Practically Classics Forum

Grease Monkey wrote:It's got to be a Mk1 Renault Espace, fibreglass body manufactured by Matra, a real classic of its time.
John Simpson

That was going to be my suggestion. Try finding one though! Really set the trend that all the other manufacturers copied.

Some cool suggestions there, I knew it was worth asking you lot - and thanks Luxo; I lost track of the forum when you got evicted, but I'm back now! As for using the word "classic" in the thread title, I'm leaving the interpretation to the reader

Volvo/Merc/Montego/etc.: it's still a jump seat like I already have. I like them all, but it's a sideways move; a Montego Countryman D would be tempting though.

Marina Estate: we had one of those when I was younger; we had to upgrade when new baby brother made 5, as it was cramped in the back with the childseat - no way I can fit 6+ in one!

Pug 504/5, Citroen CX: If I can find one, they would be great, especially a Pug; I seem to recall it was a proper 3-row seating arrangement? I always liked them as a child.

Toyota Space Cruiser: we upgraded to one of these when the Marina got bumped by a Capri. Versatile & capable when new, most have now rusted away or died from being used as workvans Ours had a more sedentary life but still expired after a decade. I still see a couple around locally though... I'll stick it in the possibles. It was an evolution of the old Hiace minibus, which could also be a possibility.

Microbus/Land Rovers: Too cult, therefore too expensive especially for such a seldomly used vehicle.

Renault Espace: I like it, and aside from exemption it would fulfill all requirements - not seen one for ages, like the other good options; still, if they're fibreglass they shouldn't all have rusted away!

What is that 50s(?) Volvo? It's lovely.

what about a transit with seats in the back?

Espace panel work is GRP as has been said, and the chassis are Galvanised so only now starting to rot away. But as I understand it; the electrics are what sent most Espace to the crusher.

In that respect, they make Lucas' efforts look like a paragon of virtue.

rich. wrote:what about a transit with seats in the back?

Ford of a certain age, scene tax, prices creeping up & up as people buy these as a reliable, pleasant to drive alternative to a VW. Yeah, buy one now, before they've all been grabbed by fashion victims (in Barbour jackets, probably).

Good, attractive (Mk1, Mk2) Transits are already beyond me; even poor ones are a little tough because people price them based on what they see the good ones go for - there's one on CCFS at the moment that's a Mk2 1.6, over £3k, and that's just a van, so I'd have to bastardise it to fit the seats. Mk1s are even worse - if I had the cash I'd love this one on FleaBay but then, if I had the cash there's plenty of more suitable options that wouldn't need recomissioning. As for "unattractive" ones? My sister & brother-in-law have one already, and I'd rather go for something I like the look of & something that gives their kids a different (vastly improved ) ride quality. Poor things, one of them actually claimed my Allegro was more comfortable than his bed!

I've found one old-school Espace on FleaBay, doesn't seem hideous but we'll see how the price goes. I've also found this TownAce (Space Cruiser with the home market front); I've asked the owner for more info & they say it does 20 miles then the gauge goes into the red. I'm thinking failed water pump, dodgy themostat, or possibly just a misreading gauge as they don't mention the heat causing any actual problems... Worth a punt to try & fix if it stays cheap?

Also interesting, but much more of a project: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STANDARD-ENSIGN-E ... 27bad67535

A mate bought a 7 seater Land rover V8 110" in a usable, if not nice condition for £1200 a couple of months ago. Another used to have a Citroen CX25 diesel estate - lovely car with a genuine 7 seats. Someone round the corner has a Mazda Bongo, which is similar to the Toyota with lots of lovely brown velour inside. The Volvo 940 is still a good one, and OK to drive with the 2.3 Turbo engine and a Montego would be a great choice.

Anthony

You could go American - loads of space and some rhd. Chevy caprice came rhd up to 8 seats - Ford and Chevy day vans, chevy tahoe/suburban etc

Ahh a familiar topic, there were 7 people in my family including my parents and my father's solution was a Datsun 120Y. Amazing what you can fit on one of those

what about a bedford cf or later transit mk3, di diesel

alabbasi wrote:Ahh a familiar topic, there were 7 people in my family including my parents and my father's solution was a Datsun 120Y. Amazing what you can fit on one of those

And it still holds true today around Birmingham, except the weapon of choice these days is a Micra