Club Arnage

If it is ever desired to retire the venerable Commer (or restrict it to supporting historic race meetings) the modern equivalents may be at hand......... ;D

http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/0201/020111_japvan.htm
http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/0300/030011_eyazawa.htm
http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/0200/020004_toaster_van.htm

The people who made those must need their heads examining ::)

I know - what a dreadful waste of money and effort to drive around in a thing worthy of Pokemon.....

Makes you wonder if there is something rather strange about the Japanese ::)

Beaterz.com is one of the funniest automotive sites on the internet.
Some of the appraisals of the hilarious rice-burners and other souped-up clunkers that the authors have discovered in and around Chicago IL are works of literary art.
"Yellow stripes = Power, Stickers = Power" fantastic stuff and a great way to piss away a dull workday morning.
Be sure to check-out the hate mail, it's classic.

That is f***ing hilarious ;D ;D ;D
People with that much lack of taste should have been shot at birth

Some French and Belgian people can be insane too...

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/vans/trafic-3/view.html

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/vans/trafic-1/view.html

and not only with vans...

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/cars/granada-1/view.html

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/cars/kadett-1/view.html

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/cars/manta-1/view.html

what is this one ?? Is it supposed to be a Commer ??  :P

http://www.chez.com/jacky/images/cars/minibus-1/view.html

Sure I have seen that last one Gilles or was I halucinating?!  :D ;D ;)

In the 70's on the road from London to Katmandu  ;)

LOL!  

My wife just said "Oh, I like that Astra" (Kadett), I nearly fell off my chair... Divorce?

Ok for divorce if you keep the car !!!  :P

Oh dear, that's too much for me. I think I have to run for the toilet...  :o

A shame it's not a four door. Customised four doors always look so much tackier than the two door equivalent.

In best Iain Paisley voice,  Never, Never, Never!!

The Commer is immortal, didn't you know?

The Commer might be immortal ...........but you must go on one of Dreamracers track days to qualfy the Commer for immortality,as I have done with the"Shed".

Wishy

That sounds like a challenge to me  ;D

Next track day , me and goldfish will bring on the Mini....

May just about beat the commer....

Andy,

Reference your statement - The Commer is immortal, didn't you know? - of course it is - as an example of British automotive engineering at its finest peak, it will live forever more - I was simply suggesting that maybe it now deserved the same sort of veneration and treatment that is accorded to the historic race cars - pampered and polished - or will you continue with the great tradition of only fixing it only when it breaks and using its performance to the maximum at every opportunity?  ;)

Mark

The Commer is venerated wherever it goes. Except by me. It is currently languishing for the winter in the corner of a field under a tree. I might top up it's anti freeze mix if it is lucky.

It has no performance as such (40bhp) and weighs well over two tons laden for Le Mans. It is made of really think steel, you should try drilling through it! Last year going up a mild hill, it was so slow, I was able to put it in first gear, light a fag, smoke it, fiddle around changing the cassette tape in the wireless, before changing into second gear.

It never breaks down so there is absolutely no need for any maintenance. Ever.

Turbo charger? ::) ;)

 :D  We've already discussed an arse kicking V8 conversion - winter project?

I remeber it well Steve.  Hilarious stuff.  I just thought a turbo might be a little more simple. ;D

I think turbocharging the poor little asthmatic Commer engine may be a bit terminal  ;)

I remember seeing a Fiat 127 with a similar modification that chucked it's con rods through the sump not long after  :'(

However, a jet engine - there's an EXCELLANT idea.
(I wouldn't want to be following behind though)!

Hmm..........suspension problems?????

Some things are best just left as they are. >:(

Party pooper  ;D ;D ;D

Aw come on Andy, contemplating modifying the legendary Commer has given us many hours of innocent fun.  ;D ;D

Here is a good example  ;)

and another  ;)

I'm really struggling to see the Commer ever looking like one of those.  Certainly give the Gendarmerie something to think about ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Wow, it even looks like the sky is burning. What a machine !!! Still no jet engined Commer, Andy ? :D

i bet its a real sod trying to keep your martini in its glass in that thing.
steady james ;D

You have to be jokin' it!
No way, Jose!

Come on guys - forget a dry power jet - if you really want to fit a jet then at least make it a decent one with reheat.......

Too expensive to drive to LM Mark. Think of the fuel bill.

However, there was recently a milk float for sale on ebay that had a fully running Jet Provost engine bolted where the pintas should be. Went for a mere two grand. Now that WAS good value!

Yup, but it is only paraffin, it is much more impressive, and you do get there much quicker......if i was able to upload a piccy (which I can't at the moment, because the system keeps telling me the upload folder is full) you could see those lovely shock diamonds........  The Jet Provost was the milk float of the aviation world - constant thrust, variable noise.

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Now wouldn't THAT look cool on Maison Blanche...

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Wow, brilliant tool for frying the sausages.  ;D

you could cook for the whole of Le mans with that thing :o

 Mark.nice shot of the 71 and it's famed'diamonds' have you got a night shot of it.never gonna see it's type again, what a pity

It would win the drag racing every time.

Heres a link to a good short video of a SR71 flyover, with good engine diamonds

http://www.wvi.com/~lelandh/srflyor.mpg

It's 1.9 MB and took 3 minutes on ADSL to download.

SUPERB!!! Cheers Steve!!  ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Well,as there is so much speculation about the famed Commer.I think Mr.Zarse should look at this link:

www.americanmotorhomes.co.uk

Wishy

Andy,

        Come on - this subject has aroused so much speculation, ranging from the vaguely practicable (if unwise) to the extraordinary (and definitely unwise).   So just when will we see Team Commer entered in a new LMP2500 category, trailing a reheat plume down the Mulsanne, leaving the privateer Audis in its wake........one can but dream sometimes

Mark

I think we may need to give some more thought to the Commer's corning abilities though.
The blast down the Mulsanne may not stop at the corner  :-\

On the up side, with the proposed improvements the Commer will reach Tours easily within less than 5 minutes.  ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

We may have problems with traction.  Still the humps and bumps on the Mulsanne would be smoothed out.

We could ask Mercedes to help - they've probably developed a way of controlling direction whilst airborne by now.............   Alternatively, a stout bit of Armco on the outside track edge of all corners should help it to stay on the track......

Stop! Halt!

I don't want to be a party pooper, but things do seem to have side tracked to the surreal a shade too far. If God had wanted Commers to go quicker, he'd have shown the GPO how to tune them.

Anyway, there is no known way to make a Commer go any faster than it actually feels it wants to. It's the only vehicle I have ever driven that genuinely gets "tired" on a long journey. If you stop and give it twenty minutes to get it's breath back, it roars off again, best foot forward. But half an hour later, it's once again knackered, wheezing and red in the face, even tho the temperature is constant. How can this be?

It's other human characteristic is that it, and it alone, decides whether to start or not. Sometimes you can scrape the ice off the window and start it up first touch. Other days, it will not even fire once even with liberal doses of Bradex Easy Start, which I would have thought was an impossiblility. A good yelling at and threats of violence, a la Basil Fawlty, normally shows it who's boss.

Any thoughts? My own theory is that it is haunted. I have reason to believe a previous owner committed suicide in it, which is why it was so cheap. There is also a nasty stain on the drivers seat cushion. You sometimes hear footsteps and terrible moaning noises in the night. And I was once woken by a cold hand stroking my face, even tho I was the only person in there! There are also the voices in the cooker that tell me to Kill! Kill! Kill!

Spooky!

No doubts about a lack of ground force, that's what I call a proper race car.  ;D

Andy, did the stain on the seat appear after a night at the strip show at the funfair (those were the days!!)  ;)

As far as the moaning noises you hear, that was probably just your snoring (we heard it from Houx Annexe last year)  ;D

A vertical drop from the top of Beachy Head may help.

How about this for a replacement engine......The Commer T3 2 stroke diesel engine..........follow the link, and click on 'links', strange indeed :-\            http://www.commer.org/

Gibber,

The T3 was superb bit of engineering theory, it was just let down by poor fuel control and monitoring systems. A flat 2 stroke supercharged diesel engine, each opposed pair of pistons shared a common combustion chamber. I think it was called reciprocating or something. With modern electronic control systems, it would be a winner today. And what a lovely smooth mellow noise they make.

Did you see the moving gif of one on the Dutch Commer site above?

I love the rockers from the piston rods to the crankshaft below.

Sure did Andy, it's a work of art :D  Shame it isn't available :'(

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Never really played with the engines in the RN.  Communications specialist

Andy

How did you manage to copy that.  When I tried, it came out as a static picture :-[

Then you must have heard the banshee wailing noise they make  ;)

When I worked on supertankers and someone was concerned about something we used to say "that's f**k all on a big ship" - a good philosophy.

Spent most of my service in tiddly things so you noticed when something went wrong................'Oh God, what's fallen over now?'

Andy,
 
        Oh my lord, I am so sorry.......I didn't realise there was actually an owners club....... and you think a reheated jet-engined Commer is surreal ???

I too have an equally human mechanical device, which defies engineering logic - instead of my usual trusty steed of an MGA, I will embark on the quest to Le Mans one year in my 1957 Berkeley which is powered by the mighty 328cc Excelsior 2-stroke engine, endowed with a magnificent 20bhp.   That way, the Commer may be in good company and stand a chance of beating something on the drag strip............ ::)

A Berkeley you say? Is it like one of those Reliant things where the Villiers 250cc drove a chain to the front wheel? Sounds so crap it's got to be good!

There is no Commer Owners Club in the UK, only in Holland for some reason. They must be strange folk. Commers are catered for by the Classic Camper Club. It's all-action, madcap craziness in the CCC! Click here to read what they get up to:

http://classiccamperclub.tripod.com/memberstales.htm

I especially like the bit about camping next to the tramp's soup kitchen.

 

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Andy, take a look at this
http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/BobPrattCamper.htm
The guy bought one in South Australia !

I recall a guy I knew in the later 80's with one of these.  The original engine expired so he transplated a Honda 750 four engine in.  It went somewhat better after that.  :o

Did you not see it when you were out there? Funnily enough, I saw one in superb nick in New Zealand last year.

Bob is a man after my own heart. I quote from his webpage, he says he prefers:  "....a full-height body and a rear entry, making for a very comfortable lay out..."

Who could want more?

Star player  ;D
I've just done some more surfing and .... yes... there's a Yahoo group for the Commer camper - have you joined yet ??

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/campervan/

All known life is here  :D

Wayhey, they have Commers in Japan (or some other Oriental place??)

http://www.geocities.co.jp/MotorCity-Circuit/1867/ourcars/commer/commer02.html

What would I do without Google ?

Yes, I joined but it's as dull as ditch water.

Commers in Japan? There is a rumour that Toyota took one over years ago and took it to pieces, worked out how they could make it cheaper and better. There were not many forward control vans prior to that. It became the HiAce, the rest is history. It is not as wide as a Commer due to domestic road tax reasons in Japan.

Britain leads, gets copied, then overtaken. It is the old story.

Steve,

         Indeed, engine transplants were/are popular and I have been looking at the same sort of thing to up the power output - the main problem with the bike engines is the lack of a reverse gear and the relatively tall height of a four-stroke not fitting under the bonnet.   The original gearbox is an Albion made 3 or 4 speed with reverse.   A fellow Berkeley owner is just about to take his hillclimbing and/or sprinting after transplanting a Rotax 2-stroke - with slightly over 100bhp on tap it should be entertaining!  

From what I remember he fabricated a chain drive from the output shaft of the bike engine to the transmission of the Berkeley ??

In the kit car world, people are now fitting Hayabusa and Fireblade engines to 'Seven' type kit cars.  These engines are canted slightly so as to reduce the height.  There are a number of specialist manufacturers making simple reverse gear mechanisms to fit after the bike transmission.
These are either epicylic assemblies enabling reverse, or else a simple electric motor that engages to provide rewards movement.
You pays your money etc......

Indeed you do - and at £600-odd for a Quaife reverse assembly, I think I would be heading into jury-rigged electric motor territory!   The Hayabusa/Fireblade bike engines are popular, but the dear old Berkeley really doesn't need anything quite that powerful - working out the maths, something more modest with around 70bhp would give a top speed of around 120mph and 50-60lb/ft torque a 0-60 time of about 6 seconds - that said, the bloody thing is frightening enough at an indicated 60 !

