It shouldn't happen to a Bentley - but it has


BEN WATSON/North Shore Times
PLUM JOB: Peter Vandenberg with his brand new plumbing van.


Peter Vandenberg has just spent about $360,000 on a new Bentley - and turned it into a plumber's van.


The Stanley Pt man has been turning heads all around the Shore after he had his new pride and joy kitted out with signwriting, a roof rack and plumbing gear for his company Atlas Plumbing.

Mr Vandenberg has been in the plumbing business for six months, having previously made his living in property development in London and New Zealand.

He says buying a Bentley as a plumbing vehicle is a bit of a practical joke on the industry.

The response from the public has been excellent, he says.

"People have been coming out of bars and taking photographs of it. All the boys want to be taken for a drive."

While some might think it sacrilege to alter such a car, even other Bentley owners have seen the joke, he says.

He says his competition has been a little more subdued.

"There's just smiles and hmmm," he says.

He admits using a luxury car isn't all plain sailing - he has to clean it twice a day and the 12 cylinder, six-litre engine guzzles an average of $120 worth of fuel every two days.

"But if it gets the company noticed then it's a good thing," he says.

He says his wife was less than enthused about the expensive concept.

"I'd already bought it but I told her I was test driving it for a week and a half. She's come around now," he says.

Mr Vandenberg says he may even do the same to a Ferrari in the future.