My 1969 Tourstar

[arty1]

I found Betsy -Anne , the campervan quite by chance whilst perusing a certain internet auction site. It was in storage about 10 miles away from my home here in Framlingham, Suffolk.Curiosity got the better of me and I e mailed the seller. He was located in London and had listed it for his aging father. So I phoned him, and we met at his house in the nxt village and drove to the farm where the van was being stored. He said he had bought it from a chap in the village many years previous. It looked fairly good, although ithad been brush painted.
I managed to buy it on the day as he wanted it to stay local and collected it afew days later. There was a significant ammount of paperwork included as well as the old buff log book. Can you Imagine my suprise when I noticed that the first keeper was the father of my neighbour. HIs son now about mid 60's lives behind my shop, only here for about a week a year as he works in Uganda. When I saw him , I asked if his father had ever owned a Commer campervan, "yes" was the answer, he bought it new and used it whilst he looked for a house to buy locally. I said "Ive just bought it ". He was quite suprised. Its a small world. Its been to France and Switzerland, and also to a couple of rock concerts in the 70s according to the son. TO BE CONTINUED ....

 

[Lulu]

Can't wait for the next episode, just like I used to be with Dick Barton special agent. Welcome to this the madhouse, you will find that I am the sensible one of the crowd.

 

[bazzateer]

Pics or it didn't happen!

I am not a person, I am a number, 395 actually......Be seeing you!
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?

 

[arty1]

So, after getting it home I had a chance to have a good poke around in the back. Talk about time warp, all the pots and pans were still there, along with marvel milk bottles, tupperware and cutlery, Under thre front seat was a fruit box containing a comprehensive set of spares, lockheed boxes for brake and clutch overhaul, lucas parts,even a rootes water pump kit along with all gaskets, a spare half shaft and even a pair of clip on yellow headlamp covers!
On talking with the elderly chap, he wanted to travel around mainland Britain in it, but as he said "Anno domini" has caught up with me. So its gone to be recommissioned, the brake cylinders and master cylinder were all shot and have been replaced along with some pipework. All the tyre(crossply) were perished , so a complete set are on order, a new tank , courtesy of Tim, has been fitted, the engine has been run and seems fineThe mileage is about 64, 000 and as most of the underneath was oiled up , dosnt seem too bad, just a small amount of corrosion on the front valance to cut out, then the mot , ha ha , and away we go . I would put some photos up, but I dont have a clue how its done, I struggled on a different forum with photos despite everyones help , never managed !

 

[Bigredtruck69]

Wow a time warp what a cool barn find can't wait to see it

 

[jimberlake]

Cant wait to see it too...sound well interesting. Photos are simple in here, just hit 'Reply to topic' and you'll see a box saying insert image file, click that and pick a photo...it will put a long link in the text box so wont look like a photo until you click 'post'

The Blue Toaster

 

[Lulu]

Look further down this thread "Readers Rides" and about the 8th one down you'll find "Pictures" by Malcommer, just follow Panky's instructions and you'll have the pics on here in no time.

 

[Panky]

Great story
If you a struggling to up-load pics you can send them to me at
john_pankhurst8 @ yahoo.com
and I'll put them on for you.

Founder of the Non-Facebook Club

 

[commeracer]

It's a fine looking van indeed

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[Panky]

Here's Simons van, it's actually a Tourstar but a belter all the same - and probably rarer than a Jennings

Hover Commer

Going to be cheeky and ask for some interior pics

Founder of the Non-Facebook Club

 

[jimberlake]

Not keen on the wheels, look very inefficient

The Blue Toaster

 

[mr rusty]

looks a great buy , is the interior as good , wood panelling [?]

take it the last owner was on hol in Glasgow when he lost the wheels [}]

 

[arty1]

I found it floats better without the wheels, especially after the torrential rain we have justhad ! Rims are away being sand blasted and then painted. As you can see, its sound, just some corrosion on the front valance that the garage will sort out .All new brake ccylinders and a new master one too. Then a scrape underside and waxoiled, mot, maybe a test drive , and then ladies and gentlemen, paint.
Now I think a nice duck egg blue and cream, but of course I would love to hear what you would choose !

 

[arty1]

Thanks Panky , for uploading my photos. I will get some interior pics in a day or two for you

 

[andrew]

Very nice van, I like the pictures to. What's your timescale on getting your van finished?

Member of the non-Facebook club.

 

[Lulu]

Beautiful looking van, she looks like she's been looked after. Can you or John tell me what the 2500 means on the door, I assume it's 2500cc but with the commer one can never be certain and I didn't know they did a 2.5 litre engine.[?]

 

[Panky]

the 2500 badge denotes the chassis load capacity in lbs. There was a 1500, 2000 and 2500 - only the 2500 had a badge as far as I know.

Founder of the Non-Facebook Club

 

[arty1]

Andrew, there isnt really a time scale, but its moving along quite quickly now.
The main brief was to get it usable, ive asked the garage if they can get it done by mid August. They are an enthusiastic bunch and im sure it will be done on time.

 

[arty1]

Mine has two badges, on the offside is the 2500 and on the nearside
it has a small badge about the size of a 50p which , I think might be a
Rootes badge.

 

[Panky]

The beauty spot
The little pentastar badge on the lower right of the front panel (as you look at it from the front) is indeed the Rootes emblem.

Founder of the Non-Facebook Club