Reversing issues

If it goes in occasionally, it sounds like a gear linkage issue. (According to my OH, who is pretty clued up on the intricacies of 1960-2000 gear boxes) Google it, Talbot Express owners club may have more info👍

It’s a mechanical problem with the base vehicle rather than a motorhome issue so TDA's advice holds good. Failing that, you need your local repair garage to look at it.

On a motoring forum I read this.

Had a similar problem with ours but a mag article indicated that the complex linkage can foul if the engine mountings are loose/worn. In ours it was if you were at a slight slope to the left - engine moved on teh slope and caused reverse to be blocked. Fix was to replace mountings and adjust.

There is a possibility that the linkage on top of the gear box need attention ,the Talbot Express was built with left hand drive, and for the UK market they had to make a very different gear linkage which was always very "sloppy? ;"in use,  I managed to tighten the bolts on the linkage which made it better but not perfect,

One Good point on the express is access to the engine and gearbox from above when the spare wheel is removed

Ps one really nice thing about the Express was the far less hash ride than on the following incarnations from italy

Thanks everyone, I have some hope now that it is not fully broken! Hopefully someone in the know can fix it 👍