|
|
Jul 19, 2015 18:37:19 GMT
|
Most people don't see retro or interesting or different they simply see old, and with the op's budget likely tatty as well.
There was a time when trades with flash or even new vans were eyed with suspicion however in these times of lease vehicles it's almost expected by most people.
What does get noticed time and time again is how tidy your van is, it is a reflection of you and your standard of work. Most of your plumbing clients will be new business and even the referrals can afford to be fickle.
Yes a few people will notice your different van but not even all of these will be in a positive manor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 19, 2015 20:29:01 GMT
|
There was a time when trades with flash or even new vans were eyed with suspicion Many moons ago when i was on work experience as a sparky, we were installing a full house b&o system at a rather posh house. My boss was talking to the plumber, he was saying how the owner was bragging about her new Freelander, while standing next to his rusty battered transit... which at the time was how trades where expected travel, he then went on to laugh about he didnt have the heart to tell her he had a brand new range rover oarked at home. Poimtless story I know, but that seems to illistrate how times have changed.
|
|
Last Edit: Jul 19, 2015 20:45:21 GMT by joem83
|
|
|
|
Jul 20, 2015 10:09:21 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 20, 2015 10:48:55 GMT
|
just get a Kangoo, or the awd Kangoo trekka cheap easy to get bits, and loads of room
|
|
Honda Concerto driver
|
|
mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
|
|
Jul 20, 2015 11:06:07 GMT
|
Nice G-reg red Escort 55 on the bay, seems to have escaped Royal Mail ownership somehow.. But i'd want British Gas white or British Telecom yellow for the nostalgia (much as a smaller business would be more noble).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 22, 2015 20:03:36 GMT
|
Not particularly retro but when i was on the plumbing i ran a Vauxhall combo 1.7d (corsa B) plenty of room in the back once it was racked out 3m tube on roof, parts are pretty cheap and easy the 1.7d is economical although will never set any speed records (got overtaken on the motorway in mine when it was fully loaded going uphill by an artic!) i found it a bit cramped up front with a bulkhead fitted I'm 6ft, the problem with the estate derived vans is having to scrobble in to reach anything thats gone or kept back by the bulkhead and also Headroom, after the combo I had a doblo cargo, great van to drive but struggled to carry as much kit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 22, 2015 20:30:02 GMT
|
i found it a bit cramped up front with a bulkhead fitted I'm 6ft The Combo based on the Corsa 'C' is very good for legroom (I'm 6ft 5in) with the mesh type of guard. Also you can open the side of the guard and fold the passenger seat down for longer loads.
|
|
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
|
|
slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
|
|
Jul 23, 2015 22:03:44 GMT
|
Well i went for a mk3 transit. You can pick them up for decent money still. Get all the bits, don't go wrong (get a Diesel of course). The only issue is security really. They are quite easy to pinch.
You will find most vans fall into the big money category after they reach retro status, they are just too useful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 23, 2015 23:13:03 GMT
|
Was chatting to a plumber today - he mentioned he know another local who was using a Volvo estate Having seen how much you can cram in them, they should cope with most of your stuff. Another thought would be a Passat estate.
|
|
|
|
lord13
Part of things
Posts: 536
|
|
|
Bedford Rascal ...there i said it, THE best small works van i ever had the joy of running into the ground we had a catering business in the 90's, we prepared and delivered business lunches and buffets for meetings in the leicester area, and guess what? everyone was really inconsiderate and wanted their lunch at around lunchtime...the buggers. so we usually had 10 - 15 lunches and buffets for around 10 - 25 people each to deliver around 12 noon. we gave the delivery slots 5 - 10 mins each ... we hammered round in that van, it was perfect for the job it could cut through traffic no problem, it was small and nippy and got the job done...i've driven all sorts of vans for work and nothing beats the bedford rascal in my opinion... when it finally succumbed to rot and general wear and tear it had done over 250,000 miles and the engine was still going strong ...well ok you could only put a cupful of oil in it or it smoked like a curse word and sometimes we had to park up, open the doors tip the seats back and wait until it stopped filling the cab with smoke and cooled down .... but i loved that van we replaced it with a supercarry...which was curse word get a rascal , it's surprising what you can fit in...and they're cool
|
|
]
|
|
|
|
|
|
When I was plumbing I had many different vans, the ones that stick in my mind though are an original Corsa Combo that the previous owner had fitted a much later 1.8 litre engine to, it was as fast as anything, and handled great too, but wanted to rust just as quickly. The other van that sticks in my mind was an Austin Meastro, it was the exact opposite, but it was comfy, and could carry a big load... Why when I read your thread title do I read it in a Village Peaple, Macho Man stylee? I just can't stop myself
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why when I read your thread title do I read it in a Village Peaple, Macho Man stylee? I just can't stop myself Haha, I cant help but sing the title now you said that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There's a few renault 4 vans on eBay at the moment. Always liked those, they're rare and will get attention, and id certainly hope they're simple to work on?
Last year I met a guy who's on RR called Phil who's got one, pastel green I think, with turbine alloys if I remember rightly? Not only does it have a big square loadspace like the c15, theres a giraffe carrier door at the top of the rear roof section too! They're not quick but as said, does it need to be?
Regarding neat and tidy vans versus attention grabbing ones, if you're a neat and tidy person you'll have a neat and tidy van whether it's a new lease or an old retro. If you're not neat and tidy in your character and in your work, you're unlikely to have a tidy car too (inside at least) so I'm not sure it's worth worrying about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 29, 2015 19:43:29 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
lord13
Part of things
Posts: 536
|
|
|
that's a nice van not seen one of those since god knows when
|
|
]
|
|
dikkehemaworst
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,581
Club RR Member Number: 16
|
|
|
Wow! That peugeot is nice!! And as a bonus it's a 1.9 diesel. I only remember this one from the backseat , because my parents had one , back in 1985. It had a sunroof and a really nice backseat. But everything was better than the cut in half wooden churchbench our dad made in the back of his nissan vanette. Still feel that in my bum sitting on that bench , no seatbelts , on delivery time in the centre of Amsterdam... my vote goes to the peugeot. Love that one!!!!
|
|
|
|
dikkehemaworst
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,581
Club RR Member Number: 16
|
|
|
And i had the ford. It's too flimsy to throw around. Brakes too easy and you can hear it rusting in the parkingbay in front of your house. But thats just my experience. Probably a lot of positive things from other guys.... :-)
|
|
|
|
dikkehemaworst
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,581
Club RR Member Number: 16
|
|
|
And i had the ford. It's too flimsy to throw around. Breaks too easy and you can hear it rusting in the parkingbay in front of your house from your bedroom at the back with the window closed. But thats just my experience. Probably a lot of positive things from other guys.... :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 30, 2015 10:39:55 GMT
|
Nah, the 305 is much nicer. Looks tidy too.
|
|
|
|
|