DEALER VIEWPOINT
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BELL TRUCK SALES
Garry Graham Is the dealer principle at Bell Truck sales of Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. The firm has a Signature used truck site, with a stock of up to 80 trucks and vans at Billingham on Teeside. "Either specified as a large-volume van or as a chassis-cab with a box body—or even as chassis-cowl conversion—the Vane makes a good local delivery truck and there are a lot of reasons that customers go for it." he says.
"It gives a good payload, access is good and as it is derived from the smaller van sector many find it easier to drive than models from the bottom of the heavier truck range.
"Used Varies are quite rare since they have not sold in huge volumes as new, and many customers who did buy them don't feel they need to change them yet. Both the panel van and the chassis-cowl have found a niche market with bus companies.
"Second-hand Vario panel vans are very much sought after for conversion into motor homes/mobile workshops by motorcycle race teams as well as transportation for up-and coming pop groups and their equipment. The standard van comes with a sliding side door and folding rear doors, giving access to the load compartment. The long wheelbase with the high roof tends to be the standard.
"A long-wheelbase Vario van costs more than £30,000 new and even after three years will fetch £15,000—that is, if you can find one," Graham concludes. "Mechanically, it shares many components with the heavier range. It is more substantial than the six-tonne Sprinter van."