'Black Van Man'
- Thread starter Richard A Thackeray
- Start date
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Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
Ford have built several SuperVans over the yearsMany years ago a mate of mine, who was a development engineer at Jaguar, told me of a test bed vehicle that he had been out in.
It was at the time they were developing the XJ220.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ220
They were using a Transit van as a mule vehicle, with the 220 engine mounted in the back, mid engine style. Apart from some slightly wider wheels and tyres, it looked like any other well used van.
He was coming back along the A45 in Coventry and had to stop at a set of lights, when a nobber in a Porsche 911 pulled up alongside them trying to use the dedicated right turn lane to go ahead.
The lights changed, the Porsche revved up and launched and............the Transit blew him into the weeds!
Bet he didn't tell his mates about that one!
I think the first was an early mark 2, with a Cosworth DFV (derated Formula 1 engine)
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Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
Just checked after writing that, & I need to correct myself
The first was a mk 1, with a GT40 engine
http://www.rebelvanners.co.uk/SUPERVANS.htm
I've seen the 'SkyHigh' Transit in action, at various Custom Shows in the late 80's, looks like it was rebodied
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
Don't want to spoil it for those that haven't watched it but I was surprised at the rudimentary front air dam, not particularly shaped at all, no splitter etc. but effective, I was expecting them to make the whole van flat bottomed & smooth, many it was a time availability thing.
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Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
So was I really, but it must have been a case of still trying to keep it (reasonably) simple?
'Wall of Death' record attempt
The 'Spitfire' & 'Vulcan' programmes (or is that more than 6 months ago?)
I'm surprised that 'One Man & His Boat' hasn't been repeated
Even if only for the appalling attempt at canning/cooking beans
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biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
missed it last night , got told all about it at work today
have so far watched a fair bit of it on catch up rest to watch 2moro pm
have so far watched a fair bit of it on catch up rest to watch 2moro pm
PaulSecteur
No longer a Specialized fanboy
- Location
- Walsall, West Mids.
I wanted him to put the merlin in it.
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Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
This hasn't really made the news
Not that I've seen anyway; http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/autos...hatters-landspeed-record/ar-BBvtH8w?ocid=iehp
Not that I've seen anyway; http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/autos...hatters-landspeed-record/ar-BBvtH8w?ocid=iehp
Joey Shabadoo
My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
I loved the look on his face when he was trying to make small talk with the hooker in his van. "Been busy then?" 
Also, I bet his girlfriend was chuffed to bits he stayed in his van and slept rather than go into the whorehouse.
Also, I bet his girlfriend was chuffed to bits he stayed in his van and slept rather than go into the whorehouse.
Silver Fox
Guru
I can see him on Top Gear eventually.
Levo-Lon
Guru
Many years ago a mate of mine, who was a development engineer at Jaguar, told me of a test bed vehicle that he had been out in.
It was at the time they were developing the XJ220.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ220
They were using a Transit van as a mule vehicle, with the 220 engine mounted in the back, mid engine style. Apart from some slightly wider wheels and tyres, it looked like any other well used van.
He was coming back along the A45 in Coventry and had to stop at a set of lights, when a nobber in a Porsche 911 pulled up alongside them trying to use the dedicated right turn lane to go ahead.
The lights changed, the Porsche revved up and launched and............the Transit blew him into the weeds!
Bet he didn't tell his mates about that one!
We have a guy called Harvey Gibbs near me..WRC tuner and a Cosworth specialist..
he convertad a blokes old 80's Skoda 120 Rapid into a fire breathing monster many years ago..
It had a bright orange paint job wider wheels and lowered..
it looked a bit rough But OMFG did it go..i raced it on a FZ 750 and bottled it..yes that quick in an old Skoda
D
Deleted member 26715
Guest
I can't see that happening, I can see TG disappearing before then
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
He has repeatedly said "Not interested, I'd rather be a truck fitter".
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Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
We have a guy called Harvey Gibbs near me..WRC tuner and a Cosworth specialist..
he convertad a blokes old 80's Skoda 120 Rapid into a fire breathing monster many years ago..
It had a bright orange paint job wider wheels and lowered..
it looked a bit rough But OMFG did it go..i raced it on a FZ 750 and bottled it..yes that quick in an old Skoda
Like the guys who stuff Hayabusa engines, & the like, into Minis, & even lighter cars like Westfields, etc.....
https://www.zcars.org.uk/hayabusa/
swee'pea99
Squire
Tried watching this - I quite like him - but he was barely in it. It was just endless shots of a van going fast through a vast landscape, intercut with two helmeted blokes saying things like 'There's a left hand curve in three miles', and 'oil temperature's good'. I lasted about five minutes before I decided it was time to go and watch some paint drying.
