First 'van - Talisman 1990

Hi there. Purchased our first van, a 1990 Talisman, last July and, following a really prolonged recovery from back problems have finally gone away for our first weekend! My wife and I bought the van to try the idea out having enjoyed several years camping with trailer tents when the kids were younger. The van seemed a great idea but has needed a lot of work - definitely not in the 'good condition' that the seller claimed! We've done a fair amount - enough to get us on the road and despite rain and winter temperatures had a great May Day weekend away in Wells-Next-The-Sea. We're looking after the engine by keeping our speed down (didn't know you could have a good time travelling at only 50 but it was great!) and gradually identifying what we need to get the best out of this excellently designed vehicle. We've posted some requests for help about doors and windows and leaks etc., in the appropriate forums and we're looking forward to hearing from other members (really soon -help!). Thanks for reading - hope to meet you on the road perhaps!
Pete & Jan

Hi Pete & Jan,

Trust the back problem is on the mend and you can get some travelling in now

Take your time and you will soon get your AS up to scratch

Hope you enjoyed Wells next the Sea … we stayed at Fakenham Racecourse in April and went by Bus to Wells (great Fish & Chips) …. followed by a good walk along the Sea-wall to make up for our sins

Happy touring,

Regards,

Brian & Chris

Hello & welcome from S/yorks & a fellow Talisman owner

Welcome to the forum.
Nice vans the Talismans, we fancied one but it wouldn't fit between our gateposts

Frank

Hi again Pete & Jan.

Must have missed you first time round. Anyway hope your back's a bit better. Glad you have got your van sorted out. So welcome to the forum again.

Cheers. whisky.

Many thanks for your kind greetings! Thinking seriously about dawdling very carefully down to Carcassonne. What do you think?
Pete

Marsocky wrote:Many thanks for your kind greetings! Thinking seriously about dawdling very carefully down to Carcassonne. What do you think?
Pete

Sounds great Pete

Brian

Hi there,

Welcome from a cloudy but warm Skegness.

Best regards,

Hi Marsocky

Welcome to the forum

PB

Marsocky wrote:Many thanks for your kind greetings! Thinking seriously about dawdling very carefully down to Carcassonne. What do you think?
Pete

Go for it!

We spent a month in September 2008 doing the same trip in our 1990 Talisman. We went a bit further and just crossed the border into Spain. We did about 2300 miles and the only problem was a leak on the rubber pipe connecting the fuel tank to the the filler pipe - this is a known problem with the Talbot Express.

We thoroughly enjoyed that trip and subsequently have been to Bavaria for a month (2000 miles) and the UK (we live in the Republic of Ireland) for a month last year and another 2000+ miles!

David

Many thanks for this David - very encouraging indeed!
Just wondering if you have the big side mirrors hooked onto C shaped brackets on your Talisman? Struggling to find a replacement for one of our C brackets at the moment. :( Other than that, once we've had a habitation check I think we're pretty much ready.

Yes - I do have the original C brackets. They are showing signs of rust and would like to replace them if possible. You may get some assistance in this from http://www.customcampersuk.co.uk/index.html . He is near Stoke-on Trent a bit too far for me from County Kerry.

David