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Post by Zippo on Aug 2, 2015 18:18:00 GMT 10
I'm new to caravans but already have a Classic tow car ready to go (Wolseley 6/99)  and I'm trying to work out what it is I'm dragging home. What I have so far:About 17 foot long, single axle Has Knee action friction dampers on the leaf springs wood framing large single front window, no rear window 4 season hatch wind out windows (so post 1973??) windows and hatch are the same as fitted to a Glendale (only old caravan I can compare with) Tag inside a cupboard has some info about how to enter a caravan park and how to exit the park. On the bottom of the tag it says "VF Caravans, 19 Hillwin St, Reservoir, 461836". No number on the A frame (looks like it's a replacement) and no ID Tags anywhere I can see. Stick on label on the rear (above central number plate bracket) says Leisuretime and smaller text is Sunshine. It has 2 pale olive green parallel flash stripes along the side with VF incorporated in to the front end of the stripes. Chassis Number is D294 I'm towing it home on Monday so no photos yet. It's in poor shape and I'll do an assessment on it to decide if I'll rebuild it. Price was right so we'll see how it goes. Once it's home, I'll take some pictures and post them up to help identify it. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks Update, October 2017:All the original photos for this reno were lost when Photobucket decided to change the rules and block links to the photos. So..... Flickr is now home to the reno photos ===> 1974 VF Caravans Leisuretime, manufactured by Majestic Caravans, reno photo album |
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Post by Mustang on Aug 2, 2015 19:02:27 GMT 10
Look forward to it, I had a Wolseley 1500 beautiful wood and vinyl interior, luxurious for its time, a heater!! don't think it would have pulled much more than a box trailer?
Funny, but not really, England was so powerful in the car manufacturing industry, how could it all go to Asia?
Now look at Australia without a car industry, hard to believe, will the US be next?
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Post by atefooterz on Aug 2, 2015 19:25:24 GMT 10
A Blue Streak 24/80 would be more tow friendly for a classic van weight. I remember some special 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre 'R' Saloon & the Vanden Plas 3litre www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBW7qg9RKe8 |
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Post by Mustang on Aug 2, 2015 19:39:47 GMT 10
A Blue Streak 24/80 would be more tow friendly for a classic van weight. I remember some special 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 4-Litre 'R' Saloon & the Vanden Plas 3litre www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBW7qg9RKe8Black & Grey, interesting for the era, check out that tiny twin exhaust, & that fantastic interior. |
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Post by Zippo on Aug 2, 2015 19:46:11 GMT 10
'99 is 3L, twin 2" SU's with DG auto box. Bigger than a 24/80. The 1962 Princess 3L in the clip is a similar body with same engine / gearbox (but much higher spec). I fitted a tow bar a couple of weeks ago in preparation for the "arrival". All I need now is the van, restore it etc etc....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 19:52:50 GMT 10
Hi Zippo,
VF caravans were made by Majestic caravans in the mid to late 70s.
When you put up some pics I will be able to tell you for sure.
Cheers
hughdeani
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Post by Zippo on Aug 2, 2015 20:01:47 GMT 10
Thank you - that gives me something to work on. Been searching using the side flashes as the key identifier but have come up blank so far. I'll do some browsing to see what Majestic turns up. At least I know who the father is now.
I couldn't take any pictures during the 2 visits I've had - it's under tarps and I can't see much of the outside and it's dark inside. Tomorrow - all will be revealed when I see it in the harsh light of day. Should have some pictures tomorrow night.
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Post by atefooterz on Aug 2, 2015 20:47:25 GMT 10
Thank you - that gives me something to work on. Been searching using the side flashes as the key identifier but have come up blank so far. I'll do some browsing to see what Majestic turns up. At least I know who the father is now. I couldn't take any pictures during the 2 visits I've had - it's under tarps and I can't see much of the outside and it's dark inside. Tomorrow - all will be revealed when I see it in the harsh light of day. Should have some pictures tomorrow night. Suspense is all part of the excitement! Looking forwards to following your VF Majestic progress zippo. Thanks for the Wolseley heads up, my last close up was a neighbour who had a Priness 8 who wanted to race my Dad who had a 63 Fiat 2300 four door, looks very similar Farina style & both 6 cylinders, in 1972. On the way up to the new tollway to Newcastle the Princess guy gave up on Pymble hill and started flashing to pull over. The Fiat was used to taking out V8s in the semi un policed roads of Singapore to KL, where we used to live. So funny with Galaxy and Fairlaines who get past on the causeway but putter out about 110-125MPH then have no breaks or cornering to do the rest of that trip in those days. 4 wheel disks & overhead cam tripple SU donk beastie. The wags at my primary school would hassle me a bout our wog crap and say how good their Dads brand new 1966 HD was, lolz! |
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Post by Zippo on Aug 3, 2015 17:46:11 GMT 10
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Post by bobt on Aug 3, 2015 20:48:22 GMT 10
Gidday Zippo
Welcome aboard, good luck with the VF. It will look good hanging on the back of your Wolseley. Keep us posted with your progress
bobt
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2015 0:38:23 GMT 10
Hi zippo,
Yes,you definately have a Majestic.
