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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 21:06:11 GMT 10
Hi all I am new to this forum I recently purchased a 15 foot Viscount Abassador. The guy i bought it of tod me its a 74 model, the rego label states its a 1974 ?? I now think otherwise after reading this forum ! I now think its older maybe 69 or 70 not sure. Can anyone help me with working out the age ? The chasi number is 9186 thats all that can be read, I think there is a hidden five at the start it cant be seen as the chain has been welded on top of it. I think this as the rego paper and sticker state the chasi number as 59186 The original sticker above the rear window says Ambasador Alumvan. The Viscount sticker above the front window is not original as I can see the outline of the original sticker behind it. The rest of the van looks all original in exelant condition. The annex is like new, not sure if its original! I think so ! It has push out windows not wind out Here are some pictures of her       |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2012 17:45:42 GMT 10
I pulled out the old ! anex today. I found it neatly folded under the bed. I was so delighted when I found it was in near new condition ! I gave it a good wash just for the fun of it ! so hot today! Is this the original anex that came with the van ? I would love to think so !!   |
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Post by gavo on Oct 10, 2012 21:31:32 GMT 10
Wow look at that annex  . It looks really dodgy and I reckon you had better send it to me for disposal. I was only lucky enough to find an old bag of bent pegs under the bed in my van. Cheers and envious, Gavo. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2012 22:11:13 GMT 10
;D
Wow you got pegs ?
I got no pegs or ropes, nothin but a old/new annex !
Send us ya pegs if ya not using them !!!! LOL
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2012 22:19:29 GMT 10
Please Please can anyone tell me what year model she is  ?? want to know where i belong !! Vintage or Clasic ? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2012 22:41:32 GMT 10
How unreal is that, a great looking van PLUS a near new original awning, LOVE IT!! |
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Post by millard1399 on Oct 11, 2012 8:11:09 GMT 10
G'day henley, and a belated welcome to the forum! ;D (Been busy getting ready for another "road test"  ) As you can see, I've changed the first heading of this thread, to reflect the year I think your van is from. And as you can also see, the chassis number starts with an "E", and not a 5 as people suspected. The Ambassadors from the second half of the 1960s got a chassis number starting with the letter "E". You can either sign up with the Vintage mob, or you can stay here with us if you like. We're not all that fussy here about which year a van was built. And yes, the Viscount sticker on the front of your van is the one used in the early 1980s, from memory, but the one on the rear is the original sticker. I honestly couldn't tell you whether the annexe is from the late '60s or not. The striping pattern is certainly different to the canvas patterns you buy today, but whether your canvas goes as far back as the '60s is a bit of a guess. Just tell everybody it does, and nobody would know whether you're fibbing or not.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2012 21:10:20 GMT 10
Thanks Al for confirming that with me as I suspected it is a ! 1969 Im so happy about that. 1969 Vintage sounds so much better than 1970 Clasic. 1969 was a great year a year that changed the world forever !! If I can I would love to give both forums a go for a while! The topics and discusions on Clasic forum more relates to my caravan and I, than does the vintage forum ! also I think you lot are friendlier and more down to earth.  |
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Post by millard1399 on Oct 12, 2012 22:06:22 GMT 10
G'day henley,
I think you are right on both counts! ;D ;D
cheers,
Al.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2012 22:18:39 GMT 10
Hi clasic caravan friends, Yesterday I got down and dirty and inspected the underbody. Before I spend a cent on the old girl !! I found : NO RUST PROBLEMS JUST A BIT OF SUFACE RUST FLOOR IS SOUND WATER TANK IS NEAR NEW DATED 2006 BRAKES ARE SIEZED IN THE OFF POSITION WORN BEARINGS WORN U-BOLTS, BOLTS AND SHACKLES AXLE LOOKS OK I am going to: RUST PROOF AND PAINT UNDERBODY SILVER REPLACE BRAKES, HUBS, DRUMS,BEARINGS (ELECTRIC BRAKES) REPLACE SPRINGS BOLTS AND SHACLES PAINT AXLE Here are some pics of where im up too      |
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Post by gavo on Oct 13, 2012 7:21:25 GMT 10
Wow and annex and brake internals as well!! I only got empty drums on mine.  Interesting the difference in springs, particularly as it would seem that yours and my vans are both from 1969. I see that you have what looks like five leaf springs where mine is ten leaf with the leaves 6mm thick each. Now that flash annex of yours, can you tell me a couple of things? How wide is it? so how far from the van wall to the outside annex wall? where the awning roof drops down over the spreader bars does the canvas have a seam or does it just fold down and therefore one continuous piece of canvas? Gavo. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2012 15:51:17 GMT 10
WTF 10 leaf springs each side x 6 mm thick !!! I dont know sweat F about springs but that sure does sound Heavy Heavy duty to me !! Thats a huge huge difference. Your van must be hard as a rock! I just checked my Holden Rodeo 4x4 to compair, it also has five same as my van they look only 6mm thick, the bottom one looks 8mm thick. but there much longer> A few minutes ago I was thinking of keeping my old springs! trying to follow the "If it aint broke dont fix it" and the "KISS" pincipals! Now im convinced i need new stronger springs!!!! I havnt got the measurements of the anex just now as its all packed away folded neatly under the bed as i found it. but in a few weeks i will set it up again and will let you know. chears
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Post by gavo on Oct 13, 2012 18:48:54 GMT 10
Yeah my van was out west further than us for some time. Evidence of stone damage and little water damage would confirm a life outback so maybe the original owner had some sort of suspension upgrade pack put on. As a matter of fact even the bearing housings in the brake hubs look a little HD.
