Capricorn Birdie Deluxe

[Deleted]

I first went caravanning with my parents when I was one (a long time ago, you can tell from this photograph) and have wanted my own for many years.



In November, I bought one. Eleven feet of Capricorn Birdie Deluxe, 1971. I found on this website a brief history of Capricorn - Thanks, In Dire Need Of Therapy -and that's all I know.
I'd love to know what made her Deluxe; in 1971 it might have been electricity.
I was promised she'd been kept in a barn and she may have been, she's in relatively good shape.
The renovation begins...

[bobt]

Hi heleninoz

Welcome aboard. That is an interesting photo you have posted, love to know more. How about posting some photos of your new acquisition.

bobt

[Deleted]

Thank you, BobT. Still loving the renovation. Was in Port Fairy, Victoria last week and found a caravan item in the local hardware store that I'd searched everywhere for. Now, that's a great holiday
.
Because she's a Birdie Deluxe, I was excited to find fabric which I have used as wallpaper on the side walls. Lots of prep on the walls to achieve a smooth finish including a base wallpaper layer, but I so enjoy seeing those Aussie birds decorating my van. Its great that even the most complicated process just isn't so daunting in an 11 foot van.
The walls still need some protective finish but that's just more research to do.
I'm making progress inside, trying to manage my usually obsessive need to finish projects asap. It's working and I quite enjoy leaving it aside for a few days then going back to it full of enthusiasm. 
This morning, however, my brother called to inform me that spray-painting the outside would be best accomplished in the next eight weeks (Victorian weather!). That requires quite a change of focus: I've been ignoring the outside tho watching Pinterest for the amazing designs that caravan addicts all over the world have come up with.
This is mine right now.

It's a challenge. I want something different but don't want to look like part of a carnival. And there's lots more prep work to be done while I'm thinking about it.

[Mustang]

Everything will take longggeeerrr than you think!!!!

[peter92]

Jan 29, 2015 19:45:03 GMT 10 Mustang said:

Everything will take longggeeerrr than you think!!!!

Yes you can say that again, its been over 12 months doing mine and still going
but love it
Regards Peter

[Deleted]

That's good to hear, Peter. I really love every minute I spend on it and I'm almost surprised when friends ask where I'm going first. Right now, I'm so focused on the makeover, I'm not even thinking about when it's done and I can hitch her up. And in between, I have to learn how to back up!!

[Deleted]

My reno is moving along well and I'm still loving it. Have learned a few lessons along the way.
The most recent was midway thru replacing my back window after some hardware and great online instructions from Caravans Plus. I have the original glass which makes the window rather heavy but I didn't foresee that those two little plastic L corners might not support the window alone. So it came crashing down, the frame breaking at those corners again and the glass unbroken on the ground, grassy luckily. So now I have more of those brackets on order and I'm trying the metal ones this time. I'll provide a bit more support this time till its fully installed.
My next challenge is to find a spare wheel and I'd appreciate any guidance
.
I now understand that my Capricorn is more '74 or '75. There are five bolts on the wheel.  My brother thought it might be a Ford rim but he's just guessing. Would anyone know this? And any suggestions on where to find one. 

Helen

[Mustang]

Try measuring the stud holes, centre to centre.
Then use a formula like this: 5 stud link

[Deleted]

Thanks - I did that and my wheels look like 5/ 108 and according to that link, that is one of the Ford sizes. Does that mean than any Ford 5/108 will fit on my caravan?
This is new stuff to me. Apologies for any dumb questions!

[Deleted]

Hi Check this trailer web site and it will tell you exactly what your wheel fits. cheers

[Mustang]

Mar 29, 2015 17:31:37 GMT 10 @lockyer said:

Hi Check this trailer web site and it will tell you exactly what your wheel fits. cheers

Showing me up Lockyer

[Deleted]

I've been working on Birdie for six months now and I can see the end of it. Time to get on the road!
With help from these message boards, my windows are all operating, my lights are all working, and the inside of the van is looking like a comfortable place to be after a day of driving.


And the outside... I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and was inspired to make big changes. 


Birdie hasn't been out of the carport since she arrived, but the todo list fits on one page....

