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Post by lisa on Feb 8, 2010 11:59:40 GMT 10
Well I think I might just pip Marcel for bargain of the year - I picked this awesome little van up for $300!!!! I figure if I spend around $1000 doing it up I'll still have a bargain.
Now I know the boys will cringe at my renos, but, hey I'm a girl and if I want to recreate my lost childhood with a recreation of a life size barbie camper van, I will! (mid-life crisis?)
I am still in the process of doing her up all inside - kitchen has been removed as I hate cooking in vans - prefer outdoor BBQ for camping. No leaks as far as I can find and we've had some solid rain of late so that's encouraging. She tows like dream - ultra light frame apparently.
Reno's so far:
Painted inside and ripped up old tiles
Replaced broken windows
Replaced curtains (oh no not lace you say!)
Repaired back tail lights - all wiring was intact so that was easy
Re-upholstered the lounge (hot pink fake fur!)
Still to do:
Black and white lino tiles on the floor
Repaint and rustproof chassis and drawbar
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 8, 2010 12:17:30 GMT 10
Hi lisa, and a BIG welcome to the forum!! ;D ;D Chesney were a very innovative company, and produced a number of vans that stood out from the crowd over the years of their existence. Sounds like you've got quite a bargain there! Are you able to post some pictures of the van and the work you've done on it so far? Have a read of this thread... POSTING PHOTOS...and see if it makes any sense to you. Are you the same person as "magicangelisa" that's posted a comment over in the Chesney history thread? If so, how much information do you require for the magazine article? Look forward to seeing more of this little beauty that you're customising. cheers, Al. |
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Post by lisa on Feb 8, 2010 12:34:58 GMT 10
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Post by lisa on Feb 8, 2010 12:45:52 GMT 10
OK - will shrink pics all from now on!
Al - thanks for the welcome. Re: chesney article - can you email me at magicangelisa@hotmail.com with any info you may have please?
I have already written an article about my obsession with caravans and the recent purchase of my chesney (which I originally thought was a 1984 as that was the date on the LPG plate, but have since found out they ceased production in 1979 and that mine is a 1971) in edition 3 of Vehicle Mania mag and thought a follow up on the history on the brand would be great.
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Post by lisa on Feb 8, 2010 12:56:45 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2010 21:37:01 GMT 10
Hi Lisa
Great to see another bargain chesney I also got mine for $300 complete with annexe $300 must be the going price ha ha think I might blue mine up abit how are you going to paint the outside of youre van bush roller or spray can?
Cheers Gary
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 9, 2010 8:23:00 GMT 10
Hi Lisa, nice decore in the van!  Pink is the new black, heh heh.  I'm unable to email you the info I have on Chesneys, because I have 185 newspaper clippings taken off the internet.  Far too many to transmit electronically. I presume you are a freelance journalist?? If you didn't already know, the Sydney Morning Herald have an online archive that you can access: archives.smh.com.au/You can have a free look (try it out by putting Chesney caravan in the search field) and you will get a thumbnail picture of part of the article relating to the search, OR you can pay money and get full access. I spent two months last year collecting as much information as I could find about caravan brands from 1955 up to 1980. Neil Chesney is still alive and kicking as far as I know (at least he was last year), so you might be able to track him down through the phone number directories. You would have to assume there are other Chesney family members still up around Lawnton Qld who could point you in the right direction for information. Did you paint the outside of the van? Seems like the van is in pretty good condition, and yes, a real bargain for $300!! ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by lisa on Feb 9, 2010 21:07:08 GMT 10
Hi Gary,
Ha ha! would love to see a blue version... my pink fluffy interior has caused quite a stir amongst my mates. A friend of mine sent me this joke via SMS last week - said it reminded him of my van.
Q: What's pink and fluffy?
A: Pink fluff
Q: What's blue and fluffy?
A: Pink fluff holding its breath
As for the outside, I had planned to go all out in hot pink there too, as I was so inspired by the purple van in my article, but it's actually a pretty good powdercoat finish at the moment, so I may yet settle for a hot pink stripe as I'm not convinced that the exterior paints hold so well to the metal no matter how they are applied (unless it's a professional spray job and I can't afford that at this stage)
Hi Al,
thanks for the info - and yes I am freelance. I have probabaly gathered enough info so far but thought some good quotes from Chesney's would have been really cool to include.
