What do you know about Devon?

[NewcastleFalcon]

When the M5 first opened I used to do Leeds and back in a day and still have time to visit some friends in Derbyshire on the way back, about 600 miles the round trip, wouldn't like to try it now.

Peter

Yes when we tootle off on our jaunts around the UK, we are quite unambitious about our driving distances. Tend to max out at about 150 miles and make the overnight stays part of the holiday. Tends to be Yorks/Lancs going south and Perthshire/Fife heading North

Regards Neil

[Peter.N.]

We have done here to Wick in the distant past in one go, before the 'new' A9 was built, about 750 miles then, quite a bit shorter now with the improved roads and lochs bridged. Took 23 hours the first time, about 14 now. We don't do things like that anymore we usually have a Travelodge at Carlisle. Once you get past the industrial north the drive is an absolute pleasure, very few if any holdups and beautiful scenery.

I poodle along in the slow lane which is very relaxing and good for the fuel consumption.

Peter

[van ordinaire]

I did London to Aberdeen (en route to the Shetland Classic Car Show) in the 2CV - & seriously over-estimated how long it would take.

23 hrs? - I used to do Zagreb in 17! (no not in the 2CV)

Oh, rattled back from Torbay in the C15 last night - in 4 hrs dead! Just the same time as a couple of P6B's, a succession of XJ40's, a couple of Cadillacs, just about everything in fact - except the 2CV!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Well, Devon did a nice line in "Camper Conversions"

Morris Half Ton SunTor Caravanette. Converted by Torcars of Torrington in North Devon, the SunTor offeres a double bed and kitchen facility.

Simon Cars image
http://www.simoncars.co.uk/austincv/sli ... anette.jpg

and I always like an old advert...source graces guide


Regards Neil

[Peter.N.]

I had a Commer van like that in the '60s, it was only a couple of years old, newest vehicle I have ever had. Very noisy Perkins diesel but the visibility was brilliant and you could get a fair bit in it.

Peter

[van ordinaire]

They seem to have a bit of a cult following now, they must've appeared very modern, stylish even, in their day - perhaps that's why they were popular for caravan conversions.

[Gibbo2286]

With that Perkins engine they used to shake the gearbox fixing bolts loose, every time we serviced one we had to retighten them or the box would have fallen out.

There's one in a garden covered in mould just up the road from me.

[NewcastleFalcon]

There's one in a garden covered in mould just up the road from me.

As ever the FCF have a thread for stuff like that.......take your camera on your walk!

Rusty Wrecks-Your Photos (Originals please)

Regards Neil

[Peter.N.]

Only four bolts holding the gearbox on so not to difficult, I have a special spanner to get at those bolts, I used that engine and gearbox in most of my diesel conversions. I found it the other day if you want to borrow it.

Peter

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

there was one in Bath as part of the Christmas Market recently, likely still there. Unusual vehicle for a Catering Conversion.

[van ordinaire]

I saw one that had started off as a coachbuilt caravan (thereby destroying the "roundness" of the base van) at an event in the summer,perhaps it's all part of the cult revival thing it's enjoying.

Only job I ever did on one was to replace the coil - because it was loose & a rib on the rockerbox had worn through it & the oil had run out. (i.e. the coil NOT the rockerbox!)

[Gibbo2286]

I saw one that had started off as a coachbuilt caravan (thereby destroying the "roundness" of the base van) at an event in the summer,perhaps it's all part of the cult revival thing it's enjoying.

Only job I ever did on one was to replace the coil - because it was loose & a rib on the rockerbox had worn through it & the oil had run out. (i.e. the coil NOT the rockerbox!)

Snap! I had one with exactly the same problem.

[Gibbo2286]

There's one in a garden covered in mould just up the road from me.

As ever the FCF have a thread for stuff like that.......take your camera on your walk!

Rusty Wrecks-Your Photos (Originals please)

Regards Neil

I don't know if it qualifies as a rusty wreck Neil, this is as close as I can get to it without going into the garden.

[NewcastleFalcon]

I don't know if it qualifies as a rusty wreck Neil, this is as close as I can get to it without going into the garden.

Now that doesnt look at all bad from that distance, could still make a nice camper for someone with the time and energy top do it up, bit of a waste standing there gathering mould. Offer them £100 for it, transport it up to the next Classic Sale at Leominster and sell it as is. Chance to make your bus fare home if nowt else

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Devon was quite the place for campervan conversions at one time. Sidmouth was the original base for Devon conversion, in the 50's and 60's, but as I have discovered they now trade out of Ferryhill Co.Durham.

..and what is Sidmouth most famous for......being less than 10 miles from the only unclaimed AA Box in Great Britain in the FCF AA Box challenge (Halfway House on the A3052 Exeter-Sidmouth road)
AA Box 456 (Halfway House)

© Copyright David Hillas and
licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.


Regards Neil