Peter Lee – 1985 Ford Transit Minibus

Having founded the Transit Van Club in 2005, it is safe to say that no one has done as much as Peter to promote these much-loved commercial vehicles. Saving as many as possible is just as important, which brings us to this particular example.

Offered to him about six years ago and stored away in his barn ever since, it boasts an interesting history. “It came to me direct from British Airways and had been in use at Heathrow Airport from 1985 to 1995. Used to transfer passengers and their luggage to the aircraft, it had certainly led a busy life.”

That decade of hard work has certainly taken its toll, Peter explaining that both sides of the long-wheelbase minibus are affected by rust. And the interior is also rather messy, with holes in the seats and more damage that will need sorting in the future.

He goes on to say that the mechanicals are in quite good condition, and there is just 32,000 miles on the clock. Almost every journey would have been a very short distance, but these working vehicles were always well-maintained and the engine is currently running.

As for its future, the Transit expert is yet to decide but he would really like to find someone that is keen to return it to its former glory. “That person has to take it on as a restoration project because I don’t want to see it broken up for parts. The club is all about saving these brilliant vehicles, so I’d love to see this one back on the road.”

The Transit first appeared in 1965 with the most recent generation launched in 2014. Many millions have been made in almost six decades, and if you love a classic commercial this one is a real treat.