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Post by mausie on Oct 28, 2011 13:27:06 GMT 10
Hi All, this is my first post. We have just purchased a Capricorn caravan believed to be from the 70s. The Chassis (VIN) number is R78T018008. Any idea what model and when it was made. Are there any other Capricornians in the group?
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Post by millard1399 on Oct 28, 2011 14:06:08 GMT 10
G'day mausie, and welcome to the forum! ;D Nup, no other Capricorn owners on the forum, as far as I know.  The VIN you've given is a Rego-generated number from their computer. Usually this type of number is allocated if the caravan doesn't have any indication of its own chassis number. In your case, I'm surprised there isn't one on the van. If you click on this link, it will take you to another thread about a Capricorn van I had for a few weeks last year. Have a read through that thread and see if your van is similar. Look for a chassis number where mine was. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2011 15:26:43 GMT 10
welcome and looking forward to seeing a few pics of your Capricorn.
Jean
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Post by mausie on Oct 28, 2011 17:04:22 GMT 10
Thanks for the welcome and for the quick reply. My husband Joe and I are only new at this forum business but will learn. How do post pics on the forum. we would like to show you the Capricorn which has not found its way home yet. We intend towing it behind one of our 50s Austins.
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 28, 2011 17:28:12 GMT 10
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Post by mausie on Oct 28, 2011 17:34:55 GMT 10
Thanks ATOG - I will give it a go when I get a spare few hours ;-)
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Post by mausie on Dec 19, 2011 21:46:09 GMT 10
Hi Al and all Joe & I finally found the time to go to Victoria and collect our Capricorn. The Chassis number is 2417 and it is a Birdie Deluxe for what it is worth  We have a good deal of work to do to bring it back to acceptable standard. The previous owner had ripped out all the furniture except for the kitchen and the two dinning seats. This effectively weakened the structure of the body :-( We had to repair the van on the way home because one side had dropped 2". We intend to take a few lower sheets of cladding off to see the condition of the timber frame. Feel free to jump in and say stop!! if anyone thinks we are starting in the wrong place. The chassis looks sound. The interior lining needs replacing. If only we could press rewind  Mausie & Joe |
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Post by mausie on Dec 19, 2011 21:53:38 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by kiwijim on Dec 20, 2011 3:27:04 GMT 10
Howdy Mausie, Welcome to the Forum, Going by the look of your Capricorn in the picture, you have a nice van, well worth restoring. As a retired caravan repairer, I can tell you that I have seen many vans in far far worse condition than what you have purchased. Just going by the picture, I can see that the sides look nice and straight, no ripples or waves that indicate a bad problem with the frame. I would say, have a go at the restoration, it may take a while, but in the end it will be well worth it, the satisfaction on completion is to be able to say...."we did this" is well worth the effort. If the side of the van has dropped, the first thing I would do, is to brace the insides, using 75 x 40 timber, making a couple of box frames with corner to corner braces, one front and one back, also as close to the walls and floor to ceiling as possible. This should stop any further movement of the body and allow you to remove the wall paneling for inspection of the frame. Best of luck with the restoration. cheers kiwijim  |
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 20, 2011 8:25:54 GMT 10
G'day mausie,
Yep, and this is what should guide you when deciding whether to put the effort into working on the van.
I agree with kiwijim's thoughts about the van looking quite "tidy" in outside appearance. I also agree it would come up to be a nice van with a lot of effort.
All you have to do is decide whether it should be YOU that puts that effort in, or whether it should be some other owner. Your wallet/purse will thank you forever if you decide to pass it on to someone else.
If you do decide to persevere with fixing up the van, I noticed in the Capricorn van I had that the rounded timbers in the four corners of the roof framework (the "eyebrows" above the front and rear windows), were made out of chipboard, and had swollen considerably due to leaks in those corners. The rest of the timber framework seemed to be like the meranti timber you get these days.
There was also a major leak in the hatch framework, due to some pretty sloppy cutting of the aluminium cladding around the hatch opening. Copious amounts of sealant had been gobbed there to patch up the gap, but the sealant had given way over the years.
