Still Living the Dream
In November 2013 we bought a 1993 Autosleeper Talisman with 64000 miles on the clock. This was not our first motorhome but I suspect it may be our last as the years are marching on.
We had started with an Eccles Caravan in 1980, so old it should have had a horse between the shafts. In 1986 we got our first camper, a SWB Transit with elevating roof. It took us around France and the Low Countries for several years until we moved up to an Eccles Amethyst. We finished up with an Autotrail Navajo on a Mercedes chassis, but had to sell and give up touring in 2002 when ill health struck.
We knew the Talisman would be a project, but with our health conditions well managed and aware of our limitations and the need to pace ourselves, the prospect held no fear.
We drew on our experience and while I concentrated on the mechanical and technical areas, Anne worked wonders inside the vehicle.
The interior showed remarkably little wear and we soon found that most problems were solved with lubrication, manipulation, stripping down and sugar soap. In short the vehicle suffered from lack of use.
An LPG conversion, the Talisman is on a Talbot Express flat bed powered by a Peugeot 2 litre petrol unit. It is economical and runs well. It will run even better once I have had time to service the engine and check out the plugs, distributor, timing and idle speed.
We are now pretty happy that stage one is complete. The Talisman looks good, is tidy and works well.
I dealt with the only sign of water ingress by refitting and resealing the rooflight in the toilet.
Now the MOT is due. The only problem I can see is the headlamp reflectors which show signs of corrosion and would fail the test. New units are available in the UK at a price.
But I have found headlamps at half the price on German ebay and a tenth of the price in Poland. I am awaiting a delivery from Poland!
And the fact these units are LHD is not a problem. Use of headlamp converters is not a reason for MOT failure.
So the dream continues. I will tell you of the little changes, improvements and tweaks we have made, the high points and low, in my next article. Until then we will keep the dream alive.