I HAVE A COMMER! (very excited!)

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bensaunders84

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Hello all!

I have just bought my first ever vehicle! I am 26 years old and I have just bought myself a 1978 dodge spacevan. I saw it on ebay and I had to get it! It cost me £510 and so far I think It is worth every penny.

I towed it back to my house last week (the engine runs but it has no tax or mot). So far everyone has been very rude about it, saying I have bought a rusty bucket on wheels, but the people with some style and sense have told me that this could be an absolute gem when fixed up!

Loads of people have told me to sell all the parts on ebay to try and get my money back, but its not going to happen. I have fallen in love with this van and I want to bring her back!

The guy who sold it to me said it had been in a warehouse untouched for 10 years, I don't know if this is a good thing or not but it does mean that the interior is in great condition. The sink, cooker, and fridge all work well (apparently) and it still has the old lights on the side with nice switches!

The pop top is great! I think I might need to reinforce the hammocks but apart from that the whole interiour seems great. Obviousy there are rusty bit on the outside of the van, around the bottom panel, some bits around the roof need sorting I think.

I am embarrassed to say that I don't know much about engines so I might be in a bit of trouble. The guy said it only needed a paint job and a bit of welding to be a good van again but something tells me there will be more to this!

As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to get it. So much style and character to these things. Was thinking about the old VW camper at one point but in my opinion these are much cooler, and more original. If I can get it fixed up and painted I think I could have an incredible camper here!

I have seen some of the pics of your guys vans and they look incredible. I have taken it to the mechanic who did the classic noise when he looked underneath but I was expecting that! I'm going to paint it and fix up the interior a bit but I wish I knew more about mechanics to have a bash at the engine, brakes etc.

Anyway I'm sure this forum is a goldmine for advice so any you could throw this way would be much appreciated, even a bit of encouragement to tell me its going to be worth it would be nice!

Thanks

Ben
 
hey dont listen to them they have no idea what its like to have one of these i have had mine for 7 years and i have to say its like part of me well done that man you sir have a bargain good luck xx

bobscool
 
Hi Ben and welcome to the Madhouse:DI hope you realise what you have let yourself in for - a lifetime of creeping insanity that only a Commer fix will cure:p
The interior looks superb[^] and the outside although a touch unloved is better than a lot we've seen - you've bagged yourself a bargain I reckon:)

th_killin.jpg
 
Madhouse Ben!! we are all mental;)

You have got a real bargin. [^]

Our Gladys was parked up in storage for 15 years and was at her first show 4 weeks after we got her :D

Although we must admit that Bernie knows a little bit about Roots engines, (he's old enough to have invented them) [:0]

There are plenty of folks to keep you right on here, Enigma didn't even know what an engine was :I
but now he's taking them apart. [8D]

So there is plenty of hope for you and what are you going to call him / her [?] [?] [?]

Bernie Heidi & Gladys
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Hey thanks for all the encouragement guys, I knew you lot would point me in the right direction!

I was thinking of calling her Betty but if that's taken by someone else I might call her something else?

As soon as she is fixed up, I am going to taker her around Europe with some friends, lets hope she's keen for bit of sun!

Does anyone know if it is possible to fit a different engine in these, or is it worth just servicing the one that is already in there?

Thanks Commer gurus!

Ben
 
There are plenty of folks to keep you right on here, Enigma didn't even know what an engine was :I
but now he's taking them apart. [8D]



Bernie Heidi & Gladys
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Thats the problem though, I take them apart and then can't remember how to put it all back together lol:D


Welcome to the Madhouse Ben, well we have at least 2 things in common!...we both own a Commer and both are part of the Saunders clan[8D]

Anything you need to know just don't be afraid to ask, always someone with the answer and willing to help..



 
quote:
Originally posted by bensaunders84

Hey thanks for all the encouragement guys, I knew you lot would point me in the right direction!

I was thinking of calling her Betty but if that's taken by someone else I might call her something else?

As soon as she is fixed up, I am going to taker her around Europe with some friends, lets hope she's keen for bit of sun!

Does anyone know if it is possible to fit a different engine in these, or is it worth just servicing the one that is already in there?

Thanks Commer gurus!

Ben



There are plenty of options for a swap - some are more difficult than others. For instance - Admin has put in a Rover V8:p, Will and Dave Jones both installed Vauxhall 1.8 lumps (neither a simple task and I (and a few other) have put in the aluminum head version of the Rootes engine. I would suggest you run with what you have got and see if it does the job for you, after a while if you want an upgrade then look into it then. Take awhile to get to know your van and then ask yourself - do I want to do 85mph in this:I

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Thanks Panky, I'm not really bothered about speed, just a wondering about reliability. I guess if I can get the engine serviced that would be just as good. Also if I'm going to be driving around with 3 others and their stuff, she might struggle in the alps, we will all have to pack light and cut down on the pies!
 
Welcome along Ben :) congratulations on a very wise purchase, you will soon learn plenty about commers :D


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"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
welcome to the madhouse ben:) you have got a real bargain there mate the interior is great and have seen exteriors far worse:( well done[^]

Dodge Glendale
 
Hi Ben and Welcome, your van looks great, I would stick with the engine as it is for a while and concentrate on getting used to driving the van and enjoying it. Then you can decide if it's powerful enough for what you want.

Moley and Brian the Snail :)
 
quote:
Take awhile to get to know your van and then ask yourself - do I want to do 85mph in this



and some more!!...(pop top hammocks falling gracefully to the floor, the 12volter fridge cascading its contents allover the floor and the middle seat ejecting the missus through the windscreen!!.....[}:)]
 
Where in the world are you? Would be helpful for you to know any forum members local to you :)

Welcome and as has been said probably a bargain!

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That looks an absolute bargain and you're sure to have many happy years together with it. I'm setting a deadline of next June to get myself one, I refuse to turn 29 and still not have one.

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I love all 4 wheeled vehicles, irrespective of age, (apart from Mondeos and Focus').
 
Cheers Nick, Don't know if it is a bargain yet, still waiting to hear back from the mechanic but I'm willing to work on it until it is done. You will find one if you keep looking, or maybe it will find you!
 
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