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Post by atouchofglass on Jul 12, 2008 7:24:31 GMT 10
Posted this one a week ago but thought I'd post it here for more comments
How do you see the state of older vans in the future?
As said on the original post I see that there will be a general increase in costs as the fuel prices go silly and people still want to travel... the older vans represent a viable alternative.
With some only needing a few cosmetic changes they will be ready to use in no time
The savings on the costs of the van equal cash to spend on the ever increasing cost of petrol/diesel..
This is a worry to me as I would like to do up several vans and that will severely hamper my progress... but then that's my problem not the general publics... ;D ;D
How do you see it?
Atog
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Post by hooligan on Jul 14, 2008 21:34:27 GMT 10
Atog, Every time I am out on the highway for a while I pass plenty of grey nomads in their 4X4s and late model 20+foot vans. Somehow I don't think these people worry that much about an extra few grand in fuel $ on their trip. I do believe there is merit in what you suggest, but probably on a smaller scale. I think the future of old vans will be determined by their popularity due to what they are. People will chase after old vans for the same reason they (or others) chase after old cars, bikes, furniture, radios, books, etc etc etc. Demand will increase, sadly supply cannot increase, so the $ must go up. This has been the case with pre1970 caravans, especially those from the fifties. I have also noticed it has started to happen in the last year considerbly with 1970s vans. I think this is also partly attributable to technology (ie action websites, trading post online etc), the 'buying audience' for any one van is drastically increased once it is available online. The one good thing (if there is one) about old vans increasing in value is that more of them will be saved and restored. Perhaps a day may come where it's cheaper to build a shed and line it for a 'teenagers retreat' rather than sacrifice an old caravan?? My opinion only........  Cheers, Gristy  |
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Post by cretsiah on Sept 11, 2009 19:53:51 GMT 10
Well Im only a bit of young buck at 34,
But i think there is nothing that beats the old 1970-79 model (17-21fter's mainly) franklins, Millard and Viscount, they designed them with space, for the family mob.
If you look at my show & tell piece, I think you will get an idea of what I mean.
Our 1979 Ezytow is a 1,3 or 5 birth compact pop-top.
Our old Millard (not exactly sure of the year) we recently purchased has the old dual bunkbeds, a daynighter/dinnette double bed, club lounge at front.
the Millard wasnt quite the 1 we were after (i wanted the permanent double bed + bunks as seen in the photo's) but this was as close as I was going to get.
Any of you know how hard it is to find these old vans with the original bunks still in them its very hard (in good condition)
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Post by bobt on Sept 11, 2009 21:48:38 GMT 10
Hi cretsiah
It was not that long ago that I was looking for a family van, they were rather rare items to find particularly one that you did not need a truck to tow it with.
Then I saw the light and got a darby and joan to try and convince the kids to get a life of their own..... sorta worked ;D ;D
The photos look good, I assume this is one you have acquired.
bobt
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Post by cretsiah on Sept 12, 2009 11:11:16 GMT 10
Hi cretsiah It was not that long ago that I was looking for a family van, they were rather rare items to find particularly one that you did not need a truck to tow it with. Then I saw the light and got a darby and joan to try and convince the kids to get a life of their own..... sorta worked ;D ;DThe photos look good, I assume this is one you have acquired. bobt the Millard is the one that we recently aquired. the Ezytow we have had for 8-9 yrs. both need some work but the Millard needs less work  trailer light wires were cut,worn through. after that its checking the brake pads and wheel bearings and getting a couple of the "swap and go" gas bottles to replace the out of date 1 oh and a new dual regulator is required. structurly it seems sound no water leaks. |
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Post by kcountrychic on Dec 1, 2009 19:26:23 GMT 10
just wondering what would an older van be worth.....Im referring to my viscount supreme 1979 in which Ive just done up completely....and ideas of dollars?  ?.............(pics in the the memorabila section).......I am after a dual axle so I can do a bathroom part.....does any know of any for sale in good condition??? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2009 19:54:09 GMT 10
 , g'day kcountrychic, You could start by checking out ebay. There are a lot of vans, old and new there. You may find something you like there. Cheers, Ross. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 17:01:09 GMT 10
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Post by atouchofglass on Feb 20, 2010 17:27:25 GMT 10
Hi Techron Have to agree with the comment that good examples of older vans will become harder to come by. Having said that, half the thrill of doing up an older van is the "thrill of the chase". The idea that those with vintage/classic cars or hot rods will want matching caravans is a valid one. It has been happening for some time now. In Cairns at least 4 members of the local American car club have been using Sunliners for accommodation for some years. Several of the members hunt down and repair these vans to save them as well as to use them. I suspect there are plenty of others out there doing the same with other vans....... such as teardrops. Taking up the challenge of restoring the dilapidated vans we find will help others see that even these are salvageable. That is part of the joy of this site. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D WE even have a lady doing up a lovely pink interior for her van. Now that's progress for such a small website ;D ;D ;D ;D Power to all of us Keep posting all you members and many of these lovely old vans will be around for decades to come. Cheers Atog |
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 20, 2010 19:56:48 GMT 10
SAVE THE VISCOUNTS!...SAVE THE VISCOUNTS!! SAVE THE FRANKLINS!...SAVE THE FRANKLINS!! SAVE THE MILL DESTROY THE MILLARDS!...ESPECIALLY THE POPTOPS!!  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 22:01:56 GMT 10
Now,Now Al, ;D ;D ;D Wots wrong with rebuilt Millards? They're great after you get them finished, you should know that. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Denis. |
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Post by lisa on Mar 8, 2010 12:54:14 GMT 10
I've had so many comments on my old Chesney - it seems only those of us that own them truly appreciate their beauty. To everyone else they are just seen a pile of old crap.
