Van Nats

What an awesome weekend at our first Nats with the Van. Sometimes its about the destination and the journey.
Thanks to all the MV family we had an awesome weekend. Great Pics by Hayley good to see how the northern crew travelled.

Thanks Mully for the driving show that U turn was a ripper stunt can't wait to see your J turn. Great summary of the trip.

Van On.

Joe and Angelique.

Same AS ALL ABOVE  from me too Everyone,

  AWESOME Weekend AGAIN
 & my highlight 4 the W/end was seeing 15 Sandman's lined up at one time is getting RARE these day's

Sam

 

Dermi was a highlight! .  

Hey Blur
You where worried about going and breaken
down,
I see you've made it home ok
 (Yee of little faith in their van)...... 

No accounting for good luck i guess huh? lol.
I'm glad the ugly duckling made it for sure.

No ugly duckling! Nice to see older vans on the road and driven.

We are still in Mildura but the camp has certainly thinned. The boys are talking motor rebuilds at the bar and getting hints and tricks from those who have gone before   

For those that  haven't heard the "Wild Blue Yonder" spat a rod and piston out the bottom of the sump last Sunday. So hence the first picture of it in disgrace in the far corner of the shed, reserved for vehicles not going!!

Below is the poem that Dno and I wrote on the way down in the wagon. See what time together does when we normally have two vehicles!!!

WE THOUGHT WE'D LIKE A V8

We thought we'd like a V8 to cruise across the plain.
To swap the good old 202 and play the V8 game.
Out of storage came the donk, the pull down did begin.
We thought we'd like a V8, to cruise to Albury Van-In

We made it to the Van-In, the 202 still in place
To get it done for Van Nats would be the next big race.
Now were getting serious, out the red 6 came
And in the 253 goes, now it won't be sounding lame.

The build began on Boxing Day, somewhere it had to start
New bearings, hone and set of rings was like a brand new heart.
New gaskets, lifters, spark plugs too, proper tensions for the head
And make sure it all stays put with a thick coat of Holden red.

And then there was no bloody fuel, the thing just wouldn't start.
We went and took the old pump off and tore the thing apart.
A kick and then a burble, with no oil pressure for a while
But half a tub of Vaseline made the pressure dial smile!

We thought we'd like a V8, but gremlins were at play
With wiring bugs and transmission, we weren't to get away.
But late into the night we worked and got it all but right,
The motor sweet, the gearbox worked, transmission and the lights.

So out of the shed and round the paddock for a testing run,
All ok and sounding good, boy this was getting fun.
We thought we'd like a V8 but it had its own agenda
Shattered piston, twisted rings and the conrod did a benda.

Four months work gone with a bang, a shame for me and you
The 253’s a paper weight and I'm stuck with a 202.
Our road now has a streak of oil an engine tombstone with no name
And we brought the van back behind the Hilux, a Holden's walk of shame.

So for all of you with paper weights or vans just in the shed
Don't despair, keep on going, don't let it do your head.
Another year till Van Nats, we'll try not to be late
A bit of time between then and now, as we DREAM OF A NEW V8!

Thanks for all the comments on our award (runner up best daily driver) and the wagon in general. The green machine is definitely a daily driver with Miss Tess and I getting out in the wagon to town most days. With regular long runs as well.

While definitely not chasing awards it was a nice surprise to get a trophy and like many other first time Van National attendees it certainly raised the question on how things are judged but I'll leave that for another thread.

Look forward to seeing some more polished pictures up here soon.

Thanks for positive replies to my quick summary of our trip. 
Was a pleasure to finally meet you too Greg and as Hayley said, no ugly duckling there. Great to see the older vans still out there. Don't know what you guys are talking about. What U turn? Lol

Sammy, Anna's shoulder is fine. 

Joe (or Angelique), you're right. It is about the journey, the company and the mate ship. 


Hayley. GREAT pics and it was good to catch up with you and Dean (and little Tess) again. Her and Lochie look so cute running around playing together. 
Congratulations on your award too. 

Thanks to ALL MV family for another VANtastic weekend. 

Bring on the Van In in October. 

Remember KEEP ON VANNIN'!

Cool poem Hayley and Dean, you guys would definitely hold a record, I've never seen a 2by3 hang a rod, plenty of 308's but never a 2by3.

Hopefully Blue Yonder,
has had the chance to ponder,
the weekend that she missed,
by leaving Dean a little p1ssed,
when she coughed and had a fart,
and blew apart her brand new heart.

Catch you guys soon.

A couple of pics from our meet up at Calder Park:





The Majestics display on show day at the Nationals:

awesome pics karl, thanks for posting them

a few of our pics from the awesome weekend, in no order lol

blur1 wrote:I'm glad the ugly duckling made it for sure.

More like the Black swan   

Loving Early vans more and more, curves in all the right places!

Some photos from the  weekend
ready to roll

the old jump starting the not so old

vans on show

AWESOME picture's Guys & Gals

Sam
 

GREAT pictures everyone.

Looks as everyone had a great time!
Awsome pics!

Cheers Kiwivan

Ok, here are some pics in no particular order.

Foxy Lady

On the road

Escort

Rollin Coal through the Riverina

Fritz over the moon with "Jaffa"

Nuff Said.

The best view in the business

Jaffa

Jaffa

Karls neat as a pin HQ

Midnight Mistress

Interior of Midnight Mistress

Mully's Pilot Vehicle

Valiant........

Back in the Riverina after so long away, felt like coming home.

Majestic Vanners Stalwart and Man about camp: Rusty! Here I captured him assisting Mr V with polishing the HQ to the perfection that we all know and love! What a guy!

Best rear ends Ive seen in a while!


More to come!

Another classic

Who doesnt like a Valiant?

Quick stop at the old Station.

The Yellow Q-this thing is sweet as well!

Sweet Purple XY-a good comapnion for Zodiacs WB Sandman.......after all-the colours are similar...

Sweet WB

Ute on the road


A timeless mural/scene for a van.

There is still more pics, they will come through all in good time. Want any? Please feel free to drop me an email at mackton@live.com.au with the subject Majestics site pics, and Ill happily send the ones you want.