Some valiants for sale
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 21 10:52 pm
Time to admit defeat.
I was in a project meeting today, training some new people. We were discussing realistic project timelines, and the topic was designed to discus your own situation. I should say here that this is my (& my partners) company.
As the crew were younger than me, we moved on to talk about cars, and the discussion hit upon Rover vans. I have been a fan since I managed the company fleet in the mid 2000’s – around when Rover went bust. Rover 25 vans were “cheap as chips” back then – I was buying them on low milage for the high hundreds of pounds, back in the late 2000s. I was not from the UK so brand meant nothing to me. So, Rover / MG vans were a bargain! We burnt through them like mad! Petrol ones – terrible! Diesel – starter motors and alternators like it was going out of fashion. Trashed a fair few van over the years. Production rarities – 160 MG Express? Bah. If it was cheap, who cared! It was, I felt, like being in charge of something that should matter but seemingly didn't.
I came to like them. I knew their spec inside and out. I knew their weak points. But, as much as I liked them, they were “just vans".
We’ve moved on – Berlingo, Partner, and so on. It is currently Fiat Doblo vans– a pile of them now!
Well, anyway, I stashed away one of the last made – a 2006 Mk2 Rover van. One of 30 or so. The thing is, it sat in the yard for years. Recently (in the last 12 months) someone smashed the driver’s window. Damaged the door, broke the handle too. Trim damaged.
I put a tarp over it and marked it in my mind as “I will come back to you later”.
So, the discussion moved on to talk about this van. It is unusual, a production rarity, but on the open market worth little. Historically of interest. A formative piece, you might say. But, as it is of little value, there is little reason for me to sell. The project discussion moved on to talk about when I might deal with it. Before the tarp breaks, before the water gets in and rots it out fully.
I had a revelation.
I can’t. I won't get around to it.
I have a “to-do” list as long as your arm. I have over-reached on my property – too much too do. Talking to the lads made me realise that I will never get around to this Rover van, before it rots out and is just scrap. That lead me on to look at my other “projects”. The ones I was saving for my “retirement”. The thing is there is a queue for my attention, and it is long!
So, to the point of this post!
Over the years when I have seen Australian Chrysler Valiant products come on the market, at a cheap price, I have (where I could) bought them. It was always the theory of “when I retire I will …”, but today has made me realise that a) that could be along way away! And b) by the time I do, they will have become scrap which would be a terrible outcome.
So, I have five Valiants for sale.
They are in variable condition. I also have some parts, but to be honest they are scattered alongside all the various work tools etc. You could ask about the parts, and I am happy to look, but only as far as I can. For example, I own a couple of “new” VG Valiant rear light assemblies. As far as I am aware, there are no VG Valiants left in the UK. VG VIP, yes. VG Regal, no. I also have a VE Valiant bonnet, where the previous owner a long time ago cut out random patches to weld up something else. Plenty of what my wife would call scrap!
I have a VC Valiant in poor condition (just treated badly and stripped), a VE VIP Valiant that is rusty but complete, a VG VIP (but the slant six with no engine) in moderately poor condition, and two CH’s – one a project and the other a bit of a mess but you could at a pinch drive it.
At this stage I won’t pinch parts off the ones I have, because that would not be fair and would reduce the chances of them surviving. But, if you need something, ask in case I have it stashed away as a spare.
I hate to give up “the dream”, but you have to be realistic – if you’re doing more harm, why are you keeping it?
Even the Rover Van is up for sale!
I wanted to post on here to give people the chance to comment, before I put them on eBay. Work being what it is, this could take some weeks mind you!
I was in a project meeting today, training some new people. We were discussing realistic project timelines, and the topic was designed to discus your own situation. I should say here that this is my (& my partners) company.
As the crew were younger than me, we moved on to talk about cars, and the discussion hit upon Rover vans. I have been a fan since I managed the company fleet in the mid 2000’s – around when Rover went bust. Rover 25 vans were “cheap as chips” back then – I was buying them on low milage for the high hundreds of pounds, back in the late 2000s. I was not from the UK so brand meant nothing to me. So, Rover / MG vans were a bargain! We burnt through them like mad! Petrol ones – terrible! Diesel – starter motors and alternators like it was going out of fashion. Trashed a fair few van over the years. Production rarities – 160 MG Express? Bah. If it was cheap, who cared! It was, I felt, like being in charge of something that should matter but seemingly didn't.
I came to like them. I knew their spec inside and out. I knew their weak points. But, as much as I liked them, they were “just vans".
We’ve moved on – Berlingo, Partner, and so on. It is currently Fiat Doblo vans– a pile of them now!
Well, anyway, I stashed away one of the last made – a 2006 Mk2 Rover van. One of 30 or so. The thing is, it sat in the yard for years. Recently (in the last 12 months) someone smashed the driver’s window. Damaged the door, broke the handle too. Trim damaged.
I put a tarp over it and marked it in my mind as “I will come back to you later”.
So, the discussion moved on to talk about this van. It is unusual, a production rarity, but on the open market worth little. Historically of interest. A formative piece, you might say. But, as it is of little value, there is little reason for me to sell. The project discussion moved on to talk about when I might deal with it. Before the tarp breaks, before the water gets in and rots it out fully.
I had a revelation.
I can’t. I won't get around to it.
I have a “to-do” list as long as your arm. I have over-reached on my property – too much too do. Talking to the lads made me realise that I will never get around to this Rover van, before it rots out and is just scrap. That lead me on to look at my other “projects”. The ones I was saving for my “retirement”. The thing is there is a queue for my attention, and it is long!
So, to the point of this post!
Over the years when I have seen Australian Chrysler Valiant products come on the market, at a cheap price, I have (where I could) bought them. It was always the theory of “when I retire I will …”, but today has made me realise that a) that could be along way away! And b) by the time I do, they will have become scrap which would be a terrible outcome.
So, I have five Valiants for sale.
They are in variable condition. I also have some parts, but to be honest they are scattered alongside all the various work tools etc. You could ask about the parts, and I am happy to look, but only as far as I can. For example, I own a couple of “new” VG Valiant rear light assemblies. As far as I am aware, there are no VG Valiants left in the UK. VG VIP, yes. VG Regal, no. I also have a VE Valiant bonnet, where the previous owner a long time ago cut out random patches to weld up something else. Plenty of what my wife would call scrap!
I have a VC Valiant in poor condition (just treated badly and stripped), a VE VIP Valiant that is rusty but complete, a VG VIP (but the slant six with no engine) in moderately poor condition, and two CH’s – one a project and the other a bit of a mess but you could at a pinch drive it.
At this stage I won’t pinch parts off the ones I have, because that would not be fair and would reduce the chances of them surviving. But, if you need something, ask in case I have it stashed away as a spare.
I hate to give up “the dream”, but you have to be realistic – if you’re doing more harm, why are you keeping it?
Even the Rover Van is up for sale!
I wanted to post on here to give people the chance to comment, before I put them on eBay. Work being what it is, this could take some weeks mind you!