Wreak or rescue? I think it's a 1978 ford transit van ambulance?

teardrop · Member

Wreak or rescue? I think it's a 1978 ford transit van ambulance?

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

If its a steal then I say go for it. The time is your to give and the reward of achieving would be fantastic. I've seen worse restored and they came up pretty well. The main thing for me would be reliability. You will need help and money for that. Cosmetic and soap and water is the fun part. Good luck with it.
Tess

teardrop · Member

Thanks Tess, the inside is a shocker! I'm almost afraid to post the pictures. Here goes for your enjoyment. Last used as a sheares donga. Blerk!

teardrop · Member

Evie n Rhys wrote:
Cosmetic and soap and water is the fun part. Good luck with it.
Tess

Hypo and a blow torch lol

Friar Park · Senior Member

Hi Teardrop, my advice having just finished a refurb on my old compass is if you knowe your enthusiasim will get you past the times when everything elser is at rock bottom and proress is just about zero, go for it. The end result is absolutely worth it.

Friar

GaryKelly · Guru

I'm all for more rigs on the road that make mine look better. :) If you have the time and patience and a few bob to spare, I'd say go for it. And a decent tool kit with power drill, etc. Labor is the killer and the more you can do yourself, the better. Good luck!

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

A good clean up would make pics 1000 % better.. What running gear does it have ?? Being an ambulance it should be durable.. I assume it has the much reliable 250 six cylinder..
Engines etc can be fixed but RUST if set in will never go unless some decent repairs are carried out..
A coat of paint making it all the same colour ..

teardrop · Member

I'll get photos of the engine next weekend. That engine sounds right I think. I'll post the pictures when I get them. I'll check it well for rust. Apparently it's been bathed in fish oil by the dear ol dadgadget who built it.

Foz · Veteran Member

Yep,

Have has 2 of these about the same vintage.

It is a Ford Transit, brought out to compete with the look-alike Bedford vans of the same era.

Earlier trucks had a V4 cyl time bomb & nearly all were converted to 6 cyl at some stage.

Thankfully this is not one of them, the bubble at the front where the grill is denotes this as a 200/250 6 cyl Ford as found in the 1970/80 Falcons.

If manual they normally sport a 3 speed Falcon g/box & auto's the Borg Warner 35 (3 speed) also from the Falcon.

Many, many parts are shared with the Falcon range & it pays the hip pocket to find out as Ford prices them according to the make & Transit attracted a BIG premium at the time.

They are not quick max 100km/h but pulling power due to the low gearing was excellent.

The down side was fuel consumption. At high revs they drink it up. & again at high revs they drink it up.

Both of mine were bought as wrecks & refurbished as delivery trucks in the early to mid 80's. Rust was a major issue in both but it didn't cost a lot as I recall as they are pretty easy to work on & most parts & panels bolt on & off without much fuss.

It should be a talking point wherever you take it eh?

teardrop · Member

Foz, you are a gem! Fantastic info thank you :) I'll post more pics when I see it. I'm looking past the grottyness and loving potential of it.
It's got duel fuel so I'm hoping that helps a bit. I'm sure it will be out of date though and I'm not sure what that actualy means.

teardrop · Member

This is all the info I have on it

great motorhome it's runs on fule/gas and it's a 5 speed it's has own hot water sevice it has a roof rack it has a antenna it has a power pint out side and a enclosed anex but hooks on the side the stove can run on gas /12v/240v and it's got a shower and a second battery it's got 12v lights in it to well worth it's money 2 months rego if it in sa might be able to drop it off it off u can send me a message and I will let u know interstate will get it transport it on buys cost and I have the right to end this at any time happy biding thank u for taking the time to look at my add and wish u all luck and I hope u win it I know u Will be very happy

Cheers, Julie

Foz · Veteran Member

Looking forward to seeing this one out & about, hope you get the right deal.

teardrop · Member

I'll give him a fair price. I'd like to feel good about it for both of us. The guy who owns it is a good sort.

teardrop · Member

Hi, here is a photo of the engine and one of the compliance plate. I'm not sure what it tells me, any clues?

I've also just been told it's 1968! Looks like the gas was done Dec 2009 so that's promising I suppose.

That's a pic of the only bad rust apparently????

