Commer Camper please!

AAA

AAA

Member
I am looking for a camper van! The ideal van would be a '67 - '76 with a pop top to use and improve! Originality is more important to me than condition. I am happy to consider something better or worse, cash waiting for immediate payment! I have been watching the market for a year or two, and am happy to pay a fair price. I am based in North Lincolnshire, but am willing to travel to view/collect within the UK. I can arrange professional collection if your van is not driveable.

I can offer an excellent home for life! I have restored many cars over the years and can manage welding, spraying, mechanical and re-trim work to the highest standards. I have a Sunbeam Rapier I have owned since the 1990s and can provide evidence of the quality of my work to reassure you of a good home! If you are considering selling, please PM me with a pic or two, or your contact details. Many thanks for taking the time to read this! Sam, Christina and Lily.
 
Hi Guys and welcome to the Madhouse :)
I know your Rapier well from the forum of that name and can vouch for the superb workmanship you achieve, gorgeous car :cool: I don't know of any vans going just now but they do turn up so good luck with the search.
We love a nice Rapier on here and I know there are many others who would love to see some photos of your car.........please.
 
Many thanks for the reply, always happy to oblige! Fingers crossed for a Commer - I don't really want to have to resort to a Bedford CA, (or give in to pressure at home and...a VW)!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20210830_075903.jpg
    IMG_20210830_075903.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 24
  • IMGP3936.jpg
    IMGP3936.jpg
    140.3 KB · Views: 21
  • IMGP3959.jpg
    IMGP3959.jpg
    342.9 KB · Views: 19
  • IMGP3941.jpg
    IMGP3941.jpg
    124.9 KB · Views: 22
Why settle for second or third best, it's worth the wait ;)
Absolutely stunning Rapier
 
Hi and welcome. Lovely car and good luck with the search. Something will come up at some point. Hopefully in time for the spring :D
 
I am collecting the van on Saturday morning. It has around 100 miles to cover, (mainly motorway) to get home!
 
I remember the first time I had to drive mine home... It was an adventure indeed! Enjoy every minute... I think I topped out at about 45mph on the A1...
 
My dad picked us up this morning at 6:30 to take us to Martin's to collect the van. We arrived at around 8:30, the van was waiting! My daughter Lily jumped out of the car and ran to the van to give it a hug, (a "Commer Cuddle" according to her).
IMGP4035.JPG
We put some fuel in the van. I had brought a Jerry Can full with me. Unfortunately, the fuel gauge is partially stuck by the oil pressure light lens which has dropped out and is resting on the fuel gauge needle. I stalled the van a couple of times initially. Martin politely suggested it needed more choke, (actually, I think it was my clutch control and the engine doing less for the amount of noise it makes than I am used to).

We headed across to the A1, my dad following in the support vehicle with my daughter. The temperature gauge gradually crept up until it was just touching the red, where it stayed. Everything seemed well, but to be safe I pulled in at the services on the M18/M180 junction to give Martin a call for reassurance.

IMGP4036.JPG
After checking water, (which was fine) we continued along the M180. There were about 5 miles of roadworks, with a 50mph limit and an average speed check, I await the speeding fine!

Lily tried to get some photos form her car seat in the back of Grandad's car...
DSC00066.JPG



DSC00077.JPG
The van is now home! It travelled most of the way with the temperature gauge just into the red, but I don't think there is a problem with the engine, more likely the gauge, (which I don't think is original) or voltage stabiliser. The van showed no other signs of overheating, even through some heavy traffic.

Unfortunately, it doesn't quite fit in my workshop, (or rather it didn't until I spent 30 minutes taking off the pop-top - this needs some repairs to cracks around the hinges, so it needed to come off anyway).
Nicely tucked up for the night...
IMGP4038.JPG
First impressions...
A massive amount has already been done by Martin, but there is still a lot to do. I might have been a little overoptimistic to have it properly on the road for the Summer, maybe the Autumn!
The gearbox is like stirring treacle with an 8 foot long garden cane. First and second especially difficult, but find one or the other and give it a good shove!
Plenty of power from the engine - better than many alternative campers of the time! The engine instils confidence!
Steering lighter than expected, although it does feel like it's going to tip over if it goes faster than 5mph around a corner.
Brakes adequate - not sure how good they would be in an emergency situation.
Some axle tramp on take-off from standstill, (I might just need to get used to driving it/technique).
Not many rattles, but the engine is definitely there!
...now the work begins! I know how special and unique this particular van is, and will try to do it justice!
 
Last edited:
Excellent, an uneventful collection trip - very unusual. But then again if Martin had checked it over then not a surprise:) She looks great, I had a good crawl over the van when we were last at Martins and was impressed on how original it is, I could have been tempted myself but with two already on the drive I think I've got enough;)
The very early Series vans without a conventional grille did have a reputation for running a little warm so a perfect cooling system is a must, but it sounds fine at the moment. Well done on getting such a rare and wonderful thing, I think your daughter likes it a bit:) has she named the van yet?
 
What's the engine size.... And what speeds to you get to. I remember going all the way south to beyond the Black Cat Roundabout on my first "run..."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top