1971 Chesney Regal 23ft

[Wendy]

Hi Everyone,

Found this site last night and joined up, but not sure my Chesney qualifies, age-wise. I own a 22' Aero-Frame van with the full fibreglass roof and ends. Not sure of it's exact age, but hoping someone out there will know. Actually had it up for sale and got a parade of $300 offers for demolition derby buyers and a couple who seemed to respect the old fella as I do, but have now decided to keep him and have a go at renovating over a goodly amount of time. If anyone has done up one of these vans would appreciate any advice....................Thanks. Look forward to visiting regularly!!

[millard1399]

Hi Wendy, and welcome to the forum! ;D ;D

The Chesney models with the fibreglass roof and ends were made between about 1969 and 1972. This particular van was the Regal model, and has two different appearances, depending on when it was made.

The first Regal series is from 1969 to mid-1971 and looks like this...




The second series is from mid-1971 to mid-1972 and looks like this...




Which one of the above does yours look like?

Also, can you have a look at the drawbar and see if there is a number welded there? Probably somewhere next to the jockey wheel. Another forum member discovered the chassis number GD8854 on her 1970 Chesney Pacemaker, so it would be interesting to know what number is on your van.

As far as advice about what to do to fix your van up...hmmm, how much time have you got??
The primary requirement is to make your van waterproof. Which means making sure all the sealant around the van is in good condition. Everything else to be done in the van will follow on from that.

Can you post some photos of your van?

Good to have you with us! ;D

cheers,
Al.

[atouchofglass]

Hi Wendy

Welcome

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

While out and about last year got a snap of this Chesney
Perhaps a little like yours?




Cheers
Atog

[Wendy]

Thanks Al and Atog,

Now (thanks to your pics) believe we have a 1971 model, as we have the two front corner windows and the boot mentioned in the ad. Tried for the number, but no joy. All looks original, so will persist and travel further down under the flooring to check. Raining here at the moment, so will wait for a dry patch.

Thanks too, for the adice re the renovation. Leaks wise, the old fella is pretty good - to this point only a minor leak at both roof vents now, but has sustained some water damage over the years - presumably through open windows or as a mate and I discussed on Friday, maybe been through a flood, as damage is floor up on the panels.

I bought this van for storage reasons, as it was all but empty (has some home-made kitchen cupboards at the front), a pantry cupboard, ye olde wardrobe in the rear and all its overhead cupboards. Our family had three of these Chesney's at an NQ beach for years and I learned that the roof could be trusted, so didn't hesitate to buy.

Will try to load some pics, but not sure how to go about it. Should also mention the previous owner repainted and what was originally a white van, is now cream. I will take it back to the orginal colour as the last job to do. On a positive note, we have two young carpenters coming to stay and thinking we'll work out a deal to reline the Chesney while they're here - better them than me, from an accuracy point-of-view!!

Thanks again, just great I know some more about the van.

Cheers,

Wendy.

[Deleted]

hi Wendy and welcome
Great to see another chesney owner here I had a few leaks on mine and was told to give the roof joints etc a coat of bondcrete (you can use pvc exterior wood glue same stuff) to help seal the roof and it drys clear can be painted over as well .it worked for me. I have seen youre type of chesney renovated and it looked great the fibreglass looked good all shiney
Cheers Gary
Why do so many ladies here own chesneys???

[atouchofglass]

Why so many ladies with Chesneys?
Good Taste perhaps?

[Wendy]

Hi Again,

Thanks for your advice re the roof - will definitely go that way.

Not sure about the women and Chesneys. For me, it was a bit of history, as Mum and Dad had one in my youth, then my sisters and finally me. Twenty five years on, I'm back and looking at rebuilding one................maybe it's true, once you turn fifty you get more adventurous (or silly!!).

Really funny thing is, since deciding not to sell, have had every man, woman and their dog asking me to sell it - time to bring it back inside methinks!!

Happy travelling everyone. Willbe back shortly with the next question.

Many thanks,

Wendy.

[lisa]

Mar 15, 2010 7:47:33 GMT 10 atouchofglass said:

Why so many ladies with Chesneys?
Good Taste perhaps?

Derfinitely!

Lisa
aka: Chesney Chick!

[lisa]

Re: the chassis number - I found mine pretty much ON the coupling unit right up the front end of the draw bar next to the override brake lever - it's stamped in and quite small and I needed to give it a real rub to get through the old rust and reveal all the numbers.
Hope that helps!

[millard1399]

The following posts have been copied from another thread relating to Wendy's van. The two threads have now been combined.

