1979 Millard poptop 79392

[millie20]

;D Hi there all my wonderful husband and I have just renovated our darling 1979 12ft Millard Mini van on the inside and a friend suggested we join this forum. Wish we had known about it before lol. But anyway we are going to do the outside next year so we will still find it helpful. We have gone for the very retro look, hope you can see the pic and intend to put more up soon. Really have enjoyed looking at all the pics. We have had the van which we have named Millie for 4 years and purchased her for 2900, bargain we think. Hope to chat to you all some more

[kiwijim]

Hi there, Millie20,

A very big welcome to the Crazy World of the Classic Caravan's

One of our Admin Officers,( Millard 1399) will be wrapped to see another Millard owner on the scene, we're sure glad you have found some helpful hints on this site,
If you ever have a problem with your van, just give a shout, some-one is bound to have been there before and fixed that.
Happy caravaning, and just as a matter of interest, from what lovely State do you hale ?

Cheers kiwijim ;D

[millie20]

thanks for the welcome. I will learn how to post pics. Just wondering does anyone know of our vintage van. The rego sticker says 1979 Millard Mini 12ft chassis number 79392??? We are worried as every other Millard has MM before the numbers???

[millard1399]

G'day millie20,

I keep collecting Millard chassis number information as it comes to hand, to help with the challenge of dating Millard vans. A couple of months ago, a seller listed a Millard full-size 16ft van on ebay, that has the aluminium plate on the drawbar with the numbers 79286 embossed on it. The seller said his parents bought the van new in 1978, so it looks like Millard changed the chassis numbering system sometime during the latter years of the 1970s.

You say your van has the number 79392, which is only about 100 numbers after the 1978 van, so your van must be very early 1979, and the ebay van a very late 1978 van.

The Millard business collapsed in mid-1979, and Viscount agreed to take over and continue production of only the Millard 80 series vans, so your Mini must surely be before mid-'79.

Look forward to seeing some photos once you've mastered the Photobucket challenge.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi there Millie20 god we have enough (millards) who was the fool who advised you to join all of these stuck in the 70s tragediennes well welcome to you and your wonderfull van MILLIE I have it on good authority that it a very nice example of a poptop and gets used regularly by her proud owners again welcome ;D ;D regards Peterg

[millie20]

Think I have this worked out. I will start with some pics of the beginning



Hope this works

[millie20]

ok bit big but they are there ;D
So now some of the process

New pop top YAY
New curtains in the making

[millie20]

and the finished product

[millie20]

And here she is from the outside with the renovation to start next year I have big plans

[Deleted]

Love it - especially the kombi ornament!

What a great awning as well, does anyone know what type or where we could get one that style?

Looking forward to seeing what you do with the outsite.

regards

Jean

[millie20]

Thank you Jean glad you liked it. The Kombi tin was a tin put out at Christmas time so I use it for the coffee and Im not sure if you noticed but next to that are a pair of black and white Kombi salt and pepper shakers ;D They are soooooooo cute. Ebay is a wonderful place. Cant help with the annexe make but we were very lucky as the previous owner of Millie had hardly used it so was in great condition.

[millie20]

Thanks Peterg and yes you have it on very good authority. I have now worked out the pics and put Millie on for all to see. Have loved looking at your pics too looking fantastic. This caravan buso is very addictive isnt it?

[jane morris]

Hi
I have never done this so hope I get it right, we are thinking about doing up a 1979 millard pop top could you please let me know what you did when it came to the electric and gas in your van ? as this is my biggest worry.

Thanks Jane

[millie20]

Hi there Jane sorry for slow reply havent been on for awhile. As soon as we purchased Millie we disconnected the gas. We took the oven etc out ourselves and had the pipes disconnected. I am not a huge fan of gas and as Millie is only small didnt want to do to much of the cooking inside. We also figured that if we were in a park with power they pay the price not us for gas. We have mostly electrical equipment and if we go to a park with no power we use torches candles etc for light and we do have a gas outdoor stove for cooking. Hope this helps and good luck with your van.