Trash or Treasure?

[DAMINK]

Got given another project to do.

This time its a 1960s vintage caravan. (Help identifying would be great!)

Quite an old bus this thing and no shortage of work needed.

Question is i guess.... Is this a diamond in the rough or simply a heap of metal needing to go to the tip?

From my little research these things if in good nic are worth a few bob.

143933

Not a great pic i have to say but i will take more today.
Damn one legged trailer is in the way hahahah. Yea i had to take the wheel of my trailer for the caravan to get it home.
Check out the angle of the caravan. Rear bar was almost hitting the road when i was towing it.

This caravan is not bad inside, quite rough outside obviously as its been sitting outside behind a shed for many many years.
No broken windows, all flywire intact.
Comes with a aircon, fridge, stove and a heap of other stuff. Nice lighting and speakers in there. All in all the inside is salvageable, the outside im not sure yet.
Need to get the pressure washer onto it today and check out the damage.

So Trash or Treasure?

[Homestar]

Looks like late 60's. While nothing is irrepairable, it depends on what it is like to start with. If the chassis is in good condition - nothing nore than surface rust - then that's a good start. Don't be too concerned if it needs a new draw bar - most of them will and it's not a bit nor expensive job. Then the interior needs to be looked at - is it a timber or aluminuium frame? You'll be able to tell depending if it has screws or rivets holding the panelling and exterior cladding on. If it's timber, you'll need to identify how much rot is there and where as these jobs can be HUGE to repair - think bare chassis rebuild in some cases.

Looks like a window is missing? Check to see what sort of damage the weather has done if it is - oh, and I have some spare windows for this style of van if you need any, let me know - they're yours.

I don't want to scare you off, I love old vans and am on my third resto now, so have learned a bit over the years.

Also, head over to the classic caravan forum - Home | Classic Caravans (http://ditzygypsy.proboards.com/) and post the pics and other info you have there - there are some very experienced people on that site and it is a great resource when restoring a van.

I'm a bit of a pest on that forum too, so you'll bump into me (and other members from here too) over there. 😊

Bottom line is - if you love it, have the time and money (depending on what is needed they can be a bit expensive) then do it. Despite what it may cost, if you do a good job of it, you'll get a decent quid at the other end.

[DAMINK]

Looks like late 60's. While nothing is irrepairable, it depends on what it is like to start with. If the chassis is in good condition - nothing nore than surface rust - then that's a good start. Don't be too concerned if it needs a new draw bar - most of them will and it's not a bit nor expensive job. Then the interior needs to be looked at - is it a timber or aluminuium frame? You'll be able to tell depending if it has screws or rivets holding the panelling and exterior cladding on. If it's timber, you'll need to identify how much rot is there and where as these jobs can be HUGE to repair - think bare chassis rebuild in some cases.

Looks like a window is missing? Check to see what sort of damage the weather has done if it is - oh, and I have some spare windows for this style of van if you need any, let me know - they're yours.

I don't want to scare you off, I love old vans and am on my third resto now, so have learned a bit over the years.

Also, head over to the classic caravan forum - Home | Classic Caravans (http://ditzygypsy.proboards.com/) and post the pics and other info you have there - there are some very experienced people on that site and it is a great resource when restoring a van.

I'm a bit of a pest on that forum too, so you'll bump into me (and other members from here too) over there. 😊

Bottom line is - if you love it, have the time and money (depending on what is needed they can be a bit expensive) then do it. Despite what it may cost, if you do a good job of it, you'll get a decent quid at the other end.


Thankyou for that link. I will head over there.

I took that one window out as i was unable to close it properly and it was flapping around so slid it off and put it inside, i plan on putting that back on today and cleaning it up a bit.

I have not had a good look for rot yet but there is some i am sure. The frame is made of wood sadly which should be an indicator of its build date i guess.

Yes i do expect i will have to strip this down to the chassis. Something i planned on doing regardless. Basically a full tear down and rebuild. New drawbar and suspension. Likely all new framework and floor.

I have not found much to identify it yet but can tell its a Skyline or Skyliner based on the faded stickers.

I dont work anymore so do have time and the tools to do the job. Its all about motivation i guess more than anything.

The person that gave it to me asked me to promise i would not sell it until he is dead. He is old and sick now not that that matters, i will however honor the agreement and keep it in the family until such a time. So its not going to be a quick rebuild by any stretch. Fun times fun times.

[Homestar]

Got any more pics - interior, etc? [smilebigeye]

[DAMINK]

Got any more pics - interior, etc? [smilebigeye]


Yea heaps but the interior is undergoing a big update currently, well the whole thing. Will sort some out tomorrow.