Posted by kelanco on Mar 20, 2010, 12:00pm:

Hi,

Finally organised myself for some pics of the Chesney van we have. Hope they come through okay.

Cheers,

Wendy/Kelanco.







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Posted by garyr on Mar 20, 2010, 2:44pm:

Looks awesome love the chesneys
Gary

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Posted by Wendy on Mar 20, 2010, 7:43pm:

Hi Gary,

Yes it does look reasonsble on the outside, just wish the inside looked as good!!

Cheers,

Wendy.

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Posted by bobt on Mar 20, 2010, 9:51pm:

Hi ya Wendy

Looks a bit of alright. Glad ya have a bit of space to keep it.

Now how about some inside photos..


bobt

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Posted by millard1399 on Mar 20, 2010, 10:23pm:

Hi Wendy, that is one MONSTER van! What is the length of this one...about 23ft or something like that??

I hope that's not the towcar in the top right corner of your first photo! Or does that little car go into the boot of the Chesney?

And yep, it sure does look like it's been well looked after over the years. Usually the side stripes fade a bit over the years, but this one looks to be still in pretty good nick. No wonder people are pestering you to sell it!

cheers,
Al.

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Posted by atouchofglass on Mar 21, 2010, 9:07am:

Verrryyy niiiiiiice

Welcome and thanks for the photos
But as Bobt says...... how about some inside shots?


Glad to see there are a few other van nuts up here in the deep north

Cheers
Atog

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Posted by Wendy on Mar 21, 2010, 9:39am:

Hi All,

Will post the interior shots I have shortly, but be warned, 'it ain't pretty' as they say.

Believe Charles the Chesney is a 23' van, but has been (hand) painted, so pictures probably improve the result with the stripes etc., That S-Cargo in the background is the emergency tow vehicle - or maybe not!!

We're starting to think the van has been through a flood, as the damage is floor up. Alternatively, may have been through a cyclone up here with all the windows left open - bit crazy, as one front, left-hand side panel is absolutely perfect.

Pestered yes, but all wanting to pay $300 max!! Was starting to think I was mad until I found this site, so thanks to you all for confirming that the lad is worth much more than that, even if only from a sentimental value.

Should ask, are there any recommendations for repanelling product that won't require a Gold Mastercard to buy - but guessing I already know that answer?

Many thanks,

Wendy.

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Posted by Wendy on Mar 21, 2010, 9:48am:

Here you go, the three photos I took a few weeks back. Did I mention the word 'challenge'? As you can see, the previous owners have 'added' a front cupboard unit with a sink, but it is defintiely going. The rest is beyond saving, so will strip the lot and start again, including the floor and my personal favourite - chipboard cupboards by two!!

Cheers,

Wendy.





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Posted by millard1399 on Mar 21, 2010, 10:58pm:

Hi Wendy,

Certainly looks like you've got a bit of a "blank canvas" to work with there. What were you hoping to do with the inside? Make it "original" like it once did, or do your own thing with the fit-out?

Should ask, are there any recommendations for repanelling product that won't require a Gold Mastercard to buy - but guessing I already know that answer?

A lot will depend on what you want to achieve with the inside. The cheapest is to get plain interior grade plywood and paint it whatever colours you want. Sheets of 2400 x 1200mm x 3mm (thick) plain ply should be less than $20 a sheet. Then you step up to the "random grooved decorative ply" which has a paper-faced pattern (woodgrain) on it. Same size sheet is in the low $20s. Next level again is the full patterned sheet (no grooves) which are priced from mid-$20s to mid-$30s depending on what and where you buy from. Check out what's available from your local Bunnings store, and then see what other suppliers might be in your region to compare.

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Wendy, with your permission, I'd like to combine the two threads you've started for your van, and then move the new combined thread over to the Hall Of Fame. You can then just continue to add to that new thread as you work through the restoration. The new thread will be titled "1971 Chesney Regal 23ft". If you're ok for me to do that, I'll sort it out over the next 24 hours.

cheers,
Al.

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Posted by Wendy on Mar 22, 2010, 12:09am:

No problem, Al and thank you for your advice re the panels.

Regards,

Wendy.

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Posted by lisa on Mar 22, 2010, 10:26pm:

I swear with all these Chesneys coming out of the woodwork it might be time for a Chesney family reunion!
That is one mansion of a van!!!! maybe you could do it up like this one on the inside....shagadelic!