Oh lord!  Malcolm and the wheel..................counds like a determined chap ::)

Come to think of it, the one I know of that was converted, as far as I remember, was a 3 wheeler (2 at the front) - am I going senile ??

Steve,

            You may well be going senile. but not in this respect.   Berkeley produced more 3 than 4 wheelers, because they could be driven with road tax and a licence for a motorbike.   The 4 wheelers are exactly the same except the shape of the back end and the obvious addition of the fourth wheel...

Rick M,
You missed out last time but it's here again - and in Peterborough

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2446723767&category=14256

Alternatively, if you want a slightly larger Commer

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2445704068&category=18307

Or something a bit smaller

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3569715547&category=16481

CA ought to buy the second one and present it to Andy for all ther entertainment that the Commer gives us...............respect AZ ;D

I especially like the fact that it was an ex Mr Whippy Van.  That could be easily changed to Miss Whippy  ;D

Very kind Gibber, but what do I want a bloody ice cream van for? Anyway the original Commer (the evil one) would get very angry.
BTW I looked at it yesterday through the kitchen window and was sure I could see somebody sitting in the back, looked like an old man.  :o Dashed outside but there was no one in there! I am now convinced it's haunted.

It sounds as though it needs an exorcism.  Maybe you should name the Commer Christine.  :o

After Hamilton?

Hmm, yes.  You're definately onto something there.

I was refering to the toy Andy ::)

Then he could park it in the funfair and make a fortune as the rest of the "entertainment" has gone!  ;D

But it's a real ice cream van. Do you mean the 3rd item? Who would possibly want a battered old Commer van?

Errr...

Oh! :-[

I know I'm getting old but don't you think she has a certain flirtatiousness about her :o

Nop i dont. She's a hideous old money grabbing witch. ;D

Ah yes Andy, quite right, the third one.  Lunchtime research getting to me ::)

Fair enough..........I am getting old :-[

Nah. Christine is a silly name for a van.  How about Chameleon....as in

'Commer commer commer commer commer-chameleon'

Oh lord now I've totelly lost it ::)

Careful Andy, or she'll have you in court ala Mohammed Al Fayed Stylie  :)

Miss Christine Whippy as a name for a Commer van ? Now you're getting silly...  or is it me ? ;D

BTW, we are on page 8 now.

... and counting    ;D

Christine Whippy sounds like the name of an american trash metal band ?

(or it should be)

Well blow me! Thanks Steve. It's like it's meant to be, wonder what transpired for the original deal to fall through? Surely people don't bid on ebay then back out do they? That's just not cricket!

Run it past Mrs. Meister and I rather think I would be living in it permanently if this gorgeous piece of Commerness were to make the short trip up the A15 to Bourne. Mind you, now the Bond Bug is sold and due for collection tomorrow, there is space in my mate's yard!!  ;D

Jeeezus!
You can tell the season's over and the nights are drawing in.
EIGHT pages on the subject of Zarse's f**k*ng van!
You're all mad as badgers.

 ;D So that's what the striping in my hair is!! And I thought it was just the onset of greyness!

I could always make it Read Only...



but I'm quite enjoying it so I won't

It's one of those strange English things Matt.  The Commer is to be admired because it IS..............nothing more.  And Mr Z is to be admired for publicly owning up to having it ;D  Of such things were the British Empire built.  Yup, mad badgers as well :o  

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Ah, now that is one sweet little baby that I would like to own. Earlier styling a must and even gone as far as to get the Haynes manual from ebay!! Oh dear, feel I've given away too much again. What little shred of credibility I had left has now gone forever!

But what a Lemons-mobile that would be!! Would have to be a van, fitted out with furry interior and funky seats and kick-ass stereo and...........

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Smokie, I'm sure there's far more entertainment to come  :D

Oh dear, just found this for sale on my favourite CF website:

FOR SALE  Thursday 4th Dec 2003 at 19:58

1971 cf custom van 5.2ltr chevy auto box, one of a kind reshaped and custom paint work. sofa bed gull wing side door, cd plus amp sound system. this van is a well known van on the custom car shows. current mot and tax. sounds and looks very tasty ! must go space needed £1350.00.


 ;D

Go on Rick, give yourself an early Christmas present.

Just waiting for the chap to send me photos!! Top of a very steep and slippery slope down I think!  :o

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Ooops we're on page 9 now !!

Ah now, if it was an early Transit van with similar interior I might be tempted :-X

OK well let's work hard to make it 10+ so Matt will be even more impressed!!  ;)

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

 ;D Marvellous! Nice one Nordic!

That's a great one, it's so low you can easily enter it with a wheelchair, just roll in.  ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Now that IS a Lemons-mobile, even room for an indoor barbie!!

 ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Has to be said that the CA was indeed a gorgeous creation and would be high on my list if it wasn't for my strange childhood fixation with wanting to be a van driver and a yearning for the CF that was borne out of an endless stream of Trannies that were my steed in my delivery days!!

And that is a particularly fine example. To quote our beloved Loaded mag - "Good Work Fella" to both the owner and you for supplying the photo!!

 ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Crikey - where have all these beauties been all my life?

Unfortunately all the van trannies I drove were of the MkII/facelift variety but I drove a few of these with dormobile bodies and chairlifts! Oh those were the days, just bumming around from one pay packet to the next.

 ;D

Rick, several CFs for sale on the Classic Camper Club website, not too expensive. Hit the link then click where it says CLICK HERE under the Tin Snail.

http://classiccamperclub.tripod.com/Forsalesandwants.htm

My own best memory of the CF is of a local builder who owned one near where I grew up. The man was as thick as pig sh*t and twice as smelly.  ;D Anyway, one day he tried to run over a pheasant in the road to feed his to 'orrible vandal kids. The pheasant moved to the other side of the road, so the fool swerved to hit it, lost control and smashed into a stone built bridge. What a mess, van written off and his teeth smashed in.  :D It improved his looks no end. The pheasant got away, shortly after his wife ran off with the man from the Pru. :'(

Commer drivers are the gentlemen of the roads and would not plumb such depths of behaviour. I suggest you join the international Commer set and not the Bedford louts.

The first one is even a prototype, a real LMP so to say. I wasn't aware that Ford built any LMPs in 1972 but hey, you never stop learning. This one even has hot & cold running water, shower, toilet, fridge and a cooker. Seems to be the ideal vehicle for a 24 hour non stop run.

Cripes, there is plenty of divorce-fodder there that's for sure!!

Hmmm........

Wahaaayyyy - made it to page 10!!! You still reading Matt??  ;)

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Great!!! (Where are all these beauties kept and how come we never see any on the road?).

But have you noticed what lurks in the background behind Tweety?????  ;D

Oh crikey Rick, how could I have missed it............Superb ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Hellfire Mark that is fabulous.  I'm sure I had a Dinky toy of one of those when I was a kid.  Be worth a fortune now if I still had it, which i don't :'(

And the rest of the world I should imagine :o

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

I DO NOT BELIEVE IT :o :o

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

It's been an education - and all we get over here are $250,000 Prevost RV's - all marble worktops, double a/c's and auxillary power units.
The Ecosse transporter was hilarious.

I'm impressed by your collective lunacy and bizarre vehicle finding ability, you frickin' nutters.

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Yes, this is a very interesting early Model. Mine is a PB1500, this one is a PA1500, you can tell because it does not have the trademark lozenge shaped grille, it is rather more sqare in aspect. And the handbrake worked on the back wheels not the front. Also the wiper switch and fan switch are an inch to the right on the dash. Thank God I'm not an anorak. ;)

It is also looks as if it's about to f**k Tweety up the arse.  :o :o  I would expect no less from any all male, red bloodied Commer.

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

I'm reminded of the Putley Creach Land Yacht, as featured in The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

So, pretty thin on all those luxury accessories in that wild,wild west then...........  ;) ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Steve Brown - Good work fella!
MGMark - Why are you looking at a website called 'old woodies'? I'm very worried about that. It's not right.

Matt - I wasn't looking for it deliberately - honest - I just typed "car camper conversion" into google to see what else I could find and there they were under the images tab - they really were just too good to miss, particularly the Model T with the mobile home on the back - all you need with that is a trailer to put the pool in and you too can be the envy of all on MB, as you sup your gin sling on the patio as the sun goes down !!!!

I particularly like the windscreen arrangement on the Model T - most impressive!!

Yes I'm still here and not down the pub! It's gone 9pm and I'm still graftin' away with the occasional dip into this lark when a mail comes in telling me there's another comment on the "badger post"!

 ;D

Good to find another Freak Bros fan Steve!!  I'll have to dig out my collection (and bong) for a trip down memory lane...!  ;D

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

PM - If thats what you call a beauty , hate to think what you favourite flosy lady is like.

The 1915 Gypsy van looks like it was a pre runner to the Pope Mobile

PM,

      Late in the day or not, that one is sheer class in this day and age - what is it? A fish and chip van? A caravan? A coach? A mobile Library?

Mark

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

I can see the marketing lines now.......Comma, helps you jack faster!!   ;D

A tad rude if I might say so Mark ::)

[attachment deleted by admin - age > 25 days]

Ok for the modern aspect but it doesn't have the glamorous aspect of the Commer use...
... it might be not so easy to be be proud of driving it better than a Commer...
... and really more difficult to include on the ACO poster  :P !!!

I don't know Gilles. It could easily resemble a UK Audi that has parked up because it ran out of fuel.

No surprise really that they haven't invited Biela back to drive again next year!!??

Bedford Rascal v's COMMER

top fuel dragg strip action

both running on

Shell Ultra Max

On N138 in June    =



Road Block    :D

Bedford Rascal a UK van ?????

In continental europe it's called GME Rascal but in fact...

... it's a japanese van !!!!  :P

DO NOT under any circumstances take this thread to Page 13.

The Curse of the Commer will strike anyone foolish enough to incur its' wrath.

You have all been warned.

Yeah! When I used to run a courier company down in Notting Hill, we used to have a Suzuki Supercarry which was I believe the same thing. What a corking little van it was ... NOT!! It was a reserve van and everyone dreaded the day their car or van needed a service!!

Andy, with due apologies, but this is just too good to stifle - the thread moved long ago to having the largest number of posts, and most of them are on topic!   The Commer should not be unduly upset, as the emphasis has moved subtly to taking the p*ss out of other makes with the sole purpose of making it look better.  

Following from my last post, for those who are feeling as though their life is not complete, the opportunity for that Christmas present to yoursefl is here!  
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447452382&category=9858 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447452382&category=9858)

As I type, 10 bidders have taken it to £1020 and it hasn't even met its reserve yet.   It even has an HPI check, although who would want to nick it is beyond me.   Looking at the pictures, there must be a Tardis-like parallel dimension inside, or it's just made for very small people.......

Sorry Andy, feeling like b**ls of steel this morning.  Don't know if this will go to the next page or not, but my bones are telling me that the Commer is making strange noises right now ;)

Sorry Andy, feeling like b**ls of steel this morning.  Don't know if this will go to the next page or not, but my bones are telling me that the Commer is making strange noises right now ;)

I cannot, in all conscience let someone else run this risk..............here goes nothing (oh Lord I hear the Commer revving up)  :o

Well now, that wasn't too painful.  I'm sure the Commer is resting peacefully..............Argh no its         its       iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Well done that man - I hope you are still alive and well.........what's that I hear coming down the corridor now....... oh no..........it's after me now.......

Mark

Let's keep distracting it, and maybe it will become too asthmatic to continue the chase.........................Oh sh*t

Impossible........the thing just rests to catch its wind and then keeps on coming......aaaahhhhh.......I'll just nip sideways into this meeting room and see if it loses the scent.......

Bl**dy he** Mark, that thing moves fast.  All quiet here at the moment...................

Phew....that was close.....I think I managed to lose it in the twisty turning corridors of pure power here.  Off to do a bit of work now, I'll report back later.......

So would page 13 be a bad time for me to join in this discussion?

(http://www.dreamracers.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/ghostface.gif)

Depends if you hear the growling, moaning noises of a Commer on the hunt  :o

Wait... is that a misfire I hear in the distance?  Was that a door creaking in my house or the suspension of one of the worlds finest campervans?  :o

run man RUN LIKE HELL :o

I'm waiting for page 14.......and it should be here pretty soon!!   ;D

Be it on youw own head mark, you insisted on joining page 13.  Watch your back

That would be the back that now has tyre marks along it..??!!

