View Full Version : Bryan Godber’s Minor Van “Havoc”
Would love to see any pics of this van. Was it ever featured in any of the mags?
I think it was Custom Car that ran a feature on the finished chassis, but as far as I know, that was it… Happy to be proved wrong..!
And is it still hidden away in an underground carpark in London somewhere?
rabid hamster
25-11-08, 09:09 PM
Havoc was as far as I know featured in Hot Car in Sept 1977
Have not got access to the mags at the moment, anybody got any pics.
R.H.
Hotrod Rod
26-11-08, 08:14 AM
yeah, got plenty of pics will try and load them this evening........
would love to see this again, it made an impression on me back then!
STEPSIDEBILL
26-11-08, 02:32 PM
thats what started me off.
Roadster
26-11-08, 03:37 PM
Not sure if this is the original - but found these shots on the web at www.picturevehicles.com (http://www.picturevehicles.com)
Note the California licence plate.
http://usera.ImageCave.com/roadster32/FORUM/untitled1.bmp.jpg
http://usera.ImageCave.com/roadster32/FORUM/untitled.bmp.jpg
http://usera.ImageCave.com/roadster32/FORUM/untitled2.bmp.jpg
Ralph:)
KimLeonard
26-11-08, 03:50 PM
well that sure looks like the real one to me, guess we know where that has ended up now !
Not sure if this is the original - but found these shots on the web at www.picturevehicles.com (http://www.picturevehicles.com)
Note the California licence plate.
Ralph:)
Would love to know the story of how it ended up in California...
Thanks for posting these up!
excellent it still lives!! or at least it did the copyright on the site is 2005 .
would love to see it back here!!!
Well found Ralph. :)
That`s defo the original, I remember parking me bum on that draylon seat a couple of times...
Cragarsarecool
26-11-08, 08:28 PM
I'm building a Minor van at the moment, think I might have to think again....
model.A.keith
26-11-08, 09:15 PM
Met the man and his van back in the 70’s - Brian came to the annual show at the 3 counties show ground here in Malvern. As an 18 year old and driving a 56 split screen Minor to see ‘Havoc’ parked in a local hotel was just awesome. A mate and I were underneath it when we were asked what we were doing ‘ just having a look mister’ It turned out after a long discussion Brian wanted to be shown a local ‘hostelry’ renowned for it’s cider, so of we truck, he followed us to the ‘house’ that sold scrumpy over the stable door/counter, (I swear you could use it for paint striper). Once we had consumed our (legal) limit we set of back, needless to say my mate was offered a ride back in ‘Havoc’ well they left me for dead, was told they were doing 120 + (may be it was the cider talking !). Suffice to say that’s over 30 years ago and I still remember it when I drive past that same ‘house’.
Thanks for the pics I hope it’s in good hands.
Keith
Roadster
27-11-08, 08:22 AM
Suffice to say that’s over 30 years ago and I still remember it when I drive past that same ‘house’.
Thanks for the pics I hope it’s in good hands.
Keith
The site / owners seem to be a vehicle hiring company to the film industry.
Quote from their descipition :
Fully customized Morris Minor panel/delivery van. Tuck and roll interior, Dodge V8 engine. Custom paint. Paint is in 30-year old condition with cracks and chips to prove it - but it still looks cool and unique on camera!
Day Rental Price: $0.00
Addional picture (bit corrupt)
http://usera.ImageCave.com/roadster32/FORUM/untitled3.bmp.jpg
Ralph:)
Havoc .... Built by Bryan Godber....
Car last seen (supposedly) in a hotel underground car park in London, late 70s early `80s....
Bryan last seen over here by me at Micky Brays funeral, when, someone remarked that Bryan had especially came over here (from America) to attend Micky's funeral....
Pictures of `Havoc` surface on an American film props website proving that `Havoc` is in America...
The van, being used for film work, would also make sense as Bryan was into acting, hence his involvement in the film `Shutdown`.
