Meet Hermann

So my hairdresser, Lee gave me a call and told me he had spotted this builders van in Preston. It was a bit rough, but the price was reasonable, and he had stopped his car, got out in the rain and had taken down the number. I gave the number a call, not expecting much, but the woman who answered sounded OK, so I arranged to have a look. Not expecting much, I asked Edd (everyone needs an Edd) who is a top bloke, has a T4 and knows all about mechanicking if he would mind having a look with me. And would he give me a lift there too. Edd (did I mention he was a top bloke?) agreed to my cheeky request and we went over that evening.

After a test drive, and a brief look over the exterior (in the dark, in the rain, just as it's supposed to be done), we talked turkey with the man who was selling it. Some tough negotiations followed and we settled on a price, lower than the already low price he was asking. I left a deposit and told him that I would get the remainder to him by the end of the week. The following day, we had managed to scrape enough together so we went over and paid the remainder in cash before driving it home. Like a smash and grab.

So here is Hermann. His full name is Hermann Frederick Sherman and he is a 1997 T4 long wheelbase builders van. He had 114,000 on the clock and he has a couple of minor dings and dents, but overall, he looks very solid indeed. He was first registered on the 12th December 1997, so he is almost 13. He has a 2.4 5cylinder Diesel engine and some service history. The MOT is not due until next October, but the tax is out at the end of November.

The large roofrack will be removed, and there are a few rusty spots on the roof and in the interior side door step which will need addressing, but overall, the condition of the bodywork is very good given that the van is as old as it is. The engine will need servicing and I will have the Cambelt and Water pump changed too, so that we can be as confident as we can be about the engine, but overall, we are very pleased indeed. We just need the Insurance company to settle...