I think it found me!!!!......  Or could it just be where I fell over in the middle of the road on the way back from the pub last night??  ;D

I have to say it's pretty scary too about the speed it seems to be able to travel between us when AZ says it can't get above 55mph normally!!  ;)

Must be page 13 warp speed.  Let's get on to 14 QUICK

Well, I made it through the meeting and - at great risk to personal safety - made a sortie outside to track down the angry wagon.   Proof here that its top speed is well in escess of 55mph, but that the beast's weak point is that its handling department cannot cope with a swift, well-timed sidestep................

[attachment deleted by admin]

I survived, and my tale is one of quick thinking and guile.  I hid the WD40 and walked away, as with old electrics, I was more likely to make the getaway than an old van  ;)

Sound thinking - but beware, it's probably off raiding Halfords and limbering up on a diet of jack oil ready for the next phase.................. this news article has chilling overtones of this morning's testing of our defences..........

A group of the Commers ransacked the cemetery in the remote village of Makrino Zagoriou, damaging the gravestones of deceased locals and drinking oil from the lamps adorning their tombs. "This is the second time in two months that the Commers have come to our village," said local councillor Stiris Spyradakis. "This time nothing was left undisturbed."
Now the villagers fear that the Commers, emboldened by their recent adventures, could turn their attention to the living.

This of course raises the festive question of..........................
Was it the Ghost of Commer Past, Commer Present, or Commer Future!

and whether it is transitive or intransitive...........

Ooh that's getting a tad tangential for me  ;)

At exactly 10.13.19 am this morning, at precisely the time of Gibber opening the thirteenth page, a terrible rumbling was heard to be coming from the general direction of the Commer. Now it could have been the big ends, but it sounded more paranormal than that.

Then at about 11.30 today, my wife phoned to say she's smashed in the front of her car in Tunbridge Wells. Nothing serious, she's okay, but I am not making this up!

You are playing with forces of which mortal man has no comprehension. You do so at your own peril, you young fools!

Hey Gibberish.....he called you young!!   ;D

Seriously though, sorry to hear about the wife's crash Andy. Glad she's OK!!

Her well being does of course eliminate The Commer as tangling with that would have been serious!!

Maybe it's time I locked the thread, we wouldn't be wanting the Curse of Club Arnage to cause Andy any more trouble would we...

...guidance please...

Hey, looks like you all have been busy today, sorry I couldn't participate (went to work)  ;D

Looks like the ghostly Commer even got as far as New Zealand today !



[attachment deleted by admin]

Smokie - I think we should be OK now, as the mystic page number has been passed and Andy has not reported any further rumblings.   It's really rather a nice topic, with a main central theme familiar to us all - namely that classic British vehicle engineering is a thing of wonder with innate human character- the subject sort of wanders off periodically into related territories on a random basis that makes sense.   However, as he is the keeper of the beast, I think that any arbitration on locking it should lie with Andy.  

Andy - glad to hear that the missus is OK

Mark

Just goes to show how disoriented the poor boy must be.  Something to do with living in close proximity to a Commer  ;)

Andy.  Please accept abject apologies for forcing the issue onto page 13.  If I thought for one minute that this had contributed to your wife's accident I would be most upset.  Glad she's OK though.

Best we get to page 15 asap then to put some distance between us and p*ge *3  (I'm not going to say it again in case it is cursed. As with "The Scottish Play", I suggest it should now be referred to as "That Page"  ;)

'Afore Burnham Wood do come to Dunsinane', if I remember my Shakespear correctly.

How about 'That OTHER Page'  :)

Gibberish - close - "Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane,
I cannot taint with fear."   Macbeth, 5. 3

So presumably we're OK until the woods start marching -    How many beers does it take for that to happen?

Mark

Oh No!!!  Not the trees.............!!!!!

Although I must say that on the day we won the world cup, a tree came to my aid, as did a set of traffic lights. They were the only stable things I could grab hold of to hold myself up when trying to walk home!

Oh no, my English teacher would be mortified   ::)

Did you look that up Mark, or did you know it straight off?

My english teacher wouldn't have been mortified, just astounded if I had remembered a Shakespeare quote accurately, so honest injun on this one - from the dim and hazy memory of it from school days it didn't look quite right, so I admit to looking it up!  

How very honest, the Commer would be proud of you as long as we don't mention The Other Page  :o

Now you could of course go for both in one.................

[attachment deleted by admin]

Maybe you could turn the tree into something as well ::)

[attachment deleted by admin]

I was just wondering whether we should start something like the Commer Awards.  AZ gets the frist prize for being the owner, but I can't help wondering what other categories we might be able to think up.  Most original use of a Commer?  Most silly suggestion for what to do with a Commer?  Scariest Commer Moment (see 'The Other Page') :o

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Highest speed achieved by a Commer ....... vertically from the top of Beachy Head  ;D ;D

Now that was uncalled for and just so unkind - that's the sort of thing you do to an Austin Allegro.........
Go for a few tasteful modifications like this to assess the speed at which lift is obtained when launched down a runway......

[attachment deleted by admin]

Austin Allegro indeed sir :o  How dare you use such foul language on this site, and especially in the illustrious company of the Commer.  Wash your mouth out with soap.   ;D ;D

It sounds like we're heading back full circle to a jet engined Commer   ;D

My dear chap, it was merely to illustrate the sheer quality and noble breed of the Commer set against such trash as the Allegro, when someone suggests chucking one off Beachy Head to check the accuracy of the 32 feet per second per second rule.   If the Taylor Aerocar could do it in 1954 (see picture below) then I am sure that strapping a couple of wings and a tail on the Commer would work to add a new dimension to the trip to Le Mans.......

[attachment deleted by admin]

Help!!  If I'd come across that I would have had no chance of fnding my way back to my mates house. In fact, I'd probably still be wandering around Surrey now!!

And a great way to avoid the rip off ferry companies!!  ;)

Steve, now there's an idea.......mind you, the original inventor of the aerocar is now actually developing a modern version using the Lotus Elise fitted with a twin turbo V8..........further details at www.aerocar.com (http://www.aerocar.com)

[attachment deleted by admin]

Arhh, you need a Amphicar



[attachment deleted by admin]

I'm not sure if this is a car, a motorhome, a boat or .... a rocket ??

[attachment deleted by admin]

Oh no, here we go again................jet engine and wings...........Well it would save Andy the cost of the cross channel ferry.  Wizard idea.  Well done chaps :D

Surely it's for tunnelling (providing yet another means of transport to Le Mans) modelled on the Mole from Thunderbirds? ;D

That's the james Bond one isnt it?

This is more up my street (or canal!)



[attachment deleted by admin]

?????????????????  the last two posts appear to have reversed themselves, or are we in a time warp again?

I've found the Ultimate Le Mans vehicle.

Sod the ferries, here it is ......



[attachment deleted by admin]

Must have been the curse of the Commer!

I'll take two  :D

Oh yyyyeeeesssss! - that is fantastic - now just need to add those wings and jet engine...................

 ;D ;D

Where is Zarse.  We need a renewed sense of direction here  ;)

Make it more than one and then Club Arnage truly can beat the rip-off ferry companies...............  

[attachment deleted by admin]

This is definately more my cup of tea !!


http://www.watercar.com/




[attachment deleted by admin]

Certainly would have sorted out everyone's aquaplaning problems shortly after the start at Le Mans a couple of years ago !

Zarse is here. Sorry gents but I've been working, I do do some work on occasions.

But don't look to me for a sense of direction. I lost the point of this thread ago!! ;D ;D And I suspect all the other contributors did too. ???

Mark, can you not call in some sort of air stike to destroy it? I would suggest a flight of Tornado GRs fitted with the new TIALD guided C-RAM munitions (C-RAM = Commer Removing Airborn Missile).

I know how you flyboys like your acronyms!

Hmm..........sounds like the end of thread to me.   :'(

Andy, whatever the original point of the thread, it has become a rather delightful free-flowing illustration of loosely-connected insane ideas, seemingly backed up by real things that some idiot has actually built...... In terms of AI strikes using the new C-RAM, unfortunately, the Tornado is not a suitable launch platfrom and Eurofighter 2000 is well, not yet here in 2003, so we have renamed it Typhoon in the hope that people won't notice the delay.   Moreover, the latest Defence White Paper has decided that we need lots of smart munitions, so that need less people to operate them (shades of Blue Streak and Sandys in the '50s).   Recent tests of C-RAM have indicated that the CEP is insufficently accurate, Vmax will not touch the Commer in a tail-chase and the IR signature is totally unreadable.   All in all then a GMFU, so we'll fall back on the BBMF to launch the Lanc with a Grand Slam instead - chocks away.......  

F***ing ace Mark...still laughing

Could it be air launched from an Aero Car ?

No no no, the ideal launch vehicle has to be the..........Commer itself  ;D

HHmmmm tricky one that - with a kerb weight of an Aero Car at, say, 1500lbs and the weight of a single Grand Slam at 22,000lbs filled with RDX, it might struggle to move an inch even revving the nuts off a  twin-turbo V8.   Size could also be an bit of a show-stopper (piccy below).................  

[attachment deleted by admin]

Please stop it, pleeease.
I'll do anything, just stop it...
H

Anything H ?  Ok  

Big H - I'm sorry - it's just too much fun when compared with the mind-numbing prospect of work today......


Aaahhh - but then you get into the problems of equipment compatibility with British aerospace engineering..................


[attachment deleted by admin]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to destroy the thread in reality. Indeed, such things are indestructable. A bit like the Commer itself.

Last year we were driving down the N138, through what is known as the  Falaise Pocket. Looking in the rear mirror, I am sure I could see ghostly Typhoons (original WW2 ones) chasing us, firing misslies and cannons at the Commer. This spiritual "L'Encirque" had no effect of course and we were able to escape the killing fields.

Blue Streak, wasn't that Steve on his 40th birthday? I didn't know he was pals with the Duncan-Sandys.

Actually, I was just attempting to send the thread off on a new tangent! It seems to have worked.

Very clever Mr. Z.  Now I'm off to get p***ed at our company Christmas lunch.  see you chaps the other side of a hangover.

NB  only a few to go before deity status is achieved  ;D

Andy - I'm sure that the ghostly Typhoons must have just been trying to clear the Panzers out of the way of the Commer - after all, us chaps simply wouldn't fire blue on blue - we just don't do that sort of thing - it just isn't cricket.   Ops will try and make sure that they give you a wider berth next time, minimise the AAA, eliminate clutter with ECM, provide ASW support over the Channel, use CAS with mobile FAC support and you'll be home and dry in MB before you know it in time for tea and medals. ;D ::)

Friendly fire eh!!  ;)

Anyone able to translate this ??



[attachment deleted by admin]

Do you know, I think you might be right. Wondered why we never took a DH.

Medals and Grimburgen more like!

Protection from the skies, my dear chap, is a wonderful thing.......mind you even a DH on the Commer probably wouldn't even scratch it.

Just a quick thought...  This thread made it past 13 pages - will it make it to triple figures?!

At this rate probably by the end of the weekend!!   ;D

Was it a Commer or a Bedford in the Italian Job ?  ???

A mini  ;D

 :( I'm not completely stupid  >:(

The supporters' van... was it a Commer or not?

I think that was a Bedford, wasn't it ?

Who cares.

MINI's were the centre peice , the rest just there for making up the numbers.

Gilles, I believe it was a Bedford CA Dormobile like this :


[attachment deleted by admin]

Andy, look at this beauty


[attachment deleted by admin]

It was a Thames. Thames was the commercial vehicle arm of Ford. They stopped making them when the Transit first appeared in '67.

Smokie: I am now formally asking for you to lock this thread. I can't take any more of this.

This afternoon I was filling up with Petrol at the Murco garage in Hayes, Middlesex. As you know, the roads are covered in salt and sh*t and having an important business meeting tomorrow, I thought the Subaru could do with a spruce up. So I invested in the car wash.

Cut a long story short, the brushes wrapped themselves around the small  rear roof spolier (it's the estate version) and started lifting the car up and down. Something had to give and eventually, the spolier came away with an almighty crack. It had pulled the bolts through the bodywork. Fortunately it is booked in to have the rear end fixed after the telegraph pole incident, so I'll somehow have to work in the cost of a new spoiler too.

