Conrod's new Sundowner #3

[bambi mk 1]

(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

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

Yep Al midnight was a colour on Ford back in the day We used have a lot of mk 2 Escorts roaming about at midnight with blue jampots on the roof ,never could keep up with me though

[andz327]

Wheres the engine bay pictures???

ANDZ

[conrod]

All loaded up and ready to go. Taking the Sundowner to my panelbeater tomorrow to start the restoration on the bodywork - exciting!

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A few NOS panels to go with us on the trip too.

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[Altransit]

Bored? You?


Never

[conrod]

Bored? You?


Never

Just getting ready for the next lockdown, line a few projects up, you know!

[conrod]

My panelbeater has already made a start on the repairs. Rear valance removed, and new part sitting in place. Lower rear quarters removed, which will be replaced too. Some rust repairs to lower body sections will be required before these can be welded in, and a repair to the LH chassis rail behind the rear spring hanger, where it looks like the spring has made contact and punched it upwards! Quite excited to see it progressing already

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[blue74]

Where did you purchase your rear valance from please?
Have you used Motomobil?

[conrod]

Where did you purchase your rear valance from please?
Have you used Motomobil?

I have not used Motomobil yet. The rear valance came from Robin Walsh in Ireland from memory, (Clomoco) I have had that hanging on the wall for several years now, I bought it for another van but did not use it. They seem to be quite hard to find.

[Ralph.9]

I have a genuine rear valance in stock?

[blue74]

Thanks Ralph, not sure if my van is worthy of a NOS rear panel!

[Indianboy]

Very nice Van you have there Conrod
i must admit i'm a little jalous, i would dream to have a 4.1 liters in my MK2 RV
do you plan to swap the gearbox for a 5 speed ?
keep us update on the build
Cheers

[conrod]

Very nice Van you have there Conrod
i must admit i'm a little jalous, i would dream to have a 4.1 liters in my MK2 RV
do you plan to swap the gearbox for a 5 speed ?
keep us update on the build
Cheers

yes the 4.1 is a nice torquey engine, makes for a much more relaxed quiet cruise than a 2.0 Pinto or 2.5 Di.

I have a T5 5 speed and bellhousing which I will swap in at some point.

[conrod]

Went to panel guy's place this morning to drop some parts off, ad check on progress. This guy just amazes me every time with his sheetmetal skills!  Door steps had some rust holes in them, so he fabbed up new ones, complete wit correct swaging. Check out the detail, once painted it will be impossible to tell from original. Same goes for the chassis section which carries the LH rear spring shackle. Compare to the pic above, perfection!   It is quite nice going up there and seeing progress.   

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[Neil]

yes hes good at the job and they are getting harder to find

[conrod]

Plates arrived today

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