"SORCERER"

Owner: Colin Cowie
Make: Ford
Year: Unknown
Model: Thames Freighter Van
Club: VANZ Unlimited, Christchurch

Engine: Ford Zephyr Mk 3, 2.6 litre straight 6
Carb: Factory Carb

Transmission: Ford Zephyr Mk 3, 4 speed 
Differential: Ford Zephyr Mk 3, narrowed 

Suspension: Front - Ford Thames. Rear - Ford Zephyr Mk 3
Shocks: Front - Ford Thames. Rear - Ford Zephyr Mk 3
Wheels: Front & Rear - Chrome GT Ford 12 slot
Rubber: Front - 185 x 60 x 14's Firestone. Rear - 246 x 50 x 14's Bridgestone

Front Interior: Complete Ford Zephyr Mk 4 Dash, Mazda Black Vinyl Seats, Overhead Console With CB, Stereo & 2 Stereo Speakers, Black Carpet.
Rear Interior: Utilises Burgandy, Light Tan & Black Colours To Enhance a Coctail Bar, Rear Bed, Mood Lighting and Numerous Mirrors.

Unknown.

Roof Mounted Spot Lights, 3 Sunroofs, Roof Rack, Truck Mirrors, Chrysler Valiant CL Headlights, Custom Rear Side Windows, Personalized  Licence Plate "OU9000" (purchase price). 

Painted Metalic Red with Silver Graphics and Murals

I first got into Vanning in 1999 due to a strange twist of fate after cleaning Jeff Berry's chimney (Vanz Unlimited Club President). I noticed his Custom Bedford sitting in his garage and mentioned I had a Custonized Ford Thames. Jeff was well aware of my vehicle but had not seen it for many years, infact he'd thought it had bed dismantled at one of the local wrecking yard. Jeff and I talked for several hours and old photo albums were dragged out. It was really good to meet a fellow Vanner, a somewhat rare experience these days and with no hesitation I joined the club.

I purchased my van in 1994 from White Horse Motors in Waimate. It had spent a long time outside and was in need of a lot of TLC, particularly the roof, which you could just about see through in places. I drove it back to Christchurch and was pleasantly surprised at the way it handled and performed. It then sat under my carport over the years. I slowly pottered away tidying up the exterior and interior. The kick-start I needed was the 2000 Van Nationals in Timaru where I worked frantically to have it looking as good as possible, picking up a 2nd in the Best Early Class. 

Since then both the interior and exterior have been improved, just recently air brush art work was added to complete the project. Finally I'm content with the way it looks. My van has been in Vanning circles for a long time infact, it was fully finished in the early 1980's and has won numerous trophies many older vanners remember it well and it's always a pleasure to catch up with them. 

I'm in Vanning for the long haul and have no intension of selling my van like most other South Island Vanners. I would love to attend a North Island Nationals, who knows maybe next year. I'll leave that in the hands of the Vanning Gods. 

- Colin

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