Hello one and all

Hi, my name is Andy. I live in The Black Country, which is an area just north of Birmingham in England. It used to be heavy industry, before all the machines were sold to Taiwan, and we now buy back the same products we used to make, at ten times the price, and a quarter of the quality. I am married, two girls, two grandchildren, and relatively happy.
I have a few vehicles. My pride and joy is a Thames 402E pickup, which I bought off ebay whilst drunk, and regretted it for the next 3 years till I had finished the restoration. I also have a panel van, called a Freighter in the USA, that came to me rodded, and I see no reason to change it. I did away with the inferior Rover (Buick) V8, and plan on a small block Buick, TH400, and Jag IRS.
I also have a 100e, with 2.1 Pinto Engine.
Here's a picture, next to a Taunus Transit, which was the German equivalent.

Welcome to VV!!!!! Love the Thames

Welcome to Vintage-Vans!!! Cool rides you have!!!

love it. I’ve regretted a few late night ebay purchases myself.

welcome nice rides,dave

welcome to VV, wanna trade trucks? mine is pictured here----->

welcome to V.V. did you restore the truck your self.????how about some more photo's we don't see those in the U.S.A. very offten..we seam to be in the same boat. close the factorys nothing going out every thing comming in and it's all junk.......

Welcome, funny story about buying while drunk, I'll keep that in mind...Post some pictures of your other stuff as well

Hey, thanks for the welcomes! I did restore it. It had been sat in a barn for 30 years, and when I got it back home, fed some juice down the carb, hit the button and it started on the second go.
To save me filling up the page, here is a link to another site where I posted a restoration blog. Thames were not known for their rustproofing qualities back in the sixties, and most rotted from the inside out. Doors had no drain holes, so water gathered inside the doors. Floorpans also were prone to rot, and gutters similar. I did most of the work, from metal repairs, making door skins, rewire, replumb, rebrake, timber work. I did not do the painting, or making the tilt (tarpaulin) on back.
Quite a few pals reckoned it would be better scrapped, but I enjoy a challengee
Hope you like it.

Ok, just tried that, but I can't post a link for 7 days.

Well I gues we will all have to wait 5 more days unless you want to PM someone the link or ask a Moderator.
Glad to have another Off-shore model here!

Sounds cool! Looking forward to seeing your projects!

This is the panel van.



and a picture of the truck just after purchase, and a wash. In the background is the 100e.

Welcome Andy, I almost bought drunk on ebay one night, thank God someone was drinkin more than me and I lost in the last few seconds. I was told that the Black Country Living Museum has some very cool events, again Welcome

Indeed it is. A fascinating place to visit, if you ever happen to be in the neighbourhood....
As I said previously, the Black Country was famous for making things, heavy machinery, nuts and bolts, engineering works etc. Cradley Heath is about 3 miles, was the chainmaking capital of the world. The anchor for the ill fated Titanic was made at Netherton, next door to Cradley. You have no doubt heard of BSA, Birmingham Small Arms. Smith and Wesson guns was (is?) owned by a firm in Walsall. So we have a hell of a lot of history. Over the years, places shut down, and get demolished. The Black Country Museum is one of those places that is run by volunteers, and they strip the old buildings, label each part, and rebuild them on their site. Thus preserving a part of the heritage of the area.
There is a traditional pub, a sweet shop, coal mine display, forge, and various other attractions. It is about 2 miles from me, I pass it daily, but only ever visited once. Strange how we take for granted what is on the doorstep!

Thats a great lookin Thames you have Andy.Always great to see vehicles and works from across the pond,as well.Welcome to V-V.