Pablo highwayman

[hzlphillips]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/1978-classic-vintage-commer-dodge-motorhome-or-campervan/1050802244#photo-content

What do you all think?

 

[Panky]

Looks tidy enough but work will be needed on the cab door bottoms and gutters by the look of it. It's an Autohome not an Autosleeper as said in the listing - there's a BIG difference, the Autosleeper is a panel van conversion not a coach built like this one. There is only one way to find out for sure - you know what I'm going to say don't you

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[pablo]

I knew thus van years ago.it was lovely and we'll looked after then. Well worth a look

 

[hzlphillips]

I think a visit is in order!

 

[hzlphillips]

Is there a difference between an Autohome and a Highwayman?

 

[TV8]

Think that's the van Woolfy sold a couple of years ago, very distinctive rear step.

 

[pablo]

There are a lot of differences.the 2 conversions are totally different...good luck on the visit

 

[hzlphillips]

Thank you!

 

[martin maltas]

Better build quality than the Highwayman,(sorry all Highwayman owners), tend not to suffer as bad with wooden frame rot.

www.commervanspares.co.uk
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[pablo]

Yes as Martin sais. .The frame work is built with a higher quality wood..which helps a lot! Also. ..no offence intended

 

[Panky]

Good spot Dave, if it's the same one the step folds up and locks the rear door shut for added security. It's one of the biggest bodies they put on a Commer so don't expect neck snapping acceleration

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[Panky]

You were right Dave Here it is a couple of years ago.

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[Beachboy]

Beware, this van has a very rusty cab area. The gutterings on both sides all the way to the floor are full of filler and have been hidden with copius amounts of shutz, the front valances are the same as is the roof peak, not sure who did it but it was probably ok when first done but it needed the whole lot coming out and repairing properly 3 years ago when I owned it, it was not something I wanted to get involved with and I was very disappointed with it because as Pablo says it was a cracking van a good few years ago and it does come with a stack of history, the "factory fitted" Weber carb is one that I fitted to replace the Zenith, I also had a recon gearbox fitted by Commer Tim and the linkages were fine but have probably not beed greased since I owned it. There was a problem with the passenger door not closing properly which I never got to the bottom of, both doors could have done with replacing really.
Its not a bad van by any means BUT it will need some serious work/money spending on it to give the cabsome strength and structural integrity back...if it hasn`t already been done.
It is most certainly way too expensive at the advertised price but could be a good project at sensible money.

Bloody Commer`s!

 

[Panky]

That's excellent Alan, nothing like personal experience and an honest opinion - looks can be deceiving

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[commeracer]

I seem to remember that it did drive nicely

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

 

[Beachboy]

Yes it did/does drive well, and I wasn`t slating the van just saying it as it is and maybe saving someone a long journey to find its not what it seems, of course it may have had all the rusty bits sorted in which case its well worth the asking price and a very good buy for someone

Bloody Commer`s!

 

[hzlphillips]

Thank you Beachboy, it's a long journey to waste and for a novice I wouldn't want to take on a van with important work like that without knowing the costs involved.

Thank you, with 2 small children the journey to Bristol would've been a stressful one made even more so if we found a rusty van at the end of it!

 

[Beachboy]

Why not ask the seller if the work has been done before discounting it? Or ask for a sensible reduction in the price to cover the cost of restoration?

Bloody Commer`s!

 

[hzlphillips]

What would you say a sensible reduction in price would be? I don't know how much it would cost to do.

Ok, I might ask that question.

 

[Beachboy]

It would be an idea to ask Martin Maltas for a rough idea of the restoration cost, although he could not possibly quote accurately without seeing the van, and base an offer on that. Personally I would look to pay no more than a thousand pounds for it as it is if its in need of work still but you need to ask the seller the question first.

Bloody Commer`s!