Hi folks We are just starting to properly look for a late bay after years of dreaming, and I've found this site (they advertise in a couple of places) - they import from SA and can also do any additional work to meet your spec.local to me too which, whilst not crucial, is useful! http://allclassics.co.uk/?ct_status=sale&search-listings=true. Does anyone have any experience of this company? I've done a company and director search (because I'm obsessive and because I have a rare week off work!) and it seems legit. So now onto the vans... The '74, '76 and '77 are still available - I've enquired, particularly about the '74, and been told it has been in the UK for 3 months and now has an MOT, reliable 1600 engine, solid body w no rust etc. The pics of the underneath look good: http://allclassics.co.uk/listings/1974-vw-bay-window-kombi The interior doesn't bother me as I would be willing to install myself, but the rock n roll bed is a bonus so I'd probably leave it as is for a while. I think what concerns me is that it's shiny - makes me wary! Are they trying to hide something?! I'm hoping to go and see them this weekend (with my sensible head on!), and can have a proper look then, but in the meantime would be grateful for any views anyone may have about the company or vans. Thanks in advance!
Whilst the (74) red bus looks to be in good condition, it has a type 4 motor fitted which means its going to be a 1700cc minimum!
It could be a simple mistake such as a generic listing being used & tailored to suit the respective buses, they have a few listed! But the badge is a dead giveaway!! Personally, I like the look of the 74 best out of whats available as the others have more rust issues (or appear to) than this one
I did wonder about the engine, not that I know what the different ones look like yet (but I will certainly be learning). So, the badge on the '74 says 1600, but the actual engine that's in it is a type 4 (which is normal for late bays, isn't it?)? So has someone put a shiny '1600' badge on later, and in addition to the dealer not knowing what he's selling?
Yes that's correct! I cant clearly tell what the engine code is, ie, AP/AW/W/CU etc etc, this letter will give a basic clue. What would be useful to know is what bodywork has been carried out, if any. Based on the images, its certainly worth looking at but go with an open mind, don't just buy it because it looks good, there are plenty of good buses around & as the season closes, it sometimes becomes a buyers market as far as great buses are concerned!
From our late bay sales ,this is utterly awesome ,needs nothing doing and an interior to die for http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/79-mexico-magnolia-tin-top-riviera-camper-17k-usd.49759/
I'd be wary. They look (too?) good for the money, and it'd be a concern to me that they don't seem to know what they're selling. Are they in Leicester? Are they open Saturdays? A load of us will be in Leicestershire this weekend and could go have a look...
@Top Banana Racing has contacts to import s.a. vans, maybe he could say if the prices were realistic that these sellers are making profit at those prices, i'll agree for rhd vans thats "cheap" (when i say cheap, i mean cheap in the way that these vans fetch far more than they actually should)........
Any "dealer" would know that if they're as good as they look they're underpriced by a good few £, regardless of what they paid. Worth a look though, they may just be bargains!
Thanks for all the replies, I'm grateful for your help. I've emailed him to ask more questions and also to ask where the vans are located (the registered office is in Leicester, but I'm sure the vans won't be in the city centre!). I'll let you know what the response is! Thanks again folks!
So, I asked about history, paperwork, and queried the engine, and this was his reply: "This is a van we bought and imported as is, the previous owner had done some mechanical work to it but i don’t have a record, when it arrived we took it in for an MOT in order for us to register it in the uk of which it cleared. The general body work is in a good condition apart from the odd scratch, most importantly it is a rust free bus as previously mentioned. Apologies and that was very well spotted, the block is a type 4 1700, the badge on the rear is incorrect. Im in Leicester and you’re more than welcome to come over and have a look and take it for a drive." I'm still not convinced, but not sure why! And I've been pointed in the direction of a couple of vans on here that the boss approves of...!