Ford Transit MK1 shell

[SamBooker]

Hi - I'm trying to get hold of (or build from parts) a Mk1 shell. Am being told I can buy all the panels except the roof, bonnet and wings - which doesn't really help me! Currently thinking I need to find someone who'll supply me with GRP replacement panels which I can put together or else someone somewhere might have a complete shell in their garden which they'd be willing to sell me - any ideas or inside information gratefully received - I'm not a Transit expert! Thanks Sam

[baconsdozen]

Smith and Deakin will supply you with wings and a bonnet.There's a link to them from my web site http://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/motorhome/transit.htm
Dunno about a roof it will have to be a scrap Mk1 or 2 or even 3.

[SamBooker]

That's a great start - just spoken to them and they can sort those pieces - thank you. So the roof is pretty much the same on a Mk1, 2 and 3?

[Luke]

Mk3 roof is different mk1 and mk2 are almost identical from the bulkhead back just minor differences mk3 is not the same!

[mk2panelvan]

Hello SamBooker,
Whats the project you are on?
Race van??

[SamBooker]

Hi mk2panelvan,

Not exactly...its for a local theatre production, so it needs to look the part but doesn't need to go!

[mk2panelvan]

Oh right, what if someone on here had a restoration one that you could take a full body mold off, it would be light in glass fibre

[mk2panelvan]

You could take a mold of my MK2 and graft a MK1 front end on I don't mind

[SamBooker]

That might be a very good way to go as I'd like to end up with the whole thing in glass fibre ideally anyway...my only worry would be damaging someone's loving restored vehicle...

[mk2panelvan]

Mine is waiting for a bit of body and paintwork, so you are more than welcome to take a mold if you need to.
Cheers and good luck

[FredTransit]

Where in the coutry are you? maybe somebody has a rolling shell you can borrow. Unless you can get a talented amatuer to reproduce a Mk1, I think it may be a bit on the expensive side as fibreglass moulding is very time consuming and threfore expensive. Our body man is brilliant and builds hotrods from scratch but I discussed making panels with him before and even at trade price it gets a bit much.

Is there a weight issue with the stage? Bear in mind even a fibreglass model could weigh a fair bit, even more than a metal shell as it's a thicker material.

[SamBooker]

that's a very kind offer mk2panelvan - if I can't find an easier route then I may well take you up on that! I'm in Norfolk though so it'd be a long way to come...

[midniteclassix]

hi ive got a mk1 minibus shell thats getting scrapped but i live in sheffield sorry but if it helps

[mk2panelvan]

Hello midniteclassix, any chance of some pic's of these trannys you have?

[FredTransit]

Hello midniteclassix, any chance of some pic's of these trannys you have?

That's one of em, on the right!