11:41 pm

Neil wrote:have a look on American ebay under vintage van mirrors as they sometimes come for sale on there


thanks Neil, good idea, I will try that :)
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:28 pm

van now starts, runs and rives, and is ready to ship. It had no keys, so I sent the workshop a key and barrel out of one of my other vans to install. The fuel tank had a large hole in it, so after a short discussion a temporary solution was found, to allow the van to be driven on to a car transporter, and subsequently the RORO ferry. It also needed a new battery, and carb kit. Talking to the guy who did the work, he reckons it is in quite good condition with no visible rust.:) I should see it around mid January, can't wait! :)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby ColinJack » Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:50 pm

conrod wrote:I couldn't help myself! This came up at an auction 2 weeks ago, and I had to have a crack at it.

The van itself is a July 1978 build, so very early build as far as Sundowners go, I know of only 1 other July 1978 build, which is a yellow van which I think was the one used in all of the advertisements and a few magazine features. It was built as an auto, but has been converted to a manual at some point. The kicker for me is that it is in a colour I have never seen before, and with blue stripes, which again I have never seen before on a Sundowner. So of the 25 remaining Sundowners which I have records of, that makes this one a bit of a Unicorn :)

The downside (and it is a big one!) is that it is in Tasmania, and has no keys, so does not start, run and drive! For those of you who don't know where Tasmania is, look at a map of Australia. Then look down off the south-east coast, and it is a small island off the bottom. Which makes it a logistical nightmare to get it back to NZ. So needless to say, I bought the damn thing. I had it picked up and transported to an auto sparky, where it is at the moment. He is getting an ignition key cut, and will then attempt to fire it up. The fuel tank has a gaping big hole in it, so he is going to strap a 5L jerry can in the engine bay, and run a hose to the fuel pump. It needs to be able to be driven on to a transporter, as well as the RORO ferry for the trip to NZ.

That is the story so far!

And a few pics, to prove it did happen! :)
Looks pretty good. Key question - what is it like underneath?
1990 Mk3 Reimo Camper
1980 Mk2 Holdsworth Camper
I don't regret growing old - it is a privilege denied to many.
The Journey is the Reward. (Chinese Proverb)
User avatar
ColinJack
MK3 Massive
 
Posts: 1334
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:09 pm

ColinJack wrote:Looks pretty good. Key question - what is it like underneath?


I don't know, hopefully okay! The other 2 I bought from Oz have been mint underneath. Dry climate, and no salt on the roads in winter.
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby ColinJack » Sun Dec 22, 2019 11:07 am

conrod wrote:
ColinJack wrote:Looks pretty good. Key question - what is it like underneath?


I don't know, hopefully okay! The other 2 I bought from Oz have been mint underneath. Dry climate, and no salt on the roads in winter.
Hopefully the same - Tasmania is a bit smaller and further south but it looks like it has been parked in a shed or something for a while so will probably be really good. This is going to be an interesting thread methinks.
1990 Mk3 Reimo Camper
1980 Mk2 Holdsworth Camper
I don't regret growing old - it is a privilege denied to many.
The Journey is the Reward. (Chinese Proverb)
User avatar
ColinJack
MK3 Massive
 
Posts: 1334
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:02 pm

"New" van finally arrived today, 2 1/2 months after buying it! First impressions are good. It is very original, and has very little rust. 3 speed gearbox frequently jams in or out of gear, making it rather difficult to shift around! Lots of other little problems. But overall very pleased with it :) Will give it a clean up in next few days, and rip out all of the "plumbers fitout" in the back.
2020-02-05 16.14.00.jpg

2020-02-05 16.11.12.jpg

20200107_153257.jpg

2020-02-05 17.00.42.jpg

2020-02-05 16.55.56.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Neil » Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:16 pm

8) 8)
Neil v6
Neil
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 5921
Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 5:09 pm
Location: Preston

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Altransit » Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:31 pm

