Take a look at this picture:
Depending on your interests there's a few points that might grab you. Old school BMX fans will have no doubt spotted ex-BMX legend and MOBO boss Andy Ruffell polishing off a pint, others may have been instantly scanning the street for early Estelles and Maxis but that's not the reason I'm posting it. Check out that T25! Some original livery can make an otherwise bland ride something really special - how much would you want to roll up at Bug Jam, Vanfest or even the Backyard Jam in that beauty? To take things further, how about a replica complete with appropriate aging and the occasional rat-look inspired detail? A couple of old school Mongooses (Mongeese?!) on the roof rack, faded paint, the obligatory lowered stance and maybe a set of BMX inspired rims; some five-spokes painted to look like (Skyway) Tuffs or Moon discs with a Motomag stencil! Perhaps you could apply the same principal to another vehicle...a Kuwahara Honda Acty (with a white to burgundy fade paint scheme from the ET bike!) would rule!
Finds
You might find the original Ammaco/Mongoose team bus, but it's unlikely. That's not to say that liveried vans aren't out there, find the right one and it could be your admission to the VIP room reserved for retro heroes. These guys are inside right now, sipping champagne delivered by busty bunny-girls:
Q-Vans
The perfect disguise - Robin Beardmore's inconceivably cool GPO van replica packed a Fiat Twin Cam, but could've easily performed duties on the set of Heartbeat. Incidentally this van went on to win the 'Street Machine of the year' award albeit in it's later guise as a new-school turquoise roadster pick up. Take a trip to www.beardmorebros.com for the full story.
Something's Not Quite Right Here....
Taking Robin's example above and adding a humourous or clever twist might get you in our fictitious VIP room too, like the Rover V8 powered 'Royal Male' van, or the 'Bun In The Oven' pro-street MKIII Escort:
I've always fancied a nose-in-the-air Bedford HA van with 'British Gasser' on the side!
Not Just Vans
There's no reason why you should restrict your ideas to just commercial vehicles, a 'Croydon Social Services' MKIII Escort Estate would still get you noticed. This Japanese Carina wears original fire service livery:
Get your thinking caps on, and get into the VIP room. Whether you resist re-painting that barn find or mock up a humourous rat-wagon rollin' with the retro scene's A list could be just one cleverly executed idea away.