But I reckon it's the same as anything - as time goes on, older things become more desired. I remember in the 80's, 60' stuff at op shops was EVERYWHERE and cheap as chips, now it's "vintage" and sought after and EXPENSIVE! Likewise older cars.
1970-79 vans might be ridiculed now (along with their owners, not mentioning any names here!) by the vintage vanners now, but hey, I know my 1971 baby will be worth heaps more one day... what I do wonder about though is if we will ever find brown vinyls, yellow and brown floral print apholstery and faux timber panelling as appealing as the fifties interiors are on older vans now! 'Cause I couldn't wait to get rid of mine!
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Post by lisa on Mar 8, 2010 13:00:21 GMT 10
Of course, if I get my way and manage to convince my boss at Vehicle Mania magazine that classics are cool and get more of these pro-classic van articles published I reckon I'll be on my way to convincing the rest of the world that classics are too good to be relegated to rust-infested "teenagers retreats"!
By the way - any really good high res pics you have of your restored classics (intrior and exterior in good lighting) will make my articles more appealing to the boss - hint, hint!
Please send pics to lisa@freelancewriterbrisbane.com
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Post by millard1399 on Mar 8, 2010 22:43:54 GMT 10
Hi Lisa, I reckon Chesney were one of the most innovative caravan companies around in the 1970s. You only have to look at their Freedom Express, and their Playmate, to appreciate what they were capable of doing. I reckon anyone grabbing hold of a Chesney and looking after it would be making a good "investment". I also wanted to make a comment about your quote: I don't get too hung up about a couple of outspoken Vintage forum members bagging the interest people have in Classic caravans. This Classic forum seems to operate a bit differently to the Vintage forum. I've noticed that people happen to become owners of caravans from the 1970s and then go searching on the internet for information about their van, and end up finding the link to this forum. There's not that many people who've joined this forum who actually set out to purposely own a van from the '70s. We who are currently on the forum are getting in on the ground floor, before these vans do start to fall away in numbers, and before they become increasingly interesting to people who grew up in the 1970s. That will probably happen over the next 10 years when the earliest of our vans turns 50, and the present million on-site vans around Australia are consigned to the scrapheap, when caravan parks are progressively upgraded to on-site cabins and touring caravan parks. One advantage we have over the Vintage forum is that at present we have an enormous number of vans we can search through to allow us to find a really good example. ;D And finally, the only people who are allowed to have a shot at Classic caravans are Millard poptop owners.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by kylarama on Mar 9, 2010 8:12:00 GMT 10
This Classic forum seems to operate a bit differently to the Vintage forum. I've noticed that people happen to become owners of caravans from the 1970s and then go searching on the internet for information about their van, and end up finding the link to this forum. There's not that many people who've joined this forum who actually set out to purposely own a van from the '70s. We who are currently on the forum are getting in on the ground floor, before these vans do start to fall away in numbers, and before they become increasingly interesting to people who grew up in the 1970s. That will probably happen over the next 10 years when the earliest of our vans turns 50, and the present million on-site vans around Australia are consigned to the scrapheap, when caravan parks are progressively upgraded to on-site cabins and touring caravan parks. cheers, Al. An increase in popularity in 70's vans will probably come from my generation (generation X). The ones who grew up in the 70's and 80's who's parents or grandparents had these vans as onsite vans or touring vans. Since we've finished (well, sort of finished) our van many friends and people my age have spoken of the fond memories about holidaying in the same or similar van and would love to have one of their own. With the current popularity of camper trailers, 70's vans are a great cheap alternative. A basic camper trailer will set you back around $5000 and is really just a canvas tent on top of a trailer with no real extras. Want a kitchen, you pay extra ect. While they are good due to being more compact, easy to tow and allow you to go right off the beaten track. They require more setup/pack up time and are a bit cramped inside when you have kids. We used to have one and I do miss the offroad side of it, but a van makes camping life so much easier with young kids. A 70's van offers great value as you can pick up a great van for under $5000 in pretty good nick, complete with kitchen, fridge, plenty of bedding and an annex if your lucky. |
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Post by lisa on Mar 10, 2010 8:03:46 GMT 10
Yeah I guess when it boils down to it it's just a "talking 'bout your generation" thing once again... Baby Boomers vs. Gen X - as we get older we all get sentimental about the memories from our youth. As an "X"er myself I love the fact that my van was born not long after I was Having said that I'm still not super convinved of the exact age of mine Anyone know how to age a chesney? The badge reads "Bluepoint Chesney" and "aero-frame" and the only number I could find on the drawbar is GD8854 Attachments:
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Post by peter92 on Oct 7, 2011 19:29:21 GMT 10
hi all, well it is a worry to what will happen about us and our vans. i think the thing that concerns me most of all is that we restore our vans to look nice but will there come a time when we spend all our money on doing them up and the goverment gets there and says they are too old and wont be rego,d
we have a 4x4 and when we finished our 4mth trip around 5 states with our 10' customline we got nothing but praise. and yes some of us do worry about fuel. we stop a lot just to be able to travel a bit further
i still cant get over what people see in the new vans
regards peter
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 7, 2011 19:35:59 GMT 10
Hey Peter92
I wouldn't worry too much as it would seem that these vans will be around for some time to come.