BTW if anyone doesn't beleive me, if you pay the postage, I'll gladly send the pieces anywhere in the world.

I firmly believe the Commer is in someway behind all this grief. So let's lock the thread and see how it goes. Can't be any worse.

Bloody hell Andy, seems like you need to hibernate for the winter.
Here's hoping your run of shitty luck is about to change.

I know this may not be much help, but your last post was your 666th !!!

Sorry Andy, had to laugh out loud at Steve's observation!!!

And having been away for a couple of days, I simply cannot believe that this thread has made it to page 19!!!!!

Can I come and collect? I'll take all the pieces (i.e. the car  ;D )

Thanks

DR

Before any precipitious action, in deference to the good Mr Zarse's current run of ill fortune, is taken on this epic subject (which could make to page 20 yet....)...........


The supporters van may not have been a Commer, and the other support vehicle was a good old Landie, but what was the make of the coach?

Bedford Val

I really don't have time for all this today, but I couldn't concentrate knowing I was stuck on post 666.

BTW the engine number of the Commer contains three sixes; I'll have a look in the Book of Revelations tonight and see if I can find any oblique references to Commers. I'm sure I've got a nicked Gideon's bible somewhere.

Andy, I understand your desire to see this thread terminated, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.  How the bl**dy hell do you just happen to know the Commers engine number 'like that'.  I am pretty sure that the so called 'curse' will continue to cause havoc no matter what happens to this thread.  that is, unless you've been out in the field whispering to the beast about these innane ramblings.  Oh God, theres a thought............Commer Whispering  :o :o :o

Easy mate. It's on the MOT document, which I keep in a file in my office! Looking again it's actually the chassis no. 0366069. I'll scan and post when I get a mo.

I'm breathless (like the Commer) with anticipation  ;D

This post is getting wierd and freaky. Return of the Commer , The whistling woods of Commerville, The Commers of eastwick. The Commer witch project.


All new films to be brought to you soon, thanks to thosse bust men from Club Arnage...... ???

'The Commernator'.  A Club Arnarge production starring Arnie Zarse.

Oh look 501  ;D

Thats me all right  ;D.  I assume you meant busy  ;)

Well done that man !   Here's a selection of forthcoming film releases on the 007 theme: :) :)

From Commer with Love
Commers are Forever
The Man with the Golden Commer
The Commer who Loved Me
Never Say Commer Again
A View to a Commer
Commer Never Dies
The Commer is Not Enough

Gold Commer
Dr. Zarse
You only Live in a Commer
ThunderCommer
On Her Majesty's Commer Service
CommerRaker
For Your Commer Only
CommerPussy

Bugger, Page 20.

Christmas 2003 films for Commer lovers in the listings:

All Commers Go To Heaven          Great Commers
Forces of Commer                        The Commer and the Fury
Star wars Episode I: The Phantom Commer
Fierce Commers                            Iron Commer
Night of the Commers                   Commer and the Bandit
Commer the Magnificent              

and that perennial favourite....The Sound of Commer

Oh brilliant, The Sound of Commer's on.
I haven't seen that for ages (well at least 12 months anyway)!

Yup - as is:

White Commer
My Fair Commer
Anna and the Commer

But sadly not Those Magnificent Men in their Commers :( :(

Is The SnowCommer on ??

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Commer
Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Commer
Lord of the Rings - The Two Commers
Lord of the Rings - Return of the Commer
Mission Incommerble (I & II)
Commer over the River Kwai

and lastly that grat comedy:
Comm & Commer

And now moving onto my record collection, don't forget that classic album by Pink Floyd, "Dark Side of the Commer"!

 ;D

and those great Who albums

Who's Commer
Commerophenia
My Commeration
Commy
Odds and Commers

And I almost forgot that other classic Floyd album:

Ummacommer (sometimes also known as Commergumma), which contains the classic track "Set the (Commer) controls for the heart of the Sun"

And then of course there is that great track "Interstellar Commer" and the other albums:

Commer at the Gates of Dawn
A Saucerful of Commers
(which also combined on the double LP issue make "A Nice Commer")
The Commer

Digging elsewhere amongst the vinyl, one can also find those classics such as:

In Search of Commer
Masters of the Commer
Space Commer
Commer on the Edge of Time

Also on that album there's "Several species of small furry animals, gathered together in a cave, grooving with a Commer"


Don't forget the classic track on The Wall, Commerfortably Numb.

Or, perhaps the piece de resistance, "The Commer Must Go On"  ;D ;D ;D

It may go on , put hopefully not to page 21

 ;) I'm sure it will!!  ;D

Just to add my contribution to the song title collection:

Commer Chameleon by Culture Club.

Is that page 21 yet?

Yes..... page 21 ::)

How about commedriphinia by the Who .
Near me some one has a commer ambulane/campervan for sale.
Never bothered with it myself, but because of the curse of the zarse i drive past thinking, is it a commer?
 The very thought....
I blame it on Zarse and the commer.
I must say in my defence i have just recently finished a 2 month nightshift in norfolk(not weekends) in which i saw 2 commers!!!!!
I would never haver have noticed them apart from this forum.
Would anyone else have noticed a Commer?????
I say we burn them..

and what about "Commer Jones' Diary" or "The Commerian Job" ?  ;D

I thought there was an EU Working Time Directive against such long hours. A two month shift seems unreasonable to my mind.

I expect Norfolk has the highest Commer ownership per head of population of any county of the UK. But don't burn them, that's heresy. You'll be burned at the stake in Norfolk. Or "Fetch the comfy Commer!"

BTW Someone gave me an old Corgi model Commer Camper yesterday as a late birthday pressy. I was well made up!

Gilles for you have sinned in a time or religious importance.

The Italian job can never be blasfiemed with the stange powers of COMMER's dark magic.

Mini's have enough problems with rust , let alone the 3rd dimension

What on earth were on last night Robbo?

Not sure, but it sounds very parallel Matrix-ish to
me - ,,,,,,,,,Revolution,,,,,,Reloaded......

I have no idea  ,lack of sleep , too much caffine , the thought of working all over christmas !!

But i have managed to get 500 posts up , and to celebrate i am going to post something really nice.

Oh and i made it on the commer Thread.

Me too.  Does that make us the founding members of the 'YaBB god on Commer thread' club?   ;D

It probably does, so well done chaps - but s**te, I've got a long way to go to reach that celestial status and I don;t think it will happen on this thread, but who knows........... ;D

Just keep plugging away Mark.  All good things come to those who post regularly   ;)

Keep at it Mark, you know you want to  ;D

I expect Norfolk has the highest Commer ownership per head of population of any county of the UK. But don't burn them, that's heresy. You'll be burned at the stake in Norfolk. Or "Fetch the comfy Commer!"



I must say one of the commers was by the side of the road with hazard lights on, the other was in a nearby campsite.
Its not i dont like them its the fact because of you i now know what a coomer is. Your driving along see the gently steaming vehicle by the side of the road and you think "oh look its a commer"
Is there a cure?

This sketch is getting very silly!!
PM

Afraid not Rhino.  You're just stuck with it now.  Look upon this disease as some sort of benign symbiotic relationship.  It helps.  ::)

Yup, but to bring us back slightly towards the topic, seemingly you can do alll sorts with a Mini, although I imagine that this one would not quite be up to the mark of the Monte Carlo and Italian Job cars in the handling department.........

[attachment deleted by admin]

OK, that is wrong on so many levels.....

That's the first picture posted on this thread that has left me utterly speachless.  Who could possibly be such an idiot?  :o

I know - probably the same person that thought a roof tent for an AMC Gremlin would be a good idea.....

[attachment deleted by admin]

?????????????????  :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

This just goes to prove what a wonderful vehicle the Commer really is  ;D

Having to pay all the repair bills of his gremlin (called AMC Pacer in France), the driver can't pay his rent so he needed an accomodation solution !  ;D

Pissed already Gibberish? :D

Not at all AZ.  Just giving praise where praise (relatively) is due.  ;D

My final thoughts of 2003 on the topic, before heading off into the murk of New Year's Eve partying, is that a modern replacement needs to be something that is practically indestructible, even when faced with hordes of Panzers and Tiger tanks (real or imagined) near Falaise, and stands our from the crowd - like the Commer.   Ideally, it should have some military ancestors/connection to enable the future fitting of armaments with relative ease - like the Commer.   Well, here it seems to be - so, watch the f**k out - here comes the fully loaded Humvee.... ;D ;D ;D ;D

[attachment deleted by admin]

.......and at the touch of a switch that camper turns into........

[attachment deleted by admin]

I think friday night fireworks will be interesting this year....

Is there a Commer'n'denominator to this thread?

Happy New Year one and all........

Groan!!!!

You meant to say that the thread content may have become slightly obscure in places?????   Anything related to a potential replacement for AZ's British, classic, indestructible Commer, which quadruples up as a load carrier, a luxury motorhome, a race vehicle and potent war-fighting machine.   Flexibility is the key to Air Power..........  ;D  

So the uploader is full is it?

No wonder, look at all the crap in here. I reckon some of this wouldn't be missed. I feel partly responsible.  :-[

Partly?

Come on Andy, there is some classic motoring (and other) related stuff here.
It should be published.  It would be better than those crap 'trivia' books everyone gets from their auntie at Christmas.

And there I was thinking that this thread might have quietly died when what happens?  The immortal Commer kicks its pet owner into making another post.  I really don't know anymore, it's all too confusing.

Nah....bo***cks........roll on, long live the Commer  ;D

I have been enjoying this marvellous thread for weeks,  I just realised all the old pictures had timed out. The ultimate Commer/ Le Mans link that was discussed on page 10, the Ecurie Ecosse transporter  (were there more than one of those) was at Le Mans last year too I think. I am trying to attach a picture I took in the ferry queue at Le Havre on the monday night, with two nice cars on board. I think they were both Jags, but couldn't get close enough to look while trying not to be too nosy.

Doesn't look as if the attachment is possible but I am very new at this sort of stuff.

Maybe if I just post the url...

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub/birmingham/images/lemans2003/lemans2003153big.jpg


      Bill

here you are Perdu...
H

[attachment deleted by admin]

Wow....

Thanks bigH, I always wanted that Dinky Toy when I was a kid. Now I have seen it... I still want it, but now the real one please. :)

Indeed that is probably the ultimate link, but the other notable type of transport in that area was the Mercedes Silver Arrows transporter - a 195hp 6-cylinder truck, capable of over 170kph (106mph in real money) - what price a duel down the Mulsanne between that and the Commer........

[attachment deleted by admin]

Instead of a replacement, how about an upgrade:

"1950s-early 1960s Commer TS3A Type OE 502,
Supercharged 2 stroke engine (3,520cc) 3 cylinder
opposed piston Diesel for sale. Also 3 gear boxes,
additional 4 superchargers and electric starter motors
(incl CAV,C45). Any reasonable offer considered.
Buyer to collect  Colin Missen, , Leicester, LE18
1FP, England, 01162 884619,
Email: gillian.chapman@royalsurrey.nhs.uk "

Advert on Restored-Classic .com

A Supercharged Commer  :o :o

Damn - the work internet gateway won't let me through.....have to wait until I can get back on the home PC.   sounds interesting though!  

I'm glad to see you are perpetuating the "Modern Commer Replacement" thread  ;D

23 pages in 2 months and just under 5 months until the pilgrimage.

How far will it go before we go to Le Mans??  

All the way, Mark, all the way :o

With unusual racing transporters having featured with the Ecurie Ecosse Commer and the Mercedes, here's another conversion in the good old British way, that tranpsorted a 1930s Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C in the 40s and 50s

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic_car_article11.htm



[attachment deleted by admin]

Now then - someone has actually made a 1/32 scale working slot car (scaletrix to most of us) of the Mercedes transporter.   When will we have a Commer version?  Who can produce such an article?   Then the Brethren's Scaletrix challenge on Karting Nord could take on a new dimension.......

http://home.clara.net/goodwood/MercedesTransporter/Transporter.htm



When will the

[attachment deleted by admin]

Oh look at that.  24 pages.........what an auspicious number :D

I expect to see 24 new messages in the next 24 hours!!  :D

Indeed, so it is....what's the next auspicious number - the number of cars on the grid?


