1988 Transit 130 LWB 3.0 Essex V6 Overdrive – Need advice

[FordinTransit]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping for some advice from people who know these vans well.

My father has owned a 1988 Ford Transit 130 LWB with the original 3.0 Essex V6 petrol engine and manual overdrive gearbox for many years.

As parts became obsolete, he bought genuine Ford replacements while they were still available. He still has the original Ford invoices for these purchases, including what he believes were the last genuine Ford replacement gearbox, overdrive gear lever and switch, and exhaust box available through the Ford parts network at the time. He also has the original Ford microfiche parts catalogue.

The van has been off the road for quite a while now and the body is rusty, but it was always kept because of its rarity and the amount of effort that went into preserving the mechanical parts.

It’s now reached the point where my parents would like to move it on. Our priority isn’t squeezing every last pound out of it—we’d much rather it went to someone who genuinely appreciates these V6 Transits than see it end up as scrap.

I’d really appreciate any advice on:

* How rare is this specification nowadays?
* Is it better to sell it complete rather than break it?
* Where would you recommend advertising it to reach genuine enthusiasts?
* Is anyone here aware of someone actively looking for one?

I’m happy to provide photographs of the van, engine, gearbox, invoices and any other details if that would help.

Many thanks

[metalworker0]

I would imagine it would be of interest .. to someone who had one already for usable spares or as an upgrade to someone wanting more performance.
The ones that are best preserved are the camper vans, so i think there will be more them left of 1988 vintage.. as they are worth a lot of money and worth the time and money improving because of that .

There is camper van section here .. maybe worth repeating your post there ..

all the best.mark

[Ralph.9]

MK3 LWB are quite rare vans now & worth restoring, I would advertise it as a package with all of the parts & you might be surprised at the interest you get. It would make a good tow vehicle for a period race or rally car. Have you any pictures of it?

[FordinTransit]

Small correction to my original post: the van is a 1989 model, not 1988.

Thanks both for the advice. We’ve now decided to sell the Transit as one complete restoration project with all the spare parts included, rather than break it.

It is now listed on eBay here:

https://ebay.io/m/u9KQHY

It is a 1989 Mk3 130 LWB twin-rear-wheel van with the 3.0 Essex V6, manual overdrive gearbox, limited-slip differential, power steering and Explosafe petrol tank. It has been SORN and stored since 2005, so it requires a major restoration, but the sale includes the accompanying spare parts, original Ford invoices and Ford microfiche catalogue.

The auction starts at £1,500 with a £2,500 Buy It Now.

Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Please feel free to pass the listing on to anyone who may be interested in restoring it.

Many thanks,

Joe

[metalworker0]

you never mentioned it had once been a camper van .. that in the title would help you out as they can be put put into a camper easier than doing a standard

all the best.mark

[V184]

that was sitting around a while before it was registered, F plate was normally mt75 2.9i

[Frag]

Built feb ‘89
Registered July ‘89

[dumper]

I remember when I was looking for the the 1990 190 there were F H and G reg all within a month of each other’s build date I think it must have been around the time of the mk3s end of production and was the last of the twin wheel van body shell before going to single rear wheel.

[V184]

Built feb ‘89
Registered July ‘89

Surprised, but its been a long time Would imagine the power steering box might be desirable to someone ? & the gearbox ? Engines were low comp, replaced a few with melted number 3 ? piston better off with the 2.0 with overdrive they used to fly , Would buy if they will throw the Sprinter motorhome in

[FordinTransit]

The van is up for a heavily discounted price on eBay because we need to shift it before moving house. You’re welcome to take a lookhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/318660934199