Ford Supervan

[Greybeard]

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[Kickaha]

That was the first one, there have been at another three since in the different body shapes and engine configurations including electric powered, Renault also did a F1 powered Espace people mover using an motor from Alain Prost's F1 car

[Joolstacho]

I wonder if the penny ever dropped that you need brakes to match.

[Greybeard]

In late 1960's we got an early Ford Transit van at the garage I worked at. Most vans then were dire; the Tranny was fantastic! The engine was an energetic V4, (same as used in the Corsair and I think the SAAB when they stopped having a two-stroke engine). Despite having a solid front axle the road holding was fantastic. It's no surprise that Transit clones have become universal.

[chaterlea25]

Hi Jools and All,
I believe the brakes and suspension were also adapted from the GT40
If my memory is correct I saw Guy Martin on a tv program where they did something similar with a modern transit..
Back when I was at secondary school the minibus the school had was a V4 transit. It used to go to the garage where I worked on Saturdays to be repaired, which was often, I seem to remember pulling the engine to change the clutch?
I seem to remember those V4's used to overheat a lot ???

John

[Sakura]

A friend of mine, Gilbert Sills, builder of many custom bikes, was heavily involved with building the original Super Van. He gave a very interesting talk about his life in F1 with Lotus, time spent at Broadspeed etc, and the Supervan last winter for the Fressingfield Oily Rag Club.

[Swarfcut]

 Gilbert was the fella behind The Cretingham Crank Company, not far from me. Wonder if he knew Ron Hickman (Inventor of the Black and Decker Workmate) as both had a LOTUS connection.

 His workshop makes mine look tidy, some YouTube viddys  show him in conversation with Andy Tiernan.

 Swarfy.

[Sakura]

Gilbert was the fella behind The Cretingham Crank Company, not far from me. Wonder if he knew Ron Hickman (Inventor of the Black and Decker Workmate) as both had a LOTUS connection.

 His workshop makes mine look tidy, some YouTube viddys  show him in conversation with Andy Tiernan.

 Swarfy.

Then obviously you're near me. I work occasionally for Andy. No workshop for Gilly any more, he's given it up, to the disappointment of many of us.