- Jul 1, 2010
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Old Austin Bus Conversion
- Thread starter Stewart J
- Start date
Looks to me like based on a CF pickup bed with a home made body also looks like a horse box!
Its Austin /Morris FG series
Morris FG 1960-1968
Also sold as Austin S200 and 404
Renamed BMC FG 1968-1970
Renamed Leyland FG1970-early 1980sJust as the 1960s were dawning, the new FG truck burst onto the scene; with payload ratings ranging from 1½ tons to 5 tons, it would replace both the LC-series and the lower end of the forward-control FE range (see above). At its launch, the FG’s cab was hailed as a leap forward in commercial vehicle design. Uniquely, the cabin doors were mounted across the angled rear corners of the cab; being rear-hinged and rather narrow, this meant that when opened, they barely protruded beyond the width of the cab itself, thus delivering the main benefit of sliding doors in a context where these clearly could not be used. While BMC coined the term “angle-planned” to describe this arrangement, the FG’s unusual shape soon led users to refer to it as the “three-penny bit”, after the pre-decimal, twelve-sided British coin of that name.Another innovative feature of the FG was its curved kerbside-view windows, mounted at the front corners of the cab, below the windscreen. These helped the driver to “place” the truck when parking, and were also an important aid to safety in busy high streets, as they eliminated a traditional blind-spot. However, all was not sweetness and light for the FG’s driver: the “angle-planned” design had a detrimental impact on the internal width of the cab, and consequently, the seats were rather narrow – as were the doors themselves – making life tough for the more portly driver. And assuming that he could get himself seated comfortably, he then had to contend with the heat generated by the engine which shared his cab-space, and get to grips with a gear lever that was thoughtfully mounted right at the rear of the cab.Despite these shortcomings, the FG had a loyal following in the commercial market; the British Gas company was particularly fond of it, but to anyone who grew up in Britain during the 1970s the FG will be immediately identifiable as the archetypal Sunblest baker’s van. Another popular application for the FG was as a laundry van, in which configuration a capacious walk-through body was fitted to the basic chassis/front-end – with sliding doors…
The diesels were very noisy , but petrol engine version not bad , "armstrong" steering , and the brakes ! I converted a mobile shop version into a roadside snackbar for my brother back in seventies.
Morris FG 1960-1968
Also sold as Austin S200 and 404
Renamed BMC FG 1968-1970
Renamed Leyland FG1970-early 1980sJust as the 1960s were dawning, the new FG truck burst onto the scene; with payload ratings ranging from 1½ tons to 5 tons, it would replace both the LC-series and the lower end of the forward-control FE range (see above). At its launch, the FG’s cab was hailed as a leap forward in commercial vehicle design. Uniquely, the cabin doors were mounted across the angled rear corners of the cab; being rear-hinged and rather narrow, this meant that when opened, they barely protruded beyond the width of the cab itself, thus delivering the main benefit of sliding doors in a context where these clearly could not be used. While BMC coined the term “angle-planned” to describe this arrangement, the FG’s unusual shape soon led users to refer to it as the “three-penny bit”, after the pre-decimal, twelve-sided British coin of that name.Another innovative feature of the FG was its curved kerbside-view windows, mounted at the front corners of the cab, below the windscreen. These helped the driver to “place” the truck when parking, and were also an important aid to safety in busy high streets, as they eliminated a traditional blind-spot. However, all was not sweetness and light for the FG’s driver: the “angle-planned” design had a detrimental impact on the internal width of the cab, and consequently, the seats were rather narrow – as were the doors themselves – making life tough for the more portly driver. And assuming that he could get himself seated comfortably, he then had to contend with the heat generated by the engine which shared his cab-space, and get to grips with a gear lever that was thoughtfully mounted right at the rear of the cab.Despite these shortcomings, the FG had a loyal following in the commercial market; the British Gas company was particularly fond of it, but to anyone who grew up in Britain during the 1970s the FG will be immediately identifiable as the archetypal Sunblest baker’s van. Another popular application for the FG was as a laundry van, in which configuration a capacious walk-through body was fitted to the basic chassis/front-end – with sliding doors…
The diesels were very noisy , but petrol engine version not bad , "armstrong" steering , and the brakes ! I converted a mobile shop version into a roadside snackbar for my brother back in seventies.
- Aug 18, 2014
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Leyland FG 450 ,that is what ours was we had back in '84.
Person we bought ours off had done the basic conversion all I did was installed 220/12v, gas, fridge, hob , boiler & heater.
Here's ours.
My Fairmont parked opposite.
At Monte Gordo camping site in the Algarve
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hilldweller
LIFE MEMBER
No CANBUS, no catalytic converter, no DPF, no turbo, no engine management system, no .........
I love it.
dave newell
Free Member
- Jan 28, 2008
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i had a few fg's in the seventies gpo had loads as mobile workshops and pole maintenance by todays standards they were awful to drive
i was driving one along the embankment one day and a copper jumped onto the step to query my lack of tax going through the usual ive only just bought, its in the post routine he forgot to actually ask me to stop or pull over half way up northumberland ave it seemed to dawn on him we were getting faster and he asked me to let him get off the minute his feet touched the ground i was of again leaving him in the middle of the rd
i was driving one along the embankment one day and a copper jumped onto the step to query my lack of tax going through the usual ive only just bought, its in the post routine he forgot to actually ask me to stop or pull over half way up northumberland ave it seemed to dawn on him we were getting faster and he asked me to let him get off the minute his feet touched the ground i was of again leaving him in the middle of the rd
ambulancekidd
Funster
- Sep 23, 2014
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- Swift Kon-Tiki 640
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- Since 1964 Gosh that makes me feel old.
It was based on the predecessor to the FG.
My dad & our next door neighbour built one caravanette each year & hired the previous one out before selling it on, even if I say so myself, they were very good at these builds.
Each year one of these caravanette's went down to Italy for a holiday but, can you imagine a top speed of 40mph from Scotland to Naples?
Once we travelled from Aviemore to Ayr with me sitting atop the engine with a spanner to "bleed" the injectors when one had developed a leak & therefor an air lock every so often, doesn't sound too bad til I tell you that I was 6yrs old!
Health & safety, yeah right, all I knew was that if I dropped the spanner I'd be in serious trouble.
Last edited:
Terry
LIFE MEMBER
Well it looks like it's based on a old Dodge to me ????
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pappajohn
LIFE MEMBER
I was thinking the same Terry. The bonnet doesn't remind me of a Bedford CF.
- Jan 28, 2008
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- 7 years campers before that
i had a six pot petrol the was a bit faster but the four pot diesels were very slow mind you the brakes wasnt that great so slow was good
DP+JAY
LIFE MEMBER
- Mar 17, 2010
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- since 2007, 25 years tuggin before that.
Yes, Renault/Dodge 50 series I think, (Same van, different badge.)
DP
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