Tandy Campervans Information Wanted

[Guest]

I have had an email in answer to my search on my website for information
about Tandy conversions of the Austin Maestro Van

quote;
Somewhile ago ( possibly 5 years ago) there was an article in one
of the caravan/motorhome magazines about the history of campervans.
I cant be sure but as I remember it they said that Tandy converted less than
500 Maestro vans between 1987 and 1990 and about 60 remain on the road. All were diesel versions which is why I didn't buy one at the time.
The prospective customer could chose from 4 interiors but there was no set
layout and there was enormous leeway on what went where.
Some had plastic double glazed windows like in a caravan but as they
couldn't be opened passenger overheating was common.
If they were fitted with a lift up roof they were labelled as Tandy Extra.
Again , no set design, some had a straight up lift-up lid others had a wedge shape where only one end lifted up .
Conversions were discontinued when they went over to producing their larger
campervans on chassises from Citroen. using fibreglass body shells made by
Copland Boats.
I hope this is of interest and helps in your research into Tandy Industries.
All this is from memory so I cannot guarantee how accurate it all is, at 86
remembering 5 years ago is easier than remembering yesterday but far from infallible!

end quote

I have written asking if he can find the article or give me some indication
so that I can track the magazine down. I have done an internet search but
cannot find such an article online.
Is there any way that they could have got even an estimate of how many were left on the road 5 years ago?.
Does the figure of 60 sound realistic , presumably at the date of the article i.e. 2000 ?
He says less than 500 Maestro vans were converted. I had heard it was about
300 ( yes I know 300 is less than 500 ) does anyone have any ideas?

Was it the 500 series or 700 series vans (or both) that were converted?

Would it be possible that the DVLC would have such information ? As I
understand it they were all registered on the Isle of Wight.

Still searching
Grayham

[Beaker]

All were diesel versions which is why I didn't buy one at the time.

Some were 1.3 versions as well.

Maria has more articles than us, so maybe she could photocopy and post you the articles? We have one that I could photocopy for you and post?

No idea about the figure, I can't see how anyone would be able to tell unless there was a register set up (now there is a idea?)

[Guest]

interesting stuff grayham, well done

[Guest]

Some were 1.3 versions as well.

Maria has more articles than us, so maybe she could photocopy and post you the articles? We have one that I could photocopy for you and post?

No idea about the figure, I can't see how anyone would be able to tell unless there was a register set up (now there is a idea?)

I didnt know they used the 1.3 versions,thanks
If you could photocopy anything I would be grateful, I will email you off list with my address, unless you can scan it and email it me. And I will contact Maria and ask her as well.
Ummmmmmmmm a register ........... an interesting idea.
How would I go about starting one? Keeping a register could be complicated as it would need to comply with the data protection act,etc

If anyone sees one on the net (ie Ebay) please email me the details

interesting stuff grayham, well done

Thanks Rosco.
I am starting to redo the site and always interested in learning more.
When I bought the van I had no idea I would get so interested in them.

Anyone who has a Tandy campervan and would allow me to show it on the site please send me any details/photos etc.

Grayham
with a y

[E_T_V]

I've hopefully sent you a bit on my heap, errr sorry van

There seem to be about the same number of 1.3's and diesels about from what I've seen. There have been quite a few 1.3's for sale about a year or so ago.

[Guest]

That's interesting as the only ones I have seen reference to have all been diesels.

In a reply to a posting to Marc ( dutch-van-driver) on the 5th May 2004 you said "All camper vans are 500 vans as far as I know, except mine which is probably the only 700 one. Also campervans were registered on a F(1988-9) plate whereas mine is on a J (1991-2)."
I know that yours is different but presumably the 500 and the 700 were made as both petrol and diesels? And were ALL the Tandy conversions on an F reg? So does that mean that all the Maestro Tandy campervans were made 1988/9?
bw
grayham
with a y

[E_T_V]

Yes thats right my van is a mutant! All tandys are on F/G plates and all I believe are 500's, although I've not seen that many to be fair.

My van has been reshelled into a newer body which was supposedly less rusty although I do wonder sometimes! The new shell was a 700 van I think.

I think all of the 700 vans were diesels (possibly the 1.6 petrol too but they are a rare beast), whilst the 500's could be either diesel or petrol.
the only difference between them was heavier duty springs and wheel bearings in the rear as far as I can remember. The payloads were 500 and 700kg hence the names. There was also a metro van which was called the 310 for similar reasons.

[Guest]

UMM so Stan ( the writer of the email I quoted at the start of this thread ) appears to be incorrect when he says "All were diesel versions which is why I didn't buy one at the time."

