Hiya Phil
Uncertainty arises. As hopefully do good times ahead. Anyway to answer some of your points.
1) Yes it is 1989 and the engine seems good and is Petrol, deemed less polluting than diesel. It also means that if I like it after some test sleep outs and trials then if I am liking the experience with the Talbot and it is fit to run for 10's of thousands of miles longer then I will look to fit LPG to power the engine alongside Petrol, thereby making it more economical to run and enviro friendly
2) Seems solid. The Cab is steel I think rather than aluminium. The rear part is fibreglass monocoque and seems OK and attached well to the Chassis.
The electrics are old but still usable as split 12v / 240v and has all I need in terms of space inside. However, I hear what you are saying and appreciate your input.
So I have paid a deposit and my view is to test the whole game. Taken van for a test drive and she handles OK and pulls not too bad and road users seem to respect her age and size, not seen as a horrid white van man (LOL) and cut-up, poorly treated as such are on the roads in the UK at least.
Other points, self-build would be a nice project with my 17 YO son who is studying mechanical engineering, however time / motivation / places to work and cash flow all go against the self-build idea. Nevertheless, I appreciate what you are saying.
Let's hope it all works out and as my son said that she is not a "money pit"
Cheers
Robert