[Deleted]

Helen, you should feel proud you have done a magnificent job on your van, well done 

Cheers

[Deleted]

Thanks, Lockyer. According to your earlier advice, my wheels are Holden HD, HG and HK. I was able to find a spare and now I' m looking for a pair of old-fashioned hupcaps to go on my wheels. Any suggestions for a source.
I see we have 11feet in common. It encourages me to make good use of every inch of space.
Really appreciate your help. I began this project knowing nothing about caravans.
Cheers

[Deleted]

May 23, 2015 17:21:13 GMT 10 @heleninoz said:

Thanks, Lockyer. According to your earlier advice, my wheels are Holden HD, HG and HK. I was able to find a spare and now I' m looking for a pair of old-fashioned hupcaps to go on my wheels. Any suggestions for a source.
I see we have 11feet in common. It encourages me to make good use of every inch of space.
Really appreciate your help. I began this project knowing nothing about caravans.
Cheers

Helen I'm spoiled here as my neighbour is a swap meet fanatic, so when I need something I tell him and if he finds something he ring and send me a pic and if it looks good I give him the thumbs up to buy. Have a look around on the internet and your local papers or go to your local car spare parts store and ask if there is a vintage or classic or old car club and get a contact number, ring them just ask if they or any of there members have the hub caps your looking for, or start stopping at wrecking yards you go pass and ask there.

It is amazing how much storage space there is in these smaller vans

Cheers and good luck with your hunt 

[Mustang]

May 23, 2015 17:21:13 GMT 10 @heleninoz said:

Thanks, Lockyer. According to your earlier advice, my wheels are Holden HD, HG and HK. I was able to find a spare and now I' m looking for a pair of old-fashioned hupcaps to go on my wheels. Any suggestions for a source.
I see we have 11feet in common. It encourages me to make good use of every inch of space.
Really appreciate your help. I began this project knowing nothing about caravans.
Cheers

Hi Helen,
Your list is down to ONE page.....WOW...well done.
Your hubcap search needs to be narrowed, HD are 13" & HG/HK are 14"
An ebay search will devulge plenty but look closley at condition. Good ones are around $50. ea
But i,m pretty sure 13 & 14 will not interchange.
Again well done.

[Deleted]

Appreciate your assistance, Mustang. I measured my tire and the rim diam is 15". The center of lug-hole to next center of lug-hole is 2 1/2". Can you tell from that which wheel I have? 
I have pulled her out of the carport onto the driveway, first move since November, 2015. Almost there.
Thanks

[doublechevron]

Mar 29, 2015 11:33:26 GMT 10 @heleninoz said:

My reno is moving along well and I'm still loving it. Have learned a few lessons along the way.
The most recent was midway thru replacing my back window after some hardware and great online instructions from Caravans Plus. I have the original glass which makes the window rather heavy but I didn't foresee that those two little plastic L corners might not support the window alone. So it came crashing down, the frame breaking at those corners again and the glass unbroken on the ground, grassy luckily. So now I have more of those brackets on order and I'm trying the metal ones this time. I'll provide a bit more support this time till its fully installed.
My next challenge is to find a spare wheel and I'd appreciate any guidance
.
I now understand that my Capricorn is more '74 or '75. There are five bolts on the wheel.  My brother thought it might be a Ford rim but he's just guessing. Would anyone know this? And any suggestions on where to find one. 

Helen

They look like HT holden, impossible to tell without measuring as described below. The ford stud pattern and HQ are visually a bit bigger than that ................ However it's always hard to tell without a tape measure

[Rattles]

Mar 29, 2015 11:33:26 GMT 10 @heleninoz said:

My reno is moving along well and I'm still loving it. Have learned a few lessons along the way.
The most recent was midway thru replacing my back window after some hardware and great online instructions from Caravans Plus. I have the original glass which makes the window rather heavy but I didn't foresee that those two little plastic L corners might not support the window alone. So it came crashing down, the frame breaking at those corners again and the glass unbroken on the ground, grassy luckily. So now I have more of those brackets on order and I'm trying the metal ones this time. I'll provide a bit more support this time till its fully installed.
My next challenge is to find a spare wheel and I'd appreciate any guidance
.View Attachment
I now understand that my Capricorn is more '74 or '75. There are five bolts on the wheel.  My brother thought it might be a Ford rim but he's just guessing. Would anyone know this? And any suggestions on where to find one. 

Helen

I think you will find the rims if they are Holden then they will be HK Holden 14" (1968-1969) the HK rims were the first 14" Holden with the old Holden 13" Wheel Stud Pattern and were the only ones in the HK,MT,HG models that had the Rectangular holes in the Rim.






Rattles

[gazzasmk1]

Our Capricorn deluxe has early 14" Holden wheels with HK, HT or HG hubcaps