Our new commer highwayman

Hello its small ok u here thank you for your chat, I like to do anything with a hammer, sanding it a bit boring, dad can do that bit. I'am looking forward to camping in it,and making dens and climbing trees. Dads out there now trying that thing with the clutch. He has made some rounded wooden parts today for the corners as they have all rotted and theres not much left. Get dad to tell you how he gets on, Brad
 
Hiya Brad, good to hear from you - I see you've already discovered that sanding is pretty boring - best idea to palm it off on Dad;):D[}:)] You never know, your hammering skills might come in handy with that clutch. Hope you get to camp in it soon - think you'll enjoy it:)

Bessie - four star commerdation
 
Hi been out tonight and put some roof ply back on, we treated the wood with sadolin and are happy the roof is water tight, we have put in some good quality insulation but forgot to wear the masks which I had got special for the job, stupid as now we are both coughing and feeling most uncomfortable, having only done one small piece. Had to stop as we have woken up the neighbours kids,its difficult as the nights are light and we want to get on but we have to have a cut off time if we have to hammer.Still get some more done friday, we have a wedding on saturday so sunday looks our best day. would like to get inside finished in ply so we can get some coats of varnish on before we add the furniture.Still no joy with the clutch just will not shift, but one job at a time. Found the last of the rot inside, we know its the last as there is now nothing left to reveal, lots more on the other side, all where the water has run down the walls. we have got all the rest of the wood required and all the ply. will post some more pictures sunday. Lynne & Gary
 
Hi, just a quick update, all the roof ply back on and one lot of side panels all cut ready to put on, it is already feeling nicer inside , no damp smell and it seems to be coming together. Just one problem, the original panels and furniture are made from soft wood ply and the new ply is hardwood so when we varnish them they appear different colours so we are experimenting with different stains to get a uniform colour as none of the cupboards need replacing as they are in purfect condition we have just sanded them down ready for the refit. Anybody with any experiance of wood stains please? Also on the top of the rear axle next to the leaf springs appears to be two large black rubber like donut shaped things each side what are they please as ours are split, is this an mot failure, if so where can we get them and how hard is it to fit. Help. thanks Gary & Lynne.
 
The doughnuts sound like spring assisters, Not sure if they are a failure or if they are still available - sorry.

'Harvey the RV'

Found these, anything like yours?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LEAF-SPRINGS-UPGRADE-RECOVERY-TRUCK-SUSPENSION-UPGRADE_W0QQitemZ120276197319QQihZ002QQcategoryZ108854QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
The bump stops are semi-circular pieces of rubber only a couple of inches thick at most. I think these are usually removed to fit assisters.

'Harvey the RV'
 
They are spring assisters, as fitted to many of the coachbuilt motorhomes of the last 35+ years, also on the Commer Jennings Roadranger. They are 'Aeon' rubber assisters, and quite by chance I recently had to track some down for Chitty Chitty Bang bang (yes the real one, based on a MKI Transit). You can still get these Aeon assisters from 'Ride Solutions' in Cambs, telephone; 01223 701012. Hope this helps;)
 
I remember the excitement when my friend's dad serviced and drove chitty chitty once!
 
Hi, at last the clutch is free, we tried everything but had to take the gear box off. It would never have freed its self it was well and truly stuck. it needed a hammer and screwwdrivers, but its off and the next job is to service the brakes ready for mot.We have had a email from a previous owner and will phone him today, he says he has lots of history to tell us about the van so will let you know what he says.As for the rubber mountings, We have a friend who has some new spring assisters for a mk1 transit so we hope they are the same as that will save a few pennys.
 
Hi just an update,We have spoken to a previous owner and we believe this vehicles registration plate might have been 754 FLP and it came from the duke of portlands estate, anybody recognise it please, more info coming from a previous owner who is kindly sending more stuff in the post,thanks Lynne & Gary
 
thank you so much, would like to know where it went from the estate, have just a few years missing, all information gratefully accepted please, thanks Lynne
 
hi previous owner says he will send me a colour brochure from 1962, when it arrives I will scan a copy for the archives if you would like it.
 
back again tried to do the brakes but could not get it jacked up high enough,we will need a jack for it, has anybody got a spare to fit in the holes in our type of camper please,we will find somebody with a bigger trolley jack so we can do that job thursday.also we will drive it for the first time so fingers crossed its all ok.previous keeper confirmed about the water filler on the side and a few other things it was nice to speak to him aabout the camper, he was shocked when he saw the pictures of the van now as it was in fantastic condition when he sold it.
 
Just remembered I have been trying to find out all previous owners of our camper and traced most of them but does anybody know Ken Vernon from notts area as i think he might be a missing link in time. he was a member of the classic camper club in aprox 1994, I know its a long shot but worth asking.
 
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