Looking for recommendations for a Classic Van as a Daily

Looking for recommendations for a Classic Van as a Daily

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Discussion

TomRoberts99

Original Poster:

6 posts

33 months

Wednesday 2nd October
quotequote all
I am a small business owner in the UK and I am looking to purchase a van that will serve as a brand ambassador but also for transporting timber, furniture etc.

To me all modern panel vans all look the same and I find them pretty ugly. So I’m wondering if there anything out there that is usable with OK fuel economy, good brakes and can keep up with modern traffic, that also won’t break the bank – Or am I chasing rainbows here?



Seen the H conversion for Citroen Vans, but at 20 grand it's an absolute no way.



normalbloke

7,711 posts

226 months

Arlen

174 posts

174 months

Thursday 3rd October
quotequote all
normalbloke said:
You have got to be kidding.. £61000!

If £20000 for a conversion (plus the base price of a van) was a no go then this has to be the ultimate no go and they don't even exist yet.

macron

10,777 posts

173 months

Thursday 3rd October
quotequote all
How big?

Peugeot J7 reasonably priced but they're all donkeys years old and will need work.

eth2190

74 posts

8 months

Thursday 3rd October
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How about something american? e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276660659521

Jayho

2,177 posts

177 months

Thursday 3rd October
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Some sort of Japanese Kei Van / flatbed? Think Suzuki Carry is an example.

PurpleTurtle

7,592 posts

151 months

Thursday 3rd October
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I think you are possibly unicorn hunting here (much as I like the idea, I think not possible).

This looks nicely done but would be utterly dog slow: https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1630557

blue_haddock

3,866 posts

74 months

Thursday 3rd October
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Jayho said:
Some sort of Japanese Kei Van / flatbed? Think Suzuki Carry is an example.
Or a daihatsu midget.

https://algysautos.com/listings/daihatsu-midget-fo...

perfect for advertising as extremely eye catching!

samoht

6,284 posts

153 months

Thursday 3rd October
quotequote all
TomRoberts99 said:
I am a small business owner in the UK and I am looking to purchase a van that will serve as a brand ambassador but also for transporting timber, furniture etc.

To me all modern panel vans all look the same and I find them pretty ugly. So I’m wondering if there anything out there that is usable with OK fuel economy, good brakes and can keep up with modern traffic, that also won’t break the bank – Or am I chasing rainbows here?
I really doubt this exists, vans have improved a lot even over the last 30 years, modern ones are so much better than anything old.

You can have small and cute (the above-mentioned Keis, the Nissan S-Cargo, a Mini Van), but load space will be correspondingly limited.

The American suggestion is good as US vans had adequate power far before European ones did, if you were happy to feed the fuel habit of an old carb'd 5.2L V8 pushing a box through the air that's probably the closest you'll get.

A Mk1 Transit is probably the closest, the Essex V6 is probably enough poke but again will be thirsty.

What you're really seeking would be a restomod van but I'm not aware of any such.


Smooth Smith

467 posts

171 months

Friday 4th October
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VW Splitscreen van would be the obvious choice as a brand statement. They get smiles wherever you go.

Not the most reliable though, and if it still retains its original running gear, good luck navigating any sort of incline when loaded up.

samoht

6,284 posts

153 months

Friday 4th October
quotequote all
Smooth Smith said:
VW Splitscreen van would be the obvious choice as a brand statement. They get smiles wherever you go.

Not the most reliable though, and if it still retains its original running gear, good luck navigating any sort of incline when loaded up.
that's actually a good point, there are restomod VW Type 2s out there with Porsche or Subaru engine and running gear (due to the VW cult, sorry scene), which is probably the closest you'll get to a van with classic looks but acceptable performance, economy and roadholding by modern standards

Eg https://www.ddclassics.com/used/cars/volkswagen/ca...


Adwillsy

87 posts

67 months

Friday 18th October
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VW van of some sort- and get a new crate engine swapped in at the VW engine company, they build and install if required
i think they can do up to the t25 waterboxers.