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Post by millard1399 on Mar 10, 2010 13:37:37 GMT 10
Hi lisa, I've copied your question from the other thread into here... Putting on my 'Sherlock Holmes' hat, this is what I can come up with for your van... First, the reference to "Bluepoint Chesney". If that relates to a dealership, there was a major Chesney dealership in western Sydney called "Blue Point Motors"...  This dealership only started operating at the start of 1970, so if your van is from that dealership, then it is after that date (assuming it was brand new at the time). The sidestripe on your van is not the same as the standard Pacemaker sidestripe. Whether Blue Point had a deal with Chesney to make vans with a special stripe, or whether your van has been repainted since it was new, is something we have to consider. This advertisement from May 1969 shows what the standard Pacemaker striping looked like...  And this one from July 1969 shows the Regal model as well (the Regal had the fibreglass ends)...  There was a Pacemaker I and a Pacemaker II model series, but I'm not 100% sure when one finished and the Pacemaker II model started. It most likely was in mid-1971 when new models were launched. A summary of the early history is... Late 1960s: Both Regal and Pacemakers on the market. Early 1970: A new Pacemaker 1 model is released, 15ft x 8ft wide, up from the previous 7ft wide. I don't know whether that meant all Chesneys were now 8ft wide, or just this 15ft model. Mid-1971: New Pacemaker and Regal models released. "Lush carpets, slumber soft bedding, fluorescent lighting, big fridge and stove...there's even a boot in the Regal model..." are the advertising highlights. Changes are made to cabin styling front and rear, with new side stripes along the cladding. Mid-1972: Chesney launches the totally new range of vans called the President. The Pacemaker and Regal models are discontinued. So, what does all this mean? It means that IF your van was sold brand new by Blue Point Motors in Lakemba, Sydney, then it has to have been after January 1970. Which would mean your van fits somewhere between January 1970 and June 1971, after which the shape of the Pacemaker changes. Make any sense?? cheers, Al. |
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Post by kylarama on Mar 10, 2010 16:59:38 GMT 10
Does the fridge look like the original unit?
If so check the build date on the fridge.
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Post by lisa on Mar 13, 2010 11:59:10 GMT 10
Do they have a smiley for clapping hands?  Well done you guys! Awesome detective skills and these details may narrow things down somewhat - Apparently it is a Pacemaker I, so the same shape as that 1969 ad - also it has pop out windows. The blue stripe it has has been hand painted on and a quick scratch test revealed red underneath. Kitchen has been removed so can't use the fridge to date it although there was a gas cert from 1984 and I was told that's how old the van was when I bought it! AHEM!!!! (sucker!!!) It is 2.36m wide (7.7ft???) so that doesn't really help does it? Is that 7ft or 8ft? I found traces of the original carpet inside the bedside table floor - and some very trippy wallpaper glued to the insides that first alerted me to the inaccuracy of it's actual birth date to somewhat closer to mine... Attachments:
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Post by lisa on Mar 13, 2010 13:38:55 GMT 10
Oh, and in case I hadn't already said - she's 15ft long. Attached is a pic of the badges on the rear. And sad new developments - as you've prob all heard it's been raining for like a month solid here now and when the gutter cleaners did my house gutters they blew all the rotton old leaves onto the roof of the van and lo and behold she has spung a leak along the join line around the hatch. Grrrrr... So I got onto a waterproofer and made a time for him to come out - he never turned up, so I followed up with a call and he tells me he can't come out because it's too wet?!?!? I explained that's why I need a waterproofer, he suggest a tarp temprorarily (which ended up costing as much as the waterproofing would have!) Reschduled for today but he's a no-show again and yes, it's still raining! So, seriously considering putting a post in the wanted forum - WANTED: Classic caravanning nutcase male - must like spontaneous long trips to the wilderness, all things retro and be good with tools. Prefer Holden driver who doesn't have an aversion to hot pink!  Attachments:
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Post by kiwijim on Mar 13, 2010 14:12:57 GMT 10
Howdy Lisa,
I would be only to happy to have a go at fixing your leaking Chesney, but at present we are at the bottom of Tassie.
If you keep the tarp on your van for a couple of months, we will be traveling up your way by then,
All it will cost you is a bit of power for our van, and may-be a tube or three of sealer,
That is if you have the room to park the Thomson some-where.
