The Dark Wob

Back in 2003 I seemed to be going through some sort of workaholic stage in my life that my lazy 2021 arse could never even begin to replicate. As well as driving a taxi I also rented them out, worked as a bike instructor and did a couple of days working for a parcel delivery company.

This post is about the parcel delivery company, a firm called Falcongate that back in the 70s had made a name for itself doing the artic Middle East runs, Google Destination Doha to see what I mean. Times had changed by The Millenium and the firm now consisted of three 3.5t Vauxhall Movano vans, the boss was from Ellesmere Port and a big Griffin fan, and a couple of 7.5t Iveco Ford Cargo's. The 7.5 tonners and two Movano vans were used to service their subby delivery contract with Lynx Parcels (now UPS) out of the Lynx hub in Leyland. The other Movano was used to do drops for a firm called Ripponden Carriers. I've no idea if they still exist, I know Falcongate have now gone and their yard now houses an independent Porsche specialist. I thought I'd DVLA check their old fleet to see if any of their rolling stock is still on the road.
Not bad really!

I wonder what sort of miles they've covered.

Didn't Phil Llewellyn travel with them once and wrote it up in one of his books?

paulplom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 4:11 am I wonder what sort of miles they've covered.

Not many

The only one that seems to have survived was a 2.1 auto VW T3 panel van - and even that is now SORN
I was given it for free as the auto box had a problem - as it turned out just needed fluid. New ATF and gasket, put it through an MoT and sold it for a grand - apparently to be filled with the owner's possessions and shipped to Canada. Obviously that never happened. That must be 20 years ago now.

Other cars that I was sure had a bright future quickly vanished without trace

paulplom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 4:11 am I wonder what sort of miles they've covered.

How many do you want?

LynehamHerc wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 9:07 am Didn't Phil Llewellyn travel with them once and wrote it up in one of his books?

In a factory prepared Sherpa or was that a different story? It certainly rings a bell. His tales of '70s Detroit are great.

The story I remember was about travelling in an artic.
He was a great story teller, I'll have to reread his books and I'll check it then.

He submitted his copy to the car magazines via Red Star.

My first ever company car. A pov spec Mk4 Escort XR3i complete with those white plastic wheeltrims.

I was 18 at the time and thrashed it everywhere so I shouldn't be surprised that it barely lasted a decade.