Hi all,
i have a mate, Vin, who has Cerebral Palsy.
He is the IT guru at my work, and has been watching over my shoulder over the past few months as i comb the net for a Prem. Vin loves the old machines. Holdens and Vals.
Recently he was pondering whether he could buy one, park it out front of his flat, and pay guys to take him for a spin on weekends. Why does he need this?
Vin is in a wheelchair and has been since he was a little boy. He cant do the basic things we take for granted.
So, i thought about floating the idea here, to see if there are ppl out there with a big enough heart to get Vin his car. Surviving on a disability support pension when u have to pay someone to help you do EVERYTHING leaves little money for play.
To fit his wheelchair, we need a panel van.
Pref a later model as this would be safer than K/T/G.
i am going to do ther leg work getting it RW and regoed etc, also help w modifying bits to fit chair in the back, ie a ramp. maybe have to modify passenger seat too.
We are based in Geelong, Vin doesnt go too far, this surprise (if i can get it going) would help to give him a bit more freedom than his physical allows currently.
So, I am looking for ideas/donations/help/willing drivers for Vinnie.
Vin is a great guy, a day out on a cruise w him would be fun. Ppl need to be fit and able to help him getting in and out of his pride and joy, also prepared to help him eat. Vin is fine to go to the loo by himself, a small blessing for him as it would be a royal pain in the arse to have to have someone help you.
Vin is also a man of little concern, i dont think he would want a sandman! Although of course he would love it, he is not fussy. A decent safe and ok looking PV would suit him down to the ground.
Thanks
Tim . 0418528293. feel free to call me if u want

It sounds like a good idea and would definitely bring a smile to Vins face. However, I must play devils advocate and point out a flaw or 2 in your plan. I assume his wheelchair is a motorised one? The roof of a Holden panelvan is nowhere near high enough to fit a wheelchair and person comfortably. Not to mention the fact that getting it legally engineered for the chair would no doubt be either expensive, a nightmare or both.
Getting people to take him driving shouldn't be an issue. There's plenty of people on these boards whose vehicles are in a million bits and I'm sure you'd find a few willing to go cruising with him to events in the local area.
Your best option might be one of the old Bedford vans. You can still have 70's charm, a Holden V8, and it would be a lot easier and more comfortable getting the wheelchair to fit.

Fair enough. Measure the height of the wheelchair though. There's not a huge amount of vertical room in the panelvan's.