Thanks guys.

This is going to be a nice van when I'm done, but it will always be a driver. I live real close to the ocean (100metres) and I get a lot of salt air and sea mist and it's a constant battle to keep stuff from rusting here so I'm not going to the extent that a lot of blokes do as far as paint and finish goes. It will be nice, tidy and reliable and turn a few heads (which it does now, even looking a bit rough).

The 253 is too new (218,000kms) and runs perfect, so I'm not in any hurry to pull it out and replace it. However, when I need to I have a 383 stroker with forged flat-top pistons, Edelbrock high rise, 780Holley and a big cam that is sitting on one of my engine stands waiting to get a run.

Vombil, I didn't mind the bench, but it doesn't go far enough back, so I felt cramped driving. Plus, at my age getting into the back is much easier between buckets than trying to climb over a bench. That's the same reason for no console, there's just a lot more room in the front without it. (and have you tried to find a stubby console anyway?... RARE!)