What do you think of this? (1 Viewer)

[Treecol]

This is the motorhome we are considering. Ignore the price as it's been advertised twice & still not sold. We can negotiate a better price. It's apparently a conversion built on an old disable ambulance chassis. It's beautiful inside & the underside is not too bad. There may be a little welding on one outrigger next year but I can do that. We intend to wild camp & in time go full time. We may go on the odd site but not often. An elderly couple owns it & they have been only on sites in it.
But when I google it, there is no trace of the make/model (Auto cruiser Pullman express) it isn't as the ad says a Talbot Express. My only concern is that is is very slow. I know that we won't be racing around the country, but just wonder if any of you have older slower models. How do you find them? Also would it concern you to buy a one off conversion? Thanks if you can help.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervan...rth-talbot-express.home-from-home./1245604108

 

[Alistair33]

Looks in great condition in the inside, from what I can see very little sign of waer and tear, even the trim around the oven looks brand new.

If there is nothing wrong mechanically then the price seams fantastic

 

[chaser]

This is the motorhome we are considering. Ignore the price as it's been advertised twice & still not sold. We can negotiate a better price. It's apparently a conversion built on an old disable ambulance chassis. It's beautiful inside & the underside is not too bad. There may be a little welding on one outrigger next year but I can do that. We intend to wild camp & in time go full time. We may go on the odd site but not often. An elderly couple owns it & they have been only on sites in it.
But when I google it, there is no trace of the make/model (Auto cruiser Pullman express) it isn't as the ad says a Talbot Express. My only concern is that is is very slow. I know that we won't be racing around the country, but just wonder if any of you have older slower models. How do you find them? Also would it concern you to buy a one off conversion? Thanks if you can help.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervan...rth-talbot-express.home-from-home./1245604108

Don't understand this , you say at the beginning it is apparently an old ambulance so how could it be a factory named conversion , not knocking it as it looks fine but don't think you will find much information on it as it must be a one off, but on the other hand it doesn't look as if it was an ambulance, strange one this.

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[Chris]

Here are images of the Talbot Express Pullman

Broken Link Removed

 

[chaser]

Here are images of the Talbot Express Pullman

Broken Link Removed

If that's the case , it's one hell of a conversion , no sign of it ever being an ambulance, looks good

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Looks good

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[irnbru]

It was yellow.
Heres the history
Registration number: H448BUE

• Vehicle makeTALBOT
• Vehicle modelEXPRESS MOTORCARAVAN
• Date first used19 March 1991
• Fuel typeDiesel
• ColourWhite

MOT history of this vehicle

• Test date29 March 2017
• Expiry date29 March 2018
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading11,839 miles
• MOT test number7060 0177 5076

• Test date20 March 2017
• Test ResultFail
• Odometer reading11,831 miles
• MOT test number8161 1348 9582
• Reason(s) for failure
  Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)
  Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)
  Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
  Offside Rear Inner Electrical wiring insecure near exhaust (1.9.2a)
  Nearside Rear rear brake binding 3rd axle (3.7.B.1)

• Test date30 March 2016
• Expiry date29 March 2017
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading11,191 miles
• MOT test number6480 8951 4784
• Advisory notice item(s)
  general underbody corrosion
  Brake pipe slightly corroded all metal pipes (3.6.B.2c)
  oil leak
  Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

• Test date11 March 2016
• Test ResultFail
• Odometer reading11,121 miles
• MOT test number6951 2005 7676
• Reason(s) for failure
  Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering inner cill (6.1.A.1)
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases mid section (7.1.2)

• Test date28 May 2013
• Expiry date27 May 2014
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading8,573 miles
• MOT test number7288 2814 3115
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)
  Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)
  Nearside Inner Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)
  Offside Inner Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

• Test date11 May 2012
• Expiry date10 May 2013
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading95,495 miles
• MOT test number3574 8233 2151
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)
  Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)
  battery insecure

• Test date27 April 2011
• Expiry date26 April 2012
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading6,110 miles
• MOT test number9371 4711 1187
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)
  Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)
  Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

• Test date5 October 2009
• Expiry date4 October 2010
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading5,031 miles
• MOT test number3513 9887 9261

• Test date18 September 2008
• Expiry date19 September 2009
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading3,631 miles
• MOT test number7330 3226 8251

• Test date15 September 2008
• Expiry date19 September 2009
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading3,631 miles
• MOT test number3736 8985 8203

• Test date11 September 2008
• Test ResultFail
• Odometer reading3,631 miles
• MOT test number5140 6575 8272
• Reason(s) for failure
  Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)
  Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
  Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Nearside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
  Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
  Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
  Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

• Test date20 September 2007
• Expiry date19 September 2008
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading2,313 miles
• MOT test number5737 6306 7224
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

• Test date15 September 2006
• Expiry date14 September 2007
• Test ResultPass
• MOT test number3831 4855 6276

MOT
Broken Link Removed

 

[Rob and Val]

If you check the MOT history (https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history putting Talbot as the make) you will see that the tin worm features quite a lot. That's probably because it's only done 9,500 miles in the last 10 years.