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Posted by lisa on Mar 23, 2010, 11:23pm:

Hey just out of curiosity, can you tell us what the number on the drawbar is so I can see how it compares with mine (which is around the same year)
Mine was stamped into the very front of the drawbar near the coupling unit and said GD8854 - trying to work out how that relates ot the date of manufacture... the trailer repair guy I took it said that usally the last two digits are the year it was made, but there's no way mines a 1954 model...

And Gary what does yours say???

[kezzbot]

What a great looking van you have there Wendy .

I am currently doing up a Viscount that I guttered so I'm basically doing it up from scratch, like yourself. Feel free to steal any ideas or use me as a guinny pig.

If you are planning on getting a fair amount of plywood for your interior panels, which im guessing that you would be, then i would suggest sourcing a local plywood specialist, the place i have been buying all of mine is Sharps Plywood.

Look forward to hearing what you plan on doing with the inside.

[tassietiger]

Hey great looking van Wendy. Certainly dwarfs my little 12 footer. Will be interested to watch this thread and see how you go about it all. Best of luck.

[ronaldjohn]

many, many years ago, I was having a "morno's" stop at a place called Yaamba.
I was in the Army at the time heading back to Rocky, when I heard a V8 engine straining in the distance. A short time later, an early 70's Range Rover came into view, towing a Chesney Sheraton. I'm sure it was tri axle and had a sliding glass door on the side.

It was a "wow factor" for me
I had never seen anything like it before.
As he went past and out of the 80kph limit, the RR dropped a cog and started barking into the distance.

Ever since then, I have wanted to find a tri axle Chesney and see what it really looked like.

Any photo's anyone?

Cheers,
Ron

[shanepeters]

HI,WE HAVE A 24FT CHESNEY REGAL WE ARE RESTORING AT THE MOMENT.I WILL POST PICS AFTER WE HAVE FINISHED IT.I LOVE OLD CHESNEYS.WE HAVE NOW HAD 2 OF THEM.THE ONE WE ARE DOING UP IS A 71 MODEL I THINK

[astro94]

Hi Ron,

My name is Dan and only joined today. What a fantastic forum. Love it!!!!!! I have finished the refurb on my 78 viscount tourer pop top and am now looking to get it painted. Any suggestions? Price and what sort of automotive spraypainter to approach.

I also own a tri axle Chesney Sheraton. It is one big mother. I am currently working on the inside of it. Great van, has own hot water system, full walk in kitchen and diner, middle lounge with shower and toilet, and end double bedroom. Huge job. I will post some pics as soon as I can. Currently painting over the wood panelling as it is very worn. The last owner has taken out the shagpile but there are remenants of it in the bottom of cupboards. Original glass light fittings, brass stove splashback and padded breakfast bar. Cheers mate.

[Deleted]

hi all ,,,, im another chesney owner 16 ft 1971 regal ,,im the third owner ive had it 30 years and still have the original gal/// gas bottle marked 10-71 not in use ,,, just neads testing ,,, van has only done aprox 9,000 kms . still has holland blinds i think they are original , metters 4 burner oven stove griller ,,, BUT it has a 240 volt fridge feezer 120 lta ,,,, i pull it with a 1978 F100 xlt 4x4 i bought new ,,, it only has 101,000 kms on the clock ,, perhaps i should go somewhere ,,now that im getting on in dog years ,,, ps ive had a 1973 millard 16 ft ,and a 22 ft viscount 1975 ,, plus ive got a bus/motorhome 20 ft which i use most of all ,, more eco friendly diesel ,,,,, cheers bill

[Deleted]

PS ,, did u know that mrs chesney had her 100 th birthday ,,i think in 2009 as far as i know shes still with us ,,, ,,, have a nice day ,,bill

[Deleted]

not another PS ,,,,, MY CHASSIS NUMBER IS ,,,, AE 10913 ,,,,, = 1-5-71 = NUMBER 0913 VAN I THINK THATS HOW IT GOES ,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,, GARRY COULD YOUR CHASSIS NUMBER BE 7- 4- 68 VAN NUMBER 854 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HOPEFULLY ,,,,,,,, GOOGLE CHESNEY IM GOING ON MY MEMORY FROM LAST YEAR ,,, IM FAIDING AND SO IS MEMORY ,, CHEERS BILL

[Jgg.46@hotmail,com]

I have a Chesney Regal 28 ft two door trying to find out some info about it

[Renea stemm]

I have a chesney aero frame it looks like a 1969 same a the first paper pic Ibam currently restoring it and wondering if the roof is mean to be flat or have a little rise on both sides

[Nicdog]

I have just purchased a chesney areo frame the seller said 70's. The number on the draw bar is 8672539 can anyone tell me does the year sound right.