WINA ONE OFF
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To coincide with Truckfest next month CM readers have the chance to win this uniqu Talbot Trekker by Tickford. The competition starts in our May 3 issue
• It started life in 1984 as a high-roof, long-wheelbase Talbot Express 1500 panel van. Then Aston Martin Tickford got hold of it and £70,000 later it was a Trekker.
Peugeot Talbot wanted something different for its stand at the 1984 Motor Show at the National Exhibition Centre. A design brief went to an independent consultant and Aston Martin Tickford built It.
How can you add £70,000 to the price of a van that costs only around £7,000 in the first place? There are no mechanical changes; the Trekker retains the standard 1,971cc 571tW (78hp) fourcylinder petrol engine and five-speed gearbox.
The rest bears little resemblance to the original vehicle however. Working from the ground up, the wheels are alloy with low-profile Pirelli P6 tyres.
Around the body's lower flanks Tickford has added GRP flared mouldings that give the van a lower and wider stance. They feel remarkably solid and emphasise the wedge-look that the designer has sought. This is also seen in the upsweep of the tinted side windows. At the front, an air dam and kangaroo bar promise to sweep all before them.
Most of Tickford's structural work has gone into the roof. Talbot's standard GRP high roof was discarded and replaced with one with a lot more slope to it. It is also much stronger so that it can be used as a viewing platform by up to four people. There are foldaway safety rails up there and a ladder to the rear.
The Trekker's interior is even more startling than the exterior. It is fitted out as a mobile executive office-cumhospitality suite.
The driver's and passenger's seats are aircraft-type models with armrests and upholstered in red leather. The passenger's swivels round to face int( the office section. In a console that bad! on to the driver's seat is an Apple personal computer.
The cabinets that run down the offsli house a sink, fridge, coffee perculatoi drinks cabinet, cutlery drawer and tho printer for the computer. There is plerr of storage space in the cabinets and overhead lockers.
Built into the rear offside corner is 356mm (14 inch) Sony colour televisk with remote control, teletext and video recorder.
Tickford has really gone to town wit the Trekker's audio system. Up front, the driver has a Philips radio cassett( unit and in the saloon there is an all singing, all-dancing Nakamichi "mobile sound system" with four speakers ant lots of Watts. In case you get lonely there is a Philips radio telephone.
Mains electric sockets are fitted so that other electrical appliances can be used. There is a power input socket o the Trekker's exterior and a step-up transformer gives the computer its ow 240V supply.
The floor is covered with wood an the roof is lined for insulation and sour deadening. A plush grey carpet contra& with the red leather upholstery.
In case all this proves too tempting ft the light-fingered, Tickford has fitted a elaborate alarm system that uses ultrasonic scanners to detect movemei in the vehicle.
Only one Trekker was commissione. by Peugeot Talbot. Although it is 18 months old now it has lead a sheltere life, making only occasional appearance at shows. It has usually travelled on th back of a trailer and so has just a fe hundred miles on the clock.
What's more, it is still unregistered s. its winner will get a C-registered uniqt. vehicle, backed by the Peugeot Talba warranty.
The Trekker will be on display at Truckfest at the East of England Showground on Sunday, May 4 and 5 You can win it in our free competitio that starts in our May 3 issue and rur for the following three weeks.