I would say that it will probably need a new set of tyres as, although they haven't done much mileage, they will have deteriorated while standing - see my post here: - https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/lumpy-tyres.154704/#post-2383821

It won't be fast as the diesel engine has no turbo but going fast only uses more fuel and can be very stressful in a vehicle that size. If you do buy it then change the air filter - we had a full service when we bought our Talbot and it made a heck of a difference when climbing hills.

Lack of power steering will make the Talbot heavy on steering. If you wanted to have after-market PAS fitted it will cost in the region of £600.

Make sure you give it a good road test. A test drive should not be just along a straight, flat road. You want to try it out on hills – up and down – and to drive it around corners – left and right. It should be driven on at least one stretch of dual carriageway or motorway to get it up to a decent speed. You would need to road test it for between 15 and 30 minutes.

I have to say that the interior looks stunning but don't let your heart rule your head.

 

[irnbru]

• Theres something not right with the mileages..Low numbers for yrs before and after this one.
• 
  
• Test date11 May 2012
• Expiry date10 May 2013
• Test ResultPass
• Odometer reading95,495 miles

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[Treecol]

Wow! Thank you all so much! Didn't know you could get that info online re MOT's. It has confirmed the fact that I thought it's going to need some maintaining in the future. Don't want to have to do that much. The inside is fantastic but that's no good if the chassis falls apart!!
With regard to the odometer, the owners tells us it's had a clock change. I suspect this is why lots of people have looked at it & made very low offers.

 

[Lenny HB]

Had me worried at first that it had such a low mileage now seeing the milage is more normal makes more sence. Passed the latest MOT so most of the rust should have been sorted but needs a good inspection. Can't get the photos to work on the link only see the first 2, if it's as everyone says at that price got to be worth a punt, certainly a cool classic.

 

[Mel]

It will run forever who wants to go fast on holiday.

If its ok on the test drive go for it.

And good luck (can be repaired anywhere without a computer)
There are a few towns you wont be able to enter (London e.g.)

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[chaser]

Wow! Thank you all so much! Didn't know you could get that info online re MOT's. It has confirmed the fact that I thought it's going to need some maintaining in the future. Don't want to have to do that much. The inside is fantastic but that's no good if the chassis falls apart!!
With regard to the odometer, the owners tells us it's had a clock change. I suspect this is why lots of people have looked at it & made very low offers.

If you really are set on this motor, which I must say looks good, I would point out all the drawbacks with it , age, rust, spares, to name but three, and offer about three grand and settle for around five and be prepared to spend another couple on getting it put right.

 

[Spriddler]

Even though you don't want 'fast' it's a big lump for that non turbo diesel to haul around. Long hills and headwinds will have you down through the gears and grinding along.
Quite a lot of rust in its history. Dealing with that is always very costly and will only get worse. I've restored classic MG's for years and one chases the rust forever unless extensive panel replacement is carried out.
Being non-standard you could have difficulty knowing exactly which replacement parts to buy.
The seller only mentions the replacement speedo in the text, not in the 'headline' description (and even then doesn't admit to precisely at what mileage it was) which seems a bit disingenuous.

If it seem too good to be true...........

 

[Treecol]

Thanks again guys. I've decided to leave it. We test drove it the 1st time we saw it as wewere in 2nd gear crawling up a hill. Then I looked at the underside with a torch - it was dusk. It didn't look too bad but I do know about chasing rust aroud! If we are living in it, I don't want to hassle of big repairs. I was only still thinking about it as I just don't want to spend big money yet, that will come when we rent our house out & go full time. I offered £7k subject to 2nd viewing. But they wouldn't take it. They have had a lot of viewings - even people coming long distance but they don't seem to want to take lower offers.I suspect that people have been offering around the £5k. So we'll keep looking. We are prepared to wait for the right one.
Thanks again, invaluable help.

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[chaser]

Thanks again guys. I've decided to leave it. We test drove it the 1st time we saw it as wewere in 2nd gear crawling up a hill. Then I looked at the underside with a torch - it was dusk. It didn't look too bad but I do know about chasing rust aroud! If we are living in it, I don't want to hassle of big repairs. I was only still thinking about it as I just don't want to spend big money yet, that will come when we rent our house out & go full time. I offered £7k subject to 2nd viewing. But they wouldn't take it. They have had a lot of viewings - even people coming long distance but they don't seem to want to take lower offers.I suspect that people have been offering around the £5k. So we'll keep looking. We are prepared to wait for the right one.
Thanks again, invaluable help.

Didn't like to discourage you before, but think you have made a wise decision

 

[irnbru]

It shows you how your £15 subscription has been money well spent

 

[Treecol]

It shows you how your £15 subscription has been money well spent

Great value!

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[Spriddler]

I was only still thinking about it as I just don't want to spend big money yet,

A 'better' one may cost more to start with, but at least you'll know how much you're in for. The problem with dealing with rust in a m/home, unlike a car or panel van, is there's generally a lot of habitation stuff (units, loo, fridge, pipes, wiring etc) to strip out and replace in oreder to do a proper job. Labour costs for body work as you may know is always far greater than the materials. Besides you could easily lose the use of it for weeks (quite possibly months).

They have had a lot of viewings - even people coming long distance but they don't seem to want to take lower offers.I suspect that people have been offering around the £5k.

Or they've come to the same conclusion as you have........

'The bitterness of poor quality lasts much longer than the sweetness of a low price...........'

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Good decision, plenty of vans to look at out there.