Does this point to Bryan still owning `Havoc` and having taken it to the states when/if he emigrated there.:confused::confused::confused:
Not necessarily true, but it could explain some things...:)
KimLeonard
27-11-08, 06:07 PM
Havoc .... Built by Bryan Godber....
Car last seen (supposedly) in a hotel underground car park in London, late 70s early `80s....
Bryan last seen over here by me at Micky Brays funeral, when, someone remarked that Bryan had especially came over here (from America) to attend Micky's funeral....
Pictures of `Havoc` surface on an American film props website proving that `Havoc` is in America...
The van, being used for film work, would also make sense as Bryan was into acting, hence his involvement in the film `Shutdown`.
Does this point to Bryan still owning `Havoc` and having taken it to the states when/if he emigrated there.:confused::confused::confused:
Not necessarily true, but it could explain some things...:)
Sounds like you may know more then you are letting on here ;)
Sounds like you may know more then you are letting on here ;)
Not at all Kim. Just some facts and events that suddenly seemed to make sense to me.
I know nothing... nothing...
MisteR Tee
27-11-08, 07:12 PM
I think you may have something there, Poirot!
interesting us of the facts..... could it be true?
lets hope Bryan is reading this or anyone that knows him could let him know...... and maybe we'll get some more interesting storys.
Alphabet Alex
28-11-08, 05:22 PM
I seem to remember that 'Havoc' was bought by a wealthy Arab gentleman in the 1970s, he lived close by the Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane, Havoc was stored for many years in the underground car park together with a stash of other desirable machinery which he also owned!!
That`s exactly the same story that I remember doing the rounds at the time Al.
Is the story fact or fiction though?, that`s the problem...:confused:
hershambob
28-11-08, 05:57 PM
why not contact the hire company in the usa and ask em if bryan owns the van,,
,i remember a story about the van breaking down in europe somewhere on its way to arabia and being dumped on the side of the road and mr godber going out to get it back and keeping it,,or was that another car???
Alphabet Alex
28-11-08, 05:59 PM
I think it's true enough, Battersea Boy...Milton maybe able to shed some light on this, as I remember he knew or had some involvement with the Arab gentleman, over to you Milt.
It used to be parked in the Intercontinental Hotel at the bottom of Park Lane along with a maroon Renault 5 with opera windows, an immaculate '74 (ish) Monte Carlo SS which was in Classic American a while back and a pearl white gullwing MB SEC, all belonging to the same sheikh.
I remember it well,as it was where we used to park our cars when I worked just up the road from there...!
40Stude
28-11-08, 07:34 PM
That`s exactly the same story that I remember doing the rounds at the time Al.
Is the story fact or fiction though?, that`s the problem...:confused:
Didn't the alleged stash include Barry George's tunnel ram T?
Dave Lowe
28-11-08, 07:43 PM
I seem to remember that 'Havoc' was bought by a wealthy Arab gentleman in the 1970s, he lived close by the Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane, Havoc was stored for many years in the underground car park together with a stash of other desirable machinery which he also owned!!
I heard that at the time as well, didnt an arab buy Nick Butlers T "nykil" ?
MisteR Tee
29-11-08, 01:39 AM
I heard that at the time as well, didnt an arab buy Nick Butlers T "nykil" ?
Yes, he did & I have pics of it, complete with gaudy graphics on it when I went to see it in a showroom near Oxford nearly 20 years ago!
didnt an arab buy Nick Butlers T "nykil" ?
This seemed to be the done thing back then!.
Me, Simon Lane, Jamie Maseratti, Mervyn King and some others were having a drink at the `Marchmont Arms`? pub on Richmond hill, not far from Nicks old workshop.
This big Arabian guy came over and asked who owned the red car (my roadster) in the car park and did I want to sell it. It transpired he was employed by the son of an Arabian shiek. I turned down the offer as I`d only had the Rod on the road for a few months and using it meant more to me than any money offered...
It used to be parked in the Intercontinental Hotel at the bottom of Park Lane along with a maroon Renault 5 with opera windows
The Renault was also built by Brian Godber, it was featured in H*t C*r, I remember it being dark blue though.