HHmmmm - work is beckoning at the moment, but we shall whether the last posts on the Dodge or the slot car model spark replies.....

With a bit of work, you could probably modify this.



[attachment deleted by admin]

I bet that's worth a few bob in its original box

Even more with its milk crates/bottles(?)  too!

Airfix 1/32 scale kits are quite good for slot modifying - there must have been a Commer one made at some point - I'll go check ebay.

As for the venue, I have to say that I have the ultimate Scalextric track designed (but not built yet - got all the track but needs to be outdoors and no good weather yet). Just under 13 metres (tad over 40 feet) x 5.5 metres (18 feet). Will dig out the design.....

Okeydoke - here goes .. on yer marks!!!!!


[attachment deleted by admin]

And what a versatile little chap this Commer is as captured in thsi cracking Corgi set on ebay right now....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3580761856&category=16481 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3580761856&category=16481)

Excellent, I take it 40ft x 18ft is pretty much to scale.  You'll need a school hall or similar.

Or a Felix-sized pitch on MB!!!  ;D

'Fraid not, scale would be about 500+ feet!!!! It's is fairly representative in terms of shape though. Once again, those long winter evenings have been just flying by! My wife wonders what I do in my "cupboard" all those evenings!

 ;)

Nope, not a sausage. Not even Google can come up with anything. Time for you scratchbuilders to own up!! Your forum needs YOU!

 ;)

Other than in 1:1 scale, my scratchbuilding/rebuilding/ converting in scale tends towards racing topics.....

http://www.scaleautosport.com/models/mw962/   8) 8)

.....but I suppose I might be able to motivate myself towards something different :) :) :)

Posted by: The Rickmeister  Posted on: Today at 04:10:55pm  
Okeydoke - here goes .. on yer marks!!!!!
 
Wot - no Porsche Curves ??? ???

WOW Rick, I got a case of "I wanna build"  ;D

There was a Porsche Curves version in the early stages, but seeing as most of my "stock" is pre-1972 (917 frenzy!!!), opted for the Maison Blanche section instead.

 ;D

And another page further on!!

What is the record thread size? Surely this must be it!

Yes, see the stats here :

http://www.clubarnage.com/yabbse/index.php?board=;action=stats (http://www.clubarnage.com/yabbse/index.php?board=;action=stats)

Wow!! By a country mile reply wise and not far off on total views too!!! And passing the 700 milestone in this legendary thread - I feel honoured to have been a part of it!!

 ;D

It almost has all records, and sure it will surpass the others in time (around a week at current rate)

Mr. McWhirter and Guiness have been in contact and would like to include this thread in next year's book.   :D

Well I used to know the AIRFIX catalogue by heart but they never did do a Commer, Though Dinky did. I wonder if Triang/minic did one that may be raceable, if so.

I used to scratchbuild aircraft , ships and carts and wagons from plasticard, might have to look into it, could be fun.

Take a while I'm still getting ready to put a BMW 5 speeder into Lara, the Midge, in time for the French blast.

 8)

With this post, that makes 22 in the space of about 8 hours.   I suspect the target may be achieved..... ;D

This thread has been top of the replies for a while now, and it will not be long before it hits the top of the views as well. ;D  

23 in just over 19 hours.

That's a new year's resolution !!! I'm gonna build this into my garden.

Wa hey........is there no end to what this thread can achieve ;D

Long Live The Commer!!!!!   :D :D :D

It may not be a Commer, but it was an interesting(???) project.



[attachment deleted by admin]

Love the stabilisers!!!!!

 ;D

Try getting that onto your Scalextric!!  ;D

Apparently, it has a V12 Jag engine driving a hydraulic pump.
The axles feature hydraulic motors driving the wheels.

If I had that kind of money lying around.....................



.

.



.......................I'd build one of these  :-*




.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Inspired of course by the classic version............

[attachment deleted by admin]

Thanks Mark, the header flames aren't quite the same on the classic version though  ::)

 ;D hi ya Bill have found you at last could not remember how to get on to this link page, are the wonder of stella
its the only way to function yes plse i want teeshirt also!!
 :) :) :)

Wot? you mean more like this?




[attachment deleted by admin]

If anyone got the Commer to do that, they would deserve a medal ;)

Yes Mark, like my avatar  :o

Hhmmmm - would need some pretty major surgery to the MGA to do that - do you think I could get away with a "max'd" solution of a stereo with V8 engine noises and injecting fuel into the exhaust ::) ::) ::)

The local Leigh Park kids are very good with flames coming out of cars  :o

Wasn't quite what I had in mind Robbo  ;)

Just keeping this topic on the first page, as it was in danger of slipping down ! :)

Well done that man!  good to see someone that recognises  quality posts about a quality subject!   Now just to add a slightly different flavour to the topic - going boldly whence we have not yet been - here is an alternative replacement using the a blend of technology and the human frame - good for those high angle camera shots and for excursions to the mulsanne in the dead of night..............

[attachment deleted by admin]

Just make sure you avaoid the Helicopters and more importantly the Fireworks!!  ;)

Also pretty usefull for anyone wanting an impromptu haircut .

Bit like a basin cut around the crash helmet huh??  ::)

No where to pack the tent or beers, but could be fun.

BTW crosswinds could be hard to handle.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Probably so, but what about drag.......that heel looks like a very eficient parachute ::)

The original Commer must be more aerodynamic than that ;)

Do like the heel - one of the better outrageous customs!   Taking the themes of aerodynamics (not very) and a supposedly environmentally-friendly modern replacement (albeit one that does not appeal to petrolheads).............

BTW this thread is now not only top of the number of posts (very adjacent to 400 posts.....) but is the most viewed....



[attachment deleted by admin]

The new environmentally friendly age is here.........At lunchtime I saw a Fuel Cell powered london bus.  Damned thing had steam coming out of it. (I know that's what it's supposed to do).  Reminded me of the days of steam driven vehicles......................Now then, a steam driven Commer.  How about that ;)

Now there's the classic sort.............



[attachment deleted by admin]

Beautiful  :D

and the "green" modern alternative - I do hope this is not the shape of things to come in Arnage village on the Thursday/Fri, outside MB on the Friday, or along by Houx post-race..............



[attachment deleted by admin]

And of course, merging the themes of drag races down the Mulsanne, new tramways, steam, motor racing and the history of Le Mans (and this is about the 400th post now....) there is of course the Bentley and the train.................

[attachment deleted by admin]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be...

Anyone ever tried train racing?
The road between Hastings and Folkestone (can't remember what the road # is) had a railway line that crossed the road twice, beyond Rye, out on Romney Marsh. I used to amuse myself, if stopped at the first crossing, in booting my car through the twisties and trying to beat the train, which was traveling pretty much as the crow flies, to the next crossing. It was highly weather and traffic dependent, but I did it a couple of times.
Slightly less hair raising is the A1 Autoroute, which runs parallel to the Eurostar railway line, where it crosses the Somme. I tried to keep up with a TGV on the way home from the 2000 race. I was reading (not necessarily doing) 160mph and the train just pissed- away, ahead of us. Those things rock.

I did the A1/Eurostar race too Matt. On the way down to Disneyland Paris February 2003. Didn't look as though it was going that much faster than me when it passed me as I was doing 90mph so thought I'd boot it and see. Couldn't get anywhere near though.   :(

Changing tack slightly, and going with the theme of another thread on modifying minis, the Commer could of course be turned into a magnificent beast that a) doesn't know whether it is coming or going, or b) just scare the cr*p out of  following vehicles.................

[attachment deleted by admin]

The Perfect LM campsite moblie home/toliet/boat.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Nice strurdy door - could hold in the smell when the beer baby is delivered in the morning

(couldnt see this topic slip to page 2)

In Ford terms, that's the Ghia model - here's the basic, no frills model....................

[attachment deleted by admin]

Commer replacment........

;

Is that a "I'm speechless" in bold letters ?  ;D

Ugger didn't work! Supposed to of been

Commer replacement........

;

and Iv been working on that joke for weeks :'(

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Great gag!

...but don't rush to give up the day job...

Very good BH :D   Reminds me of something colonic  :-X

Sorry, thought I had found the basic model - actually, it is the XL - here's the basic model.....................or is it a Kia, Daewoo or Hyundai...........

[attachment deleted by admin]

How about this little beauty on ebay:

[attachment deleted by admin]

I was given a similarly battered model Commer PB1500 crew bus for my birthday. All I need now is to get hold of a model snotty tramp to lie in the back... :-\

I was talking to a mate who is a very skilled welder last night and he broached the subject of doing a Stretch Commer. Genuinely his idea not mine. And he suggested installing a revolving round double bed in the back. Christ knows why. I think he had been smoking something though.

Does anyone know of the existence of such a vehicle or would it be entirely unique?

Utterly, completely, and undeniably unique. :D

Indeed - let it be so................

[attachment deleted by admin]

Well.

How about something a little differnet

fast, Sexy and practical when required.

MG X Power at its best

[attachment deleted by admin]

I actually own a round double bed but in my house not my car  ;)

Robbo, Nice - very nice indeed  ;D ;D.  If the MG SV makes it there in 2005 as reported, this could be the answer for the team - tow a trailer to carry all those useful bits for trackside repairs, without outside assistance, thereby remaining in the race.   Not sure how it would handle down the Mulsanne without a wing tho.....

Now this delightful oddity is available on e-bay.   One way of "stretching" the Commer, whilst maintaining the ability to blast the original vehicle, unencumbered, down the Mulsanne.......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2457064003&category=43123



[attachment deleted by admin]

A few pages back, I was speechless with what some other idiot had done, but how would anyone have the nerve to drive THAT down the road? Most people would die of embarassment.

Audi UK could always adopt it. Imagine the fuel canisters Biela could carry!!!   ;D :-X ;D

kind of looks like the caravan is eating/humping the mini, very strange

I know of some web sites where that sort of thing goes on!

Andy Z, you don't need a model tramp in the back of a model Commer - just a model pig.

I mean, I just had to have a look on ebay - couldn't resist.

Turns out it for sale through Barn Hill Minis and in the left hand corner of the photo is the very Disco and trailer that took away my project 1380 Mini when I sold it on ebay recently - brought a tear to my eye!

 :'(

Maybe it is a cunning plot to convert the van into a unique sprint/hillclimb special using your old mini - this piece of crap mini/caravan history is unlikely to sell - looking at the minimania website, the van and "caraboot" is up for sale at £2,750............ ::)

I'm sure they would! Imagine having a Mini grafted on to the front end of your lovely caravan  ;)

I actually own a round double bed but in my house not my car  ;)

You sexy little bugger, Gilles. Very Austin Powers.

Queue Robbo OBE.............for a mini rant ;D

I am in far too good a mood today.

The trailer gets its stickers tomorrow and then its nearly finished


Bring on Le Mans

how about this for a honey of a le man set up.

[attachment deleted by admin]

And i thought our trailer wasnt that big.

Well built though.

Whats in the back of the trailer.

A brocken down Corvette  :D

club arnarge t-shirts and mugs possibly

Now then, in terms of the thread title, I know this one doesn't quite fit into the "modern" category, but as a potential replacement, it really looks the business for the vintage/classic world.   Sleek, streamlined, with the observation lounge at the back to sit and wave to the Commers Cobras peasants as you roar past them on the N138.   Only trouble is I have no idea whatsoever as to what it actually is - anyone got any ideas?

[attachment deleted by admin]

No idea, but this will get it back onto the front page !

Ooh that is frickin' marvellous! Now that is what I call a Le Mans chariot! Looks a tad like it might be of French persuasion.

I say its from the US of States. On account of the white walled tyres.

Aye, there pure class, them whitewalls and moon discs. I'm thinking of putting a set on me 'vette.
The vehicle itself resembles a 4 wheeled suppository

Could well be, but not necessarily a US of A product - could be European made for the American market, like things such as the Austin Atlantic, Nash Meteropolitan etc.  

Just to put it on top again.  ;D

Funnily enough, I was just about to post on this thread! :o

With spring on the way, every red blooded gentleman's mind turns to...

Commers! >:(

I'll be digging the old girl of her winter slumbers out over next couple weeks and I'll find out whether she does indeed need replacing. ???

