Atlas panel van! RARE RARE RARE!!!!!! Leyland 15 Vanguard powered!

[jv57]

parked in a hedge for 40 years, 2 litre vanguard engine, starts runs drives (but won't stop!) needs lots of work but getting underway next week, came with a doormobile model (braver resto than the panel van!) and will be up for sale soon. lots of info/history with both models, chassis is solid, all the panels needed will be done by hand due to the rarity of these things!








anyone out there with parts???????

didn't think so! watch this space for updates. oh yeah, 1963 last of them, lots of History and found a relative who's Dad used to drive it in the Laindon area!

[corblimey3.1]

Its good its not being crushed, resto to standard or some modern upgrades?

[Graham]

corr, i remember going for a ride in one as a kid, i thought it was great

[jv57]

A few modern touches, banded lowered, saving the sign-writing, freshen up the engine, replace all rubbers cylinders brakes etc.... think i have some paint that's a good match, hoping to have this done by next year,
Will keep you posted.

[corblimey3.1]

Yes please do, sounds good and great your saving the original sign writing
I don't think i've seen one before but it looks a bit commer ish in the second picture.

[jv57]

I think it even looks a little Eastern Block stylee?

[jv57]

I need to look out for triumph 2.5 P/I steels? They were wider and the pcd fits. I am starting on the chassis this weekend.

[Dan]

that is super cool like it a lot... my second thought after that was 'that sign writing is really nice, i hope he keeps it '

should make for a brilliant resto, best of luck with it

[jv57]

Thanks Dan!

[jv57]

Looks like i have a set of wide standard steels coming from wales soon, £50! bargain! it goes into a dry area tomorrow and the cutting starts!

[123ESCORTS]

oh dear.......

[jv57]

Found a local fabricator company 5 mins away who will make the skirts, and anyone tell me what the new addition (bumper!) is off of? I reckon it looks cool, and will be fitted for def!
the rear bumpers are being shotblasted and painted black again, but........ i have also found something i think will look really good as an alternative, all the non genuine parts i am fitting will be as close to the period of the van or as near as possible (give or take a year or so?)

[chatteris]

looks great, front bumper might be rear one from a mk3 zodiac

[jv57]

Curses to you Chatteris!! Well done! 11/10!

[rwd2ltrfiesta]

Oh my. That's cool really love the sign writing, top job

[jv57]

changed the side lights/rear and headlights, all looking good, found a replacement fuel tank, i was thinking about getting it repaired brazed (is that spelt right?) then as I looked at all the junk I have, it was staring me in the face! I had a quick measure up, and lucky me! However, what i need for the headlight conversion is the rubber ring that sits inside the chrome surround, i am putting H4 lamps in place of the knackered Lucas sealed beams but without the rubber I can't do it, anyone out there have any? I need 2. I tried to save the present ones but beyond repair, I think any 7 inch lamp rubber should do?

[corblimey3.1]

Atlas panel van GT4 ST165?

[jv57]

Hahaha! if only!!! Anyway, had a pleasant day today, front lower panel has been removed and I will be rebuilding the missing bits! Turns out the brake shoe set up is MK2 Zeph/consul!!!!! bigger shoes at the front, and, i decided to try the 4 spoke Rostyle wheels i had left from an MGB Some time ago as I thought the centre looked too small compared to the centre nut, and it Fitted! like a glove! 14 inch wheels, but what profile do i fit? So the stag wheels won't be needed now, i get to put the money to something else! I start on cutting the floor out tomorrow and making up a template.
Exhaust is sorted and also nearly ready to fit the new fuel tank.
Pics to follow.

[Graham]

to be honest i think low profile tyres would look silly, so i would fit 185/14, which is same as 185/80/14 or at lowest 185/70/14

[jv57]

Great! Duly noted (in my book of things to find, buy & fit!)

[jv57]

Been keeping busy replacing the missing metal from the front lower panel, not been able to fit the other fuel tank due to the rear floor needing some work, but still pleased with the progress.

[jv57]

http://vid160.photobucket.com/albums...7/100_5200.mp4 Fingers crossed the video will work?

[jv57]

well, gutter rails have been repaired, all lights are in, rear chassis rail has been repaired, extra strengthening to the lower outer section where the skirt goes is being reinforced to take the skirts from the Door mobile that arrives next week.
brake pipes sorted, wheel nuts and rear bushes have arrived, and the exhaust box is off an old 60's Mustang! pics to be uploaded pretty soon!

[jv57]

Hi Folks! well, as promised, the Atlas Door mobile has finally been removed from the old chicken shed and shown some daylight, which does not really do it any favours! Cracked rear chassis rail, but rolls!
going to be taking a few bits off it to replace the missing bits on the leyland panel one i have,rear door opens and closes (shuts like a golf!) no paperwork, been in a front garden in Southend for quite sometime before it was removed, pretty sorry state (the Vehicle! not Southend!) then again??????
This would be a very brave resto, but going how rare these are, it may be returned to mother nature! I like the plastic roof panels, very cool, and the front grille and spots certainly give it character.
anyway, photo's are about to be uploaded so watch this space and enjoy!

[jv57]

[jv57]

1957/58 I think?

[corblimey3.1]

Thats about as rusty as my old mk5 transit

[jv57]

There's fresh air where there's no rust!
may just take a few minor bits off it and donate it! (rust included!)

[trig]

Wel done for saving it mate

[jv57]

some updated pix of the new bits on the rear lower quarter, it's gettin' there!

[madragon199]

love it...cheers mark

[2639]

I think you get the Queens medal for gallantry... how many holes? Eek.

[jv57]

Work starts again next week, The Atlas is too far gone, it really is a total wreck, so the side skirts are being utilised, some of the parts have been sold to fund a couple of other Atlas and Leyland tubs, and I have even offered to do a straight swap for some wanted items for the running gear etc... with the Standard owners club, but....... So I think i will cut the roof off, and some of the side panels and donate the rest to the Rust monster.
Anyway, keep watching, i intend to move quickly now the days are getting slightly longer. This year without fail!

[jv57]

Well, just the front suspension to remove from the Atlas, then the rest can go off to make washers! Axle and front end look as though they are off to the states, Possibly the spare front screen as well (won't be cheap though!)
the engine still had plenty of anti freeze in it, and it still turns, but who wants a 900cc triumph engine?????

[jv57]

Things have changed.......................... regrettably the Panel Van is going up for sale such a reluctant decision but I am taking my mk2 Escort Back end of May, so much work is still going to be required for it, and i have sunk a pile of money into it, and i know I am going to be disappointed when I collect it, so, in order to get it finished asap and to make room, sadly, the Bread van has to go. I am kicking myself!!!!!! I could use a few curse words, but I am a little down hearted about the mk2, but after spending in excess of 5K so far, I know I won't have time to finish the van this year, and space at the moment is an issue. Thanks for all the comments and support, but someone else needs to take this on.

[corblimey3.1]

Sorry to hear that, hope it all turns out ok.

[jv57]

Thank you

[jv57]

Decided I can't leave it! dragged it out a couple of days ago, had a good friend make me a 'frenched' rear number plate panel, all is going well!

[Steve]

Theres a camper of this in the Coventry transport museum

[jv57]

Very nice too! I may ring him, see if he is willing to break it?