Retro people carriers

[BLU]

After passing a rather cool 50's/60's Ford F100 yesterday towing a retro caravan it got me all depressed that I was driving a boring Vauxhall Zafira diesel. Now don't get me wrong its a good car and it does what its supposed to do fine, its just not old or cool

This got me thinking whats out there thats retro and could be used as or converted into a 7/8 seat MPV (barring the obvious VW camper!)

Something like this (which is perfect imho), but easier to find



Any suggestions, pics would be awesome

[Mystery Machine]

Something subtle, like a Dodge Ram van?





Carries eight adults in comfort with more room to spare than you could every really need. (think of it as having the luggage space of mid size van....WHILE carrying eight people in comfort)

[bigalan]

I looked at Zafiras and Scenics, then bought a Townace from here:-)

Reasonably old and retro, and I think it's cool:-) 7 or 8 seat versions, 2 or 4WD, petrol or diesel, manual or auto:-)

[MK2VR6]

Jul 22, 2013 16:16:51 GMT Mystery Machine said:

Something subtle, like a Dodge Ram van?

MM, what a fantastic photo. You lot are nuts!

Anyway, my contribution - I've always had a soft spot for space cruisers:

[bigalan]

Jul 22, 2013 20:54:39 GMT MK2VR6 said:

Anyway, my contribution - I've always had a soft spot for space cruisers:

My Townace would corner like that if it didn't have TEMS (electronic suspension). What you can't see in that pic is the combination of understeer, oversteer and bounce which happen seemingly all at once:-)

[dbizzle]

It's the nonchalant expressions that get me.

[bigalan]

Jul 22, 2013 21:06:20 GMT dbizzle said:

It's the nonchalant expressions that get me.

Yeah, like cornering on two wheels, with the NSF about to either pop the tyre off or dig into the road, is just the norm:-)

[doobie]

Unless I am very much mistaken the NSF wheel is the only wheel actually touching the ground....

[MK2VR6]

Judging by the expression on the passenger's face, the ageing stunt-driver has made a little bit of wee come out. At the very least.

[fred]

I really cant think Of anything cooler than the Ram for your dilemma

[composimmonite]

Transit, Bedford CA & CF, Commer FC/PA/PB, Citroen H,

[ben711200]

I do motorway miles on a daily basis. Every summer I see families in Zafiras and Galaxies and the like, luggage crammed into a tiny space in the back right up to the roof, and every single face in the car is MISERABLE. Every single time. I've never seen a happy family in a modern people carrier.

My (buy one because I've got one and love it) suggestion is a Volvo 940 (or 740, or 240 for that matter). 5 seats, or 7 if you count the two optional kiddy seats in the boot that remove most of your luggage space when in use.. familyproof, cool, reliable, bordering on retro, easy to fix, easy to make look cool..

[joem83]

Jul 22, 2013 21:06:20 GMT dbizzle said:

It's the nonchalant expressions that get me.

Chuck Norris Co-driver. Never scared!

[bigalan]

I wondered if the Spacecruiser pic was taken a split second before a horrific roll but according to the DvlA it was taxed up until 2006. Wonder if its later owners ever wondered why there were finger nail marks gouged into the passenger door handle:-)

[grifterkid]

How about a nice Mk1 Renault Espace...?! They rule the skool of cool in my eyes...

[Bioshock]

Bit morbid, but how about an old hearse or funeral car? The Mourners cars generally come with 6-8 seats in the back and the coffin bearers wouldn't take too much work
Old Volvo, Ford, Jag..

[BLU]

MM, love the pic of you lot in the Ram, awesome
Its a little toooo big for me though, uber cool though!

The space cruiser is cool too, not too sure on its handling capability though I don't like the jamp import equivalents though, the proportions are just wrong for me (sorry bigalan)

I do prefer the style where the driver sits over the front wheels a-la space cruiser/vw camper van style. Not sure its ideal for handling nor crash safety. Form over function imo

Quite like this too, fits the bill really well being a Ford fan! Again difficult to find......

[Deleted]

I'm surprised nobody yet has mentioned the Fiat Multipla. Distinctive styling, massively capable and I'm yet to see a miserable family inside of one. Old enough to be interesting, new enough to be a bit safe and economical.


Sod the fuel cost, get a Jeep Cherokee.


Really though, most people don't need an MPV, they need an estate car. There's nothing an MPV really does that a good estate car can't.

Be brave, get a Citroen CX Familiale. Get a good one and you'll never want another car. Get a bad one and you'll never want another Citroen.


Likewise the Citroen BX estate.  I can vouch for these being thoroughly awesome and a go anywhere do anything vehicle.  Get a diesel and never worry about the price at the pumps again, they barely use any fuel and some will even run on veg.


Humber Supersnipe


Triumph 2000


Ford Sierra - in fact, this one wouldn't be such a bad choice, seats 5 in comfort, bags of space in the back, good parts support because Ford and can still be got for relatively cheap. They'll also accept 4x4 stuff, Cosworth stuff and myriad wheels and suspension treats if you want to go that route with it.

[BLU]

On top of myself and the wife I have 6 kids (4 permanent and 2 temporary), an estate car isn't big enough! I need 7 seats at a bare minimum, 8 would be ideal
It would be nice to have the option, as the kids grow up, to have a car that could be converted to a camper.......

[covcourier]

I'm currently running around in this base spec GMC Safari.

Good fun if you can live with regular visits to the petrol station.