rmattila's Bx Van 1,7D -90

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:52 pm

rmattila wrote:my own machines

Have you fitted the one on the right with a jet engine?

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:08 am

rmattila wrote: and not even close to finished yet. So far no hired hands needed in designing/building work, but with this approach it tends to take time to get things first learnt, then done and finally finished. (Not even thought about a garage yet, so outdoor repair work will continue for a few more years to come..)

So it's not too late to do away with the flat screen TV & widen that front door to avoid the outdoor repair work

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:34 am

rmattila wrote:
scarecrow wrote:Ooooh - sorry, I hope you don't mind me posting one of your photos
Nah, that's all right. (And that Fordson driven by the unknown gentleman sure is in a nicer condition than my own machines.. )

I prefer yours. Tractors are great!

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:00 am

mat_fenwick wrote:Have you fitted the one on the right with a jet engine?

No, it still has the good'ol Perkins installed at the factory in Coventry in 1962.

That pipe's just a rest for the loader: http://www.rmattila.com/images/metsatyot_09/nousee.avi

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:32 am

It's good to get a glimpse of life in Finland. Bit of a pioneer feel to the whole thing. And that Aland place looks beautiful.

Great BX collection too. I have never seen this high-top version and you certainly seem to work them hard - 800,000 kms! Do you have any other BX friends there or are you the lone BXer in Finland?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:20 pm

I'm tempted to go for a holiday in Finland & come back with one of these BX vans

Jayboy · Post by **Jayboy** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:24 am

Would I be the resident van owner by any chance?

I've always wondered what the story was behind the Finnish high roof vans and now I know.

The Heuliez panel vans were introduced to Ireland for similar reasons. However I believe that all passenger vehicles sold in Eire must have a commercial derivative hence why they have some interesting panelled versions of regular hatchbacks!

And for those who have forgotten what it looks like....

Starting to rust quite bad along where the rear door infill panel meets the rear wing on both sides now but that should be getting fixed later in the year. Need to sort the water leaks first!

Post by **Tim Leech** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:42 am

Will it be making a dash for the mainland this year?

Post by **Defender110** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:32 am

Jayboy wrote:Would I be the resident van owner by any chance?

You would

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:54 am

rmattila wrote:That pipe's just a rest for the loader: http://www.rmattila.com/images/metsatyot_09/nousee.avi

That looks very useful for collecting firewood...would save my back!

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:01 pm

BX jump-starting a Belarus tractor on a cold winter day.

Jayboy · Post by **Jayboy** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 11:05 am

@ Tim

I doubt the van will be making a dash to your shores this year. If I have a chance to bring something other than the 2CV it will most likely be something else as it's extra hassle to put a van on the boat. All sorts of form filling etc I can be doing without!

I'll save it for the ICCCR!

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:55 pm

The Chosen Van and her springtime chores.

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:58 pm

Spring time? I still see cold snow!

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:14 pm

The definition of "spring":

Springtime officially begins when the exhaust pipe finally falls off at a frost bump, corroded by a prolonged salt bath season called "winter"