It would have had a club lounge across the front,kitchen opposite the door,a lounge to the right of the door that had a wall bed folding out of the divider,and 2 bunks across the rear,a good old fashioned family layout.
Looks like it's had a new door that is now hinged the opposite way too.
Good luck with your rebuild!
Cheers
hughdeani
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Post by doublechevron on Aug 4, 2015 11:09:18 GMT 10
I don't think you'll find the outright weight an issue. It's the wind resistance of towing at speed that'll hammer the old car to death. You'll probably find 50mph is a good speed  ..... The trick is trying not to hold up trucks! I towed a pop up carpervan with a 1963 Citroen ID19 in the past. Grinding up hills in 3rd gear isn't much much with trucks up your tail  Probably best to avoid roads like the melbourne -> Ararat (halls gap) roads where it's the main truck route from melbourne -> adelaide/perth. There's nowhere for anyone to overtake you. I'm going to avoid the main roads when I tow the huge monstrosity I have now I'm a bit concerned about the big angle bracket holding the nose of that caravan together. I have a horrible feeling your going to find no frame in there so will be up for a full rebuild (unless your lucky enough that it's an aluminium frame). seeya, Shane L. |
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Post by Zippo on Aug 4, 2015 15:15:45 GMT 10
I only took inside pictures where there was something too see. Rest is missing. A lot of the internal sheeting is already off the walls and ceiling so I can already see the missing frame. Condition of external cladding is a real worry and something that will need a solution for before going too far with rebuilding. As far as towing speed - I drive a 10HP Anglia Tourer on rallies so know how to dodge and weave. Having a tail will make it a lot more fun staying out of the way though. Some of the 'Nothing to see here. Move along' photos: 
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Post by atefooterz on Aug 4, 2015 15:26:11 GMT 10
This will be a very stylish combo once you sort the caravan out.
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Post by Mustang on Aug 4, 2015 20:16:31 GMT 10
I'm a bit concerned about the big angle bracket holding the nose of that caravan together. I have a horrible feeling your going to find no frame in there so will be up for a full rebuild (unless your lucky enough that it's an aluminium frame). seeya, Shane L. My , you are sharp, I had to go back & really look for those brackets! Never have seen that on a van? Just love that front of the Wolseley. |
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Post by Zippo on Aug 4, 2015 22:06:22 GMT 10
Badge on the grill of any Wolseley lights up when you turn the lights on.  Those brackets you can see are there because the corner framework is missing. They are holding the cladding together. As I said earlier, I can see how bad it is because a lot of the inner sheets have been pulled out. Already pulled some of the previous 'repairs' out so I can get a better look at things. If I go ahead, it will be a rebuild - not a restoration (and I'll do it properly). |
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Post by doublechevron on Aug 5, 2015 10:16:46 GMT 10
I only took inside pictures where there was something too see. Rest is missing. A lot of the internal sheeting is already off the walls and ceiling so I can already see the missing frame. Condition of external cladding is a real worry and something that will need a solution for before going too far with rebuilding. As far as towing speed - I drive a 10HP Anglia Tourer on rallies so know how to dodge and weave. Having a tail will make it a lot more fun staying out of the way though. This is my car (a while ago) when I was restoring it. 6/99 will be up to the task for the odd time I'll be staying away from home.  Do you have any interior pics? those old pommy cars usually have really nice leather interiors and wooden dashes with nice old lucas gauges seeya Shane L. |
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Post by Zippo on Oct 15, 2016 9:17:51 GMT 10
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Post by tasmillard on Oct 15, 2016 11:31:30 GMT 10
Youre not exaggeration zippo, you have done lots of work. Looks fantastic now.