There wasn't a T in that particular car park, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in another West End car park, the amount of dust covered exotica that never moved, ranging from 60's Lincolns to Dino Ferraris was shocking!
MisteR Tee
29-11-08, 03:49 PM
Yes, he did & I have pics of it, complete with gaudy graphics on it when I went to see it in a showroom near Oxford nearly 20 years ago!
Found my pics & here's a sample.
You can just make out it says "Raving Mad" on the top & " Watch it, the kid is back" on the door. I asked Nick at the time about it & he says he put it on there for the then-owner, an Arab Sheikh & also did some other work on it for him over a period of time. Unfortunately, by this time it had lost the pantograph screen wiper system & was very heavy on the steering (another job to be done for the then-current owner). The inside of that glass top was lined in blue fur!
http://usera.ImageCave.com/mistertee/NSRAforum/img104.jpg
I've just bought a copy of the Sept 77 H*t C*r (thanks Jon :cool:)which has a centrespread article on Havoc...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o233/theblackpig/havoc04.jpg
Hasn't changed much, has it?!
Hotrod Rod
03-12-08, 09:49 PM
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/rodkustomrich/bristolshow3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/rodkustomrich/bristolshow1.jpg
Better late than never, i guess
It looks like Bryan`s old `SLY 7` plate had been transfered onto Bob Hughes` escort van (right) by the time this pic was taken...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/rodkustomrich/bristolshow3.jpg
dw nova
14-03-09, 03:21 PM
The story on the Havoc Van's history as told told me by Brian shortly his untimely death (rest in peace mate) was that he had indeed sold it to an arab guy who did keep it under the Intercontinental Hotel in London unused for some years ( he was too frightened of the car to drive it? ) Brian having already moved to USA heard of this tracked down the arab guy and bought it back in the mid/late 80's shipping it to Florida where he was based at the time. Havoc was registered and Brian used it from time to time and took it with him as he moved around the US Florida, LA, Vegas and then back to LA. Nothing was done to modernise or upgrade Havoc over the years and Brian took it to occasional local cruises around LA over the years to the amazement of all who saw it. The van was last tagged in California in 2004 and had sat in the corner of his girlfriends garage since then. He talked over cups of tea at my house late last year about getting the old van out from the garage and recommissioning and restoring it. Brian sadly died a few weeks later before starting the work.
But the story of Havoc may not be over just yet ?
about 10? years ago i saw the no plate 'SLY7' that havoc
once had on a stock ford orion in south ockenden/essex.
dw nova
14-03-09, 04:01 PM
SLY 7 is for sale I believe by Brians family ?
Hello. Just putting my bit in for the sake of history. There was as Arab who used to visit Garys Shack. He was into cars. Heard that he had cars stored in an underground garage. 26 Rolls Royces among others. I remember driving Garly van one afternoon.(Cant remember where). And the said Arab on recognising Garys van coming towards him. Drives the wrong side of the road (allegedly) waving his arms as he goes by. He did seem to be a fun guy who just happened to have loads of cash.
little g
15-03-09, 05:27 PM
Remember coming back from billing or maybe the pod & my old mans mustang giving up the ghost in a traffic jam on M1 between Luton & Hemel Hempstead. The mustang blew the rad or hose & wasn't going any where so along came Havoc & Hot'n'bothered & rescued us.I jumped in the back of Havoc & my dad & who ever got in with baldacchino in the fordson & we headed south & some where further we stopped once more & i had to jump in with the others in Hot'n'bothered. I sure i changed cars because Bryan was going where ever he lived & baldacchino heading to Wandsworth where we lived but it could of been i was asking to many questions as you do when you young or there was no such things as caddburys eggs as i sure he had nice young lady with him maybe girl friend or wife & i was getting in the way. Was worth breaking down just to get ride in two of the most famous custom cars of there time & i was well chuffed not sure the old man was when he had to go liberate the mustang from the police pound somewhere near watford area. Great night great memory
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.