Made a new Sunroof for it, replaced some wooden framework on the top of the roof that supports the sunroof, replaced some roof which was rotted. Fixed some tears in the aluminium roof.
Now i have sanded back the outer roof and thats ready for etch primer when i get the rest of the body ready and upto a good state.
Have taken some floor out as it was rotted and are yet to replace that. Cabinets are coming out, bed frames are getting remade.
I plan to rearrange the inside quite a bit. Try make better use of space.

Look all in all the rot is minimal really. Biggest problem i can see was from the last owner slamming an aircon in the front of the unit.
Getting that pattern aluminium and making it all match will be a pain so i am going to go the aluminium check plate over the front then fill from inside to make a floor again.
Seen the check plate on the front of many a caravan and it looks ok and doubles as protection from stones etc.
Once that hole is fixed it will allow the fold up table to become usable again as an extra bad. When pics arrive it be more clear. Like most caravans of that era though. Table comes of to make the joining piece for the bed which is the 2 seats.

Thinking of adding another bed ontop of the single to make it detachable bunks but not sure yet.....

Plans are to paint it all white with the herbie colors. New paint all over. Allready got all that stuff. Just got to get the order right and do it all in one shot. Im not a great painter and dont enjoy it at all.
Wallpaper for the roof. Well were not sure yet, still tossing up ideas and going to different places looking at products.
Most likely painted walls and some sort of vinyl floor. Wife wants checkers and i dont think i can change her mind on that.
All new drapes and shades and covers and blah blah.

Hoping to finish it in 2 months or so.
Depends im fighting a few jobs currently.
The other camper i have is the one i really want to be working on actually not this thing. But i had to address a leak or it would have destroyed the thing and im not keen on just putting tin over the top as i see others do.

Damn long post!

[speleomike]

I was just reading a few days ago about Sunliner caravans ...

60th anniversary of the iconic Australian Sunliner caravan celebrated at its birthplace - ABC News (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/vintage-sunliner-caravans-mark-60th-anniversary/10209578)

Mike

[DAMINK]

Surprising what you find the further you dig.
Have not done a great deal recently, been rather crook and other more pressing jobs.
Did get a little though.

144446 The whole front right side is rotted so stripping that down.

144447 Back right side is not much better and will likely be pulled out and reframed.

144448 Little bit of rott up the top front also which will be getting the treatment. Notice all the glue! Damn that glue is a real pain and going to be a good day when its all gone.

144449 Quite obvious there used to be a cupboard there at one point. Not sure if i will make one up for there or not yet. Still in discussions with the boss.

Anyway going to get some frame wood today and rip a heap more out before i begin the repairs properly.

[p38arover]

It seems all the cheap vans are in Vic. I'd like a small one (say 12ft) but all I've looked at (in my price range) here in Sydney have lots of water damage.

I only need it for me ** - my wife doesn't camp.

** and any female backpackers I might meet on my travels. [bigwhistle]

[Homestar]

Ron - Inlaws sold their 11' van not so long ago for $2000. No water damage or leaks, they had owned it since the late 70's, been around Australia 4 times and was still going strong. They only sold it as now they are getting a bit older they wanted enough room for a toilet inside is all so they've now got a 15' Windsor from the Mid 70's.

They are out there, but yes - in good order with no leaks or repairs required, can fetch a decent quid - got over $8K for my 76 Franklin late last year when I moved up tot he Viscount.

If you're up for a road trip at some point I can keep my eye out down here for something - but it's doubtful to come with the back packers for the sort of money you want to spend... [bigwhistle]

[DAMINK]

It seems all the cheap vans are in Vic. I'd like a small one (say 12ft) but all I've looked at (in my price range) here in Sydney have lots of water damage.

I only need it for me ** - my wife doesn't camp.

** and any female backpackers I might meet on my travels. [bigwhistle]

Im not sure its so much cheaper here, rather its who you know. I got this one free as i did my last camper and as i did my caravan before that. Got another camper coming early next year.
2 of them i have recently got were picked up from SA and im from VIC. Free being a funny word some times when it costs you 500 bux in fuel for example. But there is other things i do in SA so i can write the cost off sort of.

I have people organising these for me, i dont look. I just get told to go here and pick up.

Its complicated...

[DAMINK]

Got the sunroof remade. Had to redo all the wood work that supported the sunroof too which proved to be quite painful. Making the bend in the wood took a bit of work.
No steamer so just used wide wood then cut the shape out basically. Only gave it one coat of paint at the moment. So many other things to do sp just got it water tight to start.


144564