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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 2, 2011 20:03:20 GMT 10
Hey Ladies and Gents Thinking on what the difference between old and new vans is.... To me it is most of the new vans look like a kitchen on wheels. All new timber and gloss. It seems to lose something.
The older vans have a charm that the new white tombstones don't.
Was down at Lucinda a few months ago and the amount of looks and comments (all good) that the van got was really gratifying. This from other vanners and some with the 5th wheel monsters. Give me a classic or a vintage anytime.
Just my way of seeing it.
Cheers Atog
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2011 9:03:26 GMT 10
My two bobs worth - our vans / cars whatever are our expressions of ourselves, we connect with them because the old stuff is built from the dreams and imagination of individuals that drove that dream to fruition, no one was going to change their path.
New stuff is part of the commercial age, and is mostly designed by computer or committee (and we all know about the horse made by a committee ;D). Maximise turnover and profit, and the commercial age has made it so efficient that everyone's product looks the same.
Personally, I hope our interest in old stuff remains a small but significant part of the community - small enough to enjoy our common interest but never big enough to be mainstream! For that we need the modern stuff, so our 'real' old stuff looks even better!
The more we preserve now the longer the history will be preserved - we have an advantage now over our parent's generation because then it was a minority that could afford to indulge in preserving old cars, vans etc as opposed to now where people tend to have a lot of disposable income (by comparison). Only need to look at how few 40s and 30s vans have survived...
What I would hate to see happen to the vintage / classic van scene is what has happened in hot rodding - big dollar cars dominate and present a real barrier to anyone that can't afford it enjoying the scene - thanks goodness for the rat rod scene but even that is not true old school! (IMHO)
Anyway, I'll get off my soap box now!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2012 13:51:40 GMT 10
Hi All,
We have 3 1950's vans & 2 1970's vans, my middle son who is 19 also has a 1978 Gemini & a 1967 (approx) Viscount/Valiant caravan which he tows with his 1970 HG wagon, yes he & all his mates love the old stuff. Because we all think of when we were young & wish for that simple easy lifestyle back again there will always be a demand for older vans & they will be more appreciated than ever.
Tammy
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2012 7:40:27 GMT 10
I have been lurking about here for a while now, finally decided to join.
I was raised on a steady diet of caravan holidays in the 80's. While my siblings shot off to play at the beach or park on these holidays, I wandered around the caravan parks. I would study all the different vans and sneak peeks inside if the door was left open. Ever since, I cannot help but stare at any classic that I see, sadly the majority are rotting in paddocks or as on-site vans.
Someone posted earlier that gen x'ers would take up the restoration torch. I have to agree. I'm sure that there are many more like me in their thirties that have such fond memories of these caravans. I intend to find myself a 70's Viscount and restore it. Unfortunately the CEO has yet to approve my proposal! I have been working on a 90's windup Jayco and she can't see the sense in getting another (even older) one. I would say that spouses that don't understand are the biggest threat to these old vans, maybe more so than rot!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 10:45:10 GMT 10
I would say the older they get the harder it is to get insurance and rego'd it's time to either bite the bullet and use them as chook coops or retire them and refurbish them into permanent stay caravans on a cv park, as they are getting to old to travel the open roads.
Being on limited income there isn't much I can do in the way of making something into a home.
