A Most Amazing Minibus

Brian Culpan encounters a Sherpa with just 80 miles on the clock from new, a vehicle most definitely worth importing.

- Brian Culpan

LIKE many enthusiasts, I have been dreaming for years of finding a classic vehicle that was put away when new, stored safely and not used – waiting to be awoken from its slumber – and this is it. Surely, it must really be the ultimate barn find. This amazing, low-mileage Sherpa comes from Portugal and it has only 128km (yes 128 – just 80 miles) on the clock. It was ordered new by Ricardo Suitos, of Travessa da Salgueirinha, Alveiro, in Portugal, and registered on 7 March, 1981, but before delivery could take place, he lost a leg in an accident, so he would not be able to drive it. A new deal was arranged – the Sherpa was swapped for a car with auto gearbox. Sadly, and almost bizarrely, within a month of that, he and his wife both died in a car accident. They never got to ride in or even see the Sherpa – it had never left the dealership.

So, the Sherpa was awaiting a new owner; clocking some of the 128km on demonstration runs, but once would-be buyers learned of its history, they headed for the door, fearing the vehicle was jinxed.