As for the car, I also looked at an old 1970's xj jag on gas and was thinking that would be a nice towe vehicle (maybe). Had a worn but nice red leather interior with wood and chrome combination dash.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 12:24:24 GMT 10
Having had several Wolseleys in my time I would not consider towing a 17' van our last 2 were a '65 24/80 manual "Walter " and a '63 auto "Willamina" both low mileage lovely cars but would not pull the skin off a rice pud sorry even with our current MK 2 Zephyr I would be tentative re towing a 17' van , our 15' van is being retro fitted with 10" electric brakes because the Z can not hold it with the current over rides on big downhills with comfort and it is an english model with power disc's on the front  . We did tow a 6x4 box trailer with car parts in behind the 24/80 but going up the range to Toowoomba was a full on struggle and we crested in 1st gear at 15kmh and were getting quite hot  I am not saying this to be critical just waving a flag as a past Wolseley owner my 2 are below the '63 was a 20,000 miles only unit the '65 was a ground up rebuild so both were good cars but not able to tow sadly .   |
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Post by Zippo on Oct 15, 2016 16:03:09 GMT 10
Having had several Wolseleys in my time I would not consider towing a 17' van our last 2 were a '65 24/80 manual "Walter " and a '63 auto "Willamina" both low mileage lovely cars but would not pull the skin off a rice pud Hi John - I know what the 24/80's are like. Saw one in Toowoomab many years ago that had towed a van up from down south somewhere. Wasn't the quickest thing you will meet when it had the van on. The 6/99 and 6/110 are very different cars. Has disc's up front, 3L C Series engine (99HP), twin 2 inch SU's and 3 speed auto (UK built cars). Think it will be up to the few trips I'll do. Have to fix it first so that now maybe never. Think I recognise a couple of the cars in your photos - think 2186 was Kevin Haynes car (if it was Kevin's, has a single 2 inch SU) and the Holden beside it looks like Ken Taylor's. Saw 63 Wol round the traps somewhere as well - Dalby maybe?? All too long ago. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 16:30:09 GMT 10
Having had several Wolseleys in my time I would not consider towing a 17' van our last 2 were a '65 24/80 manual "Walter " and a '63 auto "Willamina" both low mileage lovely cars but would not pull the skin off a rice pud Hi John - I know what the 24/80's are like. Saw one in Toowoomab many years ago that had towed a van up from down south somewhere. Wasn't the quickest thing you will meet when it had the van on. The 6/99 and 6/110 are very different cars. Has disc's up front, 3L C Series engine (99HP), twin 2 inch SU's and 3 speed auto (UK built cars). Think it will be up to the few trips I'll do. Have to fix it first so that now maybe never. Think I recognise a couple of the cars in your photos - think 2186 was Kevin Haynes car (if it was Kevin's, has a single 2 inch SU) and the Holden beside it looks like Ken Taylor's. Saw 63 Wol round the traps somewhere as well - Dalby maybe?? All too long ago. You got it correct I purchased 2186 off Kevin and Heather and we lived in Cecil Plains for a few years so 63 wol was often in Dalby or Toowoomba the 2 together could not hold back the Zephyr though it would drag them both backwards together in a tug of war Btw I have driven a couple of 6/110's have fun anyway |
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Post by Zippo on Oct 15, 2016 17:45:15 GMT 10
Hi John - You've got me a tiny bit worried now. Have to finish the caravan first, and then fix the brakes before trying the 99 out. Next year for the caravan and maybe the year after for the 99 - couple of other domestic projects to complete before looking at the car. I do have a modern that is well able to wiz the van round with ease so not that concerned if the 99 isn't up to the task.
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Post by Zippo on Oct 15, 2016 19:29:04 GMT 10
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Post by Mustang on Oct 16, 2016 8:25:09 GMT 10
I like the way you have run your "earths" back to one bar, I ran mine back to the chassis  . Also the manual relays, our modern has electrical charging problems with auto relays (you can't see what is happening!!!...not set out simply like yours. |
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and I'm trying to work out what it is I'm dragging home.
..... The trick is trying not to hold up trucks!
Probably best to avoid roads like the melbourne -> Ararat (halls gap) roads where it's the main truck route from melbourne -> adelaide/perth. There's nowhere for anyone to overtake you.
. We did tow a 6x4 box trailer with car parts in behind the 24/80 but going up the range to Toowoomba was a full on struggle and we crested in 1st gear at 15kmh and were getting quite hot 
I am not saying this to be critical just waving a flag as a past Wolseley owner 
.