AutoPuzzles - The Internet's Museum of Rare Cars!

Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: woodinsight on December 22, 2011, 03:43:33 AM

Title: Solved - MJW #776 - Acadiane Esprit Van
Post by: woodinsight on December 22, 2011, 03:43:33 AM

Oh yes I know this one will probably be the first reaction......
Don't be fooled - this is not what it seems.
One point if you can identify what this is called and what base car was used for this van.

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: hevace on December 26, 2011, 05:10:08 PM

I vote it is a Citroen Acadienne, based on the Dyane. 

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: woodinsight on December 26, 2011, 11:53:01 PM

Quote from: hevace on December 26, 2011, 05:10:08 PM

I vote it is a Citroen Acadienne, based on the Dyane. 

Acadiane is correct and it does have a Citroen Dyane van body but the car isn't based on a Citroen.
Locked for you to reveal the make and model that lies underneath.

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: richard cuyler on December 27, 2011, 12:35:46 PM

Having just sold my Citroen 2CV and being a bit of a 2CV fan, this is easy for me. It's an Acadiane Van with Ferrari 355 running gear and can be seen strutting its stuff on You Tube, if anyone would lkie to see how well it goes.

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: woodinsight on December 27, 2011, 01:43:11 PM

Quote from: richard cuyler on December 27, 2011, 12:35:46 PM

Having just sold my Citroen 2CV and being a bit of a 2CV fan, this is easy for me. It's an Acadiane Van with Ferrari 355 running gear and can be seen strutting its stuff on You Tube, if anyone would lkie to see how well it goes.

Sorry to disappoint you but this one doesn't have Ferrari running gear.
The base car is surprising but not a Ferrari.....

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: richard cuyler on December 28, 2011, 07:04:11 AM

Ah! It's the Lotus Espirit one, then. Pretty old by now, if it's still running. ;) So much for 'being an easy one. I should have looked more carefully, shouldn't I? :-[

Title: Re: MJW #776
Post by: woodinsight on December 28, 2011, 07:47:34 AM

Quote from: richard cuyler on December 28, 2011, 07:04:11 AM

Ah! It's the Lotus Espirit one, then. Pretty old by now, if it's still running. ;) So much for 'being an easy one. I should have looked more carefully, shouldn't I? :-[

That's the one!
I'm pleased to give you your first point and hope that there are many more to come for you.

Title: Re: Solved - MJW #776 - Acadiane Esprit Van
Post by: Djetset on December 29, 2011, 06:18:52 AM

To complete this puzzle, this vehicle was built in the early 1990s by John Lewis, a garage mechanic based in Radstock, near Bath, in the West of England.  

John Lewis also built some other 2CV-based specials, including a fantastic motorcycle/sidecar combo, with the bike using a 2CV engine, and the 'driver' controlling the machine from the passenger sidecar, as the bike rider was a plastic skeleton! This must have caused a confused looks as he sped down he road!  I'll see if I can find some photos at home.

Title: Re: Solved - MJW #776 - Acadiane Esprit Van
Post by: richard cuyler on December 30, 2011, 05:22:44 PM

I have seen it in the metal (and plastic) at the Beaulieu Autojumble, I think it was. It's a thoroughly professionally-done little vehicle, but the skeleton is starting to look a bit ragged round the edges now! :D