Model information

Hi all,


Looking at getting an AS sometime soon all being well. Not sure wether to go for a van conversion (smaller/handier) or a monocoque (more room?), Anyway does anyone know where I might find a list of the different models and what layout/equipment they offer? I'm looking at the older models, 1990's Peugeot boxer type job, looks like the VW ones don't have a shower, and the transits sound terribly agricultural!


TIA!

Karl

Here's a list of all models made by AS. I'm afraid you'll have to do your own research as to the different layouts.....

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There are VW van conversions with showers - the Topaz and Trophy.

If you give your budget, you may get better suggestions.

Ahh ok, cheers for the link i will have a poke around. I was mainly looking at the van conversion for the moment.

Budget will hopefully be about 10k..

For that budget, you'll be looking at Peugeot Boxer based vans, Symphony, Symbol, Harmony. Ford Duettos and VW Trophy & Topaz. Check out those models on eBay or Autotrader to see the different layouts or find reviews on Google.

Those models certainly sound familiar from my searches. It seems a lot of the Peugeot boxer ones are petrol, not ideal. Cheers for the info Paul.

Hi Karlos,
I've got an extensive range of brochures which show dimensions and internal layouts so if you need some info let me know and I can scan some pages if I haven't already done so.
Just be aware that 1990's Peugeots can suffer from dodgy gearboxes and spares are scarcer than hen's teeth, apparently I had the last new/old stock gearbox in the country back in 2017.
Also note that the 1.9td's are a bit asthmatic when comes to steep hills and long drags.
The AS VW Trophy has a rear bathroom, some were on SWB with quite an overhang, others on LWB without the overhang.
Let me know if I can help.

Terry
1999 Harmony 1.9td

Hi Terry,

Good info! I have seen a few bits and bobs about boxer gearboxes... I'd have thought gearboxes and parts would be plentiful for them! Not so keen on something I will struggle to get bits for. 

I do also prefer the end bathroom layout that the VW has. I have noticed the add-on rear extension, i didnt realise they did a lwb version, they are maybe out of my price range. I also have a thing about 4 cylinder engines... I don't like them haha the VW seems quite common in the 2.4 5 pot...

Karlos
Peugeot and Citroen cars of that era are also affected as they share some of the oily bits with the vans.
Terry
ps if you'd like a scanned in VW brochure of the1990's models let me know.

I thought as much, which is why I'd have thought there would be plenty of bits about.

Yeah that'd be good to have a look at if it's not much trouble Terry?

I'll be back home Sunday morning and will dig out the info.

We had a shower in a small camper. Never used it but useful for wet coats, transit storage etc.  We had even more storage once we ditched the duvaleys for just as comfy self inflating mattresses and over sized sleeping bags. Something lovely to feel you are camping by minimalist on board 'things'. 
We have learnt that just because a camper might say Thetford toilet make sure it comes with space for privacy. Some mean you have to have your legs in the gangway to use in sitting position Also the followingold out privacy door is not sound proof...I saw one van where the privacy door had even been removed....no surprise why it had been on the forecourt for months

Transits are renown for rust so there is one reason why a dealer would be keen to do you a deal. There is enough choice to avoid them post 5+ ?y 

Good luck with your search...

I agree about the Transit as a base for motorhomes. The earlier ones were a bit agricultural and rusted but when looking for a starter motorhome they were cheaper than the equivalent VW. I am not a Puegeot fan so it was a short list.
The place we bought the Duetto from had a Clubman as well. We were tempted, the Clubman was the same age and similar mileage but nearly £5000 more.
I did a search on Autotrader to get an idea of what was available within our budget. If you have the time and are prepared to travel there will be something to Mach you’re needs out there.

Karlos,
Send me a pm with your e-mail address and I'll send you an AS VW brochure from 1999.
Hope it helps.
I've got a 1998 Ford version too.
Terry

Having a good read about and there is a lot of info about the gearbox issues on the boxer chassis. But nothing very concise with a symptom, diagnosis, and treatment.. they also aren't to clear in which model the issues are on. It seems the current shape is also having issues!

From what I can see, crunchy 3-4 shifts occur, oil is found contaminated with water due to poor scuttle drain output location? 

So on that basis, if I found one with a gearbox that feels fine and replaced oil and sorted the drains out, should the problem be avoided and no longer a problem?

Or are there other problems on that era of boxer/Ducato gearbox's?

Also what 1.9td engine codes were fitted to the Peugeot boxer, seems there is a huge range of power outputs depending on which 1.9td engine you have, but how are you supposed to know which one it is!?

Ta!

Send me a vin number and I can get factory build notes
Terry

Ps. It's the synchro which are one of the main problems, also the rhd scuttle drain pipe is too short so water is always dripping on the gearbox. There is a lhd longer pipe which diverts water away from the box.

I don't have a vin of a specific van Terry, still searching for the right van, but wiki suggests not all 1.9 TD's are equal!

Yeah so the crunchy gears makes sense. So is that caused by the leaky scuttle/water ingress or do they suffer anyway?

Cheers!

There were a number of different gearboxes on the Sevel production line, some mounted differently too.
Mine was the BVM ME which was one of the known villains!
Bear also in mind the date of registration can be many months after the chassis rolled off the line.
My Harmony was registered as new in March1999 but the chassis rolled out of Sevel in April 1998, and passed through AS  in June 1998, a 9 month gap sitting somewhere over the winter!

Ah bloody hell, mine field! We're all gearbox designations effected? Or are there some good ones to look out for?

I'm not sure,  Maurice at MW Autos Wisbech might know, he fitted my new old stock gearbox back in 2017, which was probably the last one in the country.
He's a bit of a Peugeot/Citroen guru.
Are VW's back on the favourite list now ?

Cheers Terry, I might contact him if I get any further.

Haha who knows, when I come to buy something, I spend a long time researching and canvassing option to try and create my own based on as much information as possible. This gets worse the more I spend!

I can highly commend VW`s I am on my third, an older one this time, I use as my car and day trips, , it is higher up than cars, so suits me better, she is a 1998,

Gave her a run yesterday and went along nicely at 70 mph, I don`t usually go that fast as it is more economical
at 55-56 mph, but does vehicles good now and again to go higher, was passing cars with ease,as she is only the 2.4 and no turbo was impressed how she did go.

They may be more expensive to start with , but they are work horses and go on and on, so worth it in the long run.

If AS had made a bigger van on an VW that would have been my ideal, use to have a Clubman Anniversary, but wanted larger, so went for the Ford Hampshire, well pleased with the Ford so no complaints there at all.

Good luck with your search for your ideal van.
Best regards,
Margaret

Thanks Margaret, useful info. I do like the VW's, thought they seem a fair bit smaller than the Peugeot boxer ones..


Project is slightly on hole at the moment while we wait for some other financial stuff to sort out... Can still go look at a few to get a feel for which we prefer.