Consider the FX holden..... 1955?
Still around and going strong
So a 70's van.....
Well I think they will still be going in the next thirty years or so.
But only if blokes like you and the rest of those on this site continue to rebuild and renovate the vans.
The vans will become rarer of course but hey ....
That means yours will be worth a mint by then ;D ;D
Cheers
Atog
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Post by bobt on Oct 10, 2011 20:56:05 GMT 10
I wouldn't be too concerned. Nearly everytime we go off with the caravan we spot classics being towed.
Spent the weekend at Daylesford, saw three being dragged thru the main street in the short time we were there.. ;D
The caravan park had lots that had planted their wheels firmly into the ground.. ;D
They are a bit like vintage cars.. Some will survive.
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Post by kiwijim on Oct 11, 2011 5:22:56 GMT 10
I gotta agree with Ya Bobt, From what we have seen, Queensland seems to be the place to look for Classics,     And there were hundreds more sitting all over the State, just waiting for the "Classic Nut" to find. ;D ;D ;D kiwijim |
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 11, 2011 19:23:39 GMT 10
Hey Jim I gather the last photo is from the Emerald/Anakie area? Seems like a gold mine of older vans to me. Didn't happen to see any 21 foot Olympics out there did you? ;D ;D Cheers Atog |
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Post by bobt on Oct 11, 2011 19:42:10 GMT 10
Lightening Ridge had stacks parked around the place. Guess they accommodate the opal diggers..
Driving around the back blocks of Daylesford we saw a number, many looking really sad.
The airport at Benalla has easy 30 + still in use. Accommodation for the Glider Pilots..
In the main drag around the corner from ATOGs establishment we saw a couple... just cannot lay my hands on the photos...
Sorry ATOG have not seen any 21 footers...
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Post by kiwijim on Oct 12, 2011 2:33:42 GMT 10
You're right about the last Photo Atog, it was just out-side of Rubyvale, in the Public Prospecting area, Sorry to say, not a 21ft'er in sight , probably melted away long ago. ;D ;D ;D kiwijim |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2011 17:01:59 GMT 10
the millard vans like any manufactured van had their faults upon the necessary structural fixes caried out they can be better than others due to there tare weight being slightly lower in some cases even viscounts were prone to fall apart in the wall to c sections as they aged i end up with a travel home angle iron c section in my millard for the strength to tour long distances as being a coachbuilder it was easy enough to alter the original framework my 71 millard also had only timber ceiling beams which sagged over time due to my widened interior layout so they came out and replaced with viscount aluminum c section with timber glued inside , so its a mattter of how you re- engineer a retro van so it tours as well as a new one many years in the industry has left me with a wealth of manufacturer faults and how to rectify them
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Post by peter92 on Dec 2, 2011 19:17:58 GMT 10
hi all, its interesting to see others opp,and veiws
ive looked at new vans in all differant sizers but the one thing i feel the manufacturer has mist is the character and feel for a van
the old ones seem to draw you in and every time you see one, you have to go look at it. but i find the new ones just dont have that sort of draw cards
i would hope that the older vans would be around long after the new ones have met there grave. i chose my 71 viscount because of its looks and the thought that went into it when it was made all them years ago
to me the old ones will never have the draw that the old ones have and had
roll on the oldies
my thoughts only
regards peter
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trailer light wires were cut,worn through. after that its checking the brake pads and wheel bearings and getting a couple of the "swap and go" gas bottles to replace the out of date 1 oh and a new dual regulator is required.
?.............(pics in the the memorabila section).......I am after a dual axle so I can do a bathroom part.....does any know of any for sale in good condition???
