Oh no.....I've gone and bought ANOTHER one!!

[Mystery Machine]

I just couldn't resist! Sweet deal ($800) and pretty tidy too!

The girlfriend just when I turned up in it.....she knew straight away that this was another one to fill the drive with.....and then just carried on making me a cup of tea! I've said it before, but I really REALLY do not deserve someone so tolerant!

It was a local motor (only 6 miles from my house) so I just bombed down there on my bike and drove it back. From initial phonecall to having it on my drive = 1hr 15mins!!





The guy was very apologetic about the missing rear seat....but he has no idea what I have planned for it?

[mararmeisto]

I think you might need help, Bruce. There are people you can talk with to help you through these kind of issues...

And now I understand how you're buying these vehicles for such a ridiculously low amount: annual vehicle inspections. Got a Brit here involved in the submarine program (builder support staff), and he filled me in on the particulars. So, the question is: how much MOT do you have left?

[BCDelica]

Your a nut bar, but it's ok cause it's the best Delica color going.

You can have my back seat for free, pick it up anytime. BTW, any rough plans about what your going to do with that P25? How bout a SAS with portal axles!

Crazy that you could buy a dozen for what we pay for one.

Cheers

[Mystery Machine]

L300's are starting to fetch more money than some L400's now....and you can't generally get them for less than $2,500. A real tidy one can fetch $6,000 (which I know isn't as dear as your side - but a good guide on what a bargain my $800 was!)

The Mud Monkey is going soon and this is the replacement, so I'll be back to 2 x L300's.

The only reason I am selling the Mud Monkey is because it has the high roof which does make it vulnerable off-road. Quite a few times I've come across places where large branches have scraped along the roof and some pretty tight spots where we had to literally lean the vehicle over to get it through! I'm not worried about damage or glass breaking, but I know that there are bound to be places/times that a high roof physically won't fit.

I have decided that most of the mods I have done so far on the Mud Monkey can be transferred to the new motor and I am about to embark on quite a bit of project work, so it makes sense to do this on the more useable off road motor and keep the Mud Monkey running as my work van while the mods are carried out.

It's a shame because I've grown quite attached to my budget banger, but rest assured.....the spirit (and name) of Mud Monkey will live on in the new low roof version.

[mararmeisto]

...It's a shame because I've grown quite attached to my budget banger, but rest assured...

Yah, it must be difficult to know that you've spent TWICE the money to purchase this second 'banger'. I mean, how WILL you afford parts for it what with the initial outlay?

Well, all kidding aside, good luck with your overhaul/transfer. Although I haven't done a lot of offroad driving, the loss of parkade access, barely squeezing under the carport, etc is a little irksome at times.

[Mystery Machine]

Yah, it must be difficult to know that you've spent TWICE the money to purchase this second 'banger'. I mean, how WILL you afford parts for it what with the initial outlay?

I know what you mean - it was painful to think that this 'bargain' was double my true bargain! The Mud Monkey should fetch around $2,000 when I sell it, so it won't be too traumatic for me.

.....the loss of parkade access, barely squeezing under the carport, etc is a little irksome at times.

When you've got the Mystery Machine, ANY restricted access is off limits so you just completely rule it out and resign yourself to 'on street' parking. The only time I have to watch the height is pulling onto/off the drive. If I've put something on the roof, I have to remember to take it off before reversing onto the drive (accessed by driving under the house)



6mm of clearance is pretty close!

[mararmeisto]

Bruce, is that an awning on the left side of the Mystery Machine?

[Mystery Machine]

Bruce, is that an awning on the left side of the Mystery Machine?

It sure is......take a look HERE

It's not a Mitsubishi one (I put that on) but made by Fiamma (the F35 Pro model) Click HERE for more details.

Mine is a 2.25m model but they don't list it anymore. The 1.8m doesn't extend as far, so if you want to get one, go for the 2.5m model....

[delicat]

Ni awning!

Here's mine (the awning, and the family!) but the awning is most probably an antique! It's an Apollo, no idea if they still make them but it sure comes handy. It's attached directly to the body so the same could be done to a Deli, not that l like drilling holes in my bus... I like that it doesn't touch the ground at all.

[Mystery Machine]

Hi Delicat,

Nice awning....I like the bright colours and sure looks cool on your motor.

I was tempetd to get the 'vehicle brackets' for my awning, but wasn't too sure about drilling holes in the bodywork or having the brackets stuck there permanently? Now I've seen yours and how good it looks, I might reconsider.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Bruce, seeing the picture of your van with the awning with tent beside it reminds me. Can you check into "Van Tents' there, which we saw when Jay & I were tenting in England last year.

SUV Minivans would reverse INTO a specially tall tent (self-standing with fibreglass poles), then open their rear door inside the tent, somehow connect the edges around the tent doorway to the sides of their van, and presto a private living room ! A room to cook in and read in, but also in my opinion a private room at night for the porta-potty / porta-loo so I don't have to go out in the rain .

Looking on the web here I found a US company called Sportz which makes them. but don't seem tall enuf for the delica high roof. I couldnt find a UK site, probably using the wrong lingo.

Several Dutch plated minivans also had them.

Cheers, Christine of The TardisDeli.

[delicat]

Hey Bruce,

Seeing how you love to rub the side of your bus in those trenches I'm not sure installing those brackets would be the best idea... I have the impression they wouldn't last very long!

ps. you should see the original "awning" on my split bus, it's like a circus tent, no joke!

[Mystery Machine]

Hi Bruce, seeing the picture of your van with the awning with tent beside it reminds me. Can you check into "Van Tents' there, which we saw when Jay & I were tenting in England last year......I couldnt find a UK site, probably using the wrong lingo.

We call them 'drive away awnings' and they are quite popular with the VW crowd and now quite a few Delica owners.

I looked at them myself, but the Mystery Machine (my main camping/leisure deli) is too tall for them so I guess we'll just stick to our tried and tested deli/roll out awning/tent combo. It works for us.....

[Mystery Machine]

Seeing how you love to rub the side of your bus in those trenches I'm not sure installing those brackets would be the best idea... I have the impression they wouldn't last very long!

That's the reason I have two (now three) L300's.

One for camping/leisure/touring (Mystery Machine)......one for work/off roading (Mud Monkey) and one just for the hell of it (name to be decided!)

The awning is on the Mystery Machine so the chances of the brackets getting ripped off are minimal. I agree that if they were on the Mud Monkey, they would last all of 30 secs (like most of the panels! )

[Mystery Machine]

Well I am sad to say that this Deli has gone to a new home!

.....and I didn't even do ANYTHING to it! Can you believe it - an L300 has passed through my hands without being lifted, modified or stripped out??

The new owner (a good friend of mine) will be prepping it to become an off-roader in the style of the Mud Monkey, so it will have a good life being bashed around the muddy lanes and byeways of England.

The reason for selling it?? Take a look HERE