Ill see it in the flesh next weekend. It's a mix of fear and excitement!

-- Edited by teardrop on Sunday 4th of May 2014 11:31:28 AM

arthur · Veteran Member

Looking at it my first thought was " for who so only could love a beast"

You may have already bought it, but I would be weighing up financial outlay v successful outcome.

Other than that, I look forward to seeing the 'beast' reborn.

Cheers

Arthur

KevinC · Senior Member

I'm interested in the outcome too. Everything can be restored, provided there's enough funds available, and this one won't be real cheap. The main issue I see is weight. The van in its present form must weigh tonnes. And we all know weight means fuel consumption. So as well as paint, you may need to consider reducing the amount of fittings and fixtures. Here's where your imagination can run wild. That built-in bathroom could be reduced to something as light as a plastic shower curtain. And the wardrobes could be tent style as well. Just saying. Getting rid of some of the weight would mean easier driving. At present its a truck.

"I know this won't get me very far but I think it would be fun for short trips." I disagree. If the mechanicals are reliable and you can get the weight down, you can go as far as you want. It'd be much warmer than a tent, and more space than some of the modern campers. But you'll have to love it.

teardrop · Member

Thanks guys :) I'm thinking of putting her on a diet first thing too. there is

ots of wood and what looks like two hot water systems.?? I don't want gas in the cab so they will go first I think. I get it Sat morning and I'll put an update then. It has been back and forth from SA to Vic 3 times in the last few years apparently. I've been told it can do 120kms on the open road and about 60kms up hills so I'm thinking the engine must still have a bit of grunt. I'll be very gentle on her though. Even I'm starting to think I've got a few Roos loose in the top paddock for taking this on!

Jayco Gypsy · Senior Member

Can't wait to see how this turns out. As for the few Roos loose in the top paddock I think your in good company. We have been storing a camper type thing for someone who was going to restore it. (been here 3 yrs untouched)

I was looking at it the other day wondering if and how it could be restored and all the thoughts that go with it wink
and offering to buy it and have a go....must be mad biggrin biggrin biggrin well hubby thinks so and he doesn't want a bar of it either!

Good luck with your reno smile

teardrop · Member

One more week untill Betty Ford makes her arrival. A few more pictures From inside as the lovely bloke who owners it is cleaning it out for me.

03_troopy · Guru

Just remember, rust is like ice bergs, only 10% of the total is usually visible. Good luck with your project though.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
Just remember, rust is like ice bergs, only 10% of the total is usually visible. Good luck with your project though.

Agree .. A chassis vehicle can be easier to reserect .. I highly recommend using a product like this to d

neutralise the rust , coat it and prevent it coming back..

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/stop-rust-paints.html

I have used it on 60 / 70 model Australian GT Fords with VERY good results..

Please dont bog over rust !! Cut it out treat and weld a zinc coated panel .. Using MIG welder..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 20th of May 2014 08:55:37 PM

teardrop · Member

Thanks guys, thank goodness there is very little rust so I'll get it cut out and fixed properly. Only place I can find is a bit under the door seal and a spot on the bonnet. I've been over it with a magnet so no secret bog disasters under the paint I can find. I'll strip and sand it back so that will tell me more. Under the van looks like new, no rust as must have been fish oiled. I'm gutting out the back at the moment. There is a bit of rotten wood that I can replace. The ambulance construction is alimunium sheet with a fiberglass top so that's all ok.

-- Edited by teardrop on Wednesday 21st of May 2014 09:38:42 AM

Glenelg · Guru

Hi Teardrop. any news on your transit yet, we would love to know how it's going

teardrop · Member

Hi folks. Here is an update. After much research it turned out that Betty Ford is an original Ford Landliner Motorhome imported from the UK. I'm gutting and restoring her. Lots of wet wood that I've replaced but other than that it is a treasure. Here are some photos :)

teardrop · Member

From the brosure. I have the original fridge and stove that work great but the shower was brittle and had to go west as did the gas unit above the sink. Just too dangerous. I'm cutting the over cab disaster down by half but I wish I had the skill to remake the original over cab front. She runs brilliantly though and is very fun to drive. I can't wait to have adventures in her.

Glenelg · Guru

goodonya . you'll get there.