Viscount Royal 1977

[Deleted]

Thanks for the welcome Bricktop. Here's some pics of the van -


Pretty good base to start with



The inside is in a reasonable state too. Fridge works on 240V, haven't tried gas yet!


Mum thought mission brown would look good on 2 sides about 25 years ago! Thanks Mum!


I've cleaned the draw bar up and fitted a new tow coupling (the original had a bent shaft). The numbers indicate an early 1977 build I think?

Overall the van is in pretty good shape. It has spent it's entire life near the coast, but my Dad had always made sure the steel work was looked after (fish oil and kill rust paint) until it landed at my house about 8 years ago. It was almost taken to the tip as no-one wanted to deal with it!
Since then it has sat on bricks and been used rarely as a spare room.

I'm surprised at how good the chassis and framework under the van is. Just needs a wire brush and a coat of paint.
Wheel bearings are all in great condition, I've just re-packed them and cleaned the rims up.

Plan is to make it a usable van for short trips away and a spare room / teenagers retreat.

My better half is in charge of the interior decorations. She is going to cover the couch and beds with a green vinyl to allow for easy cleaning etc as we live and holiday near the coast. We are also going to change the main bed to a queen size with storage underneath. 

I'll try and throw a few photo's up as I progress through the reno.

Cheers

[Deleted]

The brown/white/green color theme is striking

Did they run out of brown paint?

It's a great looking inside, I do wish I had bunks in mine.

[Deleted]

Yeh, beautiful isn't it! It was parked under the verandah of a bungalow so she painted the two exposed sides to 'blend' it in with the bungalow.
Oh well, it's just another job on the list!

[viscount6116]

Gday McTavish43

As you say "Its a good base to start from" Inside looks good ....one question which colour scheme is going to stay Original or Mission Brown ?? I quite like the mission brown but that's the sort of person I am !! (house external timber work at my place was the same colour lol )

Congrats nice van

Andy

[Deleted]

G'day Andy,

I'm afraid the mission brown has to go! Everything at mums place had the 'mission brown' treatment at some point; nothing was safe!

The bed is out, to be replaced with a queen size so we can actually fit in it! The rear ply was damaged and the cupboard on the right hand side was in the way of the new bed, so had to come out too. The wall panelling on the left has some water damage, as does the floor, so this will have to be cut out and replaced as well as finding the leak.


The bunk bed is usable, but it will most likely be left as an extra couch and a shelf if required. I don't want to pull the bunk out completely yet just in case we have to house some extras.


The frame of the couch is in pretty good condition, only some minor dings. The seat and back have been sent off to the upholsterer (along with the bunk mattresses) for re-covering. we're going with a green vinyl for ease of cleaning.


Kitchen is also pretty good. A bit of rust to clean up around the fridge (still haven't tried it on gas) and the stove. The sink looks OK in the photo, but it's pretty badly pitted with rust so I plan to replace it. Anyone know where I can get an exact replacement? I haven't been able to find anything that suits the size yet, I'm thinking I may have to build a new bench top and insert a sink into it?


I've cleaned up the hubs, lubricated the brakes and re-packed the bearings. All very smooth now. (This is the before photo!)


I'm focussing on getting the van registered first so I can actually use it and drive it to repairers if required. As of today, both wheels are finished and re-fitted. Tow coupling and draw bar are pretty much done. New tail lights, side markers etc. are fitted waiting to be wired.
Other jobs on the go - water tank removed and cleaned up, curtains under construction (I think that's the correct term?), roof hatch cleaned up and ready for another coat of paint, door step cleaned up and had 4 coats of silver paint (to be re-fitted soon), new door lock fitted. 

I'm also working on the window fly screens. I'm going to try the soldering iron trick I saw on one of the threads on this site. I'll let you know how I go. 

There's no law that says you can't have a van painted brown on one side and white on the other........is there?

[Deleted]

....some more pics -

Pretty clean underneath for a coastal van!


The roof hatch has had a squirt of silver. I'm not sure whether to make this white. Does anyone know what the original colour was?


The step

[Deleted]

Hi McTavish,
Yes your van had a white hatch when new.
I think you have the Viscount wind out windows too by what I can see,which means the starlite locks don't fit,so don't go there!
Cheers
hughdeani

[youngdazza]

The van is looking great. Sounds like you know what you need to do and it's now just a matter of time (and effort)...

Regarding the fridge they're a very common model of dometic / Electrolux fridge. If you're patient you might find one on eBay. Alternatively call some caravan fridge repair places and see if they have a reconditioned one that's the same as your old one. Unfortunately they won't be cheap. If they don't have the exact model either wait until they do or pick up another similar aged fridge that fits the cavity. Unlike regular fridges caravan fridges come in a few standard sizes.

Cheers

[Deleted]

G'day Hughdeani and Youngdazza,

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

Cheers

[Mustang]

Feb 6, 2015 7:19:34 GMT 10 youngdazza said:

The van is looking great. Sounds like you know what you need to do and it's now just a matter of time (and effort)...

Regarding the fridge they're a very common model of dometic / Electrolux fridge. If you're patient you might find one on eBay. Alternatively call some caravan fridge repair places and see if they have a reconditioned one that's the same as your old one. Unfortunately they won't be cheap. If they don't have the exact model either wait until they do or pick up another similar aged fridge that fits the cavity. Unlike regular fridges caravan fridges come in a few standard sizes.

Cheers

I'm also looking for a 3x way fridge, called a guy who has done a lot of work for me, renovated are near new cost, better to buy new!

Your van is the same layout as our 77 Supreme, first one Ive seen.
The previous owner threw the front bunk in on the floor, said he never used it? I would appreciate some close-ups of how its mounted?
Cheers
Brent
[e-mail]
Our Van

[Deleted]

G'day Brent

No worries, I'll take a few shots and post them as soon as I can.

Cheers

[Deleted]

G'day Brent,

Here's some photo's of the bunk set up.

1) The right hand side support is screwed into the wall, the left hand one is bolted through the cupboard.
2) Left hand support
3) There are two pins that go through the shelf above the bunks into the leading edge of the top bunk when folded up to hold it in the travel position.
4) The top bunk hinges open (this top bunk has had some work done to it in the past - added support timbers etc, so is not completely original)
5) There is two upright supports that are just chrome towel rails with female fittings at the top and bottom. It looks quite flimsy but we've had some big teenagers sleep on it with no hassles.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want me to put up any more photo's of specific parts of the bunk (or any part of the van).

Cheers

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