Can i use a commer van as a daily?

J

Joseph Wright

Member
Hello. Ive always owned classic cars and people have said they cant be used as daily transport but i disagree. Currently driving a 61 beetle as my only car but thats quite different to the commer its got a rebuilt race engine etc.
My question is can the commer be used everyday? Is it reliable enough, can it keep up with traffic etc. Should i be looking for any mods to make driving a commer today easier. Engine conversions, mods, overdrive etc. Is my idea to use it everyday naieve. I hope not.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
 
There's no reason at all why a Commer cant be used every day as long as you can cope with it. Sure they are slower (in standard form) than moderns and you have to think ahead of potential problems (car park height barriers, big hills etc) but don't let that put you off. There are lots of fairly simple bolt on mods that will help ( but not with barriers:rolleyes:) Taking my Auto-sleeper, Harvey, as an example. When I got him years ago he had a standard engine and box, 25 mpg, 65 mph and a fear of hills. After a lengthy slumber he was re-built with a Rapier engine fitted with an 1 3/4" SU carb, electronic ignition, electric water pump and fan and overdrive. He is now a bit of a hot rod (in Commer terms) and can quire easily go off the clock, cruise at 70, return well over 30 mpg and takes hills in his stride - he gives modern van a bit of a shock sometimes;) The standard iron head engine also responds well to a few mods, especially the SU conversion and a bit of head skimming. Commerracer does conversions to the existing manifolds and also modifies a Lexus six speed box to fit while Martin Maltas has developed a tubular manifold set up so the choice is yours.
Exiting isn't it:cool:
Just to add I use a mildly tweaked Morris Minor Traveller as my daily:)
 
Thanks for that. Very exciting. Ill be fine with an old car very used to them and i dont expect a race car just something useable. My beetle has a nice engine and moves well, i guessed that there would be additions you could do to a commer. Glad to hear there is.
When and if i find one ill hope it has some useful mods. If not ill have to add them as time permits. Ideally i dont want to completely change the engine but would consider it. Glad there are bolt on options available as im no mechanic and so its all cost. Are spares available and service parts?
Thanks
Joe
 
Spares availability is excellent, and not at VW prices either:)
No need to change the engine as long as the one installed is sound, they're a tough old lump and respond well to a bit of tinkering.
 
Fantastic. Some tinkering so it pulls well and five six or overdrive sounds good. Suppose ill have to be patient for now. Not my strong point. In the meantime ill try to find some buyers guides etc. Thanks again
 
Unlike Panky who has modified "old school" my Maidstone had a 1500cc engine and went new school on mods. It struggled to make what I feel is the all important 56mph. So since I've had it I've put in a six speed, modified manifold / exhaust, SU and cards and for me dynamo to alternator swap. The engine then needed a fair amount of tweaking to spark right which included an electric distributor. It has definitely made a very comfortable difference. I can pull cleanly through the revs and cruise at better speed.
 
Those who have had it fitted are well pleased, not heard a bad word about it:) I think the best thing is the ratios, sixth is roughly equivalent to overdrive fourth but you have the nicely spaced gearing in between, with the conventional box there's a bit of a jump between 2nd and 3rd and 1st is for starting on steep hills, it's very low.
 
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