shaunyb2
New Member
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
Hi all
I've recently acquired this 1985 van, which was imported from France in 2018 and appears to have been well cared for and serviced in recent years.
A fresh MOT and a relatively trouble-free journey back to Cambridgeshire (100 miles, mostly avoiding the motorways) - only minor trouble was restarting it on my final stop close to hope (I see that hot restarting can sometimes be an issue).
It's been running pretty well on the few runs I've done since, and I think I've now nailed a cold start procedure.
The advice and information on this forum has already been very valuable, thank you to all who have posted stuff over the years!
I'd welcome any recommendations for servicing/bodywork or general connections in the Cambridgeshire area
My previous classics were 1990s-2000 cars (a few French) and used as daily drivers, so this is a new adventure - I grew up around vintage steam rallies my uncle restored some old trucks, but mechanical skills and knowledge do not come naturally to me - I figured an R4 would be a relatively practical vehicle for me to start improving my skills in this area.
The plan is to trundle around locally for now to keep it ticking over, while considering what jobs I want to prioritise for it. Maybe some shows in the spring/summer.
I'd love to find out some history, but not many clues came with it - I believe the original French registration to be 2724 QY 87, indicating it was registered in Limoges, South-West of Central France.
A window sticker indicates that it attended the 2019 Spa Classic at Spa Francorchamp in Belgium.
While it's not perfect cosmetically, I wouldn't want it to be either - I've always preferred a working look on a commercial vehicle and I guess this could have been used by any small business in France, or on a farm/vineyard, and rather than have it repainted to a fictional livery I'd prefer to have it represent its likely working life.
Anyway, enough rambling, here's a couple of photos and look forward to the adventures and challenges ahead!
Cheers
Shaun
I've recently acquired this 1985 van, which was imported from France in 2018 and appears to have been well cared for and serviced in recent years.
A fresh MOT and a relatively trouble-free journey back to Cambridgeshire (100 miles, mostly avoiding the motorways) - only minor trouble was restarting it on my final stop close to hope (I see that hot restarting can sometimes be an issue).
It's been running pretty well on the few runs I've done since, and I think I've now nailed a cold start procedure.
The advice and information on this forum has already been very valuable, thank you to all who have posted stuff over the years!
I'd welcome any recommendations for servicing/bodywork or general connections in the Cambridgeshire area
My previous classics were 1990s-2000 cars (a few French) and used as daily drivers, so this is a new adventure - I grew up around vintage steam rallies my uncle restored some old trucks, but mechanical skills and knowledge do not come naturally to me - I figured an R4 would be a relatively practical vehicle for me to start improving my skills in this area.
The plan is to trundle around locally for now to keep it ticking over, while considering what jobs I want to prioritise for it. Maybe some shows in the spring/summer.
I'd love to find out some history, but not many clues came with it - I believe the original French registration to be 2724 QY 87, indicating it was registered in Limoges, South-West of Central France.
A window sticker indicates that it attended the 2019 Spa Classic at Spa Francorchamp in Belgium.
While it's not perfect cosmetically, I wouldn't want it to be either - I've always preferred a working look on a commercial vehicle and I guess this could have been used by any small business in France, or on a farm/vineyard, and rather than have it repainted to a fictional livery I'd prefer to have it represent its likely working life.
Anyway, enough rambling, here's a couple of photos and look forward to the adventures and challenges ahead!
Cheers
Shaun
