Lexus, A Lack Of Versatility

[Loathecliff]

Much as I love the effortless power; armchair comfort; & (coil sprung) chuckability of my 430, I still miss my sleek bespoke panel van motorhome conversion ... (OK OK, I nailed it together using a secondhand caravan interior).

So I have been looking at compromises. The first item that threw up was this delightful amalgamation of one of Ford's worst, & Ginetta (yes the fg car maker)

I doubt that has the vital hot shower.

Then I remembered this famous Rover P5.

OK, so it needs a bit of work on the drag coefficient, but with access to the Bullet Train wind tunnel anything would be (almost) possible.

What do you think?

[C Mclean]

Wow, I remember as a young apprentice working on the Mk IV Zephyrs and Zodiacs. Open the bonnet, remove the spare wheel and then climb in beside the engine..

[Cotswold Pete]

Long time since I seen a Zephyr, as a kid they were so cool compared to my dads Austin Cambridge.

I used to work in a petrol station in the mid 70's, and used to get 'odd' contraptions like these cars coming in, always good fun to chat with the owners.

[mikeyv]

Brilliant solution to the Mk IV Zodiacs biggest problem, a light back end, which made for entertaining handling in the wet.

The one in our taxi office struggled to average 15mph, and the driver was the steadiest of us all, so good luck with the fuel bills with that nailed on top.

[Loathecliff]

This has possibilities:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/solaire-camper-top-sierra-van-barn-find-project-/400929681830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d594571a6

Any advice on inverting an overweight Lexus?

I'm thinking if I can sell off my pair of those ridiculous LS 430 headlight washers, then the 'thing' above might arrive for free.

[Motor Man]

I like the both conversions , very nice

[Loathecliff]

I'd forgotten about the beautifully made Jennings Road Rangers.

Usually built on a CF or Transit lwb chassis.

I came close to owning one once from a yard in Somerset, but the scrappy crushed it before I could arrange the transport.

This Austin Sheerline (vdP) chassis? based example is probably unique.

I doubt a Lexus' underpinnings would cope though?

[Bluesman]

I'd forgotten about the beautifully made Jennings Road Rangers.

Usually built on a CF or Transit lwb chassis.

I came close to owning one once from a yard in Somerset, but the scrappy crushed it before I could arrange the transport.

This Austin Sheerline (vdP) chassis? based example is probably unique.

I doubt a Lexus' underpinnings would cope though?

Looks like a converted ambulance. Mike

[oldhazey]

Think someone should try this with an LS B)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpwH9WeVEfU

[Bluesman]

That is an absolutely brilliant idea. Don't even have to worry about not being able to reverse an articulated vehicle. Mike.

[Ruud]

I think that bug with the trailer is brilliant.

I am not too sure about having something like that attached to just the roof rails...... :)

[Cotswold Pete]

I think that bug with the trailer is brilliant.

I am not too sure about having something like that attached to just the roof rails...... :)

Agree that it looks brilliant, and assume it spreads weight over both front and rear, but what it does to the alignment of the body over time is an point to ponder.

[Loathecliff]

Another LS failing: no estate version.

So my gorgeous LS 430 is now surplus .... but look what I had to buy to get a big V-8 estate :(

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-100e-escort-estate-gasser-hot-rod-drag-car-road-legal-V8-/141754324421?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-53481-19255-0%252F1%253Ftype%253D4%2526campid%253D5336640300%2526toolid%253D10001%2526afsrc%253D1%2526customid%253Dskim2061X563690X78d3c6df4ac9199b21ed1564e8036b64%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fitm%25252F141754324421%25253F_trksid%25253Dp2060353.m1438.l2649%252526ssPageName%25253DSTRK%2525253AMEBIDX%2525253AIT%2526srcrot%253D710-53481-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D893382855027&rmvSB=true&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&afsrc=1&clk_rvr_id=893382855027&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=8utKAJpOOvGax413cAAgGFe6i6Y%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc