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Post by millard1399 on Aug 28, 2011 21:56:42 GMT 10
G'day josy col,
We don't really know much about the Millard vans built in the 1980s. As we've said in the history above, when Millard collapsed, Viscount agreed to take on the production of the Millard 80s series. So the 80's series actually started in 1979, but as to how long it continued for is anybody's guess. I have seen other Millard vans in caravan sales yards with a TRxxx chassis number, but I really have no idea what year they were built in (other than to know they were not built in the '70s).
Sorry I can't help you any more than that.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by thedonsway on Sept 8, 2011 1:57:05 GMT 10
I have a 1976 Millard 15'6" With a chassis number of M46000 just to let you know for the records.
I came across this site while searching for a history of Millard vans. I have a couple of photos if there is a place to post them here.
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Post by millard1399 on Sept 8, 2011 10:17:29 GMT 10
G'day thedonsway, and welcome to the forum! ;D You can post photos of your van in this thread if you like.  What information do you have that verifies the van is a 1976 model? I'm always looking for proof to be able to match the Millard chassis numbers with a specific year, so that our information is as accurate as possible. cheers, Al. |
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Post by thedonsway on Sept 9, 2011 0:48:24 GMT 10
Hi Millard and thank you for the warm welcome.
Due to some condensation problems, the van needed a refit of internal wall and roof panels. On the reverse side of one of the front panels it has a date with the year 1976. With the interior appearing to be untouched and what looked like original condition I assume this to be a date of panel delivery or manufacture. When I get my camera back, I'll take a photo of the date, which also, was hand written in a texta by the looks. I'll post the other photos I have when I can find them again, hopefully on disk somewhere.
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Post by moonshinerunner on Sept 9, 2011 14:29:50 GMT 10
G'day everyone, great site and info
I have a Millard Capri 19ft 8 inches, owned by my family when brought new in 1967. Custom build and cost $1800.00
Chassic number M8224, It has it orginal electric contractor bussiness card still stapelled to the power junction and a electric Installation Inspection dated 17/8/67 by Prospect Country Council. It states that the inspection card must be kept in the caravan at all times.
Hope this helps.
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Post by millard1399 on Sept 9, 2011 17:22:00 GMT 10
G'day moonshinerunner,
Your information is exactly the sort of information I wish we could get for every caravan that comes on the forum, whether Millard or otherwise. There's nothing better than to have someone who knows the history of their van from when it was first bought, and who has evidence to prove it.
In amongst the research material I've collected, it says Millard were offering the new painted "baked acrylic" cladding on caravans, and that this started towards the end of 1967. Does your van have the painted external cladding (usually white top half and coloured bottom half), or is it the previous silver (plain) cladding with painted stripe design?
Thanks for taking the time to come on here and let us know about your van. I'll include your info in my database of Millard history.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by moonshinerunner on Sept 10, 2011 11:58:54 GMT 10
G'day Thanks for the quick reply. I am glad that this helped. Anyway my van in plain silver with a light sky blue stripe on the sides. Under the peeling blue stripe is pink undercoat. I would include photos but don't know how to upload to your great and informative site. I hope this helps others trying to date their vans.  |
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Post by Decks on Sept 13, 2011 16:18:58 GMT 10
Hi,
I have a 197? Millard pop top in very good nick. 16f, two tone, white and green. Looks like all is n original condition, had to get a road worthy a Few weeks ago, the repair shop it is the best they have seen (for that era) in while and asked if I wanted to sell it, thanks but no ! I couldn't find any plates on it apart from MM2953, I'm the third owner (advised by the second owner when I bought it). I'll have another look later today and post some photo's l
Posted by dandt 11 hours ago . I have a Millard 13' M53249. Gal chassis, Double windows. White/Orange. Fridge date 1976 Hope this helps Denis |
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Post by trinity on Sept 17, 2011 19:52:50 GMT 10
Hi there, I purchased a 1975 Millard pop top earlier in year and think our Miss Millie is just wonderful. She has the green stripe and double lourved windows. The rego papers say MM345 which must be wrong, cause looking at all the other threads posted here and their numbers being in 1000's I think mine is missing a digit LOL. There is no sign of the MM number on the drawbar. Is there any where else I could possibly look for clues to Miss Millies true MM number ? Would love to know about our caravan and hope someone can assist or point me in the right direction a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217142_2023824715550_1241962776_32485297_7900151_n.jpg |
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Post by millard1399 on Sept 17, 2011 20:20:29 GMT 10
G'day trinity, and welcome to the forum! ;D
The chassis number is either welded on the drawbar, or it is an aluminium plate with the numbers embossed on it. Check the drawbar just next to the jockey wheel clamp. It's quite possible your number is in fact MM345, because the first Millard poptop built in 1976 got MM01, or 001, or something like that. Your Millard sticker above the front window is the one used before mine, so I'd say you are looking at your van being from early 1976.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by 76 Millard on Sept 21, 2011 18:20:43 GMT 10
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Post by thedonsway on Sept 21, 2011 18:30:14 GMT 10
Oops I forgot to log in above. Sorry about that. I think the 158 8 may be 15'8" x 8' which measures up pretty close to the right size. I measured it at 15'6" inside with the panels in, as best I could.
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Post by millard1399 on Sept 21, 2011 23:03:54 GMT 10
G'day thedonsway, Firstly, not good to hear the Mrs is not well. Hope things work out ok for you both. Interesting you mention the "Boris" name. Just over a year ago, we had a new member come on the forum and talk about their Millard van. They also mentioned they'd found the name Boris on the back of some plywood with a date as well. It's still a mystery why the date of 1972 was found in a 1978 Millard. You can read the story of that other Millard by clicking on this link. You'll also see in that thread some information that explains what the 158-8 coding in your van means. cheers, Al. |
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Post by thedonsway on Sept 23, 2011 9:51:49 GMT 10
Wow, I paid the same as a new van was in '78. Did they see me coming? Or have van actually increased in price/value?
I have just realized that this thread is about Millard van in Sydney. I am in Broadford, Victoria. Is there a thread that I may have missed for Melbourne, or Victoria about Millard vans?
That post was an interesting read. "Boris" was popular back in the day. I had a feeling the 158 was the size, but now I know the 8 means 6 berth. I guess back then the slide down table may have been meant for 2 although small in size.
I do wish I had a massive shed to put the van in while rebuilding it. It would be a lot easier to strip the outside first, before working on the inside. I don't even have a carport here.
All going really well, the Mrs will be home today. If they have it controlled. Then I am going to do my darndest to con her into getting rid of the dogs, I am so over them.
If the pictures are too big, I can drop the size down and repost them.
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Post by millard1399 on Sept 23, 2011 12:45:58 GMT 10
G'day thedonsway, This thread is the history of Millard manufacturing caravans, and aims to show what the various Millard vans looked like during each of the years in the 1970s. Eventually when we collect enough accurate information, we'll be able to tell people "exactly" which year their Millard van belongs to. The heading mentions Sydney because that's where the Millard factory was located, but the thread is about ALL Millard vans made during the 1970s. Your photographs...I always encourage people posting photographs to keep the size of the photo down to 800 x 600 pixels or less. Your larger photos above are 1024 x 768 pixels, so they could be made smaller, down to 80% of their current size. We still have a lot of forum readers who live in regional areas that rely on dial-up internet connections. Larger photos are a pain in the b** for them to have to download. We can still see the detail in smaller photos, so we can make like easier for some of our readers by posting the smaller size. If you can't make the pictures smaller on your computer before posting them on the forum, there's a way of doing it in Photobucket before you upload them. Click on this link to take you to a thread on the Vintage Caravans forum to show you how (see Reply #1 in that thread). cheers, Al. |
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Post by thedonsway on Sept 23, 2011 20:12:39 GMT 10
All pics are resized to 800 by 600. I am quite happy to bring them down more if you would like me to. If anyone find the pics taking too long to load, let me know and I'll bring them down more in size.
I hope my photos have helped someone with the age of a Millard. I am glad to help a great cause. I guess I wouldn't be in the CFA and SES if I felt different.
Thank you for a great site and giving us all the opportunity to share our information.
Cheers,
Don.
PS. The Mrs is home and well, at last. Sometimes when 1 person is missing, the whole world seems depressed.
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Post by Alan Campbell on Nov 30, 2011 10:57:35 GMT 10
Good day Everyone,
We purchased a Millard series 80 14' van last weelken in Nowra,
The vin starts with TR , the van ahs travelled all over the country last journey was from Townsville to Nowra and traded. the interior is in excellent condition and tows easily. This Millard is set to go to our farm in Country NSW for extra accomodation.
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Post by troopiepete on Jan 21, 2012 10:29:01 GMT 10
Hi New to this forum, it was pointed out to be from another RV forum..
I have a 1976 MILLARD ROCKDALE Caravan that is currently needing a repaint, I refurbished the inside around 5 years back when I first purchased it.
Due to heavy rust on the Chassis number plate it was removed then lost so I had to make up a new number for registration, I later found some of the original registration details but it was too late as a new number had been welded on.
I would love any assistance on the best way to paint and if it's possible to get replacement decals for the van, also the aluminium 3 pain windows need cleaning up but I don't want to paint them a different colour - is there a sealant I could use to stop them corroding?
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Post by millard1399 on Jan 21, 2012 21:10:44 GMT 10
G'day troopiepete, and welcome to the forum! ;D You have a number of options for painting the van. It all depends on how many dollars you have, and what sort of finish quality you would like. The cheapest option is to do nothing. Just scrub the oxidised layer off the surface of the paintwork and leave it looking like an "antique" worn surface. Paintwork doesn't make a van any more waterproof, so who cares what it looks like?  The next cheapest option is to paint it with an exterior grade acrylic house paint, such as Dulux Weathershield. If you can paint reasonably well, you'll end up with as good a look as you'd get on a house. Lasts for 10 or 12 years. Next, you can think about spray painting, if that's possible where you live. The more dollars you spend, the better the quality of finish. Still won't make it any more waterproof though.  Windows: the main way to stop windows corroding is to keep them clean by frequent washing. It's the accumulated salts in the atmosphere that settle on the aluminium and create corrosion. You can spend lots of hours cleaning them to a mirror finish, and in a year's time they'll be dull again. If they are heavily corroded at the moment, you might find a bit of rubbing with some soapy steel wool pads will take off the worst of it. Then leave it and learn to live with what's left. Regular cleaning with soapy water and a brush will stop any further deterioration. Stickers: the only sticker I'm aware of that's still available is the Millard sunset sticker. Click on this link, and it will take you to the CaravansPlus website for Millard parts still available. The sticker is second on the list. I put new ones of these on my Millard poptop during the restoration. A year later the front one had holes in it from flying stones off the road. Not impressed. No matter how carefully you apply the new sticker, it will shrink over the following months and pull away from the cladding in certain places. Not as good as the original stickers were. Hope this helps, cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 22:33:08 GMT 10
Hello We just became the proud owners of a Millard van, at least that is what I think. The previous owner thought it was a Viscount and it is registered as such. I did some photo comparisons of different vans and came to the conclusion that it is a Millard. It has a number welded on the inside of the A frame: M4037. I am trying to put a year to it and would really like to get the opinion of those in the know. I will post a picture when I work out how to do that ;D Thanks Attachments:
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Post by ForumMod on Jan 19, 2013 23:03:55 GMT 10
G'day baron, and welcome to the forum! ;D It sounds like you've got a Millard, if the chassis number is M4037. It means you have the 4,037th chassis built after they started the numbering system. As far as dating the van accurately is concerned, this is where it gets a bit tricky. I think Millard started to use the M series of chassis numbers around about 1962. The two stripes along the sides of your van are showing in newspaper advertisements at the end of 1964, so I'm thinking your van is most likely from the 1964-65 time period. You are eligible to join our sister forum for Vintage Caravans built before 1970, if you wish. Click here to see their forum. cheers, Al. |
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Post by cliffy on Apr 3, 2013 16:33:57 GMT 10
Hi I have just got a Millard caravan the chassis number is M10817 does any one know what year ect it is PLEASE
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Post by ForumMod on Apr 3, 2013 21:43:52 GMT 10
G'day cliffy,
My history research suggests that Millard were up to about number 14,000 by the start of 1970, so your chassis number of 10,817 would be from around 1969.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by Millie M39892 on Feb 9, 2014 19:06:49 GMT 10
Can anyone offer any information to help us date the year this one was made? Triple louvred windows, black Millard sticker on back and brown stripe down the side. Not much else to use to identify this as it was gutted when we exchanged $550 for it. Would love to know what the original layout looked like! Thanks in advance!
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Post by ForumMod on Feb 9, 2014 21:24:39 GMT 10
M39892 would be from around 1974.
You have to look in the Hall Of Fame section for other Millard vans, and you'll see what the interior looked like.
cheers,
Al.
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