It is a real pity to see caravan left in this condition given the lack of low cost housing there is.it makes me wonder why someone doesn't setup these oldies as permanent dwellings on a cv park
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Post by atouchofglass on Feb 20, 2015 19:01:54 GMT 10
I would say the older they get the harder it is to get insurance and rego'd it's time to either bite the bullet and use them as chook coops or retire them and refurbish them into permanent stay caravans on a cv park, as they are getting to old to travel the open roads. I couldn't disagree more with this. The older vans are still popular and as far as too old to travel. Properly set up they are as good today as most vans.Being on limited income there isn't much I can do in the way of making something into a home. It is a real pity to see caravan left in this condition given the lack of low cost housing there is.it makes me wonder why someone doesn't setup these oldies as permanent dwellings on a cv park I couldn't agree more I've seen workers vans in Robina Gold Coast that are mostly older vans. The caravan park looked like it was in a time warp. It was great. Most of the vans were very large but there were a few smaller vans.Limited funds is always an issue with renovating a van. But you will get a decent finished van for a fifth of the price of a new one - or less. Taking your time and sticking to the plan will also make a difference. Too often we see people start these projects - strip a van down to the basics and give up. The job seems too big. Better to make the van waterproof and then take your time with the interior fit out. Two and a half years to fix mine. Now it's 4 years + later. Still there - still looking good - with the occasional bit of maintenance. The investment was worth it for us. All I need do is pump up the tyres - tidy up the interior - stock it with food and we could be off- Maybe two days prep. Easy. Cheers Atog
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 22:36:45 GMT 10
When I was talking about limited incomes I was talking in the realm of DSP/AGED pension territory full pensions and not a place to live type scenario, have you seen the average cost of site rentals lately lol
when I look at my own caravan to make it liveable I would have to drop it onto a new chassis fix the triple gang mess there is sort out the hot water service and the shower area. the reason for the actual chassis mod is to allow mounting a generator and and storage are for a gopher...
not to mention adding an annex trailer for a storage and living area.
also I'm more or less a permanent tenet at any cv park I rock up at I don't have the finances to do the traditional bog lap around oz, as for licensing the death trap today with all the various safety codes you have to comply with today it be hard to get a passing grade. I guess 50,000+ would be a hedge bet of a spend. Just to get it passed for licensing
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2015 16:57:30 GMT 10
Money is of course a consideration however have you seen most of the modern vans? I've seen a few a local caravan repairers and the frames these days are most wood albeit with steel chassis. The '60s, '70s and '80s vans at least mostly had aluminium frames with steel chassis. While aluminium, does corrode it takes a long time. If you get a leak in a wooden framed van you're going to get rot starting almost immediately. that's why I prefer my '73 Viscount. I know it has an alloy frame on a good steel chassis and all I need to do is replace the electric stove with the gas one from my old Viscount, because I prefer gas and the gas one is in better condition than the electric. Here are some pics of her. She's in pretty good condition and I've already done a bit of work to her. She had a modified bed. The previous owner had modified it to take a full size double bed mattress and the lift up section of the bed was too wide to allow it to lift all the way up so I cut the overhang off the RH side and now the lift up section lifts all the way up to give better access to the storage space under the bed. Further mods will be a twin battery system with a good charger, an inverter and numerous 12V outlets around the place including a couple on the LHS exterior wall. Cheers, Ross.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 18:15:54 GMT 10
I have a floor that barely supports my weight at 160 kg, I'm in a 23 footer now why would I downgrade into something that I could not swing the cat in...
I also stand 6'1" and like trying to keep hair on the old scalp lol..
Nice caravan..
Something to note be careful if you try travel around WA most of the caravan parks incorporated and most will not except van over 20 years old..
If you are in the 30years and up club in a caravan don't bother trying to get a berth in WA you will likely be refused a berth...
I'm in a caravan as permanent liver not as someone that has a disposable income $30,000 or more to go gala anoint around Australia on a midlife or grey nomads tour of Australia ,..
im at the stage of life I should be in a home not a caravan...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2015 20:56:30 GMT 10
;(
Makes me cry when I see a caravan unloved makes me an unhappy Chappy.
Though I did live in nuts heap for 2.5 years ..
If I have the cash and backing I'd love to get into the renovation gig and make the old caravans look new again make them relevant for today's use...
most at caravan parks classed touristy type places will not except you over a 45-90 day berth there isn't many independents out there that will except permenant residency and age May vary on state what they will let in these types of caravan parks..
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crowbar
In Training
Restoration - It all depends on how hard you hit it!
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Post by crowbar on Feb 19, 2016 11:01:23 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. Too far into the rebuild now to destroy the bugger. Maybe a small range of other companies badges on it and everyone can pick the one they like when looking at it?
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Post by bobt on Feb 21, 2016 13:57:04 GMT 10
hmmmm.. Al was renovating a Millard at the time he wrote that..
