I love this van! Is it hard to apply for another registration?

Not normally, but the previous owner has lost the registration document (Carte Gris). So he should have declared it lost, which he says he has and then reapply for the Carte Gris duplicate. But as the car did not have a CT (Mot) you cannot get the Carte Gris - so chicken and egg.

I got the CT today using a Document of Identification which I got from my local Prefecture (she knows me well now as I have recently registered another AZU and 2 solexes). So now I have the CT certificate I am planning on going with the previous owner to his Prefecture to get the duplicate in his name and then straight away change it into my name.

But he is being a little slow as I think he is still a bit sad about selling it as I got it at a very decent price (he needed the money) so I am treading carefully.

If you have the correct documents here in France it is very easy - without them......

I have just insured him - All Risks (except for windscreen and glass) including recovery and assistance for €129 for the year which is not too bad.
I went with Retro Insurance which was considerably cheaper than my current provider Generali by about a 1/3 of the cost.

The previous owner went to the Prefecture with my Controle Technique certificate and has now applied for the duplicate Carte Gris, so that is in the post. A few days and I will have it so I can then change it into my name. Bit of a phaf but all works out if you have the correct paper work.

Should be set for La Tchanqua Deuch at the end of the month.

Providing its not raining ..................... Cannot get him wet........................

True... Still some snow on the ground

Although the indicators passed the Contrôle Technique I was not happy that it was consistent in its flash as the small thermal strips seem to have a life of their own and would take a few seconds to heat up to actually do anything.

So I bought a cheap 6 volt flasher unit and stripped out the contents of the thermal switch and modified the connections inside to incorporate the new flasher unit but keeping the original switch so it looks and operates as it should (including the dash light flash).

Quite pleased so far - now to fit it to the car and test.

It all worked EXCEPT for the dash light. I think the bulb is drawing too much and that flashes but not the indicators. So when I take the dash bulb out and short the connectors the side indicators work fine. Insert the dash bulb and that flashes bright but not the side indicator

So thinking I might need to put in a 6 volt LED - but all the ones I have searched for are multiple LEDS. Anyone know of a good site to get a single 6 Volt LED from.

Otherwise, it is better than it was.

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Blue-LED-BULB-ME ... 3867wt_754

This is a screw type base on Ebay France if thats any help

Wow! great van!
Have fun with it!

I am having a go at a bit of painting and using this temporary job as some practise as it will all be done again at the end of the year when our business season is over. I just wanted to get rid of the unsightly grey primer and tidy him up a bit.

It is both wings and the front grill that are the worse effected. Plenty of scoring and dints which will need to be done later... not this time, I just want a bit of shine for now.



Front grill sanded down and a wing. (also my left index finger.... need gloves )



Thought I would clean up the engine bay a little too and adjust the front brakes while everything is accessible.




And finally I fitted the bumper on properly as the bottom bolts are really difficult to do and so the last owner didn't bother - nice and sturdy now and won't rock about as it did before.