1978 Dodge Commer
- Thread starter Jimbo
- Start date
It might well be a converted Minibus. It is registered as one on the V5, but maybe a converter bought minibuses to camperize? It was the factory fitted curved windows that first attracted me to it - an appealing feature i thought. The furniture does look professionally made though, in wood effect formica with plastic edging strips and is in surprisingly good condition given the rest of the bodywork. As I said its an odd layout with the kitchen across behind the cab seats and the seating and table in the back - not one I've seen on any other camper.
The side door is fitted with an 'automatic' step that drops down when the door is opened, a nice touch but no idea if its original.
I'm not overly hung up on it being original to be honest, its in such a shabby state that saving it in any form has to be a little above and beyond the call of duty - I'm a sucker for a hard luck case - my 1956 Morris Isis also looks a little like the cutaway drawing on the front of a Haynes Manual...[:0]
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
The side door is fitted with an 'automatic' step that drops down when the door is opened, a nice touch but no idea if its original.
I'm not overly hung up on it being original to be honest, its in such a shabby state that saving it in any form has to be a little above and beyond the call of duty - I'm a sucker for a hard luck case - my 1956 Morris Isis also looks a little like the cutaway drawing on the front of a Haynes Manual...[:0]
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
Success with a picture! A rest stop on the way back up the M5 with the Dodge. Got far more looks than the shiney new camper parked behind it did, most of them pitying ones!
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
Thanks admin, for the tip about the brackets in the filename. Its what the computer does automatically when you resize a pic. Renamed it and all is well!
The extra bonus Commer that I wasn't expecting! I didn't see the groove down the side as it was tight against a wall when I agreed to buy it, but least of its problems. Note that it isn't as far on the transporter as the Dodge due to the very siezed brakes and the worn out smoking winch on the transporter (which wasn't mine). Mechanical sympathy decided it was on far enough...
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
The extra bonus Commer that I wasn't expecting! I didn't see the groove down the side as it was tight against a wall when I agreed to buy it, but least of its problems. Note that it isn't as far on the transporter as the Dodge due to the very siezed brakes and the worn out smoking winch on the transporter (which wasn't mine). Mechanical sympathy decided it was on far enough...
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
Enjoy!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans now Riva Dandy
The Colonel Mustard six speed
Member of the 6 speed club.
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans now Riva Dandy
The Colonel Mustard six speed
Member of the 6 speed club.
Enjoy!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans now Riva Dandy
The Colonel Mustard six speed
Member of the 6 speed club.
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans now Riva Dandy
The Colonel Mustard six speed
Member of the 6 speed club.
Top tip for all folks having vans winched on to transporters from my hotrod chums - get them to loop the cable on the rear axle! a) goes on more straight if they get it right b) doesn't damage the steering as has happened to a couple of owners on here!
Member of the V8 Club
Member of the V8 Club
Not only did I not drive them home, I thought it would be too much for my Land Rover and trailer (Worcestershire to Devon)so hired the transporter, even though the hire charge was more than the Dodge cost...
I only noticed the automatic step when I opened the door and it stuck in the folded position momentaraly enough for me walk towards the doorway when it then flopped open onto my shin. :I
The Commer Haylett is a 1974 N reg. Not seen too many about in the various searches I've been doing (Newbie crash course in Commer vans - Google images was an early referance). I assume Haylett was a mnore minority manufacturer in a different league to the likes of Autosleeper and Dormobile.
Planning on getting the Haylett to work early next week and start exploring a bit deeper. (Both are under the carport at the moment. No near neighbours so no issues there. Work so far has been emptying of stuff and soggy carpets etc.
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
I only noticed the automatic step when I opened the door and it stuck in the folded position momentaraly enough for me walk towards the doorway when it then flopped open onto my shin. :I
The Commer Haylett is a 1974 N reg. Not seen too many about in the various searches I've been doing (Newbie crash course in Commer vans - Google images was an early referance). I assume Haylett was a mnore minority manufacturer in a different league to the likes of Autosleeper and Dormobile.
Planning on getting the Haylett to work early next week and start exploring a bit deeper. (Both are under the carport at the moment. No near neighbours so no issues there. Work so far has been emptying of stuff and soggy carpets etc.
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
quote:
Originally posted by admin
Top tip for all folks having vans winched on to transporters from my hotrod chums - get them to loop the cable on the rear axle! a) goes on more straight if they get it right b) doesn't damage the steering as has happened to a couple of owners on here!
Member of the V8 Club
Can't remember where I looped the winch cable on on those two, it was all a blur! But I know exactly where you're coming from re the potential steering damage as I've had to straighten out the track rods on a Morris J type van, a Mk1 Transit and a 1930's Railton in the last 18months all which were bent by towing or winching. The rope or cable was tossed over the front axle and inadvertantly over the track rod as well resulting in an interesting toe out when the track road was bent towards the axle....
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
Originally posted by admin
Top tip for all folks having vans winched on to transporters from my hotrod chums - get them to loop the cable on the rear axle! a) goes on more straight if they get it right b) doesn't damage the steering as has happened to a couple of owners on here!
Member of the V8 Club
Can't remember where I looped the winch cable on on those two, it was all a blur! But I know exactly where you're coming from re the potential steering damage as I've had to straighten out the track rods on a Morris J type van, a Mk1 Transit and a 1930's Railton in the last 18months all which were bent by towing or winching. The rope or cable was tossed over the front axle and inadvertantly over the track rod as well resulting in an interesting toe out when the track road was bent towards the axle....
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
Thanks, that looks very nice. Do you have any pics inside? Just curious as you say its non standard. Mines a crumbling mess of delaminating plywood, so I'm just looking for ideas at the moment. Not sure wether to try and recreate the original or do something else.
I'd better move to the projects section I suppose and not clog up the for sale section anymore..:I
Will update when thing are worth updating!
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.
I'd better move to the projects section I suppose and not clog up the for sale section anymore..:I
Will update when thing are worth updating!
cheers
Iain
Proud new owner of possibly the tattyist Dodge and a Commer camper, alongwith other Morris Minors, and various old cars.