The yellow peril – Purdy the van has been forced off the road because of her chantilly lace back doors

Penny Panagi’s Purdy is in peril

Purdy the Yellow ex-BT transit van is infamous in Hastings and the surrounding areas and also with the online car community as she is regarded as an absolute survivor. Her survival is a credit to owner Penny Panagi who, due to unforseen circumstances needs some assistance in helping Purdy get back on the road. Erica Smith finds out how you can help get Purdy ship shape and, more importantly, in Penny’s ownership.

There is a rusty car equivalent of Grotbusters called ‘Operation Crackdown’ and Purdy’s back doors, which have the quality of fine chantilly lace, have caused her to be driven off the road despite having a current MOT.

Owner, Penny Panagi, put a short, sad statement on Facebook “It’s a sad day when you have to sell your transit” which led to local fans of the yellow and rust coloured vehicle setting up a GoFundMe page to raise £1,000 towards the welding needed to keep Operation Crackdown at bay. Purdy the Transit has a strong fan-base amongst members of the closed Facebook group “AutoShite!”.

One of them, Leigh Hicks, like a knight in shining armour, stepped in and offered Purdy a safe haven, snuggled up next to a caravan in his off-road storage yard. Fans of the Yellow Peril have so far clubbed together to raise nearly £600 towards getting her in a ship shape state and keeping the Operation Crackdown trolls at bay.

If you have ever had a ride in the back of Purdy, or if you just like the idea of keeping this fine old lady on the road, you can show your support by logging on to the GoFundMe page and making a donation towards giving her a make over.

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