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Post by pisces51 on Feb 21, 2016 19:54:54 GMT 10
Yes, you need to appreciate the context which led to that post... I was nearing the end of a 2-year resto on that Millard poptop van, and had become rather "over it", hence my tounge-in-cheek comment. Don't be surprised, crowbar, if you end up wanting to post a similar sentiment at some stage of your project. Cheers, Al.
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Post by bobt on Jan 15, 2017 10:23:02 GMT 10
Been awhile since anyone posted in here.
We spend our summer holidays down on the Mornington Peninsula {gotta admit we really need to re think the timing of this]
Ever year we see lots of 'Classic' vans being towed down the highway to some sweet little beach site. There are Franklins, Viscounts, Millards and others everywhere.. By the look of some they only see the light of day in January others appear to get lots of love during the year.
Where are you all. Home working on a project or off somewhere enjoying some hard earned time off?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2017 15:08:54 GMT 10
I reckon you have nailed it so many old classics get dragged out for that 1 trip to the beach or riverside spot each year and then put back in the shed for the next 11 months then there the ones like mine bought to go touring but never left the shed ever , these are the ones to find and buy I believe it is not financially viable to rebuild an old weathered and leaking van today as you will never get your money back but to do it for the love of the caravan and the pride of ownership is a different matter . The amazing thing is the general public who poo hoo old junker vans absolutely love them when they are gathered together at rallies or out and about more so if towed by period correct cars . Like all things old there are no more being built and EVERYTHING will become collectable eventually look at cars . To do a "proper" resto of a car now back to bare metal and then fully rebuilt will easily eat 50-100K and that is doing much of the labour yourself ,a top line paint job can be 30K+, the person I sold my XW to is committed to spending over 100K on the resto and it was a nice car to start with but he wants "perfect" . So I guess there is no easy answer but the more we get out and show off our pride and joy's the more popular they will become and the more will be saved in the future I see the oldies not as a travelling van but as a recreational toy and show unit I would not for instance think of hooking the Viscount on the Zephyr and heading north for 3 months over winter but a weekend or a week with others somewhere nice is a different thing just as I would not turn up at a VV do with our Sunliner motorhome but would take off in it to WA for 3 months in a heartbeat .
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Post by tasmillard on Jan 15, 2017 17:12:01 GMT 10
Well, I think for me theres the point of finances... aside from loving projects I think having a classic caravan is better than nothing (and better than a tent) so if it means being able to buy a classic for cheap (even a diy fix-er-upper) theres money left in the kitty to actually start getting out and using it. I think the issue comes from people who dont know the value of a looked after/renovated van which would detract many people from spending the money on them and thus they go to waste.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2017 17:22:09 GMT 10
Well, I think for me theres the point of finances... aside from loving projects I think having a classic caravan is better than nothing (and better than a tent) so if it means being able to buy a classic for cheap (even a diy fix-er-upper) theres money left in the kitty to actually start getting out and using it. I think the issue comes from people who dont know the value of a looked after/renovated van which would detract many people from spending the money on them and thus they go to waste. Yes I see that point as well but stop for a minute and calculate your labour even at $30-40 a hr and then you get a real figure , you have Gitano the skills and the time so are fortunate for someone without the skills and time it is a whole different ball game
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Post by planner on Jan 16, 2017 10:15:16 GMT 10
Well, I think for me theres the point of finances... aside from loving projects I think having a classic caravan is better than nothing (and better than a tent) so if it means being able to buy a classic for cheap (even a diy fix-er-upper) theres money left in the kitty to actually start getting out and using it. I think the issue comes from people who dont know the value of a looked after/renovated van which would detract many people from spending the money on them and thus they go to waste. I agree fully Tasmillard, We've invested around $6-7k into the Frankilin, and have got a van that I can confidently take anywhere (maybe, not too much offroad). At the time we couldn't afford to spend what was needed to buy a modern van. I was lucky that I could do nearly all the work myself, and Dad lives just around the corner (he invested nearly as much time as me). Actual costs were limited mostly to purchase of items and materials. I don't include the labour in the cost, as I enjoyed doing most of the project and see it as a hobby. I also don't have a job that I can do too much after hours, so the reno did not cut into time that could have been spent earning money. I can also see that if you had to pay for labour it would not be economical. Aside : I think Dad enjoyed it too, He's been asking whether we should sell it and rebuild another. Bottom line is that a classic van rebuild/reno has given our family an affordable and quality van that I would be happy to hook up tomorrow and tow to Darwin. Planner
