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Old 06-01-2015, 10:17 AM   #1
Aruba1
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Default 1982 Cushman Vanster (title or not)

Hello everyone,

I finally got permission from my wife to purchase my next project; a 1982 Cushman Vanster. It's a retired Campus mail delivery van and only comes with a Bill of Sale and no Title. In Alabama any vehicle older than 35 years does not need a title so I can register and get a title for it in 2 years from now.

That brings the question... did all Cushman (1982 and up) come with title?

Thank you.
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Old 06-01-2015, 04:08 PM   #2
CharleyL
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Default Re: 1982 Cushman Vanster (title or not)

Welcome to BGW. I hope you become addicted to us and come back often (like me).

Cushman 3 wheeled Trucksters and Vansters came with a title. The 4 wheeled vehicles were never certified for on-road use, so they never had a title. It's a little crazy, because, to me, the 4 wheeled versions are safer, but it had something to do with getting the 3 wheeled Cushman Trucksters certified to be used as meter maid vehicles and many States required that vehicles that were used by the police had to be certified, titled, and registered as motor vehicles. So the 3 wheeled versions are considered as motorcycles, they are titled and have to have motorcycle plates and insurance.
Now since 1998 in North Carolina, it seems like the 4 wheeled versions have almost the same privileges without the need for plates or insurance because the police, at least around here, consider them to be golf carts/farm vehicles.

Here in North Carolina in 1998 the State has legalized the use of golf carts (3 and 4 wheeled) to be used on NC highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, but the maximum speed that these golf carts can go according to this same law is 25 mph. The carts also have to have seat belts, lights, horn, rear view mirrors, etc. but don't require a State Vehicle Inspection or license plates. Many other States are now allowing them too.

Now a Cushman Vanster or Truckster doesn't really quite fit into the golf cart class and it doesn't really fit into a farm vehicle class either, but from my experience I haven't had any trouble with the police at all and have been driving my 4 wheeled 1987 Truckster on the lower speed (40 and below) roads around here for the past 3 years. It's even been almost 20 miles away from here a few times. My Truckster has no title or licence plates (can't get them for a 4 wheeler) but it has all the safety equipment, seat belts (from the rear seat of a Jeep), lights, including flashing amber lights front and back, and it has a slow moving vehicle triangle on the back (like farm vehicles). I also added liability insurance to it by my own choice (not required) through my auto insurance policy. The police usually follow me for a while and then pass me, smiling and waving as they go by. I've never even been stopped by them and they don't know me, so that's not the reason.

How about posting some pictures. I would love to see your Cushman. Where are you located in Alabama? I spent a bunch of time in Huntsville during the Apollo Space Program and know most of Northern Alabama quite well. You should post your location (town, State) in your profile so everyone can see it. One of us might be just around the corner and can provide a riding buddy, or help when you need it. Go to "USER CP" in the left end of the second dark blue line at the top of this page and fill out your information. Every time you post to BGW your City, State, and Cushman will be displayed on the left edge of your post under your handle "Aruba1".

Charley
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Old 06-09-2015, 04:14 PM   #3
Aruba1
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Default Re: 1982 Cushman Vanster (title or not)

Charley,

Thank you for your answer and sorry it took me this long to answer. This is a Cushman that is for sale on CL. Since it came with a title I don't feel comfortable buying it so I decided to skip. Here is a link of the Vanster in case anyone on here is interested. https://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/5038835172.html

We live in the middle of nowhere so driving it in the neighborhood won't be an issue. And in the state of Alabama vehicles without a title that are over 30 years old can be registered so it can be legally on the road in 3 years. I may buy it just for fun, lol.
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Old 06-10-2015, 09:41 AM   #4
CharleyL
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Default Re: 1982 Cushman Vanster (title or not)

