I haven't seen this mentioned on the site before and thought it worthwhile to point out what an excellent car the Townie is for wheelchairs
they can be adapted very readily to have rear access. Masses of space and, most importantly, height. Many children (like my son) have wheelchairs with an insert in which makes them very tall, and apart from spending an arm and a leg on a large bus-like vehicle, or even more on having (eg) a Sharan converted by having the floor lowered, the Townie is ideal. Our last car was a Peugeot 806, good car, just not enough height (and can't get rear access easily)

- (#5718) Bill Jones, 7 Oct 02

London Taxis! Any taxi which has been in use since 1999 will have been professionally wheelchair adapted, with 90° opening pavement-side door, ramps and electric wheelchair seatbelt.

You can get the more recent Nissan-engined ones (Fairways) from about £3000 for a decentish example. They'll have big miles but are meant for that, and taxi MOT is much stricter than domestic, so brakes etc should be up to scratch. Performance makes a Townie look fast!

Sorry for digressing from Townies - I also own a taxi (non-professionally) and know what they can do.

- (#5719) SteveFE, 8 Oct 02

I have been using my Townace for over a year to transport my wife in her wheelchair. After a year with a Fiat Ducato van the Townace is pure luxury. No problems apart form a leaking fuel pump which I had to get rebuilt with new seals and a throttle shaft.

- (#5755) Chris Wallace, 8 Oct 02

I think this shows a useful side to the Townie & it's derivatives, something that we haven't discussed on this forum before I suspect, good on you those that have had the necessary adaptations done, hopefully others will see the usefulness here & use this base for such adaptations in the future, in preference to the 'usual' donor vehicles. Regards Rob.

- (#5756) Rob Drinkwater, 8 Oct 02