Interesting coincidence!  I opened up the garage door yesterday to see if the big black beasty was still there and would actually start.
I've had a trickle charger on the battery all winter, the engine cranked over fine and gave a decent oil pressure.  So, a couple of squirts on the juice and varoooooom  ;D

After clearing the remnants of the winter fire wood from the front of the garage door, the old girl saw the day light for the first time in 4 months and off we roared up the road.

I'm pleased so say the acceleration and handling (?) still scares the sh*t out of me  ;D

Love to come down and cheer you on old chap :)

Hmm..........sounds like a challenge  ::)

What I know about rebulding cars you can write on the head of a pin, but I'll certainly come along as the official ale passer.  :)

I feel a get together coming on!!!  It could become an annual event.

"The Unveiling Of The Commer"   :D

I'll bring the fancy pink ribbon and the big pair of scissors!

Andy, I'm sure she'll be fine - perhaps if you have a look at this wonder on e-bay as a possible replacement it will motivate you to undertake any necssary re-commissioning repairs..............

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2460677544&category=14256

Wonderful idea Mark  :D :D :D

I'd have thought with a fibreglass camper on a fibreglass car body, following "fire damage" we'd be bidding on a pile of dust and twisted metal  :-\

Too right, although I would have thought that the volume of dust/melted plastic would be rather greater than the pile of twisted metal.......

And if that one doesn't motivate you, then perhaps the thought of this will............ failing all else, lease set the date, time and venuew, and I am sure there will be plenty of us to assist armed gas axes, engineers screwdrivers and sundry other useful restoration tools  ;D ;D

[attachment deleted by admin]

Okay then. The Commer will be unveiled in April and I will be installing the new awning too. I think we should have a little LM "warm up" at a mutually convenient campsite.  Any suggestions?

It is before April but this friday is the start of the ALC batchelor meet. We are staying in the back garden of a pub in oxfordshire and the pub accepts us as residents. There are normally 30 of us that drink, eat and sleep at the pub ;D

Sunday driving is always a bit on the dangerous side though.

The SPS trailer could have its first bath in British Spring time.....

what about near to Bognor Regis on the SUNNY south coast

Sounds convenient

As long as you don't mean Butlins!!!!   ;)

How about Camberwick Green???

Bognor sounds good to me. Better find a campsite. Anyone need a lift?

Do you need us to call by Chez Zarse in case you need a hand getting the Commer going??

How dare you doubt the Commer. >:( >:(

Actually, you better had!

Errrm......Don't think I was the one who started the doubting!!   :(

If you want a run out..How about 18/19 April at Gurston Down,near Salisbury to watch "The Burgundy Beast's" first outing this season at this hillclimbbe.

It is also my birthday,so we will begoing down on the Saturday evening so as to have a small party in the camping fieldand spectate on the Sunday


Wishy

Sorry not here, away watching test match cricket in West Indes (to make up for not going to the Rugby in Oz).

But don't let the fact there will be no Commer put anyone else off. 8)

But Andy, that's the whole point.........the Commers comming out ceremony  ;D ;)

Hmmm. Not only is that Andy Zarse a silver tongued b*stard with a quick wit, he seems to have a very lovely and understanding missus.

But I have his address, and now I know when he'll be away.
To be honest, I need a change. Mrs Smokie was just too much woman for me, and Smokie has been away far too often. She sucked me in and spat me out like a used wad of faceworkers' chewing tobacco. I've lost thirty pounds and have the complexion of a ream of Conqueror, that Smokie must have the constitution of Warren Beatty.
H

Come on Zarse, get youre arse in gear.  When is the ceremony going to take place??

Anyone Fancy BTCC

April 11th 2004 - THRUXTON ??

Or is that too far ?

Oh yes, I will be there for sure - easy place to meet - the bar under the grandstand at Club Chicane?

Hmmm.........Easter weekend.  Could be an excuse for a couple of days camping!  Now who can I get to go?

I will be going in with the MG lot ( about 60 of us i think ) . But will come find you all. we are in car park A , why i dont know, but already ticketed up.

Gibber not sure when ALL WILL BE REVEALED. After I get back from watch England thrash the Windies I guess. Which means I won't be able to go to Thruxton as I will be in Antigua with some pals (sorry to rub it in).

But hey, you can't have everything.

Easter weekend may cause  aproblem with the family but as Thruxton is only 15/20 minutes from me it's certainly not too far!!!!!    :) :)

Getting back on thread, certain of you guys, particularly JPC and Steve, expressed a long held desire to own a practical classic to take down to LM. However, it was winter, LM was too far into the new year and generally a bad time to be thinking of such things.

Well lads, spring is on it's way, the daffs are out and it's time to start thinking

COMMER

Here's one for starters
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2463048329&category=14256

Get bidding, it's a bargain. The rust is easily fixed as long as it's sound underneath.

Come on guys. Don't make me be the only one....  :-[

I wouldn't be able to take the shame and humiliation  ;D ;D ;D

 ;)

Andy, are you sure it's not yours thats for sale  :o

Could you imagine two Commers on the same camp site. We'd get back fromt he Shampoo bar on Saturday night to find loads of little Commers running around the site!!   ;D

Seriously though Andy, what I know about doing up cars you could write on the head of a pin. I would be interested in something like this if I knew someone who knew something about Commers who would be willing to do the work required for a modest fee!!!!!!  ;)

Very tempting I must admit, but the Zarse Commer is a one off and I wouldn't want to spoil the uniqueness of it. Will make do with the Sube for now....

I know just the man, I'll watch for your bids  ;)

JP they're easy. Not much to go wrong, though I'm very surprised that no one noticed that this particular example quite clearly has totally the wrong dashboard installed. It's the dash from the later Dodge Spacevan, so it's not very original and for that reason alone, I would'nt touch this van with a bargepole.

OK, thanks for the advice Andy

When you see one in more original condition that you are ready to do up for me let me know so I can start bidding!!   ;D ;D ;D

 ;D
Ok here is the latest replacement idea - I think you may need a bit of a whip round.

(http://images.traderonline.com/img/3/dealer/781546/65350170_1.jpg)

(http://images.traderonline.com/img/3/dealer/781546/65350170_3.jpg)

Price - $1.5m, all we need is the exchange rate to keep getting better

I'd never get my arse in that little gold plated oyster bidet. Or anyone elses arse for that matter.
H

Can't believe this fecking thread is STILL going!!!!

(Not that the beloved Zarse-mobeel doesn't deserve such notoriety!)

Precisely dear boy.  ;D

Where do you live, jpchenet? To get to Thruxton, I'd need a lift from Southampton, but I don't know if I could get there anyway.

Wrong direction I'm afraid OL, I'd be travelling down from Basingstoke (if indeed at all)

That does bring us nicely back on thread again though!!

Mr Zarse, have you got any ideas of dates for the unveiling of the Commer??

This vehicle is a simple parody of the Commer. It's the same, only a bit bigger. It doesn't appear to have the white leather straining straps above the golden bidet, which is a mistake if you ask me.

The Commer will be defrocked, so to speak, when I return from the Windies. But there is a lot of work to do first. The fumigation people are booked and they're also going to attack the chemical toilet, the emptying of which appears to have been overlooked for many years. Then as soon as the dead roaches, rats and mice are cleaned out of the oven, it'll be all ready to provide a bit of catering to you lot.

Why don't we arrange a go karting day? I think there's a pretty good track at Sandown Surrey, which could be convenient for quite a few of us. How about some time in early May?

Go Karting sounds like a good idea Andy, although I think we should have a handycap system so that the lighter ones amongst us don't have too much of an advantage!

Does anyone know of any camp sites nearby so that the cumpulsory drinking session afterwards can take place without anyone having to worry about driving?

Sandown also do evening race meetings. Not sure if they'll start as early as May. Could make a whole day/night of it.

I used to live only a couple of miles from Sandown, and I can tell you that there are NO campsites for miles.

Gonna have look at map and see what might be possible!

As the originator of it, neither can I, but if you think about it, the thread is rather like the Commer itself - good, solid engineering built to last a lifetime and beyond, even if it does get a bit ropey around the edges at times........

Ok, have checked maps, and spoken to my brother who still lives in the area.  No campsites for miles, except a couple of scout camps.  Brother will make further enquiries, and I'll keep you posted!!

I suppose we could always investigate a local pub with large beer garden that might let us take it over??  Or I am sure there must be some B&B's nearby??

Of course, there must be some Go Kart tracks elsewhere that do have camping nearby!

Hang on a minute.  I'm gonna investigate some of the local pubs about rooms.  Can't think of any beer gardens to take over.  One must remember that this is 'Esher'  which is dead posh, OK mate ::)

Right, heres a couple of results that I'm not too keen on ::)

Rosemead guesthouse Twin room (en suite) £65
                                     Small single room £45

Swan Inn (2 mins from above) Youngs pub frequented by Jimmy White (snooker) Double Room £89, Single room £69

Both of these are 10 mins drive from Sandown.

I presume you get to spend the night with Jimmy White for that sort of money.

You think this is far fetched, I saw Jordan and Peter Andre out and about on the town in Haywards Heath last night. They didn't ask us to spend the night with them though. Can't imagine why.

Probably because you didn't have a camera and weren't from the press so you couldn't offer them any publicity!!!!!   ::)

Now if you did have a camera.................... ;)

I have a cousin that owns a bar in Haywards Heath, not sure of the name of it ???.

What is it like for a beer in the evening, haven't been there for about 10 years..

How about this as a replacement for the commer ;D



[attachment deleted by admin]

How about this as a place to park the Enterprise

(http://www.base58.com/pics/skip.jpg)

This is David Coulthards "Commer Replacement" - flash bar steward

(http://www.davidcoulthard.com/dc2000-motorhome.jpg)

Here's a simple conversion if you're handy with a saw and hammer and nails


(http://www.conchbbs.com/3922/images/motorhome.jpg)

This one would be usefull on the Rouen bypass and traffic jams.

(http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/GRAPHICS/gallery/exp%20motorhome.jpg)

Not adviseable to take the corners too quickly though!

(http://www.town.bonnyville.ab.ca/municipal/images/02-motorhome.jpg)

methinks that sandown might be a bit tricky, but my bro' might still come up with something.  We've still got loads of time  ;D

No but a friend did! Waiting for the piccies to be developed. Jordan was not wearing any make up and therefore appeared to have a face like a pan of smashed crabs. And she was squinting like a sack of whelks.

I can't believe it, HHeath used to be the most miserably dull town in England. When I worked there, the hight of sophistication was a pint and a prawn sandwich at the Sussex Arms. Now it has a strip to rival Vegas, wall to wall totty all aged 30-something and the Sussex Arms has closed down.

Plus ca change indeed!

So why the hell did you suggest Sandown Park as a place for the get together???

If there's space for Jordan, I am sure there's space for the Commer  (maybe two)  ;D ;D

Steve - some really good efforts there, particularly the Star Wars shuttle bus.   Whether DC's palace is a bit out of our league is perhaps debatable    Now how about this wonder - the McQuay Norris from 1934 - did they ever build more than one ???

[attachment deleted by admin]

noticed this in the T3 Magazine the other day. T3 is the initials of Tomorrows Technology Today!!

[attachment deleted by admin]

This is why the Zarse mobile has been kept under wraps all winter - he's been redecorating it!

Not to mention those handy aerospace gadgets sprouting from it.............

That is so we can watch the football on Sunday night!!

It's wonderful! I wonder where they got the idea though of putting Blackpool Tower on the side?

Here's one for mgmark, proud owner of a Berkeley.

Perhaps Mark could enlighten us to what a Berkeley Foursome is? I've had a Lloyds Threesome (with a couple of girls from Lloyds Bank in Luton), but this sounds much more interesting.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2468740443&category=2192

That's definately better than a FIAT Uno.

Not strictly a commer replacement, but it would be better for posing around the paddock thab those poncey little bradshaw electric carts.
Or you could say sod it, and drive the whole way on it.

[attachment deleted by admin]

I've just found this thread.

Here's my modern Commer replacement.



