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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please

Post  Jimbo Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:55 am

hi all,

I owned a Van Denplas auto about 20 years ago, which I paid the princely sum of £100 for, and sold about 3 months late for £98 in coins to a young lad from Cleckheaton in West Yorks!

I have very fond memories of my time with the Allegro, despite the pint of oil it consumed a week, the slipping autobox and the onset of rust which at the time I couldn't be bothered to sort out Embarassed Very Happy

I loved the "mini Jaguar" feel, the ride quality, and general quirkiness, and I'd like to own one again soon. Cool

I suppose I'm looking back with rose-tinted specs, but I don't recall the lack of power steering being a problem, nor the lack of other creature comforts I've come to expect with my normal cars - I'm a big fan of large, luxury barges, and I have a Daimler XJ40, '93 for best.

Is it possible to put on/convert to powered steering, aircon, electric windows (did they ever come with electric windows?), that kind of thing?

Also, what are the differences between early and late model allegro's? Are the later ones better equipped / more suitable for adding creature comforts?

I've got a budget of between £600 - 800, and of course i'd love a car that looks like it's just rolled off the factory floor, but realistically i'll take the best I can get within budget Smile

I much prefer auto's, but would consider a manual if they're easy enough to convert to auto, and if indeed there are any autoboxes out there to put in.

I'm in Leeds, West Yorks, if anyone has a good car for sale or knows of one, I'd love to hear about it, and any advice is gratefully received of course,

Cheers,

Jim

Jimbo

Posts : 107
Join date : 2011-08-28
Location : Leeds, West Yorks

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty Re: Auto Vanden Plas

Post  Andy Perman Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:14 pm

Hi Jim,

I own an Auto Vanden Plas Nov 1974 (MK1) which I'm restoring, one of the first one's out of the factory i'd guess as they were only launched in the October of 74. There don't seem to be so many auto's around, mostly manuals. However there have been several engine's with auto gearboxes on e-bay over the past few months. One had all the ancillery bits with it too.

Don't think the conversion would be too difficult. Remove the clutch pedal & master cylinder, change the engine mountings (they're different for auto's) and fit the auto gear selector control. Bit of electrics for the starter inhibitor, reversing lamps & quadrant lamp. Other than that I think everything else is standard to a manual.

Don't know what all the differences are between the MK1 and MK2 VP models, other than MK2's had the picnic trays fitted and different clock unit. Think there maybe minor mechanical differences but not sure on that, however to my knowledge non were ever fitted with elec windows, central locking or power steering on the MK2's. not to sure how you could go about fitting those kinds of features but i'm no expert here !!

Good luck with your hunt for a VP, and keep us posted.

Andy.

Andy Perman

Posts : 122
Join date : 2011-09-28
Age : 60
Location : Portsmouth

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty Re: New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please

Post  Jimbo Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:54 pm

Thanks Andy,

in retrospect my old VDP must have been a MK2 then, as it had the picnic tables - very nice touch, even if they never get used Rolling Eyes

I think I may well look for a MK2, but of course beggars can't be choosers, there aren't many Allegros out there full stop Crying or Very sad

Perhaps the sensible thing to do would be to remain patient and wait for the correct car to come along, as although the conversion sounds reasonably straightforward, it will still be time-consuming and sourcing all the parts a job in itself.

I am a sucker for all the toys in a car, I suppose I'll just have to look into universal electric window kits etc.., which I have fitted before to vehicles - they're a bit of a pig usually, but not impossible.

Looking forward to buying a car with an engine bay I can actually reach in and around Cool Smile

Cheers,

Jim

Jimbo

Posts : 107
Join date : 2011-08-28
Location : Leeds, West Yorks

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty Got one finally!

Post  Jimbo Tue Nov 20, 2012 2:05 pm

Hi All,

after months of prevarication, I've found a VDP 1500 auto on the 'bay -


251185657592
Item number:

It's in Ipswich, I'm in Leeds, and going down on the train on Thursday to pick her up - a daunting task, but I look forward to the adventure Very Happy

After I've given her a once over (or the AA do on the way home depending on what breaks down!), I'll let you know what I need Very Happy

I know I need a VDP hubcap as there appears to be one missing in the photos, and a passenger side wing mirror for starters Crying or Very sad

Cheers,

Jim

Jimbo

Posts : 107
Join date : 2011-08-28
Location : Leeds, West Yorks

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty Re: New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please

Post  Andy Perman Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:12 pm

Well done Jim !!

I remember seeing the VDP on e-bay, it was a red one from memory, looked quite tidy.

Hope your pick up goes without any problems, it will be a good run for the old girl. At least you will have better weather on Thursday than we've had so far this week...... Hopefully

I have a bag of hub-caps here, they are not in great condition but you're welcome to one. Otherwise I know other members of the Allegro owners club certainly can help, they have an excellent spares service & controller. Have got some very hard to get bits from them. I know they had wing mirrors in stainless steel finish - looked great.

My old girl is getting there. Finished the rear of the car, got the front end up on blocks now. few more jobs on the brakes & steering to do plus some patches of dreaded rust to sort. should be ready for MOT by spring, time permitting of course

Update us on your pick up and progress.

Good luck. Andy.

Andy Perman

Posts : 122
Join date : 2011-09-28
Age : 60
Location : Portsmouth

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New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please Empty Re: New Member looking for a Van Denplas auto and advice please

Post  Jimbo Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:34 pm

Thanks Andy,

will keep you posted.

How easy is it to post photo's on here?

Cheers

Jim

Jimbo

Posts : 107
Join date : 2011-08-28
Location : Leeds, West Yorks

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