1969 Valiant C1234

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Hi, I am new to the forum and have recently purchased a 78 - says Valiant on the van but Viscount on its last rego; ( not currently registered). Its cute retro shape and low tare weight were the big draw cards (530) is only 10ft 7 inches ( as my towing car doesn't have big capacity ) Unfortunately the back window popped on the truck from NSW to Vic. Quite a bit of work to do in terms of windows and seals - and the hatch is not in good shape at all; the interior needs lots of attention, but am very excited, have named her the caboodle, and have been finding lots of relevant info on this forum. No renovators skills and cant wait to be choosing cushion fabric. Fionna

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my third attempt to download a photo (borrowed a PC instead of the IPAD... Actually looks in better condition (in the photo) than she actually is; lots of work ahead, very excited. I need a quote for someone to have a look at the hatch, the winders are broken, the seals are gone, the wooden hatch itself needs to be replaced ( and looks like there is some wood rot around the ceiling hatch frame too. If anyone knows of anyone in Melbourne's Western Suburbs (we're not registered as yet) I would be keen for a recommendation. Cheers, Fionna

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heres another (it wouldn't let me download more than one photo at a time?)

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[ForumMod]

G'day Fionna, and welcome to the forum! ;D

I've combined your posts into this one thread, which will become the continuing story of whatever you decide to do with the van. Just keep posting in this thread and it will keep all your story together.

Posting photos can be a bit of a challenge. If you add them as an Attachment, you can only put one photo in each post. To put multiple photos into the one post, you have to do it another way, which is best explained in this thread from our sister forum for Vintage caravans here: Instructions on posting photos.


Now to your van...

The "lightning stripe" side flashes on your van were used in 1969, 70, and some of '71, so your van will be from one of those years (and not 1978, no matter what other info you have that suggests that ).

On the front drawbar, just next to the jockey wheel somewhere, there will be a chassis number welded there. For the Valiant models for the year when yours was built, it will most likely be the letter "C" followed by some numbers. Tell us what that complete chassis number is, and it will help us to narrow down the year of build.


It's unusual to hear that a rear window pops out during transport of the van. Usually we hear of hatches blowing off during the trip, but not rear windows. Hopefully it's a reasonably easy job to get the window fixed up.

I'll leave it to other members to see if they know of somebody in your area that could fix up the hatch. If nobody responds in any hurry, give Hardings Caravans at Kilsyth a call and ask them do they know anybody in your area that could help you ( hardingscaravans.com.au/ ). Make sure you tell them you've got a 1970-ish aluminium Valiant. Not everyone who does caravan repairs is necessarily familiar with working on these old vans, but Hardings are.

cheers,
Al.

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Thanks For organizing my thread Al, I was a bit at sea with the pro board bizzo. That's very interesting and exciting to know that the van is older than I thought (was told) ; I have had a look for the chassis number- its so eroded and worn I can't work it out at all - looks like a T at the end...are there any tricks in regards being able to revitalize the number enough to read it? If its 69 I might have to jump forums! That's hugely helpful to know about Hardy's in Kilsyth- when I have a bit of time and money I'll get a permit for an unregistered vehicle and take it up there to get the basic seals/ hatch/ windows/ weatherproofing done.
Cheers, Fionna

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I was looking in the wrong place (the worn Gross load info) - the chassis number is C 123 and it looks like there is another number but I can't make it out....

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C 1234 (not very imaginative) - got hold of its last rego cert (definitely says 78...? ) Cheers, Fionna

[ForumMod]

C1234...well, at least you got a number that's easy to remember!


Here's another Valiant with an easy number to remember...C1111




cheers,
Al.

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Cool photos, it looks very similar; does my number give you any more clue as to what year my van is? I'll need to change my username from caboodle78 to Caboodle something else....

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What year do think it is Al ? C1234? Cheers Fionna

[ForumMod]

I'd have to go for the second half of 1969, only because Viscount started to offer the white painted acrylic cladding on the Viscount models around the middle of 1969, and I presume that option also applied to the Ambassador and Valiant models as well.

cheers,
Al.

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Cool! Thanks for that Al.

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Al how would I go about registering it as a 69 van when the only documentation I have is a previous rego which has 78 on it? Cheers Fionna

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Hi Valiant fans, here's an update on my progress...

- Roof has been resealed;
- Broken windows replaced (Perspex - I don't have a big car and need to keep the weight down);
- Hatch ( which had a bit of rot around the frame) has been replaced with an opening skylight that opens with a flyscreen and blind;
- Old 3-way fridge replaced with electric compressor upright;
- 18 inch TV/DVD and fan wired to 12 volt;
- Sealed battery under the bed;
- Cushions reupholstered;
- Stained acrylic sink replaced with stainless steel;
- Ugly fluorescent tube light removed from ceiling and round LEDs put in;
- Respray done- will get a stripe and awnings when my credit card recovers. Still with the Caravan Doctor at this stage, can't wait to have it back and go on our first trip.

Here are some progress photos, including my glory box room! - all the stuff I've been collecting, waiting in readiness! The van has actually been dated as 1969 (need to change my user name, not sure how to do it, am caboodle69 on the vintage pro board).

The van being delivered...






The respray...







The new cushions (with the old one)...





Waiting for the skylight...





Other photos...

[ForumMod]

G'day Fionna,

After a bit of editing and some rearranging, I've modified your post above and transferred it from the other thread over to this one that relates to your van.

You've certainly been pretty busy over recent months, judging by the list of things you've changed. The new paint job on the van looks great, and the new cushions will set the van off nicely.

Were all those other photos of the interior taken some time ago, or is that how the van looks at the moment?

Sounds like the van will quite eyecatching once it's been finished.

ps. you don't have to change your user name if you don't really want to. Doesn't matter if it's the same as the one you use on the Vintage forum. It's easier to remember if there's only one.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Fionna,
great little van you have there,coming along very nicely.
Congratulations.
cheers
hughdeani

[Fionna]

Thanks Al and Hughdeani; the interior pics are ''before' photos, will have the 'after' ones in a couple of weeks. I'm constantly forgetting my usernames... would it be a hassle to reset it to caboodle69? ( so I only have to remember one?)

[ForumMod]

Ahh, silly me. Here I was thinking your username here was the same as the one you use on the Vintage forum. And then I actually had a look at your username here.

I don't have the ability to change your username. The simplest way to change it is to join the forum again and use the 'caboodle69' name in your application. Your current account under thecaboodle78 name will continue, and your existing posts will stay, but any future posts you make can be made under the caboodle69 name. Hopefully, the system doesn't stop you registering for this forum with that name, even though you've registered it with the Vintage forum. See how you go, anyway, and let me know if it won't let you.

cheers,
Al.

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Registered - up and running - very exciting.

[ForumMod]

Well, that sure is a cute little van, and it looks really comfy as well. Congratulations on a great result!!

cheers,
Al.

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Thanks Al- has been a thrill, of course there are a hundred other things I want to do with it when I have the $ ( an awning!) but at least it's 'good to go' and the rest can come in time.

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Looks great, well done on a nice and cozy looking reno.

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The Caboodle has been rechristened Stella- here's a link to the van's Pinterest page for lots of pics

[ForumMod]

Wow, that's quite a change from when we first saw it!

Can you cater for 60 people in there for a birthday party??

cheers,
Al.

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Thanks Al. It can cater for 60- two inside and 58 around a bar under the annex ( well 6 under the annex and 52 just hanging around near by!)