[attachment deleted by admin]

Andy,

         Prepare to be enlightened.   Produced from 1956 to 1960, The Berkeley was unique at the time of its launch in that it employed not only a transverse engine and front wheel drive, but a complete fibreglass monocoque hull reinforced locally by lightweight aluminium sections.   Good (for the time) performance came from low weight, all-round independent suspension, a low centre of gravity, and hydraulic drum brakes on all 4 wheels, combined with a mighty 18hp from an Anzani 322cc, 2-stroke twin.   The Anzani was dropped at an early stage (reliability problems) and was replaced by a 20hp Excelsior 328cc twin engine.   Public demand, particularly from America, resulted in a search for a more powerful engine. leading to a 492cc triple version of the 328 twin.  With over 30 Bhp available to propel only about 600 pounds weight, performance was somewhat improved and the car could top 75mph.   The original Excelsior-engined 4 wheelers were joined by a 3-wheeler variant to attract those with motorcycle licences.   Later 4-wheel models were fitted with a 40bhp Royal Enfield 650cc 4-stroke twin to increase performance to top  90mph - a frightening prospect!   this led to the god awful styling of the front as displayed by the Foursome on e-bay, to accommodate the taller engine (valvegear).

All of these variants were designed as two seaters, although there was a small space behind the seats where it was possible to squeeze a very small person.   So, in an attempt to expand the appeal of the Berkeley further, a four-seat version, was introduced by lengthening and widening the basic shell and called the Foursome.  Although powered by the 492cc engine that was proving very popular, the Foursome failed to attract the buyers and less than 20 were built.   This one on e-bay (also currently in the club newsletter) looks like it is a Foursome, which had been fitted with the later bonnet/nose section to accommodate the engine fitted which is a Reliant 850 and, presumably the running gear, including a driven back axle.   It has also been fitted with a dreadful concotion of a hardtop, which looks like a combination of the front of a Berkeley Hardtop and the rear of a Ford Anglia.   A picture of a standard light blue Foursome, with my red one behind it is below

More info for those interested at

http://home.clara.net/peterfrost/berkeley.html (http://home.clara.net/peterfrost/berkeley.html)
http://www.pearsies.btinternet.co.uk/BerkModels.htm (http://www.pearsies.btinternet.co.uk/BerkModels.htm)

Mark


[attachment deleted by admin]

I love the paint job

(http://www.elcardonal.net/camping/camper%20atras%20izquierdo.jpg)

This is more my style though   ::)




[attachment deleted by admin]

im concerned about its possible M.O.T failiure. does the throne have a seat belt?

Looks like one of the bogs ffrom Beasejour  ::)

It's not that bad!!!!   ;D  

An interesting alternative power source maybe ?

(http://www.powerchutes.com/graphics/pickup2.jpg)

Or just strap a big paraglider wing on for an unparalleled view of the circuit during the race, an unbeatable way of avoiding the post-race jams getting out of the camp sites, and, finally, an outstanding way of avoiding paying rip-off prices to cross the channel  ;D ;D ;D

That would come in handy to chop the spuds up.

This is what I use.

(not really a modern commer replacment though........but a brilliant potato harvester - maybe needs a bit of paint??)

(http://www.pommernmuseum.de/Collections/AlteGeraete/KARTOFFELSORTIERMASCHINEI.JPG)

Here's one not-so-modern Commer, been put out to pasture in the Antiguan sunshine. Worse ways of ending your days I guess. I remember when this old sod was still on the road, not that many years ago.

[attachment deleted by admin]

I guess that you are back then!

How long until the above commer arrives in the UK for you next project?

Are you going to Pre-Quals? (There is quite a group of us now)

Welcome back Andy.  Hope you enjoyed seeing the only defeat that we had ;D

Do you normally spend your holidays searching out old Commers, or is it that they find you?  ::)

True, I must say it's very sad spending your holiday looking for old Commers  ;D

Welcome home

Who's that 40 year old bloke in the photo ?   ;)

No mate sorry, can't do it. One of LM crew is getting married on the Saturday and whilst I was hoping to be able to do the dover-calais route early on Sunday morning, in all honesty, it's just not practical. Have a good time though y'awl.

It wasn't a defeat, the match ended as a draw!  :-[

There is a bit of an old lorry grave yard, containing a few Commers. It's on the way to the cricket ground and it seemed churlish not to stop and take a photo.

Cheers Steve, but have you gone mad??

Sad?? No, there is no healthier pursuit for a clean living young man like me than to root out old Commers. You never know what you might find. These things are sheer gold.

Hmmm, I suppose the same can be said about me drooling over all the old 50's Chevys and Caddys in Mexico (next stop Cuba).

Oh, and the 70's muscle cars in Australia.


(http://www.danheller.com/images/LatinAmerica/Cuba/Cars/cars-u-big.jpg)

Which old sod??????  The Commer or the bloke in front of it???   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Of course it's the old bloke in front, Mark.  cant you see the wrinkle lines   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Is that what they are........and he claims they are "smile lines"  ;D ;D ;D

Smile lines my arse...........oh no, sorry zarse.

Just out of interest - and in all seriousness, who is the funny looking old slap-head with the bizarre sunglasses in the picture?

when will this thread DIE.

This thread is destined to go on for EVER :-*
Canada Phil

Old Commers Never Die.............They just go to pasture in Antigua!!  ;)

Fair shout Matt, the picture is a bit bad, but I'm pretty sure that that is actually the Zarse man.

True, tis I although in the pic someone seems to have drawn a set of comedy eyebrows on my face. I'm fairly sure I don't normally look like that. The sunglasses are special ones I bought mail order. They're the new Xray specs that allow you to see through women's (and men's!) clothes, old Commer engine cowlings etc. Looking forward to seeing Amanda Stretton and Milka in June. And you Matt!!!

That's not you! You're having a laugh, surely. It's your Dad, isn't it?
Look at those spindley legs - like knotted string. Come on, Andy - who is the old fart?

My legs were modelled on Spike Milligans I'll have you know, thin and wirey with knobbley knees. They have baffled the world's finest medical brains.

The Commer lives.

Rather than waste my day hob nobbing with Herbert and Smith at PQ, I spent the day digging (and I mean digging!) the Commer out of it's winter grief pit. The good news is she runs ok, but there's a terrible fuel leak and I found a Robin nesting in the sink. I don't want to move the Commer til the her brood have fledged and flown the nest. So the unveiling ceremony will have to go on hold for the time being.

Get a grip, fellas, this had nearly slipped to page three !

Thanks dryhen good job someone is paying attention.
Canada Phil

Absolutely - and its about time for a picture (one that has not appeared before) on the original theme - how about a camper version of the Austin Maestro?   British Leyland's finest  :o .....and I actually saw one these unworthy contenders being driven on the road day the before yesterday.......... :o and someone has taken the time, trouble and money to respray this one.... :o

might help if I attached the bloody picture........

[attachment deleted by admin]

Now here's something - this sort of thing could well provide a serious rival to the "official" concert(s) - with all this talk of leaky fuel tanks, could it be that the Commer is really being secretly prepared.........

[attachment deleted by admin]

Secret preparation? Only in so far as I'm going to have a go at welding up the leaking fuel tank tomorrow. And the leaking water pipes. And the leaking brake cylinders. Oh and the tyre man is coming with a shiny new 185 R 15C. The make of tyre is called a FATE, they're made in Slovenia. At only £24.99 delivered, balanced and fitted I'm fairly sure it'll turn out to be a Fate worse than a fate worse than death. :P

PS When I used to live in Soton years ago, used to go to the Dorch for gigs. Prefer the Brook in Portswood these days.

Oh sh*t!!!

(http://jodorowski.free.fr/paysage/explosion.jpg)

Don't worry Steve. I should have said I'm going to braze the hole up, not weld it, so there shouldn't be a huge explosion.

Hey Andy, I have the instructions for brazing fuel tanks.
Light the torch...........RUN ::)
Canada Phil

The owner of that Maestro is an MG racing fan and from Glossop , Derbyshire

he calls is Maisie !! He also is the Maestro / Montego owners club secreary, but i have a feeling you know this !

Mark , have you been searching X Power forums ??? Or MG- Rover . Org ?

Petrol tank explosions are like lightning - if you hear the thunder, you've not been hit. We will all keep our ears open for a muffled rumble tomorrow - hope to see a post from you on Sunday !!!!

Hi,

Yes, that is indeed my camper van (named Muddle after the numberplate). It's actually not as impractical as you think - the diesel engine is very economical and reliable, there's space in there for 2, and yet you can go at normal road speeds and park anywhere and the converters (Tandy on the Isle of Wight) did a very good job of cramming a surprising amount of storage space into a small area.

I couldn't say how it compares to a Commer, never having had the chance to examine a Commer closely, but I would hardly say it was "unworthy"!

I've customised mine much more than the standard version, to my tastes and to please me. I'd like others to like it, but I'm not too bothered if they don't. At least I know that wherever I go in the world, nobody will park anything similar next to me  :D

Respect to Maisie!

The best AA van I ever had was my old Maestro, loads of back end storage space and would pull like a train. It pulled an artic' off a roundabout once, though the clutch smelt "odd" for a day or two!!!

 ;D :-[ ;D

Bill

Robbo, indeed I did and no offence intended Maisie - respect is due to anybody who actually rebuilds and keeps cars in good order, whatever they are - after all, with me, I have the delights of an MGA, but there is also a 45-year-old bundle of rivetted fibreglass and aluminium powered by a 20hp 328cc bike engine called a Berkeley..........all the best,

Mark

I live just down the road from Zarse, not heard anything yet. I have kept all the windows closed and the kids indoors just in case.
Did hear some sirens about 1/2 hour ago but a check from the upstairs window revealed no smoke on the southen skyline.

I shalln't be trying that one again. I was blown across the lawn and I'm currently in the McEndoe ward of East Grinstaed Hospital, which has a world famous burns unit. Personally, I think the surgeon has done a bloody good job, least ways considering with what little bit of my face there was left to work with.

Andrew, you are a silly man.  Now get out of that bed, and get on with the Commer...............  ;)

Did the explosion burn your hair off  ;D

(http://www.morbid.demon.co.uk/deluxe-bald-wig.jpg)

Hi Andy, Have your wounds healed yet? How is the Commer coming along? Inquiring minds need to know.
Canada Phil

It may not be a Commer but it'll do me.


meeeoowww

(http://www.burningbeach.com/images/2002Desktops/CatCar.jpg)

Felix, I have something similar planned...

Hi Phil, good to hear. The C is coming along ok, just about to fit new shox all round as all the oil has come out of the old ones and it makes the back brakes lock up when you stand on em. Target date is Monday 31th May, she's entered in a local Classic Car Show and it would be nice to have her all done by then.

See you soon  

AZ

Where's the show Andy??  Could be a good time to get a few together for the unveiling??

Good idea JP. It's Bank Holiday weekend and Staplefield Funday is a really nice traditional village fete. It is dominated by the Classic Car show, but there's loads of other things for wives, kiddies to do too, stalls, garden crap, fun fair, donkey rides etc. So if anyone is required to bring along the family, then it's not likely to be a total disaster. You'll just need to arrange for the wife to drive you home later, they have an excellent Beer Tent.

The organisers are still looking for "interesting" vehicles to go into the show, so if anyone wants to enter let me know and I can make the arrangements. Its not a serious show, more of a chance to show off your vehicle.

Staplefield is dead easy to get to, being just off the A23, the main London to Brighton road, go past Gatwick and stay on the M/A23 until you see the turn off half way down Handcross hill.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Couldn't bring the missus.....not if there donkeys to ride!  ;D

Would they hire them out to us for a week in June?  ;D

Is that the missus or the donkeys you are on about Mark ;D ;D

That's brave of you Rick........she knows you only live down the road!!  ;)

If you see a dark blue Galaxy parked at the end of your road one evening be afraid, be very afraid!!  ;D

OK chaps........serious for a moment.  Anyone who wants to attent this magnificent festival and partake of the ale, but does not have a chauffer............we could arrange a taxi share from Three Bridges station (yes the fabled place of the kebab eating Zarse).

Anyone interested let me know, and I will get organising.

Andy........Which day of the weekend is the show?

I think it's on the sunday but I'll get back to you on that one.

Three Bridges kebabs are pretty good but I dined al fresco at the Matter of Taste in the High St last night. Regret to say, a distinct lack of vomit on the pavement, but then again it was only a monday.

My God Andy...........No vomit on Crawley High Street.  What is the world coming to.

