Hi ..
Because of new project my commer van mite be for sale its a 1971 autosleeper model its been slammed by 5 inch all round plus new low profile tyres all round .. Original paint plus lovley autosleeper interior sleeps 4 people ,cooker,fridge,sink, plus loads of cupboard space ..looks hard as nails going down the road ,runs lovely ..1 years mot and free tax code ..£3500 ono
Hi mate thanks for the offer but I need the money to get the other commer on the road , Body wise it's really good only bit of surface rust is on the door but everywere else is straight and clean gutters are fine plus all flutes on all the Pannels ,with commers that the first thing you look for as most have been filled with filler !
Cut coils at the front mate and the back has had the axle moved the leaf springs dropped under the axle the best way to drop commers .. Drives really sweet better than normal ..
I would like to bring it to the attention of those people reading this advert with an interest in purchasing this vehicle, that this vehicle does not match the description given above.
myself and bruce (mystery machine) went to view this vehicle today. I went along with him as I am relatively local, have previous experience of commer vans (ive owned two), and as far as I know I was the first person in the uk to lower one. I also have vast engineering experience in the building and modification of vehicles, so I believe my opinion is valid. bear in mind bruce did a 4hr drive from bristol across to come and view this vehicle on the assurance of the seller it was a good, clean, solid van, the following should be pointed out.
this is all FACT, no speculation.
in order they appear in the above post, these are the things I take issue with.
the van is not in original paint. it has been repainted.
it may have one years mot, but there is no way on earth its a legitimate one, for the reasons detailed below.
body wise, the van has excessive corrosion in all areas expected on commers.
the gutters are excessively bubbled up with rust, to the point they would easily hole if poked a bit. this is on both on the front corners of the roof, and down the A-pillars. the rear gutter section above the rear door has been replaced, but doesnt not allign with the existing gutter at either end.
the seam across below the windscreen is bubbled up with rust.
the bottom 1.5" of both cab doors is totally rotted away inside and out, and poor repairs have been effected further up the inner skins.
the long swage join down each side is bubbled up with rust, and fillered above the rear arches.
the rear inner wheelarches have rotted away where they meet the arch lip leaving a rough jagged edge when you feel up the inside, the outer fluted arch is blown out with rust and excessively and poorly fillered up, as are both rear fluted corners- this is within 12" of the rear leaf spring mount so is an MOT fail.
the cab steps are both rotten and holed, and the inner skin here is totally rotted away- this is within 12" of the seatbelt mounting points and the seat mounts, so is an MOT fail.
the lower front valance below the bumper is excessively corroded, as is the air scoop and around the starter handle hole- it is holed with rust here.
the lower edges of both rear doors are also bubbled up with rust.
we didnt both investigating the corrosion issues any further after this!!
onto the suspension.
the front suspension does have cut coils, but they are cut so much the lower A arms are in full metal on metal contact with the front suspension subframe, so much so no suspension travel is effected by standing/rocking the van on the bumper. the only movement is in the tyre sidewalls. this is an MOT failure.
the rear suspension is lowered by flipping the axle on top of the leaf springs as described, but the chassis rails are not clearanced for this, so much so the rubber bumpstops bolted to the chassis are permanently resting on the axle, so again standing on the bumper effects no suspension travel other than that allowed by the bumpstops compressing, maybe 1/2" at most. this is an MOT fail. furthermore, the uppermost two rear leaf springs on either side are welded together for the majority of their length, which totally beggars belief, and is an MOT fail.
the rest of the springpack on each side appears to be incorrectly assembled, with irregular gaping holes between leafs, and the override leafs fitted upside down.
the axle saddles have also been welded back on in the incorrect position- the prop axle of the pinion points excessively upwards, which will accelerate propshaft wear.
the engine also appears to have recently badly overheated, the entire engine bay is covered in a thick rusty water residue, with no disturbance to its covering so no evidence of any remedial work being carried out.
there are numerous other small faults we noticed, but we didnt give it a full inspection as we knew by this time we were not interested in purchasing it.
it is my opinion that this vehicle is in unsafe condition and does not have a legitimate mot certificate, as it could not have passed a test with these faults, which are long term and have not just manifested themselves.
I believe it does not match the vendors description to a very significant degree, and is ultimately a dangerously modifed vehicle unfit for use on the public road so I am posting this message to bring it to the attention of any other prospective buyers who may also have wasted journey to go view it, or were thinking of paying a deposit based on the pictures above which make it look FAR better condition than it actually is(as bruce very nearly did!)
the above facts were pointed out to the seller, who met them with denial and defiance, stating there was nothing wrong with the vehicle at all and it was as described. we then left.
