2bob
Newbie
Posts: 6 
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Post by 2bob on Feb 16, 2017 17:28:18 GMT 10
Ok, where do I start,maybe with a little background first. As some of you might know, I have been a cabinet maker joiner for 28 years.
I have experience in domestic and commercial joinery,theatre and film sets, period and modern furniture,exhibition and display stands,antique restoration and so on.I am aiming at building traditional style custom vans to suit whatever people would like or whatever design they are thinking might suit them,also I can repair, restore or modify people's current van.
To start with I will build a traditional style Bondwood van,with some modern day commodities and safety features.I will not be working to a set plan but will just make a start and use this forums feedback to how it rolls along.I have already purchased a 70's chassis which I have stripped and painted with epoxy,I have also made my templates for the sides, l have photos but for the life of me cannot upload even using Photobucket, mind you l only have a smart phone to work with. Was wondering if I could email someone the photos so they can upload for me.Hope to hear from someone soon, cheers 2bob
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Post by Mustang on Feb 16, 2017 18:58:03 GMT 10
Hi Bob,
You can email them to me until we get you going, Flickr is far easier.
I will send you a PM (personal message)
Also I will move this thread over to "Hall of Fame" where you can discuss to your hearts delight.
Cheers
Brent
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Post by tasmillard on Feb 16, 2017 20:29:52 GMT 10
sweet, another project to drool over 😉
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Post by Mustang on Feb 17, 2017 9:47:14 GMT 10
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Post by pisces51 on Feb 17, 2017 12:20:48 GMT 10
G'day Mustang, No, 2bob can only edit his own posts made under his username. You, as the Global Moderator, have the ability to edit anyone's post on the forum, but the rest of us are restricted to editing only our own.  G'day 2bob, and welcome to this forum!  You'll find this forum somewhat more relaxed about what is acceptable when working with old caravans (both vintage and classic). In the 11 years I've been associated with the Vintage Caravan forum, and the 9 years with this forum, there have been a few people come on the forum and express an interest in building vans from scratch, to be "representative" of the old vans. None of them seem to have made a go of it, or at least they didn't last very long on the forums. I think the eventual cost of the finished article has been somewhat prohibitive to prospective buyers. There is a business operating in Nerang, Qld, that makes reproduction bondwood vans ( Woody Caravans ), but they seem to be "purpose-built" for food vans, or that sort of thing. When I looked at them a couple of years ago, the price of the basic shell was about $15000, and then they needed to be fitted out by the purchaser for whatever end-use they were being used for, so there was that additional cost on top. Best wishes for your adventure. We enjoy reading about other projects, and particularly like to read about other people's "day in hell" where the sh!t has hit the fan during a project. Makes us all realise we are not alone! Some of the ways people have resolved some of the problems they've encountered makes for fascinating reading, and the sharing of "tips and tricks" will help the next budding restorer that comes along. Give us plenty of detail about the construction/woodwork/cabinetry etc, as you go through the project, and we'll be glued to your thread for more. Lots of photos get you bonus Brownie points too!  cheers, Al. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2017 16:20:32 GMT 10
Al, I believe the market has changed dramatically in the past 2 years and there is evidence people are prepared to pay well for a quality old caravan as the VV movement becomes more popular sadly the VV Mag which did much of the heavy lifting of the image has folded . I know when we made the decision to join the VV ranks we researched what we needed and set a budget of 25K for a quality well cared for or well restored van , where many go wrong is they try and make a pre 70/80's van a 2000's model junco which then is not what the VV market wants to tow behind vintage and classic cars. Even with that budget much of what was available was crap it is the same in the classic/vintage car scene there is a huge difference between the ordinary the average and the exceptional  Had I known someone like 2bob in my area I would have happily sought him out to build or rebuild a matching year or earlier van to tow behind my old car , I did look at the woodies at Retro caravans and was prepared to cough up the 25K+ but then my '68 Viscount came along and it was too good to pass up as it was a brand new van in every sense |
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2bob
Newbie
Posts: 6
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Post by 2bob on Feb 17, 2017 18:08:31 GMT 10
Hi all,on retired Johns topic of cost, I am pretty shore I can produce a 12 ft van decked out and painted for $20,000 with only the appliances to be provided by purchaser ie fridge and stove. Sink and lighting will be provided. I am not a greedy type of person and would just love for people to enjoy my vans and myself to make an honest living.Cheers 2bob
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Post by 78466noM on Feb 20, 2017 23:34:55 GMT 10
I wish you all the best on your venture Your price seems to be very reasonable knowing the amount of hours you will spend on each van.
In the long run and we shall say when your business takes off it may be easier and cheaper to have the chassis made up by a welder.
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