Practically Classics Forum

I'm from a large family, and while I haven't done much breeding myself I have numerous siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins, nephews & nieces. While none of them mind journeys in the Allegros, if I'm taking a group we soon run out of available seats. My current method for avoiding this issue is to run a Mercedes E200 estate with the jumpseat in the boot, and this is enjoyed by the younger family members, but impractical for my 90+ year old grandparents!

As such, I've been toying with the idea of a classic "people carrier" but I'm struggling to think of viable candidates, but this is probably because I'm just not thinking of some obvious-to-others possibilities. The main contenders I've thought of are old Transit & Sherpa/Jx minibuses, and Austin taxis - but I've asked about those elsewhere & decided the taxis at least are probably not as suitable as I'd thought.

Needs:

• 6+ seats, with direct access to at least 4 of them. Front & rear bench seats would probably work for this?
• Seatbelts on as many seats as possible - the family stretches from 9 months to 90+ years, all of whom would like to live as long as possible!

Wants:

• Power steering - I have a bad back, something big like this needs to be manoeuvrable without recourse to a block & tackle...
• Tax-exempt? I have a fleet of Allegros & they (nearly) all require taxing; especially as the bigger car/van will be used only rarely.
• Less than a Grand; given other requirements this is likely to be pushing it, but taken as either/or with the tax-exemption I don't see it being impossible - the Merc came to me within this budget.

Any suggestions?

Depends on what you personally consider to be a "classic" - but for pity's sake let's not go into that debate yet again eh?

If you include Volvo estates, then this would be my favourite, although you're not going to get a tax exempt one that has the seating you require. I recently bought a V70 T5, and it's a brilliant machine, and there's lots for sale (particularly 850s) under a grand. Or go for the older 940 one? 7-seater kits are not hard to come by.

Oh, and welcome back to the forum mate - long time no see!

Cheers

Classic / collectable / desirable...., etc

How about a Merc deisel W123 etc

Or

Montego 2.0i / 2.0 TD seven seater ( all seats have belts)

Marina Estate

Volvo (as above)

I'll think of some more soon

Datsun Cherry ?

Or are you not asian?

Both as rare as hens teeth but:

Peugeot 504 estate - 7 seater
Citroen CX - 7 seater

Both I think were available as diesel - both available with power streering

Not with power steering but nice old buses were the Morris J4 (Dad had one) with the Morris JU250 following on from it both I think could be had in minibus form, Bedford had the CA which I believe came with a Dormobile minibus conversion (Has seen in the film 'East is East') We even had a Morris LD at one stage which was put to use when we went camping for the summer (no seats in the back let alone seat belts)

One last one but it would be tight for space is the Jowett Bradford utility - this was a works conversion with side windows and seats.

I would suggest checking out the auctions - a lot of ex local authority vehicles / school minibus / ambulance / police type motors are disposed of through general commerical auctions - often with mobility lifts fitted to them - quite well maintained but also very cheap - no one really wants them - I doubt if you would find something with cult classic status though but it might just tick every other box.

Just had another thought - in the mid 80's Toyota had a minibus style thing called the 'Space Cruiser' quite well thought out and quite plush with lot's of 80's velour. Then again what is wrong with one of the early first generation of people carriers like the Renault Espace ? - Not seen either of these two that I have mentioned for years but maybe worth checking out.

Luxobarge wrote:....Volvo estates, although you're not going to get a tax exempt one that has the seating you require...

7 seats in these, and belts available for all:

Easier to find in the UK, anchor points already present, very good at resisting corrosion so rust-free ones are out there:

Or maybe a nice 145 Express:

...and you could go LWB if that isn't big enough.

It's got to be a Mk1 Renault Espace, fibreglass body manufactured by Matra, a real classic of its time.


John Simpson

Peugeot 505, won't be tax exempt but scores on everything else.

VW Microbus?

109 Landrover Estate: 12 Seats in one of those