E_T_V Said ; "All tandys are on F/G plates "
So that means all had to be registered in 89 to 91
Would it be possible that the DVLC would have such information ? As I
understand it they were all registered on the Isle of Wight .

My experience of asking the DVLC for info is far from encouraging but would they have the data accessible in terms of make/model?

I wonder how I stand if I used the Ebay advert photos on the website and build up a "register " .
I could contact the buyer and ask them to keep in touch if they want to .
Obviously some may not want it publicly known that they bought it on Ebay or how much they paid and I could remove it if they objected.

I see from the forum that there is a Database for the MG Maestro ran by John Orrell
where he says ;
quote; The MG Maestro Turbo Database is the closest thing the MMM community has to an official list of records detailing the fate/whereabouts of the original 505 cars at any one time. Its accuracy is totally dependent on information contributed by the cars owners and other enthusiasts.
end quote.
and
quote;
For your security, the database and my use of it is bound by the Data Protection Act (1998). No personal information on the database will ever be divulged to any third parties, and I will NOT add your details to any bulk mailing-lists.
end quote
Which I would respect entirely.

The information he asks for is Owners Name, Owners Address, Car’s Registration Number, Tickford Number (if known), and Colour of Car.
I think I would only ask for an email address.and I dont know what a Tickford Number is.!
As for inclusion on my website I would contact the owners and ask them for permission to include it or not and what information they will allow to be used.
It would be fantastic to build up a picture gallery of all known Maestro Tandys.


Would anyone in this club have any objections to me starting a Database of Austin Maestro Tandy Campervan owners? I appreciate that I am a newbie to this group.


OH dear ! I feel an obscession coming on

grayham
with a y

[E_T_V]

I'd certainly have no objections and I reckon the club would help out if asked.

You could try contacting the DVLA but I agree your chances of success are slim! All proper tandy campers ave registrations ending in the letters *DL which is the old code for the isle of wight.

They definatly did make 1.3 tandys as I've been offered one last year and the price new (in the magazine review I've got) was about a thousand pounds cheaper than the diesel which is why there are quire a few about.

The turbo register has a tickford number as Tickford the company partially assembled the maestro turbo as well as lots of other sports cars gave them all a build number between 1 (or was it 2?) and 505.

For camper vans all you need is the reg, specifications "elevating roof etc" some pics whether they want any details made public and the location address and hopefully a picture too.

[Guest]

They definatly did make 1.3 tandys as I've been offered one last year and the price new (in the magazine review I've got) was about a thousand pounds cheaper than the diesel which is why there are quire a few about..

Can I have a copy of the magazine article? Always keen to have any of the original literature or a copy of it.

The turbo register has a tickford number as Tickford the company partially assembled the maestro turbo as well as lots of other sports cars gave them all a build number between 1 (or was it 2?) and 505..

Were the diesels as supplied turbo or were they fitted after conversion?

For camper vans all you need is the reg, specifications "elevating roof etc" some pics whether they want any details made public and the location address and hopefully a picture too.

Would I need to have the location address? Some people may not register
if they have to give that. But I guess that could be optional and just have an email address.

[E_T_V]

Can I have a copy of the magazine article? Always keen to have any of the original literature or a copy of it.



Were the diesels as supplied turbo or were they fitted after conversion?



Would I need to have the location address? Some people may not register
if they have to give that. But I guess that could be optional and just have an email address.

Yes I'll see if I can dig out the article on it.

I think you've got me wrong on the tickford thing. There is a very fast maestro with a 2 litre petrol turbo engine. It was partly assembled by austing-rover then shipped to tickford (who also do the tuning type work for the likes of aston martin and other), who then completed the cars. They are very fast and only 505 were ever built, (one of which is rusting quietly outside my house at the moment). John holds the register for these tickford maestro turbos which is why they've all got a tickford build number.

I don't think tandy did the same sort of thing however so I don't think there is a tandy number

All the camper vans tandy build were non-turbo diesels. Infact I've never seen a turbo diesel van aside from mine yet!

The best policy is to make all information volentary and have a qestion as to whether you can use their pictures or any other information in the register for people to see.

[Guest]

Thanks for clarifying the Tickford number issue for me and for the offer of a copy of the article.
I agree that all the info should be voluntary , that applies very much so to the website. The register and the website would be separate. If anyone joins the register then they can have the option of going on the website. The choice would be entirely theirs.

[Doctordiesel77]

Interesting that Phoenix conversions were a lot dearer than the earlier Tandy ones had been...

[Doctordiesel77]

[Doctordiesel77]