Hi peeps, buying Talbot coachbuilt, any advice? (1 Viewer)

[Monty]

Hi, just signed up, I haven't got my motorhome yet, but I'm lookin as we speak. I'm not new to living in vans, I spent two years with my girlfriend (now wife) living in a Ford Escort van, I went from that to a 28ft American Ford E350, but being a 7.3 litre V8, I didnt go far in it ! It was a mobile NHS waiting room to begin with. I lived in that for a year. After that I moved into a home made of bricks where I have lived for six years. I bought a VW T5 to convert into a camper but have since had a child so I sold the T5 on ebay last week. I'm now looking for a Talbot Highwayman, or something similar. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you can help me with though.
Firstly, I'm spending about £3500, so that equals approx 1988-90ish, should I go for the diesel, or (remembering how lame early small engine diesels were) should I go petrol?
Secondly, what should I be paying special attention to when viewing this type of vehicle?
Anything else you have to tell me would also be much appreciated.
Regards
Monty

 

[ourcampersbeentrashed]

Hi and welcome to fun.

We have a talbot and they are great vehicles however the only downside is parts are becoming rare.

Good luck - there are still some lovely ones out there

 

[BobProperty]

Firstly, I'm spending about £3500, so that equals approx 1988-90ish, should I go for the diesel, or (remembering how lame early small engine diesels were) should I go petrol?
Secondly, what should I be paying special attention to when viewing this type of vehicle?
Anything else you have to tell me would also be much appreciated.
Regards
Monty

I have a petrol Talbot Express Highwayman and the perceived opinion is as you suggest, the non turbo diesel isn't great, the petrol is OK-ish and the turbo diesel has a bit more torque. However, this is all 1970s-1980s technology so don't expect much. (My Vito 2.2 diesel beats the Talbot engine in every respect.) I have recently spent nearly 3 weeks in France with it and it is a very sensitive hill detector sometimes needing as low as 3rd to get up motorway gradients.
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As for the motorhome itself, I think £3500 could be optimistic for one in decent condition. Apart from the usual damp checking and checking all the bits work, the petrol engine can have problems with the exhaust manifold gasket and the gearbox linkage can get too sloppy. The cabs rust on the doors, wings and bonnet front edges. Mine is currently having fuel problems, which I may or may not have cured, not helped by it having been stood around for a few months with not much fuel in the tank.

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[Chani]

Hi Bob,

As for the motorhome itself, I think £3500 could be optimistic for one in decent condition.

What should you expect to spend to get one in decent condition?

Ta muchly

 

[Terry]

How long is a piece of string ? After looking around a LOT you will swiftly realise that 7 k will be nearer the entry level budget for a half decent van.This does not mean that you will not find one sub 7 only that as you look at all the sheds around you will soon realise that all the sub 6/7 k vans that are any good have been snapped up oh:
terry
PS I got offered a 91 j Talbot Eldiss last weekend for 4.5 k less than a mile away from me - never seen it - only been told it is like new inside and is in good nick out side.He is looking for a quick sale as his mrs wants a static.If anyone is genuinely interested I can have a look at it to see if it is worth the money.He said he paid 7.5 k last year for it.I have toyed with the idea of going to look at it with the thoughts of buying/selling it for a profit. :thumb:

 

[BobProperty]

Hi Bob,



What should you expect to spend to get one in decent condition?

Ta muchly

I think you'd be lucky to get something reasonable for less than £4k-£5k. I looked at lots of stuff before I bought mine and saw some absolute sheds out there at silly prices. I bought mine to see what motorhoming was like and give it a try and I expect I will change it within a year for something else. I think I spent two months or so before I found it and even then it wasn't exactly what I was looking for at the time. The best I saw went for £5.5k or £6k.

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[Monty]

It's just a case of being quick off the mark

I reckon I'll do alright for £3500, I've been looking at whats happening for a while, whilst waiting to sell my T5. Best I've seen so far was a Talbot Bedouin, looked mint, went for £2750 and a Talbot Express 5 Berth 2.5 Turbo Diesel (type that into gumtree and have a look) also looked absolutely pristine, 1990, up for £4200 ! Long gone by the time I phoned. I'll bide my time and see what happens.

 

[rainbow chasers]

What you will REALLY have to look out for are damp, and hidden damp repairs, floors, engine faults, mileage and rust. The budget you have really won't get you much as it is IMO pretty much scrap value for a motorhome. You are talking less money than a reasonable self build.

A nice one still demands, quite regularly, 8-12k. It will still come with the same risks, but one in the 3.5k bracket will be very tired indeed!

I would either look into a good self build, or a saving a little more and looking at either something a bit better or joining up with a share scheme.

 

[doglover]

talbot coachbuilt

hi we bought a talbot autotrail chinook for 5500 with 3 months warranty we love it basic no pas 2litre petrol bit underpowered but who cares im not in a hurry

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[weekenders]

We sold our 1988 Talbot Autosleeper Talsiman 2 last June, it was a 2.0ltr petrol and only had 60,000 on the clock, we had it about 10 years and went all over europe in it, it was still like new, no body rot as monocoque body, it had shower, toilet, oven, fridge and was 2/4 berth, it sold for £4,500 and that was the best we could get for it.
struggled a bit up hills, but went everywhere in it.

 

[BobProperty]

hi we bought a talbot autotrail chinook for 5500 with 3 months warranty we love it basic no pas 2litre petrol bit underpowered but who cares im not in a hurry

Good point, a lot don't have PAS. The rack is quite low geared.

 

[Terry]

I reckon I'll do alright for £3500, I've been looking at whats happening for a while, whilst waiting to sell my T5. Best I've seen so far was a Talbot Bedouin, looked mint, went for £2750 and a Talbot Express 5 Berth 2.5 Turbo Diesel (type that into gumtree and have a look) also looked absolutely pristine, 1990, up for £4200 ! Long gone by the time I phoned. I'll bide my time and see what happens.

Hi Monty -- yes there are a few bargains out there but there are also a lot of what appear to be bargains When you go look at them it is as if the seller has described a different van.ie dry - only after travelling 100 mls - to look at it you find a nice big green mouldy patch in the bathroom the seller telling you it is caused by the shower and they forgot to wipe the walls dry but it will wash off and be OK Be very careful on what you buy be it £3000 or 30,000 :thumb:Make sure everything works as things are very expensive to replace cooker 5/600 fridge 5/600 heater 500 water heater 450 windows 200 plus does not take long for your 3,000 bargain to suddenly hit 5 or 6,000 or worse still 3,000 scrap
terry

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