Our 1973 Viscount Ambassador

[Deleted]

Hi all, just joined the forum. We are the very proud owners of a 1973 Viscount Ambassador, we are only the second owners, the van has been maintained in near mint condition. It was the standard 15x7 front cafe dining/double bed, rear single bed layout. The van has been professionally updated with the fitting of a microwave (in its own cabinet to match the interior paneling) a Dometic roll out awning with full annex walls. The van has its own 12v battery located in a box mounted on the A frame, it also has alloy wheels for a very nice look. The original owners fish oiled/painted the chassis from new so its in great condition. The original stripe has been professionally resprayed silver, & I was also very fortunate to obtain the original decals for the van a while back. We find the van attracts a lot of attension everywhere we go because of its condition, people always ask plenty of  questions about it. We have no hesitation towing the van big distances, we will be heading to QLD shortly to warm up. Heaps of great info on this forum regarding the Viscount history.  Will try to add a pic,

Regards Ambas73

[greedy53]

nice a good find

[ForumMod]

G'day ambass73, and welcome to the forum!

As greedy says, "Nice find"!

Can you tell us the chassis number on the drawbar please?

What's the story with the Viscount decals? How did you manage to get hold of replacement ones?


No wonder you get lots of attention for the van. She sure is a beauty.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al, the chassis no is 3-129, I have a fair understanding of the early Viscount history, my parents owned an Ambassador brought new in 69. Its chassis no was E9330, it was purchased from the dealer Judd & Innes of Dandenong Victoria. I remember this because it was badged as a "Customline" which I believe was their trade name in the late 60's & early 70's. It had a different stripeing pattern that was very rare unlike the popular lightening bolt design & was hardly seen on any other Ambassadors from that time. I will try to scan an old photo if i can. I was able to obtain the new decals from a repairer in Bayswater Vic, they are the original style but without the word "Ambassador" under the orange V. Cant remember the company but I know they were the last set they had. Our van has the "new style" entry door, the square interior ceiling lights, "old style" cupboard knobs & wind up hatch. I had the hatch winding metal thread re made as this recently snapped, I took the old thread to an engineering co who turned up a new one, its now stronger & perfect. Hve seen a couple of vans that come close to our vans condition, but they are getting rarer these days.

regards
Ambas73.

[bobt]

Gidday Ambas73

Welcome aboard. Sure is a nice Ambassador you have, you should be proud. Please tell us where you found it? Some internal pics would be nice.

Where abouts in QLD are you heading?

Bobt

[Deleted]

Wow that's Awesome, would love to see a close up of that rear bumper if possible (Please) I really want to make one for our van.
Regards
Simon and Christina

[Deleted]

Hi again, in reply to the above. We found the van in metro Melbourne, everything that has been done to the van is due to the previous original owners, we are just lucky to now own it. Unfortunatley we cant shed it like its use to, it does have a well fitted weather proof cover when we are not useing it though. Here are some more pics, the rear bumper has the provision for a bike rack to be also attached, inside shots to come as its being loaded up for our trip to S.E QLD at the moment.
regards
ambass73

[Deleted]

Thank you really appreciate you taking the time to post the pictures of the bumper that is a big help.
Regards
Simon and Christina