Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

That would be great, thanks - I'm more concerned about security than I am fuel economy, as even with the somewhat silly engine in my C Class it'd take a few European trips to burn enough essence to pay for a Berlingo (I imagine, anyway!)

I guess the main difference with loading will be avoiding leaning bikes against glass as I’m currently used to just leaning them upright in the caddy and not thinking about it. (A swb caddy van def takes multiple bikes and a weeks worth of camping and climbing gear with ease).

I imagine for just popping out of London for rides I’d leave the seats in and folded and just get the bikes in but pop the seats out for holidays for max space. With the big plastic wheel arch covers in the boot you lose a bit of width that you’d have in the van version where the arches are uncovered.

As for security the side windows on the sliding door are those old fashioned hinge pop-out jobbies so not great really...

I've stood my bike up against a Caddy in the car park at Swinley and it looked (the bike) too long to fit in, at least with the front wheel straight, and the challenge with putting it in with the front wheel turned is that the bars also get in the way.

I have a mate who bought a van for bike transport. He had a fitting welded to the floor which the forks locked into - like an old school turbo trainer. It was a great job and safe too. I should mention, he has too much money! Lol New Porsche for driving about and a new van for moving his bikes.

Must be really rich if he can afford a new Porsche and not have to keep throwing money at a worn out one like Dammit

Lol. Maybe the Merc is worth throwing money at.

I had a swb Caddy. Screwed a pair of these to the floor for bike transport. With the bikes top and tailed there was still tons of space.
Plus they drive nicely and lots of modding potential.

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Yeah I was planning on doing that. It’s nice if you don’t have to take a wheel off but never bothered me when I had an Astra van. It was plenty long enough but not enough headroom for complete bikes.

My works caddy is a bit of a shitbox. It’s been a year of chasing electrical faults, a nuked turbo and a few other issues I’ve forgotten about. It’s ex-council and got 180,000mi so to be expected. Colleague has a hopped up one that goes like the clappers. Seen some nice lwb camper conversions too.

Nice brace

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The grail. (left)

Real too according to the DVLA. First registered in 1963. Taxed until May next year.

Isn't there a replacement from another model so it fixed glazing?

Caddies aren't that good IMO. But VW so they are awesome.

The one that I did like was the fiat dublo, ugly and hence amazing depreciation. Those who had them kept them for ages and looked after them, or got rid of them quick.

My 110 landy is mid 60's V8 according to dvla ;)

My two spots of the day, and continuing the Lancia love, a Lancia Fulvia


And a bad to the bone 1969 Plymouth Fury, with probably at least one dead body in the boot/trunk, and by the look of it easily enough space for 6 or 7 more.

The more-door pillarless version of that Plymouth was basically my first car. Big dent in the front grill, even bigger dent in the right rear quarter. Bought for 300 bucks. It was a tank....never ceded road to anything.

Bench seat in the front held 4 easy, 5 at a squeeze.

I have great memories of driving around Memphis in this thing ('55 Caddy) with three of us in the front, so much fun...

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What are the chances of reviving air con when it hasn't worked for the 7 years I've had it and failed a KwikFit regas leak test, for reasonable money?

(2006 Saab 9-3)

I had a compressor replaced on a Mercedes. An independent did it for around £400 including parts. Mercedes quoted stupid money by comparison.

This website is wonderfully tragic but these guys really know what the fuck they're doing:

http://www.ac4cars.co.uk/

that website is fantastic.

Here are several Questions that have been "Frequently Asked"

Also featuring 'what's that statue up there all about?'

Went there for the aircon facts and got a story about Pocahontas and a full Kent history lesson.

continued the Lancia love in much style there dude. lovely work, as usual.

The Plymouth is epic too. Though am always partial to anything ratty looking.

In other news I am finally having to succumb and change the front indicators on the little Fiat as even though it doesn't need to have an MOT I like it to have one. And only scraped by last year but no blind eye being turned this year. New rear tyres on their way too.