Standard or modified ?

[gmac]

That is the question - mk1 swb

I can't get the modifying plans out of my head. I know that value wise, the standard resto will probably be best, but I keep thinking how cool the van would be with a sorted engine and some hoopty looking wheels and arches

Have I lost the plot, or just missed the point ? I know it's mine, and I can do what I want, but I'm new to the Tranny owning scene, and reckon you fellers can give me some sound advice. How rare is the early mk1 swb van these days, and is it sacrilege to cut one about ?

[rover]

How heavily does it need restoring?

Rover.

[Luke]

depends on what you want, mine would be worth more standard but i think it's better modified, you can compromise like geoffs and keep the origanal outside and swap the drivetrain for something more "useable" and i think that helps the value too.

personally i like both but they are that rare these days that standard or modified they are great to see about.

[madmark]

for me both as such , i like to see standard in the lwb as there are rare ,swb both but mainly i would go for unmoded!

[Luke]

:? for me both as such , i like to see standard in the lwb as there are rare ,swb both but mainly i would go for unmoded!

thing is mark in 2 or 3 years its gonna be pritty boring looking at 20 or 30 identical lwb red mk1 ex furwharer vans they need modding.................. or at least painting a different colour

[transitgeoff]

i think its a blank canvas and for you to do as you like with, its like you say "yours" and whatever makes you happy is the right thing to do, s.w.b. panal vans are rare mate have no doubt, with the large amount of german fire engines available now the s.w.b. in panel van form is the rare bird i know plenty of buses and siht campers around but VERY few panel vans, the choice is yours my friend with just one word of advice DONT CUT WINDOWS INTO IT

[Neil]

thats spooky geoff its exactly what i was going to type well i have 1 of each now a standard one exept the di engine and box,and a full custom one,wide alloys v8 auto etc,every single person who has seen the custom say keep the custom one and sell the other

[gmac]

I won't know how much resto it needs until it gets here, which will be some time into the new year. I don't want to loose the flat front either, which will limit the engine choice for modifying too. No point being all show and no go

I reckon the sensible option would be standard. Much cheaper to do, and easier too, although I do appreciate that restoring it to any degree won't be either cheap or easy

My original plan was to get it niced up, have it sign written, and parked outside my car site, as an advertising tool.

[madmark]

dont get me wrong i love my swb,s but there is noe around with out alot of welding,i cant do that so i have to go for something that doesnt need welding!

[madmark]

the problem is as we have said many many times on here there isnt much you can put it without the diesel front unless you want auto then you can go back with the engine and box, my bulkhead is like new so i couldnt bring myself to cut it about!

[gmac]

I don't have a problem using an auto box, if that's the route I choose to take. I happen to know the whereabouts of a freshly build 302 Mustang lump, although that may be heading for the Escort instead.

I have a suspicion that ebay will be cited in a few divorce cases before too long, and mine may be among them

[madmark]

i think with the van you have just bourt i would go the totaly standard way as its a 1 owner and would be worth alot more if it was standard! unless you are going for a full on custom jobby!

[rover]

Ahh, I know the van you mean now If it were mine I would throw a complete engine rebuild at it (unless it runs fine that is), and keep it standard, I gota admit I love custom vans but that one you bought is very rare already only having had one previous owner

Rover.

[Neil]

don t leave it on your car site unless its well immobilised

[Neil]

did you view it before you bid