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Post by tasmillard on Jan 16, 2017 11:31:25 GMT 10
Well, I think for me theres the point of finances... aside from loving projects I think having a classic caravan is better than nothing (and better than a tent) so if it means being able to buy a classic for cheap (even a diy fix-er-upper) theres money left in the kitty to actually start getting out and using it. I think the issue comes from people who dont know the value of a looked after/renovated van which would detract many people from spending the money on them and thus they go to waste. I agree fully Tasmillard, We've invested around $6-7k into the Frankilin, and have got a van that I can confidently take anywhere (maybe, not too much offroad). At the time we couldn't afford to spend what was needed to buy a modern van. I was lucky that I could do nearly all the work myself, and Dad lives just around the corner (he invested nearly as much time as me). Actual costs were limited mostly to purchase of items and materials. I don't include the labour in the cost, as I enjoyed doing most of the project and see it as a hobby. I also don't have a job that I can do too much after hours, so the reno did not cut into time that could have been spent earning money. I can also see that if you had to pay for labour it would not be economical. Aside : I think Dad enjoyed it too, He's been asking whether we should sell it and rebuild another. Bottom line is that a classic van rebuild/reno has given our family an affordable and quality van that I would be happy to hook up tomorrow and tow to Darwin. Planner Geez planner, your old man and mine must be 'brothers from another mother' as this is now our third van job and he too enjoyed the time with me rebuilding them. I also dont count the time I spent on labour, else you may as well start counting the time spent gardening, house chores etc.
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Post by 78466noM on Feb 5, 2017 10:08:46 GMT 10
To renovate restore remodel to sell would put me in the negative but as a keeper it has allowed me to have something I know is safe and reliable and at the the moment I am not paying it off so more extra money when we go away in theory. It may not be new or even perfect. I don't have to constantly tell the grand kids don't do that keep your hands off that etc. It will be how we want to use it. Also over this build I have learnt a lot of things some of that is the regulations a lot of them I had no idea about also that the timber roof in the millard wasn't a very good idea as water went in though screw threads and rotted runners along top. Admittedly it did take over thirty years.so for us it was the only way to go also nearly forgot the new caravans not only are out of most peoples price range but horror stories aside most classic or vintage vans have a low tare weight I saw a new one it was advertised as light weight tared at 1880kg about 18ft including boot so about 16ft inside usable space bogie axle this puts it out of the safe towing capacity of most cars even the falcon and territory with a towing capacity of 2300kg braked fill the water put the rest of your gear in cloths food generator if needed doesn't take much to take it over. plus I do like the shape of the older vans they stand out from the crowd and mostly the ones on the road are well looked after.
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Post by Mustang on Feb 5, 2017 10:34:25 GMT 10
When you see the state of some Vintage Vans on their forum I think we are some what sedate in our projects. (see Grandads Van) I traded a year of my retirement for the health of Vincent & still work on the van regularly. Recently I walked past a TAB in the city & it was full of lost souls, I thought you poor bast**ds, give me an old van any day. Our 12 yo home costs me money every week!!!!!!!!!!I just spent $4500 on our roof reseal, so money I spend on Vincent I look at as saved. SWMBO thinks I've done a great job on the "little" I have spent.
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Post by tasmillard on Feb 6, 2017 5:48:26 GMT 10
Im pretty much on the same thoughts as Bruce. These oldies gives anyone the option to get out and travel. I think the PR specialists must hate us as we dont all fall for the hype of new. The same goes with my cars, ill keep a 2000 era and earlier as these are simple still, new cars are just full of electrics and will not last 20years (again the intent is to keep spending on trade-ins). But what i enjoy too is seeing these old classics beautifully redone (or kept in original cond) and used as intended.
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