pa complete vehicle
- Thread starter Dodgemark
- Start date
guanche
0
Guys, what would you say are the main differences between this model and a Autosleeper (apart from the shape obviously)? I find the Autosleeper more practical with the larger door at the back (I've taken my classic bike in a Commer for some holidays in the past - btw that was probably the best holidays I've had for many years!). And I think it is a nicer looking van, though that is up to each one of us... On the pros, the bedding in the highwayman seems more easy to prepare, more spacious (At 182cm high, I was struggling to sleep straight in the Autosleeper)? Are there two small children beds at the top in the highwayman?
As far as I see, engine wise they seem pretty much the same..
As far as I see, engine wise they seem pretty much the same..
some early pa's had smaller engines I think ,if you want the van for family I say this would be a good investment! if you don't mind slowly but surely (saying that it was only the bends & roundabouts that slowed The Colonel down)lots of info about coach built,bunks etc just do a search 
If I had the money! BTW They grow on you!you wouldn't want an auto-sleeper or other conversion once you have had a coach built.
most of us who have Pb's would love to own a pa!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
If I had the money! BTW They grow on you!you wouldn't want an auto-sleeper or other conversion once you have had a coach built.most of us who have Pb's would love to own a pa!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
http://66.129.69.181/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=565&SearchTerms=difference,Pa,,pb
from a quick search
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
from a quick search
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
This is an excellent book
will explain the difference between models lots of info you wont find any where else!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COMMER-1500-2500-VAN-BUS-TECHNICAL-HANDBOOK-VINTAGE-/390401183752?pt=UK_CarParts_Vehicles_Manuals_Litterature_ET&hash=item5ae5b95008
you have to scroll down the page
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
will explain the difference between models lots of info you wont find any where else!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COMMER-1500-2500-VAN-BUS-TECHNICAL-HANDBOOK-VINTAGE-/390401183752?pt=UK_CarParts_Vehicles_Manuals_Litterature_ET&hash=item5ae5b95008
you have to scroll down the page
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
PA and PB refer to the actual Commer vehicle itself, PA being an earlier version of the van. Highwayman, Autosleeper where just two of the camper conversions available on the base vehicle. There are many other conversions, hope that helps expand your knowledge a bit
How refreshing
How refreshing
I can't believe the amount of information that has been gathered over a few years either!
some where on here is a post by Martin Maltas about the different conversions but there are others not on the list!
I am having mental block its on the tip of my tongue!
some one else might remember it thread title!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
some where on here is a post by Martin Maltas about the different conversions but there are others not on the list!
I am having mental block its on the tip of my tongue!
some one else might remember it thread title!
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
your welcome can you tell I like this van [?]
I think it has a lot going for it
The sticky out rear lights early highwayman becoming more popular I have always liked them [8D]
Pa early Commer = good looks
Space inside
its honest looking rough & ready for someone to stamp their mark on it
love it! only my opinion !
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
I think it has a lot going for it
The sticky out rear lights early highwayman becoming more popular I have always liked them [8D]
Pa early Commer = good looks
Space inside
its honest looking rough & ready for someone to stamp their mark on it
love it! only my opinion !
Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
Jostein
0
Another Highwayman (by Bluebird Caravans Ltd.) with water leaks, it seems. Looking at the veneer on the original partition wall (towards the ceiling just behind the cab), this has the same dreaded water leaks that the rest of the Highwayman models of the same vintage all seem to have [V]
Interestingly though, the seating/beds on the right are running all the way from the back to the front - seemingly in one piece. I haven't seen this before, and judging by the woodwork it seems to be original. That hideous white partition wall with that weird door is not, however.
Also, I notice that the middle sections of the large windows in the back are sliding sideways - and are larger than the same Highwayman conversions I've seen before (prior to the later version). Interesting this. Could they have been made to order by Bluebird?
Full size oven Very nice !
But these rear lamp lenses for Mini van/countryman/clubman estate included in the sale won't be of much use on the Highwayman body.. [)]
Interestingly though, the seating/beds on the right are running all the way from the back to the front - seemingly in one piece. I haven't seen this before, and judging by the woodwork it seems to be original. That hideous white partition wall with that weird door is not, however.
Also, I notice that the middle sections of the large windows in the back are sliding sideways - and are larger than the same Highwayman conversions I've seen before (prior to the later version). Interesting this. Could they have been made to order by Bluebird?
Full size oven
Very nice !But these rear lamp lenses for Mini van/countryman/clubman estate included in the sale won't be of much use on the Highwayman body.. [
)]
Jostein
0
quote:
Originally posted by guanche
precious info Jostein. Thanks. The narrow rear door is a hinder in my opinion, find it difficult to understand why the designer decided that a narrow door was better/nicer/cheaper(?) than a wide one. :/
Yes, the rear doors on these are narrow. Why they decided to make it (and keep it) that narrow, I really don't know. I suppose there could be a theory behind it that a narrow door will give better structural stability than a wider door - and a wide door likely to be heavier, and more difficult to hinge with proper support on the wooden skeleton which makes up the inner structure of the whole camper section.
What also puzzles me is the rear step which must have been below the door very early on. On all but one of the '64 to '66 vans I've seen, this area has been blanked off with that plate you can see in the 2nd photo. Looks horrible, to be quite frank. Or was it a field for the number plate only? The early ones (around 1963) had the number plate here - sitting deeper in the body. Wonder why they got rid of this, and - even more - why they didn't make it look a bit better. I've had the plate off mine, and there is nothing behind there, apart from the sliding step which sits below it. Weird solution to an otherwise honest design (if a bit bulky).
Originally posted by guanche
precious info Jostein. Thanks. The narrow rear door is a hinder in my opinion, find it difficult to understand why the designer decided that a narrow door was better/nicer/cheaper(?) than a wide one. :/
Yes, the rear doors on these are narrow. Why they decided to make it (and keep it) that narrow, I really don't know. I suppose there could be a theory behind it that a narrow door will give better structural stability than a wider door - and a wide door likely to be heavier, and more difficult to hinge with proper support on the wooden skeleton which makes up the inner structure of the whole camper section.
What also puzzles me is the rear step which must have been below the door very early on. On all but one of the '64 to '66 vans I've seen, this area has been blanked off with that plate you can see in the 2nd photo. Looks horrible, to be quite frank. Or was it a field for the number plate only? The early ones (around 1963) had the number plate here - sitting deeper in the body. Wonder why they got rid of this, and - even more - why they didn't make it look a bit better. I've had the plate off mine, and there is nothing behind there, apart from the sliding step which sits below it. Weird solution to an otherwise honest design (if a bit bulky).
Jostein
0
Too right, Panky. Who got this one?
1500 pounds for this one must be a sign that even poorer looking early "Highwaymen" are rising in value. And even if this looks a bit tired in places, it is largely original. I hope the new owner sees the value in keeping the original interior and colours as the basis for the restoration, and also gets the outside looking nice again
So who is the new member of the C-reg Bluebird Highwayman family, then?
1500 pounds for this one must be a sign that even poorer looking early "Highwaymen" are rising in value. And even if this looks a bit tired in places, it is largely original. I hope the new owner sees the value in keeping the original interior and colours as the basis for the restoration, and also gets the outside looking nice again
So who is the new member of the C-reg Bluebird Highwayman family, then?