Buy a Vintage Vehicle

I’ve owned this A35 van since 2004. I bought an A35 van to customise, but just before I started work on it, this one came up, already customised. So I sold that and bought this one instead. A father and son had owned it from new.
The father had windows put in by the garage that supplied it to reduce its purchase price (a common option in those days); When I bought it, I had signs made up that fit over the windows to advertise my business; so you have an option of estate car or van. You can see a photo of it as a van on:

http://www.classicfreeads.com

It is radically low, has a 1275 Midget engine, and is up-rated mechanically all round. I had it resprayed maroon. I’ve had to replace the front suspension - I did mention it was low! It’s great on the motorway, but you have to drive low cars slowly in town over speed bumps.

It was my daily driver for several years. Since restoring my VW Splitscreens, I don’t seem to use it much. I’m loathe to sell it, but I no longer have room to keep all my cars under cover.

I’ve put 10 photos of it onto the following website:

PLEASE CLICK ON http://BuyVintage.co.uk

UPDATE 30 MAY 2007: NOW SOLD

I’d intended restoring this rare Lambretta 3-wheeler later in the year but have recently decided instead to sell some of my collection to make it easier to focus on the others.

It’s a very sound basis for restoration.

The engine turns over. Lambretta parts are easily available and it should be easy to restore it mechanically and get it on the road. And I have the French Registration Document for it.

Here’s a photo of a similar FD model in the 1955 film ‘Du rififi chez les hommes’

THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE ARE THE ONES I’M SELLING. WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW IS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION.

1927-1929 Blotto Triporteur (Not too sure yet of the exact age)

This is my Blotto ‘Auto-Tri.’

It’s a French triporteur with a 350cc Anzani engine.

In fact, the engine does not have any makers badge. But Anzani lived in France at that time, and apparently designed the first Blotto engines. Of course, Alessandro Anzani was famous for his aircraft engines (eg the Blériot, which he flew across the English Channel in 1909). The British Anzani engine was in production until 1980.

I have set up a forum for triporteurs. If you have a triporteur, are interested in them, or just to find out more information about triporteurs, please go to:

http://www.triporteurs.co.uk

This is a late 40’s American Roadmaster.

Most people associate the name ‘Roadmaster’ with Buick. But this is the kind of Roadmaster that 10 year olds discovered next to the Xmas tree back in those good ol’ Leave-it-to-Beaver days.

I found it in a junk shop while we were in South Carolina in Easter 2005. I managed to get new wheels, tyres and front light at a cycle shop nearby (beach cruisers are back in vogue so parts availability via catalogue is excellent). They also parcelled it up for me - so it only cost $50 to bring back as check-in luggage on the plane coming home.

I first bought this James scooter in 1986 from someone in Manchester. In 1992-3, I sold my entire scooter collection. The chap who bought the James from me (for £410) totally restored it; he said he spent over £3000 on it, and I don’t think that included his own labour.
When he advertised it through the Vintage Motor Scooter Club last year, I bought it back.

FOR SALE: 1953 Bernardet Cabri Scooter Model 50 CM3

I bought this Bernardet Cabri to restore. The Cabri 50 CM3 was the first model, and they are extremely rare these days.

The bodywork is very sound, and it has its badges and tinware. The engine turns.

This one was used by a driving-school to teach students to ride scooters.

The Cabri was a fashion icon in its day. Don’t even consider buying it unless you’re prepared to wear leopard-skin culottes when you ride it

READ MORE ABOUT VINTAGE SCOOTERS & 3-WHEELERS IN THE NEW ONLINE VINTAGE SCOOTER MAGAZINE: http://maico.mobi/

UPDATE SEPT 2007: The Cabri has now been sold to my friend Fabian and he has already started restoring it.

OUR PLUM-COLOURED VW BEETLE IS NOW FOR SALE

This is my partner’s Beetle. I bought it in 2005 and last summer had it sprayed for her in the colour of her choice, plum pink.

We are having a baby in August, so unfortunately the Beetle now has to go, and I’ll have to buy her some awful modern hatchback as her daily driver.

Minors and Beetles are definitely the easiest turn-key old cars to own when it comes to reliability and spares availability. This one is very pretty. It has a new MOT. When I get a moment I’ll advertise it on the VW forums and ebay.

1953 Morris Minor 2-Door

I’ve owned this delightful Morris since 2003. She’s very clean underneath and the interior is spotless. The sun visor peak is an original splitscreen one (very rare).

I still have the original engine, but last year I removed it to install a 1098cc engine and gearbox from a Morris Traveller. This makes the Morris much more useable and it often sees service as my daily driver.

I particularly enjoy opening the door first thing in the morning and being hit by the smell of the leather interior.

I don’t really want to sell it, but I have too many old cars that I’m attached to. So if someone else fell in love with it and made me a reasonable offer, she will become another enthusiast’s loyal daily driver.

For further details, PLEASE CLICK ON http://BuyVintage.co.uk

1954 Cyclemaster on a restored Royal Enfield Ladies Model frame.

This attractive 32cc Cyclemaster is in good running order with a long MOT. The previous owner fitted an extra petrol tank behind the saddle to use for long journeys, which I have disconnected.

1966 BSA Bantam D7

For further details, PLEASE CLICK ON http://BuyVintage.co.uk