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Oct 10, 2016 10:31:14 GMT
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I want to do the North Coast 500 and have been thinking about where to stay. I'd be by myself as "Bill no mates"  Camping is out due to health issues. Hotels and even B&B are beyond my budget as it'll take day there and back plus five days for the journey so even at £50 a night (reckon it'd be more than that per night) that is £350. Caravan or trailer tent would spoil the drive so that leaves a motorhome or camper of some type. For last couple of days have been debating what could be suitable and yesterday had a Eureka moment - a Black Cab. You can already get FX4's that are used as campers but after owning one years ago realise that they get bodged to keep them on the road as working vehicles and suffer from the ravages to rust quite badly. Then there is the Metrocab but can't find out much about them. I know proper chassis with Transit engine and fibreglass body but that is about all I can find out from a quick search. The fibreglass body, whilst not as attractive as a traditional FX4, is a massive bonus due to nothing to rust. Anyone owned one and want to give their experiences ?  I think they look like the early Nissan Praire Cheers. Paul H |
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LowStandards
Club Retro Rides Member
Bigging Up The Sum Sum Man Since '99
Posts: 2,649 
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Oct 10, 2016 10:59:36 GMT
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I looked into one of these only a few months ago, I decided they are pretty dire. If you do get one, you definitely need the Triple T later one, its comes with the Nissan turbo engine and 5 speed auto box. The earlier one has an 'estimated' top speed of around 74mph. I worry why its estimated, like no one had the balls to try  You're looking at £700ish to get one with an mot, then tax, insurance etc. I'd stick with the BnBs |
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Oct 10, 2016 12:38:33 GMT
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Nothing to contribute other than it looks more like a Mk2 Granada up front to me.
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,966
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Anyone owned a Metrocab ?mk2cossie
@mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member 77
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Oct 10, 2016 12:53:39 GMT
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Nothing to contribute other than it looks more like a Mk2 Granada up front to me. Funny that, as the grill and lights are mk2 Granada  |
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quasimoto
Part of things
I started out with nothing and i have still got most of it left
Posts: 238
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Oct 10, 2016 14:40:51 GMT
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Had a London Taxi International TX1 with the legendary Nissan 2.7 diesel engine ( no cam belt or cam chain just gear driven ) albeit an auto but very practical. Not fast but then it was never built to be. Mine was recently off the London circuit and i rescued it from a young lad who wanted to turn it into a moving man cave. Very good in traffic, not so on open roads , mpg was good though. Plenty of room in the back even for tall folk so probably a temporary camper in the making. The FX4 maybe more retro if you can find one. Would say an all round practical fun vehicle / quirky yet functional and attracts interest from everyone.
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Mad As A Box Of Frogs
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quasimoto
Part of things
I started out with nothing and i have still got most of it left
Posts: 238
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Oct 10, 2016 14:42:16 GMT
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Pictured at roadside cafe outside Brighton in June 2016 ( camera date not set )  |
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2016 14:43:25 GMT by quasimoto
Mad As A Box Of Frogs
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Oct 10, 2016 16:31:12 GMT
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TX1 certainly better looking than a Metrocab. Do they rust as bad as the FX4 ? One could even be wide enough to carry my mobility scooter  |
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Oct 10, 2016 18:01:02 GMT
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They rot, seat out riggers won't be there lol, all of chassis will be bodged. The main posts have steel tube inside and they also get bodged instead of a proper job. Horrible to drive also!
BTW I'm a taxi driver lol
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Oct 10, 2016 18:12:29 GMT
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They rot, seat out riggers won't be there lol, all of chassis will be bodged. The main posts have steel tube inside and they also get bodged instead of a proper job. Horrible to drive also! BTW I'm a taxi driver lol Is that Metrocab or TX1 ? |
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quasimoto
Part of things
I started out with nothing and i have still got most of it left
Posts: 238
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Oct 10, 2016 19:22:16 GMT
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My TXI just needed cosmetic attention to arches
Didnt cost a fortune to buy so at a fair price don't expect miracles / all cars have rust probably.
No sign of bodging anywhere but probably that happens to get them back out on the road.
I had the passenger seat conversion but not fitted.
Mine still had original disabled ramps and i carried small mobility scooter easy in the back with room to spare
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Mad As A Box Of Frogs
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Oct 10, 2016 19:38:27 GMT
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Mk3 or 4 escort convertible tail lights. Drive like the tx as its the same thing. Never owned a black cab that was good on fuel. They all got about 25mpg. You and the mobility scooter can't sleep in it. I'd be looking at a cheap minibus.
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Last Edit: Oct 10, 2016 19:39:22 GMT by theheap
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They rot, seat out riggers won't be there lol, all of chassis will be bodged. The main posts have steel tube inside and they also get bodged instead of a proper job. Horrible to drive also! BTW I'm a taxi driver lol Is that Metrocab or TX1 ? Metrocab. Under fiberglass there's steel bars to strengthen |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,714
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Anyone owned a Metrocab ?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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you can buy a smiley transit for less, its bigger, drives better and does better mpgs. plus is less of a niche market to resell- i assume you will resell as otherwise youre spending twice as much as what you already said you cant afford on your accomidation?
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
Enter your message here...
Posts: 2,000
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Oct 12, 2016 11:24:59 GMT
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As an add on to the transit suggestion, how about an ex mobility minibus, I have just picked one up (t4 with scene tax so out of budget) which is equipped with chairlift, already carpeted and lined inside, quick release seats and tie down points to secure your chair, as a bonus, in your situation it could be VED and VAT exempt
Ttfn Glenn
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