It looks mighty fine 8) :D
1994 Mk4 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (R.I.P.)
1997 Mk5 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (Gone, but not forgotten!)
2004 Mk6 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.0 TDDi - Vantunered (Also gone)
2008 Mk7 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.2 TDCi - Also Vantunered
User avatar
Altransit
Site Moderator
 
Posts: 40198
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:23 am
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:11 am

I have "deshelved" the rear, and given it a good clean. Carb has some issues, so I nicked one off my other van until I get it fully sorted. Tidied up and repaired some of the wiring, starting and charging systems work much better now :)

Gear selection was really bad, so I removed the shifter, repaired it by welding up the worn parts and machining back, and it now selects gears really well.(3 speed manual!)

I gave it a machine polish, and it came up rather nice. It is the original colour called "Midnight Blue" and I think it looks quite good :)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Altransit » Wed Feb 26, 2020 1:05 pm

conrod wrote:Gear selection was really bad, so I removed the shifter, repaired it by welding up the worn parts and machining back, and it now selects gears really well.(3 speed manual!)

Really? I thought that 3 speed boxes died out before the Transit was in production :? My dad's '64 Zodiac had a 4 speed column change :wink:

conrod wrote: I gave it a machine polish, and it came up rather nice. It is the original colour called "Midnight Blue" and I think it looks quite good :)

That was the colour of our Corsair 2000E 8)


All looking good buddy :D
1994 Mk4 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (R.I.P.)
1997 Mk5 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (Gone, but not forgotten!)
2004 Mk6 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.0 TDDi - Vantunered (Also gone)
2008 Mk7 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.2 TDCi - Also Vantunered
User avatar
Altransit
Site Moderator
 
Posts: 40198
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:23 am
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby conrod » Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:19 pm

Altransit wrote:
conrod wrote:Gear selection was really bad, so I removed the shifter, repaired it by welding up the worn parts and machining back, and it now selects gears really well.(3 speed manual!)

Really? I thought that 3 speed boxes died out before the Transit was in production :? My dad's '64 Zodiac had a 4 speed column change :wink:

conrod wrote: I gave it a machine polish, and it came up rather nice. It is the original colour called "Midnight Blue" and I think it looks quite good :)

That was the colour of our Corsair 2000E 8)


All looking good buddy :D


Yep the 3 speed was a Borg Warner box, also used in the 1970's and 1980's Falcons. Both of my other Aussie vans have been converted to T5 5 speed. Much better!.....

Interesting, I thought Midnight Blue was an Australian Ford colour! Only time I have seen it on a Transit, and only Sundowner I have ever seen with blue stripes :)
User avatar
conrod
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 922
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:43 pm
Location: new zealand

Re: Conrod's new Sundowner #3

Postby Altransit » Wed Feb 26, 2020 8:33 pm

conrod wrote:
conrod wrote:(3 speed manual!)


Yep the 3 speed was a Borg Warner box, also used in the 1970's and 1980's Falcons. Both of my other Aussie vans have been converted to T5 5 speed. Much better!.....

Interesting, I thought Midnight Blue was an Australian Ford colour! Only time I have seen it on a Transit, and only Sundowner I have ever seen with blue stripes :)

OK you confused me with the 3 speed manual part :? Of course an autobox of that era would be a (BW35?) 3 speed :roll: :oops:

I was fairly certain that the colour was Midnight Blue, I used many aerosol cans with (I thought) that name on the lid, for running rust repairs, but it was 50 years ago, so possibly it was something similar :P
1994 Mk4 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (R.I.P.)
1997 Mk5 SWB 115 Minibus 70ps Di (Gone, but not forgotten!)
2004 Mk6 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.0 TDDi - Vantunered (Also gone)
2008 Mk7 SWB T280 Medium Roof 85PS 2.2 TDCi - Also Vantunered
User avatar
Altransit
Site Moderator
 
Posts: 40198
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:23 am
Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK

PreviousNext

Return to Mk 1 & 2



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.