Which viscount am I?

[Deleted]

Hi,
My husband & I have just purchased a viscount van. We are unsure of the model of it. It has been registered as a 1975 van. The chassis number is A7686 if that's of any help. She is a dual axle. Just wondering if anyone can help us positively identify her as we are starting to repair her back to her original glory.
Thanks

[bobt]

Gidday marlis

Pop a couple of pics up on this thread and I am sure someone will be able to help you

bobt

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

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[Deleted]

Thanks bobt

The rounded windows are at both front & rear. We  think she is 19 ft 
Hopefully these will help identify her.


Cheers
Marlis

[viscount6116]

Gday Marlis and welcome

Looking at the pushout windows ,side cladding , lightning stripes on the side and the Chassis number then I would guesstimate your van to be from around mid to late 1970 , The Viscount decal shown on the front is from a later model Viscount .

It could possibly be a Viscount Duralvan

Hope that this helps you somewhat

Cheers Andy

[Deleted]

Thanks Andy..... That is helpful as there are no other signs on her to help identify her

[viscount6116]

Gday Marlis and Sparrow

Glad that we could help !

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1975 being on your registration certificate as most rego authorities in all states have no idea on how to date these old vans (ie no VIN plate ) and consequently guessimated most of the manufacture dates anyway (my rego says that my 1979-80 van was built in 1986 ....its all too hard to try to correct )


Anyhow Best of luck with the van

Cheers Andy

[Deleted]

Thanks Andy.....I think we will just call her a mystery van as I cannot even a picture that resembles her.

[Mustang]

Jan 13, 2015 17:04:07 GMT 10 @marlis said:

Thanks Andy.....I think we will just call her a mystery van as I cannot even a picture that resembles her.

Try this link from Vintage Caravans Viscount History

[Deleted]

Did you even bother to check the number plate to see what is was registered as before it lost its license?

[Lorelei]

Jan 10, 2015 18:58:39 GMT 10 @marlis said:

Hi Marlis, 
The first number of the chassis number is the year model.. So yours is a 1977
I am compiling a timeline of Vintage Viscounts on our facebook page at the moment, (and gathering information as I go)

www.facebook.com/pages/Do-you-own-a-Viscount/708266819267020
if you want to check it out
Lorelei

[pisces51]

G'day Lorelei,

The first number of the chassis number is the year model.. So yours is a 1977

Unfortunately when it comes to Viscount chassis numbers, it isn't that simple. The Viscount Duralvan model started getting an "A"-series chassis number in about 1964 or '65. The numbers clicked over as each chassis was built, but the "A" prefix was constant (until the numbering system changed in 1971/2 and again in 1973).

So, when it comes to dating Viscounts, you have to look at a few things in combination to get a more accurate build date:

a) the chassis number (is the 'A' letter at the start, or at the end of the numbers?)
b) the painted design on the sides of the cladding
c) whether the cladding is plain silver aluminium, or the white acrylic painted cladding that was introduced to Viscounts during 1969
d) whether the windows are push-out or wind-out

When you look at the Viscount posted at the start of this thread, you can see it has the "lightning bolt" design on the sides; it has the white acrylic cladding; it has push-out windows; and it has the chassis number of A7686.

Combine those four pieces of info together, and you end up with a Viscount that was built in 1969, not 1977.

Where it becomes a bit tricky is that in 1977 there may well have been an Ambassador van built by Viscount that got the same chassis number of A7686, meaning it was the 686th chassis built in 1977 and happened to be an Ambassador chassis. However, if that were the case, the van would have wind-out windows, and it would have a wide painted band along the sides of the van.

I can only encourage you to try and have accurate information on the Facebook page you are developing, otherwise people are going to end up rather confused.

cheers,
Al.

ps. the information above will apply to the majority of Viscounts up to 1971. But then somebody comes along and says their Viscount has the chassis number of J22, and all the theories get thrown out of whack.