Irrespective of which way you decide to go (ie. work on it, or sell it), you are now much more wiser and knowledgeable about what to look for in an old van, so that's got to be a good thing. ;D
ps. As you would have noticed, I've added the chassis number into the first heading of this thread, and shifted the thread into the Hall Of Fame section. I'd be estimating your chassis number is from somewhere around 1975 or thereabouts.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 20:51:30 GMT 10
G'day mausie, Yep, and this is what should guide you when deciding whether to put the effort into working on the van. I agree with kiwijim's thoughts about the van looking quite "tidy" in outside appearance. I also agree it would come up to be a nice van with a lot of effort. All you have to do is decide whether it should be YOU that puts that effort in, or whether it should be some other owner. Your wallet/purse will thank you forever if you decide to pass it on to someone else. If you do decide to persevere with fixing up the van, I noticed in the Capricorn van I had that the rounded timbers in the four corners of the roof framework (the "eyebrows" above the front and rear windows), were made out of chipboard, and had swollen considerably due to leaks in those corners. The rest of the timber framework seemed to be like the meranti timber you get these days. There was also a major leak in the hatch framework, due to some pretty sloppy cutting of the aluminium cladding around the hatch opening. Copious amounts of sealant had been gobbed there to patch up the gap, but the sealant had given way over the years. Irrespective of which way you decide to go (ie. work on it, or sell it), you are now much more wiser and knowledgeable about what to look for in an old van, so that's got to be a good thing. ;D ps. As you would have noticed, I've added the chassis number into the first heading of this thread, and shifted the thread into the Hall Of Fame section. I'd be estimating your chassis number is from somewhere around 1975 or thereabouts. cheers, Al. Attachments:
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 20:53:21 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 20:53:59 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 20:54:57 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 20:55:23 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 21:07:34 GMT 10
As you see we have plucked the cladding off the Capricorn Birdie Deluxe - nothing deluxe about it. We found wood rot in the usual paces near the windows however the entire bottom edge timber is rotted away and with it the steel that would hold it up. Not to worry - we have the spirit and enthusiasm to fix it - we have to wait until the new year before we can get the new steel folded up. In the mean time Joe and I are making a new wooden side frame. It is amazing how little wood is in the frame (in our case less than there is supposed to be) How can a caravan be held together with not more than staples and screws  We have been looking around for bits and have managed to find most things we need from Barnes Caravans and from Caravans Plus. I am afraid the fridge has seen better days. The new fridges don't look as if they will fit under the sink  Al you are fairly spot on with the year of manufacture, once we removed the cladding we found the back of the ply wood was stamped with 1974 "Made in Taiwan". The stove is stamped 1975. |
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Post by mausie on Dec 27, 2011 21:32:26 GMT 10
Here is a photo of our birdie deluxe Mausie & Joe Attachments:
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 28, 2011 7:14:10 GMT 10
G'day mausie, Congratulations on getting accepted into the Woodrot Club! ;D Now, you too can enjoy the many benefits that this club provides, such as... - amazement at how the van has held together  - genuine excuses for buying new tools to fix it ;D - learning how to curse in seven languages as you remove the staples from the walls  - a free calendar that allows you to change the date that you first thought your van would be finished  Aaah, the list goes on and on... ;D We look forward to seeing many more photos of you both enjoying your time in the club! cheers, Al. |
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Post by mausie on Dec 28, 2011 19:43:37 GMT 10
Hi Al Yes you are right on all counts!!!. ;D - Tools have been purchased - many staples removed - timber purchased (Meranti and Tassie Oak) - We did the cursing bit bringing the van home We need to change one ceiling panel Not sure if we should take the internal overhead cupboards out - a bit worried it will cause the roof to distort and even collapse The internal random grooved ply needs to be replaced as well. We have started building the new wall and are choosing to strengthen the joints using biscuit joints and glue. I have found from my car restoration that Bondcrete is the best for waterproof gluing of timber - its magic   Spirits are still high. ;D especially now that I have an air staple gun and a few more clamps I've been wanting for some time (Joe) Joe & Mausie |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 20:09:24 GMT 10
Hi Joe and Mausie. You will find plenty of information here to help you renovate. Have fun ;D ;D Hey Joe, I will give you a little tip, the reno's on the van really are a great excuse for purchasing " any new tool " ;D ;D . and I mean any new tool ha ha ha . Seriously enjoy, there are plenty of people here to offer very useful tips and ideas. Regards Steve and Alison |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 16:40:28 GMT 10
Hi Joe and Mausie,
Looks like you are going to have lots of fun renovating (rebuilding) your van.
As Teflon said "reno's on the van really are a great excuse for purchasing any new tools" and I should know - Alex is always looking at new tools and saying 'but its for the caravan',
I must admit though I love seeing our van slowly getting new bits done on it, it gives you a great sence of achievment.
Keep posting the photos and good luck.
Jean
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Post by peter92 on Dec 29, 2011 18:31:27 GMT 10
Joe & Mausie,
welcome, you should really enjoy doing the van. ive started mine and loving it. funny about the differant languages we can use
looking forwards to your pics as you progress
regards peter
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Post by bobt on Dec 29, 2011 20:08:23 GMT 10
another one that likes bondcrete... I have never tested its water proof ability.. |
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Post by mausie on Dec 29, 2011 20:27:50 GMT 10
Bondcrete - A car club mate of mine put me onto it years ago. He wasn't convinced himself when he was told about it so he joined two bits of wood along the edge clamped it overnight. The tossed it in the backyard thinking he would check it in a week or so when it got wet. Well he forgot about it and came across it when cleaning up about 12 months later -the two bits were still stuck together. When he tried to brack the join the wood broke not the join. Well that convinced me.
its a good idea to paint the timber end grain with Bondcrete as well to seal it from moisture.
Joe & Mausie
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Post by mausie on Dec 31, 2011 18:34:57 GMT 10
Has anyone seen this type of door handle fitted to our Capricorn? Part of the handle is brocken and there is no internal part to the lock - we have no idea what it should look like. the next message will have what it looks like with the main door opened and the screen door closed. Joe & Mausie Attachments:
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