1974 Ford Transit Mk1 LWB Twin Wheel - Ex-Wheeler Dealers - Offered Directly From Mike Brewer

Found nestled in the rear of a garage, this particular Transit was found by TV's own Mike Brewer some years ago. It had been acquired as an ex-German Fire Service truck, having been rolled out of its garage occasionally, cleaned regularly and attending very few events, explaining the low mileage.

Those of us who spent their formative driving years at the wheel of a Mk1 Transit will remember them with fondness. Quick (when empty), nimble (they could out-handle an MG B), easy to drive and reverse and generally totally user friendly. Mike Brewer obviously felt the same way and was quick to snap up this left-hand drive 'Fire Engine Red' LWB twin-wheeler with about 10,000 miles (at the time) for a forthcoming episode of Wheeler Dealers (Season 17, Episode 13).

During the programme, the unflappable Elvis explained the rather complex process of converting the van to right-hand drive in great detail. The first job was stripping the front end and removing the engine, gearbox and the many parts that were attached to the front bulkhead. Then the conversion could begin, and a chap called Keith had supplied a handy template so Elvis knew where to cut the holes for the steering gear and pedals. Back at the workshop, a clever plan to cut and weld the dashboard meant Elvis could re-locate the instrument binnacle and then it was a matter of fitting all the parts that would complete the conversion. The now right-hand drive van could head off to get a fresh coat of Ford Light Grey, its original colour.

However, there was still plenty of work to do! A front leaf spring needed to be reconditioned, various new bushes fitted and the final drive ratio reduced from 5.8:1 down to 4.6:1 with a replacement crown wheel and pinion, enabling much more relaxed cruising whilst still retaining decent acceleration.

Mike has called this one if his favourite builds on Wheeler Dealers and he certainly loved the result. It’s obvious at the end of the programme that he really didn’t want to part with the Transit but the whole idea of the show is that the vehicles have to be sold and it soon became the property of a local van dealer for the full asking price.

The van dealer was a very helpful chap and agreed that Mike could borrow the Transit to take to the Classic Motor Show at the NEC a short time later as part of their Wheeler Dealers presentation, however once reunited with the van, Mike decided that he wanted to keep it and made his dealer friend an 'offer that he couldn’t refuse' and his beloved Mk 1 joined the Brewer Collection.

Mike had no intention of selling the Transit, or either of his two Porsches also in our sale, but a rather exciting (and probably expensive) project is on the horizon so a bit of space needs to be created. We invite and encourage your viewing of this 'best of breed' LWB Transit.