My 70s Vans - past and present

[hooligan]

Well here goes, my own hall of fame.
Firstly from the past:
I have owned two mid seventies Franklin Sunwagons:
Number one Franklin:

Number two Franklin:

The ACT Cruiser Hardtop (actually this could be 60S??):

The classy Cabana - completely rebuilt the roof on this but that's a story and pics for a separate thread:

Now for the present, in order of aquisition:
The 1974(ish) Franklin Statesman 20 foot:

The 1972/3 Franklin Regent 12 footer (also in the resto thread):

And the 12 foot early 1970s York:

The York is currently doing time as my kids cubby, it was gutted before I bought it, so when the kids grow out of it it will become a resto project.
In addition, I have had a 1960s Roma and still have a 1960s Viscount and 1963ish Franklin (these are all on the VV site).

Well that's my little hall of fame (& shame - sorry about the York-cubby )
Cheers,
Gristy

[Deleted]

Hey Hooligan, great look'n 20' Statesman. Luv that centreish door, allowing for a big front lounge.

20' a bit big for us, as I think the mighty Val would struggle a bit. The bride wants 18' dual, I am more inclined with 16', single axle, cause I know the bigger the van, the more girlie things that are coming on board.

But we both agree on the layout. Front U lounge, middle kitchen, and well..... the games area down the back...... not fussed at the layout, cause it would get re modeled anyway.

Not much around SEQ at the moment, however off on a weeks R & R shortly, so I will keep my eyes peeled.

Cheers & beers

[ditzy]

Hey I am soooooooooooooooooooo ;D impressed.

Nice Collection Hooligan...................you are giving the VV Poohbah a run for his money ;D

Catch you all when I get back to the big smoke.

[campboy]

hooligan said:

Well here goes, my own hall of fame.
Firstly from the past:
I have owned two mid seventies Franklin Sunwagons:
Number one Franklin:
The York is currently doing time as my kids cubby, it was gutted before I bought it, so when the kids grow out of it it will become a resto project.
In addition, I have had a 1960s Roma and still have a 1960s Viscount and 1963ish Franklin (these are all on the VV site).

Well that's my little hall of fame (& shame - sorry about the York-cubby )
Cheers,
Gristy

Wow what a collection ,that Franklin looks alot like Siddons Sunwagon .

[hooligan]

G'day Campboy:
Both the franklins look very similar to your Sunwagon. They were definately Franklins though, they had Franklin Engineering on tow hitches and (from memory) on the sink too. There were lots of different "Sunwagons" in the seventies, although few with the exact shape of yours ( and my old Franklins).

Ditzy
- thanks for the positive comment, although methinks the grand poobah has a better collection.
Mine currently stands at 5 vans (the bottom three in the list above - York, Franklin, Franklin and two VVs - Franklin & Viscount). Most vans I have had at any one time is 6 caravans, I copped heaps from mates, and still do. Funny how people go quiet when you ask them how many cars, or motor bikes or boats they own ;D

VKGreenie - thanks mate, we love the 20ft Franklin Statesman (although I'd be happier if it was a Franklin 'Fairlane' or 'Customline' ;D). That pic is quite old but as it is on site with decking out front etc current photos barely show the van at all. We hunted for ages to find the layout in it. That centre-ish door is due to QS bed in front, then middle kitchen/dinette, and four bunks up back - making a potential 8 berth! It is actually a surprisingly light van for the size. This is the interior (when we bought it):
front

and rear


Cheers,
Gristy

[campboy]

hooligan said:

G'day Campboy:
Both the franklins look very similar to your Sunwagon. They were definately Franklins though, they had Franklin Engineering on tow hitches and (from memory) on the sink too. There were lots of different "Sunwagons" in the seventies, although few with the exact shape of yours ( and my old Franklins).

Thanks for that , I have no idea why it has Siddons on the side , very weird

[hooligan]

Maybe Siddons was the Dealer
Does yours have Franklin on the sink or hitch?

Cheers,
Gristy

[campboy]

hooligan said:

Maybe Siddons was the Dealer
Does yours have Franklin on the sink or hitch?

Cheers,
Gristy

I'll check that out next time i look at it