[supreme78]

Al you are spot on with your info. People get confused with the chassis number alone and forget about the painted stripes and the windows and hatch types.

[Mustang]

Mar 27, 2015 8:59:33 GMT 10 supreme78 said:

Al you are spot on with your info. People get confused with the chassis number alone and forget about the painted stripes and the windows and hatch types.

Ditto

[Shannon]

Hello,

I would greatly appreciate any help.

I have purchased a Viscount Supreme caravan to renovate. I have a Chasis number of S73393.

I am having trouble finding out which year model it is and so far no State has any information in regards to it being registered previously.

Firstly, why would this be?

Does it matter if no State can find a previous registration?

I want to make sure I renovate to regulation, where can I find this information?

Also, would it be better to get a braked axle?

Many thanks for any information.

Shannon

[Deleted]

I am trying to attach so photos but it says the forum has reached it's maximum attachment limit.

My Viscount is white with a thick yellow band. It has wind out windows. If anyone has any info and would allow it, I could private message with photos attached.

Again, thanks!

[callum]

Hello, my name is callum and I am new to the forum. I'm very curious about my caravan since I cannot find anything like it. I originally bought this caravan from a dealer and they didn't have any real documentation on the van... It's definitely an older model due to the rounded windows like the old viscount caravans and the chassis number seems to read either B-424 or 3-424. Really curious if anyone could tell me the year of this caravan? I'm lost :')

[Mustang]

Feb 21, 2017 16:46:07 GMT 10 callum said:

Hello, my name is callum and I am new to the forum. I'm very curious about my caravan since I cannot find anything like it. I originally bought this caravan from a dealer and they didn't have any real documentation on the van... It's definitely an older model due to the rounded windows like the old viscount caravans and the chassis number seems to read either B-424 or 3-424. Really curious if anyone could tell me the year of this caravan? I'm lost :')

Hi Callum,
Welcome, its difficult to help with such scant info, try uploading some images. Flickr link

[captivenut]

Callum, chassis number B424 sounds like a it could be 62 - 64 Viscount Valiant to me.
Cheers, Arthur

[twocutekelpies]

Hi Callum, I saw your post on the Do you own a viscount page, and responded over there. The number is 3-424 which is an odd number for Viscounts but not the first time I've seen it welded like that. Based on the photos you posted there, you have a 1973 Viscount Royal.
Cheers
Shelley

[gus]

Hi my name is gus and have recently purchased what i was told was a 1979 viscount ambassador with chassis no A9427.After going through this forum i think it might be a '69 with the "arrow"paint work push out windows interior similar to that of other vans that year.Im about to get it registered and dont know what year to put on it.
Also is there a vintage class of caravans like cars and does that make them more valuble or not.

[twocutekelpies]

Hi Gus, I'd agree with your 1969 based on your number and description, though a photo would help more. Wondering if you mean the lightning flash paintwork? Also beginning with A is usually the model Duralvan but not unheard of for it to be found on an Ambassador, Ambassadors prior to 1973 usually had E in their chassis number. Does it have wrap around windows at least at the front?

There is a vintage board that is sister to this site you could check out if you like. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2038/viscount-caravans-fullarton-cabramatta-dandenong also vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/10165/ambassador-viscount-chassis-numbers

Not sure about more valuable, like cars, that depends on condition and demand

[gus]

It is 19ft dual axle, has wrap around windows front and back, a light colour interior and yes lightning flashes on the sides which i dont believe were being done in 1979 also has a four seasons hatch which i dont if they were around in 1969.
I will try to upload some photos just have to work out how..

[twocutekelpies]

Does it have a decal saying Ambassador? Wrap around windows along with the chassis number indicate the model is a Duralvan. The four season hatches started being used in 1973 so it may have been retrofitted at a later date as people have a habit of losing those original hatches.

Do you have a flickr account? There's a how to on here ditzygypsy.proboards.com/thread/4217/post-images-using-flickr