Diary of an Ordinary Van

[Vee4]

I just read the whole lot a good read indeed

Thanks, redcube. I'm not sure I have ever read the whole lot! It could be said that it "growed like Topsy". I will read through for the 'end of year' review which will be upon us soon enough. It just goes to show that a Transit is never ordinary ...

[AlanN]

Well you better get on to it, as that countdown is 4 hours slow for the UK

[Vee4]

Well you better get on to it, as that countdown is 4 hours slow for the UK

Well spotted! That ready reckoner is hosted by Auburn University in Alabama. I have used it for a few years because it is clear and simple and ... no adverts! Alabama is in the Central Time Zone of the USA and it is usually 6 hours behind the UK, depending on summer time changes.

I'll have to keep that in mind as the deadline approaches ... we're Alabamy Bound!

[Vee4]

This reminds me that I was planning an Ordinary Van retrospective, showing its progenitors.

Well now you've said it .......................... come on, we can't wait

Coming soon to a Forum near you ...

[Vee4]

Genesis of an Ordinary Van - Number 1 in a Series of N*

A series of occasional dips into the archives (or shoe boxes as they are more accurately known) showing some of the Ordinary Van's progenitors.

(1) Where it all began - the first set of wheels



This is a rare prototype of the Cabriolet version of the Anglia 100E which was never released to production.

Features:
(1) White (fake) leather upholstery - wipes clean in the event of an 'accident'
(2) Removable panel in the centre of the bed base - allowing use as a two-seater
(3) Rigid subframe - for enhanced stability
(4) Innovative combination of leaf and coil springs - to ensure uninterrupted slumber
(5) Brakes optional - but who needs brakes when you are ...
(6) Equipped with The Hand that Rocks option (just visible in the left of the frame)


* N is a positive integer, the value depending on how many worthwhile entries I can find.

[Vee4]

Need a new striker?

Time for a Diary update at last! Just being ordinary is a full-time job these days ...

Firstly, big respec' to Will for restoring the Forum. I thought it best to wait until it was stable again before adding more info. I'm pleased that we didn't lose any of the knowledgebase - it would be irreplaceable.

Has your striker gone missing? Is it sunning itself on a beach in Dubai when it should be busy holding your rear doors closed? For a modest fee, you can transfer one of these from Ford United FC:



The rubber pad is not sold separately, so be careful that you don't lose it.

I would have added this to my spares kit but now we can't edit previous posts ...

[Altransit]

I would have added this to my spares kit but now we can't edit previous posts ...

I was going to add it for you Mr Four, but its already there as the last item

[Vee4]

I would have added this to my spares kit but now we can't edit previous posts ...

I was going to add it for you Mr Four, but it's already there as the last item

That could mean one of two things: either, I am very forward-thinking; or, I am very forgetful! More likely, I was having a moan about the lack of editing capability ...

[Altransit]

I would like to think of it as forward thinking, as you're not noted for moaning

[Vee4]

Mid term review

Always seems to be a problem for US presidents, and they have been known to suffer from too much oil! Mid term between routine service intervals, the Ordinary Van needs some more oil:



There's still a small leak of oil from the turbo input hose but it's never enough to drip off the bottom of the engine, so I guess that oil from the crankcase breather is drawn through while the engine is running.



I added 1 litre of the Carlube 5W30, as before: viewtopic.php?p=542800#p542800, viewtopic.php?p=554443#p554443


http://www.carlube.co.uk/index.cfm?product=71

Note to self: order some more for stock ...

[Vee4]

Lost and Found Department

Did anyone lose this?



Found in the Ordinary Van's front right tyre last night. Luckily the tyre is not worn and the screw was not long enough to penetrate fully.

[roelsmits]

Lost and Found Department

Did anyone lose this?

.

I do not think so

[Vee4]

Lost and Found Department
Did anyone lose this?

I do not think so

Thanks, roelsmits. That's one of 24050 ...

[redcube]

wasn't me i lose big bits

[Vee4]

wasn't me i lose big bits

Thanks, redcube. That's two of 24050 ... no, make that 24054 - the membership is going up faster than the replies come in!

I am impressed by your new avatar picture - a great concept! Somehow combining the timeless and the ephemeral ...