That Vanster is in great condition when compared with most of that age that come up for sale. My 1987 Truckster was in much worse condition on the outside because it had spent 13 years sitting in a pine forest, but it only has some surface rust in a few places underneath and no serious rust. You can do a search for "Cushman Truckster saved from the forest" if you want to see and learn more about my Truckster. That Vanster is definitely a "Titled Vehicle" and you should get a title from the seller, or (to me) it should be worth much less. The seller can apply for a lost title if he is really the true owner. If he can't produce the title I would not be willing to pay that much for the Vanster. I bought a 1987 three wheeled metermaid truckster that had no title for $200. It was complete, but in worse condition than that Vanster. It became spare parts for my Truckster and a friend bought the frame to replace the rusted out frame on his Truckster. The point is that if it has no title and the owner cannot get one to give you when selling the Vanster to you it will be very difficult for you to obtain one at a later date, so the Vanster cannot ever be legally used on the highways without it. With a title you could get motorcycle plates and insurance for it and legally use it on the highways, but I would never try to use it on an Interstate because of it's low maximum speed.

The Vanster engine compartment looks to be almost identical to mine. The carburetor looks to be the same too, but the air filter assembly is missing. If you buy the Vanster try to find the air filter assembly during purchase as it will be very difficult to find an identical replacement.

To get that motor running you will most likely need to replace the fuel pump and rebuild the carburetor. You will most likely also need a new battery. I was able to order the carburetor parts that I needed from the local forklift repair shop. The original fuel pumps are now almost unobtainium, and if you do find one it will likely be no good because the rubber parts have rotted, even if it is new/old stock. You will also need to pay about $150 for this new/old fuel pump. I bought an electric fuel pump for about $50 from the local auto parts supply and installed it, blocking the old fuel pump mounting hole with a home made plate, 2 bolts, and gasket. I then mounted the electric pump forward of the tank on a metal plate that I attached to the frame. Only 2 wires need to be hooked up. The black wire connects to the frame and the red wire connects to the ignition circuit power, so it is ON whenever the key switch is ON. I also had to deal with significant rust in the bottom of my fuel tank from sitting all those years in the damp pine forest. A tank relining kit from KBS Coatings cured my fuel tank problems. I still put an inline filter in the fuel line between the tank and the fuel pump, but the tank is so clean inside now that the filter is just good insurance. If you go with an electric fuel pump you won't need the old bypass filter (the inline filter with the return line to the tank). The original fuel pump required this, but the electric pumps are self regulating and don't need it. A fuel line connected directly from the output of the fuel pump to the carburetor is all that is necessary. After I solved the fuel and carburetor problems, which cost a total of about $170 in parts, my Truckster motor started and ran fine. OMC motor parts, at least the parts that wear out, are available but in my opinion, expensive. Fortunately, these motors are industrial grade and last a really long time if they are maintained properly, oil and filter changes being the most important. I have had 4 of these motors apart including one where the Truckster it came from had almost 80,000 miles on it and internally the motor was like new with almost no measurable wear.

I then had problems with the cooling air damper doors, which are in front of the cylinders inside the fan shroud. They are supposed to be closed when the engine is cold and open as the engine warms to provide more cooling air to the cylinders. Underneath each cylinder there is a thermal bellows that is connected to the air damper door. Only one of mine was working. I couldn't find replacement parts, so I disconnected both of them and fastened the damper doors in the full open position by a bolt drilled and tapped into the fan shroud. I suspect that these may be necessary in the Northern parts of the country, but here in North Carolina they really aren't needed. I've since used my Truckster through 3 Winters here with no heating/cooling problems.

I would expect that the Vanster that you are looking at will require all of this to get it running. You will probably also need a new fan belt, a new air filter, new tires, new windshield wiper, some new light bulbs, etc. so you can expect to spend at least the selling price again to get it into shape, but they are certainly worth it in fun and utility value. Wherever I park my Truckster, when I come back to it there are usually several people looking it over. The most common first question from them is "What the H___ is that thing?". The next question is usually "You can drive that on the road?". I also get a kick out of buying 1 1/2 gal of gas and telling the cashier "see you again next month".

Talk the guy down about $100, or more if he can't produce the title, and then buy it. Trust me, you will have a lot of fun with it. You may also find some really great uses for it. Just driving it will be a wild experience. Getting used to a shift lever on the left side of the seat is something else.

Charley
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