1966 Viscount Duralvan - A1245

[Deleted]

Hi there

I am trying to track down/confirm the year/model for my viscount duralvan.
Thankfully I came across this thread.
The logo and name are barely visible, stickers are peeling off but they look like the photo posted by Friendy.
The chasis number which I can barely read looks like A1245 but I am not sure as it's painted over in black and hard to see.
The caravan looks like the photos posted just above by friendy and the interior layout is similar except for the fridge which matches the brown laminex cupboards.
I am looking for information on getting parts to repair the hatch which got stuck and then 'broke' when I tried to open it and most of the catches on the windows have broken, plus the metal bits which keep the windows open are seized up or broken and practically all the windows need the glass replaced.
I hope it won't be too hard to find all the bits and pieces to get it repaired.

Cheers
kiviscount

[ForumMod]

G'day kiviscount,

When you say "The caravan looks like the photos posted just above by friendy..." if you mean the paintwork on the sides of the van looks the same, then it'll be from roughly the same time period as friendy's van, but earlier. This particular design seems to have been made in 1971 or thereabouts.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al

I meant the layout inside the van from the location of the fridge, sink, gas stove (under the whit "tabletop" to the right of the sink).
The outside is White with Green 'Strips" but not like friendy's.
I am not even sure if it is A1245 or maybe A7245 and it's a tad too hot right this moment to take piccies of it.
Is that the only way to determine it's age? By the painting on the outside of the van?

TIA
Bea

[ForumMod]

G'day Bea,

Is that the only way to determine it's age? By the painting on the outside of the van?

The two main pieces of information that help identify Viscounts are the chassis number and the painted design on the sides. The interior is really not much help because they were pretty similar in many ways over the years.

If you can add a photo of the side of the van showing the painted stripes, that will help to narrow down the age of the van.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al
Okay, thanks. Have some pics on my pone, will try to upload tomorrow.
Cheers
Bea

[Deleted]

Hi Al

Hmm.... I can't seem to post images?

[Deleted]

[img src="i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s554/SimplyBea/chasisnumber_zps5705b70a.jpg"]




[/img]

Okay - hope that makes sense?

[Deleted]

Hi Kiviscount and welcome to the forum,

Looks like a pretty neat looking van you have got there, must have been garaged for a good part of its life as the flash on the side doesn't look faded at all.

Would love to see some pics of the inside and curious to know what length it is.

Subbie

[Deleted]

Hi stubbies
She is in really good condition for the most part but the windows are cracked, some quite badly and the hatch needs replacing but I don't know where to get the bits and bobs nor how to do it myself at this stage.
I think we worked out she is about 15 ft but I don't know how old she is.

Bea

[ForumMod]

G'day Bea,

I reckon your van is from 1969, and I also reckon it's been repainted at some stage. The green stripe design on the side is not something that Viscount did. It should look like the "lightning stripes" that are found on Viscount vans from that time period.

See this thread: ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=1383

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

It looks a bit like my van. EnidB

[Deleted]

Hi Al
Wow...thanks for the link, lots of info there which might help me out.
EnidB was this yours?
I bought it off an ex colleague.

[Deleted]

Hi Kiviscount, Mine is a 1970's Duralvan 15 foot (I think). Here is the link with photos ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=2198

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2013 21:28:15 GMT 10 ForumMod said:

G'day Bea,

I reckon your van is from 1969, and I also reckon it's been repainted at some stage. The green stripe design on the side is not something that Viscount did. It should look like the "lightning stripes" that are found on Viscount vans from that time period.

See this thread: ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=1383

cheers,
Al.

Hi Al
How do you know it is from 1969?
I had a look at the fridge and it says 1976.
It is a Japanese made TUOMATIC Model AR-3 made in 1976. Might have been retrofitted?

[Deleted]

Mar 10, 2013 11:21:00 GMT 10 @enidb said:

Hi Kiviscount, Mine is a 1970's Duralvan 15 foot (I think). Here is the link with photos ditzygypsy.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photos&action=display&thread=2198

Hi EnidB - gosh, your other restored vintage caravan looks a dream!!!
*sigh* lucky girl to have a hubbie who will do the hard work for/with you - alas, I don't have someone who will help me so I am still trying to see if I can pluck up the courage to start or just make do.
The hatch on my van can be opened now because we unscrewed the 'winder' which was seized up and looked like it had been pushed out of position but no way of repairing it.
The windows are my other concern - most of them are cracked and a few are very badly cracked. The 'locks' have broken on a few of them, I have ordered the plastic clips and am waiting for them to get here.
The metal bits that open and keep the windows open are all damaged and I am not sure what to do there.

[Deleted]

Hi folks
Well, I have been doing lots of reading on both the vintage caravans forum and here since I discovered the forums.

I originally bought my caravans solely to use as studio spaces and had no intention of moving them once parked but all the inspiration in both these forums has made me want to actually 'go places' in my vans.

So now I need to learn how to tow, reverse and park my van!!! My Viscount Duralvan is going to be my 'learner van'. I have NEVER towed anything in my life so I am very nervous.

First things first, I have to make sure the brakes work, get the broken windows replaced and see if can get the hatch fixed up.

Questions I have for a start.
I am wondering if I would be able to tow this with my Mitsubishi Magna station wagon?
Is there a 'better brake system' for easier towing?
What would the best Tyres be for this van? I want to make sure I get new ones for the van.