Sorry we don't have a Holden, but have owned many over the years and have raced them when we were "Speedway nuts"
kiwijim
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Post by millard1399 on Mar 13, 2010 21:30:30 GMT 10
Hi lisa, so what's happened to the "sunshine" coast??  It's starting to look more and more like your van is the Pacemaker I 15ft x 8ft that was released in early 1970. Your width of 2.36m would be considered to be 8ft (actual conversion = 2.44m) If you have Microsoft Office "Word" software on your computer, I can email you a road test of the 15ft x 8ft van. I copied and pasted it from the newspaper archives into a Word document. cheers, Al. |
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Post by atouchofglass on Mar 14, 2010 7:41:52 GMT 10
Hey Lisa Just took time to squint and read your article in the beginning of this thread. You in Cairns? Pity you didn't know about this forum until after that. You could have met my obsession..... The Olympic.... Hubbys cubby.. the other woman..... the white elephant ;D ;D ;D Next time you are up this way give us a heads up and you can meet the van and the owners if you wish ;D ;D ;D ;D With fibreglass ends and roof on your Chesney ..... why ..... you are almost family ;D ;D ;D Sorry the only pink in my van is the undercoat. As for the roof leak.... Ouch!! What ever yo do don't let "Captain Caulking" use silicone on the repair.... It lasts six months and gives up the ghost If he is worth his wage he won't anyway Hope it stops raining long enough to fix the issue soon We are copping a reasonable amount of rain here too... But hey ..... at least that will pass soon.... some say there is a late cyclone on the way from New Caledonia... Oh goody  Cheers Atog |
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Post by lisa on Mar 22, 2010 14:28:28 GMT 10
HUZZZARRRR!!!!!
We finally had one fine day on Friday (it's ben raining non-stop again since!) so the waterproofer dude was finally able do his thing - turns out it was more than just a small hole and so I opted top have the entire roof done in super elastic UV- resistent marine-grade polyurethane (two coats) that he guarantees will keep my old girl well and truly high and dry forever!
Hooked her up by myself and towed her down the range to get the final once over by a caravan repairer in Beerburrum for final registration check and she is now registered and ALL SET FOR TAKE OFF!!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2010 18:19:10 GMT 10
Hi Lisa
Good to see you have the leaks sorted could you tell us who the water proofer dude is and how much as some of us locals may like to throw him some work. have you got any before and after photos?
Cheers Gary the male chesney owner
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Post by lisa on Mar 22, 2010 19:54:01 GMT 10
Awesome waterproofing dude details as requested: Oceanic Waterproofing (Caloundra) Ph: 0427335913 He had originally quoted me $250 to do entire roof but when I told him I was racing to get the van done in time to get my boy to the little athletics championships in Townsville he only charged me $100 and said "put the rest towards sponsoring your son's trip" - HOW NICE IS THAT!!!!! ;D So yeah highly recommend them. Due to crap weather - no before and after shots of the roof - but I will be sure to climb up and show you the job - it looks super sweet so white and shiny it kinda makes the rest of the van look grotty... but I'm planning a full repsray next... and yes, it will be pink!!!!! Just so y'all will know it's me He said it can be painted over but it look so good as is I don't see any need - he said this finish will allow for movement (the words he used are "it's just like chewing gum"!) Of course, if the same weather gods that make it rain every time I wash my car are watching over me, it probably will never rain on my van again now! So, it's coming together now - still need to do the flooring and re-laminate the old fold down table and have been madly sewing curtains but hey she's roadworthy, she's registered and I AM SUPER HAPPY!!! |
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Post by lisa on Mar 23, 2010 23:28:06 GMT 10
The ongoing saga of the Chesney pacemaker restos - I think they called it a "Pacemaker" because after all this I'll need one! The producers of the "Flying Lipstick" would like to thank the ever growing cast and crew for making her the star she is slowly but surely becoming. I provide this list to show others considering restoring that it doesn't have to cost the earth if you need to outsource the work if you are preapred to do a bit of running around, negotiate (ie:haggle!) and do it all a bit at a time. The following contributers are forever in my favour: (and cost of their work) Maleny Glass - came out and replaced and fitted broken back window and riveted window levers $80 Oceanic Waterproofing in Caloundra - for high quality sealing of the roof COST: $100 Turns out both tyres on the van were ROOOOTED and was having real trouble finding any replacement tyres for the old HT 13" wheels (apparently these wheels were only made in 1968,69 & '70) so opted for new (second hand) 14" HT Rims with decent tyres fitted from the CW Wreckers in Caloundra COST: $77 each All about Trailers in Beerwah - Ron told me that my bearings wouldn't have made it past the Ettamogah pub, and then replaced them for me. He also hooked up the override brakes (surprisingly the pads were all good, prob. cause she hasn't moved for thirty years!), riveted various bits that needed riveting, replaced a broken tail-light (again wiring was all intact but was no connector plug) and wired it to a 7-pt plug - COST: $100 (PS: RON IS A LEEEEEGEND!) Found some (almost) black and white check floor lino from a flooring shop in Beerwah - a 4 metre flat laying remnant (no glue required apparently excpet on the edges) COST: $40 - NICE!!!!!! So what have I done? Sanded back and painted inside using WAY more paint than I would have ever thought - 3 trips back to the hardware and 6 litres later COST: $200 and a week of migraines! Sewed curtains using remnants of fabric I had lying around and strung them up with curtain wire form crazy clarks COST: Bugger all. Re-apholstered lounges using an old fake fur doona cover I cut up for the job. COST: A very strong need for a neck and shoulder massage! Bought a shiny new jockey wheel. COST: $20 Registered her. COST $90 Driven around from hardwares & wreckers to glaziers to trailer repairers and tryre shops and basically obsessed over my "things to do to the caravan" list. So guys, this is it - first trial run Sunshine Coast to Townsville starting tomorrow... Wish me luck! Of course there's still quite a bit of interior stuff to do like re-laminate and re-chrome the fold down table/bed and prob put some kind of kitcheny cupboards at some point as it was all ripped out when I got it. But it can wait until I get back and after tenting it for years I don't feel any overwhelming need to cook inside anyway. I am just wrapped that when I get to my destination I can just crawl in the back and sleep! ;D ;D ;D Planning two stop-overs up and back and ETA Townsville Friday afternoon - I'll be sure to send pics! Attachments:
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Post by lisa on Mar 23, 2010 23:45:15 GMT 10
Hi lisa, so what's happened to the "sunshine" coast?? It's starting to look more and more like your van is the Pacemaker I 15ft x 8ft that was released in early 1970. Your width of 2.36m would be considered to be 8ft (actual conversion = 2.44m) If you have Microsoft Office "Word" software on your computer, I can email you a road test of the 15ft x 8ft van. I copied and pasted it from the newspaper archives into a Word document. cheers, Al. Yes please! email is magicangelisa@hotmail.com |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2010 20:20:27 GMT 10
Wow Lisa $100 to seal roof is good value as it is hard work my drawbar numbers are imposable to read I think I will pay someone to lino my floor as I dis a shocking job of it
Gary
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Post by lisa on Apr 4, 2010 8:54:53 GMT 10
re: lino - what you need to do is go to a flooring specialist (this is what I have done but I haven't actually put it in yet as I didn't have time before the trip) and ask about what offcuts (leftovers from previous orders) they have in "lay flat" lino. They will cut it to size for you and it doesn't need any glue, just a bit of double-sided tape around the edges and it stays flat. I managed to pick up a bit for $40 - and the place I got ti from said that those Bunnings stick on tiles are a waste of time even though they are relatively cheap...but sounds like you already worked that one out! Oh and the roof held up like a dream even in post-cyclonic torrential downpours on the second night in Mackay. I kept putting my hand up to the ceiling to check and we stayed well and truly high and dry. In fact it rained for most of our trip... The added bonus with this waterproofing stuff is that it actually muffled the sound of the rain on the metal roof as well which was a pleasant and unexpected surprise... |
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Post by kezzbot on Apr 4, 2010 20:59:59 GMT 10
You got some really good bargains there Lisa. To do the roof on my 77 Viscount, which needs to be done as it looks like it still has the original sealant. I believe it will cost around $100 in sikaflex sealant and about a full days labor removing the old sealant and applying the new. So you got a real bargain there. ;D Some good tips on the lino ... how did it turn out? PHOTOS Pleeeeese! I may have to see Ron about my brakes. ps. I wonder if your excellent bargaining skills and the fact that your a girl have anything to do with each other. <edit> I was a tad out with my estimations. Ive started doing the roof on my van and its taken me 3 days just to clean the roof up ready for sealing, there was gunk in the tops of all the screws that i had to scrape out with a knife and the old sealant was really stubborn, it was like tar! Nightmare. |
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Post by lisa on Apr 22, 2010 12:47:37 GMT 10
Maybe being a girl might help on some things but it sure didn't help me from being ripped off by the dodgiest mechanic ever and end paying over $1200 for what was supposed to be a basic service to end up with a car that has MAJOR probs now - DO NOT EVER GO TO MALENY (DIS)SERVICE CENTRE!!!!!! Re: the waterproofing - seriously CALL FRANK! He's awesome and will cost you less than it would in products to do it yourself. Chesney has taken a back seat lately to my latest addition "Vicky" - a 1965 Viscount with all inners workings inc. fridge, stove, etc! Love that little van so much!!! What is it with these things - you can't stop at one? ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2010 7:46:25 GMT 10
Hi Lisa
Thanks for the tip re lino and roof seal I may have fixed my roof but if as usual old pashion fingers has not sealed it right I will give frank a call . sorry I have not posted any pics of my renos but have been flat out working 12 days straight at 12 hours a day of to cairns now with work for a 10 day slog pays the bills look forward to some pics of youre Vicky mechanics always ripp girls off
Cheers Gary
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Far too many to transmit electronically.
