Purchase Day

Moments after purchase, moments before breaking down - 16th August 2023

Of course, I didn’t make it home…

I had already gone to view the van, now formally known as “Hanz” just to entertain the prospect of finally owning a MK2 transit van, the same van my dad used to own when we were children. Memories of the whole family piling into the short-wheelbase minibus with all of the luggage and driving to France.

I knew I wasn’t going to make an offer on the first visit. I would need time to let the emotions settle. a few weeks passed, and the negotiations with the seller started. A price was agreed upon, and a collection time was arranged.

Upon payment and collection, start the engine, which immediately stalls. caused by a faulty ballast resistor, this was quickly, but incorrectly resolved. With a 2-hour drive ahead of me, I set off. Approximately 0.4 miles later the van splutters to a halt, and won't no longer start.

The seller where very kind and offered to deliver the van to me on a trailer, once they had replaced the ballast resisitor. We later arranged to meet at a pub after way between us. We're I had the biggest silly grin on my face. My Mk2 transit project had started.

Van delivery - 27th August 2023