Gavo.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2012 21:30:37 GMT 10
The hardest job is done ! Now i can do the good stuff ! ;D All in a hard days work ;D  :   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2012 5:51:56 GMT 10
Fitting the new springs   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2012 6:35:27 GMT 10
Hi Henley. I am doing the same job now, what a pain.  It will all be worth it in the end. A complete new undercarriage, from tank to wheels. ;D Cheers Gav |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2012 17:40:50 GMT 10
Yes on my back for 15 hours with a grinder and wire brush attached ! Hell of a job
Washing the metal with acid ! Hell of a job
On my back for 8 hours with a paint brush ! Hell of a job
I have:
*Acid burns on my skin
*Rust and dirt in my ears and nose
*Silver rust guard paint in my eyes hair and ears
*Skin off my fingers
*Neck pain
*Back pain
I dont want to scare anyone who is thinking about doing this same job ! Its a hard job! one of the hardest and dirtiest of all jobs of all ! The pain and suffering I endured is beyond words. One must know the pain and feel it to fully understand and apreciate it ! As many of you have done so, time and time again!
This job has to be done there is no other option! to pay for the job would cost thousands $$
The rest of my van is in ok contition I hope this will be my only BIG job !
Safety is the most important. I am upgrading the van with all new 10" Electric brakes, upgrading the spings to 7 leaf rated 1400 kg. The new spings and brakes are made in Germany from a company called AL-KO . I am not gunna waist my time on any cheap China made ebay crap !! So its cost me a few hundred dollars more.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2012 5:36:57 GMT 10
I feel your pain now  . I can handle most things but pulling wire from the, wire brush on the angry grinder from my a@#$! is not one of them. The fun go's on. Cheers Gav |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2012 20:23:08 GMT 10
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Post by gavo on Nov 3, 2012 19:15:02 GMT 10
Well now that is looking pretty flash with the new paint job underneath and on top.
Gavo
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2012 4:48:58 GMT 10
thanks Yer the old solarguard did the trick.
I was just dreaming how good it would look with bright blue lightning bolt stripes!
Whats the secret Gavo? what bight blue glossy paint can i spray over solarguard?
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Post by gavo on Nov 4, 2012 8:07:02 GMT 10
I was going to use Solarguard but was unable to get it locally so I ended up using Accent Solarmax; extra tint base. Solarmax is Mitre ten's version of Solarguard. I don't like the Accent as much as it is a thinner paint but it still does the Job.
An interesting thing about paint is that there are only a couple of base manufacturers so all bases are pretty much the same (apparently) its how each manufacturer uses the base that changes the paint.
If you need it I could scan my stripe mudmap for stripe dimensions.
Cheers
Gavo.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 19:27:59 GMT 10
Thanks Gavo
I managed to see/feel part of the outline under the white paint . I thought i sanded it better than that !! with a bit of guess work and imagination i got it done. A time consuming job i must say !
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2012 19:33:45 GMT 10
I used gloss enamal blue metalic paint. I think it looks great I am very happy with the job.   New prespex windows have also been installed  |
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Post by millard1399 on Nov 16, 2012 22:03:56 GMT 10
G'day henley, What an amazing job!  You've certainly got this van looking as though it was only built yesterday! ;D I've never been game to paint enamel paint over the top of acrylic paint, but your job looks pretty good to me. Great stuff you're doing. ;D cheers, Al. |
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. It looks really dodgy and I reckon you had better send it to me for disposal. I was only lucky enough to find an old bag of bent pegs under the bed in my van.
?? want to know where i belong !! Vintage or Clasic 
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