Andy,

Please forgive me for doubting the magical Commer! but I have just picked up Junes 'Practical Classics' and there is a 65 Commer Caravette being broken, bloke is in Rotherham. Didn't know if it may be of interest to you ???

Thanks ABS. Don't suppose they mention if they've still got the rear leaf spring, which I could do with replacing. The ones on it now are bent the wrong way. Looks like we over did it on the sherry Sheila! :D

Andy,

There is a whole list of things there, I have got an image of the advert but can't get it under 250kb so can't post it up, send me a pm and I'll mail you a copy, or alternatively I can pm you the guys phone numbers.

This may not be a replacement, but I'm sure it would make a good accessory ::)



[attachment deleted by admin]

Right. Checked it out and it's on Monday 31st May, which is the bank holiday.

BTW does anyone know about the longevity properties of a Weetabix box when used on an engine as a gasket for a thermostat housing ? As it will be in contact with hot water, I rather think it will turn to something that looks like, well, wet Weetabix. Would I have been better off cutting up the Corn Flakes box? Or Golden Grahams?

Tough luck, I used the Weetabix box anyway, I'm just curious to know how long it will last.

PS Gibb, good news. Last week I stood in sick on the train back to Three Bridges late on friday night coming back from town! Even better, when I was being given a lift back next day to pick up my car, a seagull flying above us crapped, and about a pint and a half of green and white excrement splashed onto the windscreen right in front of me. Cue massive amounts of heaving and wretching. Hwwwuuurrrrppppp! As you know, I'm a bit squeamish. It really had my eyes running a treat and I had to spit that really thick slother you get out of the passenger window.

Andy - I suspect not long is the answer, but if you want to continue on the Blue Peter theme, try cutting up a cork floor tile... :)

I know nothng about engines so have no idea what sort of size you are talking about, but how about cutting up a neoprene stubby holder??

Oh  :-X Zarse.  Why does it always happen to you?

Looks like photies of the comming out event on Monday 31st.  Any other attendees out there?

Hoping to make it, probably with the family in tow!!

Well.........someone has to drive home!!  ;D

BASTARD BASTARD BASTARD

f**k THE f**k*ng f**k*r THE f**k*ng f**k*r'S f**k*ng f**ked

 >:( :( >:(

Don't hold back Andy. Speak you mind.

Sounds like someone had a productive weekend with the Commer !!!

Hmmmm....was that a "family friendly" post?  ::)

Can we presume that this year's Zarseposter is the only time we'll see the Commer???  :( :( :(

Sincere apologies Smokie, you're quite right. It will never happen again.

In mitigation, I can only say I'm a somewhat frustrated amateur mechanic at the moment. Particularly when a small but vital spring jumps out of it's housing and flies into the long grass of the field next door. Grrrr! Serves me right for "working from home" this morning!

I think somebody needs a hug
PM

Thanks mate, as long as you keep your WS well away from me.  ;)

And I spy with my little eye something begininng with C needs which needs a bloody good kick in the trunnions.  >:(

Hows your gasket?  I hope you put some Hylomar on it   ???

(http://www.smeertechniek.nl/Image1.gif)

For a non-techy that might rather look like a picture out of the Hayes Manual of Sex or how it is called.  ;D

Have you managed to find said spring Andy??  A powerful magnet on a piece of string might help??

Alternatively, you could use the spring out of a ball point pen  ;D

Andy - deepest sympathies - that really is a very impressive string of swear words, albeit lacking a little variety - must have been a major toys out of pram scene at the time, so you might need to talk nicely to it for a bit.   Remember the old mechanics sayings

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
You only need two tools - if it should move and doesn't use WD-40; if it does move and shouldn't use gaffer tape.

And remember some of the earlier themes in this thread (which incidentally has now passed 600 posts.....) including the curse of the Commer - may your Commer last forever..... ;D

So the best toolkit in the world would comprise WD-40 and gaffer tape.  Love it! - I'll get packed then!  ;D

The alternative for the less subtly minded is, of course, a hammer and gaffer tape.... ;D ;D

The hammer always used to work for me.  Very useful for taking out the aggression when you lose the odd spring or two.

Woops, sorry Andy

Maybe Haynes should change the spanner rating on the jobs in their books to hammer rating  ;D

Don't forget an aggresive pair of pliers :)

I can hear mine growling in the toolbox now!!  ;D

Thanks for the support and ideas guys.

Mark, being in the military, I'm surprised you've never heard that expression before. I first heard it as a very young man when I was on fire picket at Sennybridge camp in Wales. The sergeant got us to test all the hoses, including the one coiled up on the gatehouse wall. It must have been there since national service days and had spent twenty odd years being blancoed and sitting in the sunlight, such as you ever get in Wales. We unrolled it and connected it to the hydrant. Once the water was turned on it virtually disintegrated and sprung about a thousand high pressure leaks, soaking said sergeant from head to toe with hilarious consequences. Purple with fury and looking like a big wet wounded peacock, he yelled at us to turn that effin' thing off.  He ended his order with the phrase above. The bastard got his own back by making us sleep on the guard house beds and we got eaten alive by bed bugs. What a dump that place was.

Nice to see you back to normal Andy.  Need any help down there?

Andy - probably something to do with the sheltered existence of a crab rather than a pongo, much more refined and educated you see my dear chap, and swearing is so frowned upon in these PC days.   Marvellous tale from Sennybridge though - certainly made the rest of the office wonder what I was cackling at.   You're right that the place was a rather a god-forsaken dump and I don't think it has changed much since then.    The Light Blue "mots juste" in tricky situations tend to be more brief and pithy, like the time a Jet Provost was getting airborne from Cranwell, one of our primary flying training stations.   Now, the Jet Provost was not endowed with a surfeit of power and thus had rightly earned its title as an aerial vacuum cleaner - variable noise, constant suck.   Off the end of the main runway was a nice line of poplar trees that had grown taller over the years, and one of the old and bold pilots had not factored this into his take-off calculations on a hot, windless day, which led - unsurprisingly - to a lack of adequate height to clear the trees.   In the midst of working like a one-armed paper hanger in the cockpit and just before the aircraft ploughed through the trees, the last call from him to Air Traffic on the radio was a cheery "Timmmbbbeeerrr!"    ;D ;D  In case anyone was wondering, he did survive as an older, bolder and wiser pilot.

Glad your SOH has returned - keep up the fine work and remember the other fine mechanics saying

If you can't fix it then bodge it..... ;D

Wise words Mark, it works for me every time  ::)

As a seventeen year old cadet, I was once shouted out on parade by a big loud sod, no doubt for some petty transgression, such as accidentally saluting with my left arm. His cap peak was nearly perpendicula to his nose, so as to obscure his eyes. Actually, he had only one good eye, the other being glass. You could tell which the glass one was as it was the only one with a flicker of humanity in it.

"Zarse! Still! Stand still!" He bore down on me and continued, "Hif hintelligence was haltitude, then hewd be a bleedin' 'ole in the ground!"....

I think he may have had a point.

Ah - falling foul of the marvellous form of the RSM or the RAF equivalentof the Station Warrant Officer!   How on earth they manage to operate with a view restricted to a 3" deep crescent centred on their toe caps I will never know.   I suppose what they lack in vision they make up for with volume.   Thing is they don't just restrict their comments to the great young unwashed of cadets and junior ranks and what wonderful characters they are, unbowed even by higher authority.   I will never forget a particularly fearsome SWO who was heard bawling across the parade square at some errant officer strolling nonchalantly across the surrounding grass - the words went "YOU - THERE - are making this Station look UNTIDY - Get OFF the grass NOW unless YOU want to COMB it back up NOW".  The said errant officer was none other than the Station Commander himself, a Group Captain, who unsurprisingly strode over to the SWO with the words - "I am the Station Commander and THIS IS MY STATION", to which the SWO simply replied "Indeed Sir, but Queen's Regulations require me to assist with the instructional development of inexperienced officers - it is Her Majesty's station - not yours.   I trust this will be the first and only lesson that I will need to give you ".........

I'm not sure if this could replace the Commer as it needs wheels first !

.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Dunno about that - but it sure looks like it has one of those spring thingy's incorporated into the offside ornate balustrade. Quick work with a hacksaw and job done - even if it's not quite the same as the original I'm sure it could be made to fit.

Did you find the spring Andy?

That just about about describes me right now Andy.
There is a medical term: Shot to Pieces. It used to be "THE f**ckING f**ckER'S f**ckING f**ckED", but in these bright new days of PC the GMC encourage "Shot to Pieces". This is so as not to offend a newly discovered rainforest tribe known as The Little F*ckers and their very peculiar fertility rituals.
It's not known if The Little F*ckers log on to CA or not.
H

Duhhhh....I give up..... :(

Just to keep it clean Smokie, yes JP I got the little spring back. It flew out of the valve housing in the old fashioned lever arm dampers on the back axle which I have now renovated and which leak oil worse than ever. Morris Marina and MG owners will recall theses bits of mechanical genius with horror.

Tuesday is MOT day but things aren't looking too good on that score. So it will require a minor miracle for the Commer to be there this year. Or ever again.  :(

I'll cancel my trip down the show on Monday then shall I  :'(

The Commer should still be at the show and I understand they will have an F1 car there too. Surely you weren't going to drive all that way just to see my heap of rust were you???  ???

Oh no  :o - mind you salvation could be at hand with either of these two (particularly the second one) :)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14256&item=2479766062&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14256&item=2479766062&rd=1)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14256&item=2480404350&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14256&item=2480404350&rd=1)

Mark

There's a method in my madness. Friends are off to Gatwick for a 4pm flight and the missus has volounteered to take them. So I thought I might come down by train in the morning, share a few in the beer tent etc, worship the Commer and then get the missus to swing by and pick me up after she's done the Gatwick drop.

Watch this space!!

Gatwick is only ten minutes further down the M23/A23, so your plan is sound. Let me know and I can arrange for my chauffeuse to have you picked up from Gatwick station (South terminal). Is Gibb still intending to come along? Any other takers? Nordic? Chrisgr31?

It's not an entirely terrible day out. We can get a good old lash going. They sell Harveys Sussex in the beer tent straight from the barrel and Timothy Taylors Landlord Bitter at the Jolly Tanners. The weather will no doubt be crap, but there you are, it's a bank holiday. Have you still got my mobile number?

As long as the wife does not find out that there is any connection to Le Mans, cars or beer tents & I push to donkey rides and 'family attractions' then I should be able to pop along for a will to see the legand that is the commer.

I'll PM you my mobile then we can hook up on monday. Be good to meet you.

Yes I have Andy. I'll give you a call Sunday evening or Monday morning. What time do the festivities start??

Just ran a vehicle check on the Commer:

Manufacturer    Commer
Model    
Body type    motor home/caravan
Colour    White
Fuel type    Petrol
Date manufactured    01 January 0001
Number of previous owners    8
Last owner change    19 August 2001

No wonder it's starting to give up the ghost, at that age...

It's a bit off-white too now!!!

Hey Smokie, you working for the pigs or something??

8 owners? I looked into this a bit further and it was supplied new by Martins of Topsham, Exeter to a bloke called Jesus of Nazareth, this would explain the terrible old rusty nails I found in the back. It was also once owned by a Japanese bloke who lived in Croydon and he had to sell it to pay for his air fare as he was being deported. He sold it to a hippy in Lincoln, from whom I bought it.

Must send in the log book and get them to change the colour to bogie green.

And WTF am I doing up at 06.30 on a saturday morning? A good question and one to which I have no proper answer.

I've only just got home!!! Excellent night in the casino!!!!

As the saying goes.....I'm always in the sh*t, it's just the depth that varies!!!  ;)

Nah you can get this info from the RAC website  :) Just register, then go to Vehicle Data Check

OK I'll remember to type some thing next time !!!!!!!  Yes Andy, still intending to attend, and photograph this extravaganza.  Any way of enabling embibement and travell would be most welcome.  Give me a ring with further details.

gibb

OK, after the small interruption to service, I can now report on the Commer Coming Out Party

It was a lovely English summer day on Monday.  In the heart of rural Sussex the beloved Commer made its first official appearance of the year.  It was accompanied by many other vehicles of note, which had all turned out to wish it well for LM this year.

First pictire just after arrival at the show ground:

After some delay (a few beers) the roof erection squad got to work