1978 Viscount Pop Top 86160

[project_kate]

Hi all,

Very excited to have my first caravan! Hubby bought me this beauty for my birthday and I have grand plans to renovate her completely (with handyman hubby's help).

It was advertised as a 1976 Viscount OOTrail Pop Top, but I am not convinced this is accurate. I'd love to pick your brains to get a more accurate year/model. It appears to be all fairly original and needs some tidying up before I can make her glamorous.


We will complete the renovation in a couple of phases, firstly fixing it up a little (Hubby's department). Then tackling the internal renovation (my department), before bringing the exterior back to beautiful (joint responsibility). The interior floor plan will remain mostly unchanged, just brought up to date and given a fresh lease of life. The exterior will be restored to showroom original (with a change of colour though).

I'm very lucky to have a very clever husband who is an automotive-wizz and will do most of the handy-work.

Can't wait to share our renovation journey and hear any of your ideas on the year/model of our van.

Kate

[snoops]

Great looking van Kate - I look forward to seeing the renovation. Why the change of colour? Doesn't the 70's burnt orange look do it for you?

[pisces51]

G'day kate, and welcome to the forum!

The photo showing the chassis number welded on the drawbar tells you the year of manufacture. The first number is the year number, and it looks like an '8' to me. If that's true, it's a 1978 model. The balance of the numbers are the consecutive numbers of chassis that had already been built before yours, so you have the xxxxth chassis built that year. The poptops didn't get a prefix letter like the rest of the Viscount models did.

Interesting little "dip" in the roof-line just behind the rear window. Somebody must have parked it under a falling TV antenna pole...

Sounds like you've got the project all worked out. Now to get going and get it done, hey?!

cheers,
Al.

[project_kate]

snoops, I'm more of an aqua girl  

Thanks pisces51, I knew there was some 'code' hidden in that number, which is indeed an 8. and yes, that is a nice 'dip', from the previous owner. Hubby has a plan to fix that already. 

The rain here tonight (in the ACT) has allowed us to find the main roof leak. Which is good timing, sealing the roof was going to be one of our first jobs. 

[awbeattie381]

great looking van to start the journey with! Look forward to the updates as things progress!

[supreme78]

Project Kate very nice old van. i have a supreme S81091 so its simulate age. i have a thread of the restoration on here if you feel you need inspiration.
my top suggestion if you intend to take it on the road is to replace the axle. the old vans had a hollow round axle and they are not legal in most states. but worse is they were poorly made. the stub was just welded to the end of the pipe. mine sheered off when i applied the electric brakes and caused some nasty damage.
i got a overlay axle made for $250 with brake mounts as well. also replace the rims with new and Light truck tyres. should be HT holden pattern as mine was.
good luck with the reno.

[Mustang]

Hi Kate,
Re- colour change...look at all that mint interior colour, that matches.
Its unique & original

[supreme78]

Now I agree with Mustang. I love tangerine burnt orange color. If you can live with the colours PLEASE leave it orange. It's very clean and neat so why change it. Mine was canary yellow I had no choice but to change it. Great van keep it original.