Thanks for the great forums, I have learnt a lot and am still learning.
Bea

[ForumMod]

G'day Bea,

I can't answer your question about the Magna. Perhaps this thread from another caravanning forum could be a good starting point?

As far as brake systems go, you'll probably find different people will prefer different systems. Some people like the electric brake systems, and others prefer the cable override type. Some people have brake pads in the drums, and others are going for the "newer" disc pad wheels. A lot depends on how much spare cash you have in your pocket, as to whether you persevere with what you've got, or upgrade to something else. I think your van would have override cable brakes, yes? If they are functioning correctly, they tend to do the job fairly satisfactorily.

For tyres, most people seem to go for the Light Truck tyres. I put two new Toyo 195R14C tyres on my Windsor in May last year, at a cost of $130 each. You can get cheaper brands, but my tyre man talked me into putting a "decent" brand on (he probably saw me coming ).

Have fun learning how to tow. Going forward seems to be the easy part. Having to go backwards can be a challenge at times. Blame your brain when you back into that tree. Darn brains just can't seem to get the rear view sorted out so it makes sense.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al
Yes, the van has cable brakes and the friend who towed it over for me says they work okay but he has LOTS of experience with all sorts of vehicles as he owns a coach/tour company.
My worry is going up and down some pretty steep hills as to whether I will be able to manage with what she has considering my lack of experience.
I am hoping to use her for overnight stays so that I can avoid those early morning drives ith Roos on the road when I do the monthly markets. It would just be awesome o wake up to the gorgeous coastline and have a nice walk instead of racing to get ready while its still dark and then drive though 'roo country' and be a wreck by the time I arrive.

I am going to get her registered and take her in to the local mechanic for them to check the brakes out .
I just wondered if there was a 'better/easier' system and I could ask for a quote from them.
:0

[ForumMod]

I have a mountain pass about 5kms north of me, and it is our main access road in and out of our area. The pass is 3.5kms total length, and has two steep sections of about 1km each at a 1:10 gradient (pretty steep).

When I had my Millard 14ft poptop with its cable brakes, I never had any issues coming down the pass towing it behind my Mazda Tribute V6 auto. I always used to pull the selector back to 2nd gear and come down at a speed below 60kph. The car's brakes never seemed to be overtaxed by the time we got to the bottom.

Nowadays, we do it with the Windsor behind the Toyota Prado. Bigger van and bigger towcar, although the Windsor has electric brakes. I've always been of the opinion that the max speed you allow your car/van combination to get to on downhill runs is the deciding factor on whether you'll have any issues or not. If I let the car "get away from me" on the steep slopes, I start to look for that spare set of undies I've got in the glovebox.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Morning Al
Thanks for that feedback, then I guess I just have to get them to check the brakes and service them just to calm my natural anxious nature.

By the way, when I called the transport dept about the rego, they would/could not confirm the age of the van. Only info I got was that it was last registered in 2010.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think my chassis number is?
A1..... Or A7....?
I just can't make it out!!!

[ForumMod]

I'd be inclined to think it was a 1. It seems quite straight up and down, whereas the straight sections of the 4 and the 5 have a sloping appearance about them. I tend to think that if it was a 7, then the bottom stem section would slope similar to the 4 and 5.

The fact that it could be either number doesn't help us. Viscount were building up around 10,000 units per year at that time period, so it would be possible to have A1245 and A7245 in the same year.

I see what you mean though, with the "smudged" look at the top of the number. Is this just a spot of rust? If you took to that area with a wire brush, would it clean the smudge off and reveal a clearer number? Maybe it's a 1 with a little 'hook' welded at the top? Sort of like this typed '1' without the base.


About a month ago you posted about your van having a 1976 Tuomatic fridge, and how was I sure about your van being from 1969 or 1970. I'm pretty sure Viscounts never used the Tuomatic brand of fridge, and went with the Electrolux brand instead. Tuomatic fridges were standard in Millards. Perhaps somebody retro fitted the fridge after a number years?


cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al

I think you are correct, it looks more like a '1' with the'hook' on the top than a '7'.
I am required to provide a chasis number for the registration and wanted to be as correct as possible.

You are more than likely correct about the fridge, I would not be surprised at all.
At least it worked when we switched it on to check soon after getting her home.
I have been told her gas plumbing is okay as well but we have not checked that out as yet. It does look good at the connecting point outside the van where the gas bottle should sit.

The other curly question was the weight. I could not find any reference to the tare weight/gross weight so I don't even know what it weighs.
What would a 'safe' guess be? Or a clue to look for that on the van?

Thanks so much for all this help.
I am hoping to go in to town tomorrow to get the paper work done.

Cheers
Bea

[ForumMod]

For a single axle van of 15ft cabin length, a rough-and-ready calculation for tare weight is:

52kgs per foot length of cabin, then add another 100kgs to the answer for a 'safety factor'.

52kgs x 15(ft) = 780kgs, plus another 100kgs "for good luck" gives you 880kgs tare weight.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Al
Thank you for all the good info here.
I don't know what I would do without all the help I hav got from here especially from you.
Hopefully I will manage to tow my van properly and I am looking forward to getting around with her until I can be confident enough to take her anywhere.

[Deleted]

Okay...I am SO excited!!
I have registered my van and during the process at the post office, I was told that it was made in 1966!!!
The weight was declared at 760kg.
So it looks like all I need now is courage and lots of practice.
Thanks Al for all the great info and I will post my 'adventures'.
If things work out and feel confident, I might make it off the island to one of the vintage van meetings!!!!!
Cheers
Bea