Sprite 400 (1973-ish) - UK or NZ origin

[libstar]

Hi All.
I am a new member as of today (Have been lurking for awhile)
I recently bought what I think is a 1973 Sprite 400, I believe it is "British" but may have travelled from NZ.

I hope I don't offend any purists - as I have just gutted the entire inside (sans top cupboards) to make way for a bigger bed etc.. and I am also going to paint the outside to freshen "her" up.

I have a full annex in perfect like new condition so am not too worried about losing the "dinette"..

I noted some classic caravan stickers awhile back - Wondering if any left? As we happen to own an S Series Valiant (Although I note the car is an "R" on the sticker..) that is 99% finished of a 2 year restoration..

If anyone has any info on The Sprite - Please let me know- It does look like one and there was the remainder of a sticker at the rear when I bought it..

Some Photos? I hope they attached?

Cheers

Libby

[atouchofglass]

Hi Libby
and
Welcome

So I gather that's not you in the Avatar ;D ;D ;D ;D

The big back window suggests NZ origins
But I would wait for Al (Millard 1399) ..... he knows all things Aluminium.

Love the Valiant by the way
She'd look good towing anything

As for the stickers
Sadly there was a problem with Aust Post and most have been lost.

Some of the members may have extras but they were a limited run and are now as rare as rocking horse doodoo

Cheers
Atog

[millard1399]

Hi Libby, contrary to popular opinion, millard1399 doesn't know much about anything, let alone Sprite 400 caravans.

However, if I type Sprite 400 caravans into my Google search field, I get 1.2 million results back, so apparently these Sprites are pretty popular vans in the UK.

If you think it came via NZ, there's a book you can get hold of about caravans and caravanning in NZ:

NEW ZEALAND:

Book: "Vantastic" by author Chris Hunter
Subtitle: "A Pictorial History of Kiwi Caravans"
ISBN: 9781869505264
ISBN-10: 1869505263
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Date Published: 4/11/2005
Format: Paperback Book
Pages: 143
Language: English
Book Description: 'Vantastic' takes a lively look at one of New Zealand's most popular traditional holiday pursuits - caravanning. Packed with never-before-published photographs, interviews and memorabilia, it captures the wonderful feeling freedom and security unique to the 'home on wheels' in the period when Kiwis were in love with their freewheeling slice of home at the beach. Beautifully designed by leading designer Neil Pardington, it will stir the memories of anyone who has ever hitched up a van to the back of the car or smelt sausages cooking in the warm air of a beach campsite. And with those campsites on expensive coastal real estate rapidly becoming an endangered species, it is a timely reminder of a way of life that is disappearing fast. Documenting the post-war rise of caravanning in the 40's through to the peak years of the 70's and 80's, and today, where caravan ownership is currently around 5000, Vantastic creates a vivid anecdotal portrait of the kiwi holiday industry of the times. Core buyers are expected to be in the 30-60 age group - those who own and owned caravans and the adults who were children then - appealing to a similar nostalgic vein as that tapped into by the successful…[end of description]

You can search for it on Google as well. Sometimes it comes up on ebay, but it is also available through on-line bookshops.

The internet search seems like it would provide you with a heap of info.

hope this helps,
cheers,
Al.

[libstar]

Thanks for the warm welcome
Bummer about the stickers - If anyone has a spare I am raising my hand and waving..

I did an EvilBay search for that book - But will keep looking.. I have looked at various interior features to try and "date" it and I think it is a 1973, Although in England regarded as a bit of an "ugly" The guy who designed it went on to own a chain of restaurants.. (Sam Alper - Little Chef, So wikipedia tells me).. The guy I bought it off said it came from NZ.

I have not seen any here in so maybe it is a black sheep.. If I am in my own exclusive "Sprite Club" I have desecrated the internals so would not be a very good example now The seats/cushions are on evilbay if anyone interested.

However, I think she is going to look great when done.. Probably more 60's style than 70's.. to match the S Series

Again thanks for the info and welcome.. Maybe I will post some pics of her progress..

Cheers

Libby

[millard1399]

Hi again, Libby...

You may well be the first to join us with a Sprite. Can't say I remember that name on the forum before. Far from being a "black sheep", you are way up there in a class of your own!! ;D ;D

We do occasionally get people making contact with us from NZ, or people posting photos of vans they've discovered and we've concluded they are from NZ or are UK origin. Can't understand why the Sprite would be considered "ugly", as it looks like a good many of the UK designs I've seen.

You might like to have a look through this thread: Vans spotted on our NZ trip and see if there's anything of interest there.

I meant to say more about the stickers before. We had a couple of members go out of their way to organise the design and printing of about 150 stickers. In the process of one of the members mailing half of the batch to the other member, the mailing service lost the package. Needless to say, the compensation offered was nowhere near the true cost of the stickers lost. So, we have a member who is now substantially out of pocket.
At the time the stickers were first available, I ordered and received 20 of them. From memory, we had to pay $2.75 per sticker, postage included. After the "lost package" incident, I decided I would try and work out a way of getting some money back to that member to reimburse him for his unfortunate situation. I was thinking that maybe if I sold whatever surplus stickers I had for $10 each (postage included) then the surplus money above my costs would be forwarded to that member. Some people may see that as a blatant rip-off, others may be ok with it. The Vintage Caravan forum sells their stickers for $10 normally, and the surplus proceeds go towards the cost of running the website (including our forum). So my price would be in line with theirs. If you're still interested, send me a PM (personal message) and we can work through it.

[UPDATE 25th Feb; Responses from both members involved in the original sticker 'disaster' have indicated they do not require any further compensation. Accordingly, I have now cancelled my initiative to charge $10 per sticker.]

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

H and welcome libstar.

Nice project you have there, please keep us informed of the progress.

[libstar]

Thanks for the stickers Al... You're a star ;D

I'm a bit reluctant to post photos of my progress now that I have just seen Al's thread...sheesh! You might as well have bought a car trailer and started from there Great job!

I would be happy to post pics of my ebay vintage saucepans that I hit with the polishing machine though.. ha!

But I will share a couple of finds this week..

The wallpaper I ordered from England arrived last week and I have nearly finished (One more strip to go) You may think "how lame" however, My van is going to be an eclectic girl in her vintage/retro/classic/individual style

Wallpaper is VERY expensive here and I bought 2x 10 metre rolls incl postage for $98.. One roll here is $149.. The company was www.featurewallpaper.com Maybe of use to someone - or for your feature wall at home??

I tried to source some laminex for the cabinet I am building.. Laminex and Formica really do not have any cool 70's patterns.. But I did find out you can order and get samples from Mr Ply and Wood (Mr Plywood) and can order at the special order counter at Bunnings - even though Bunnings will tell you they don't stock it!! A 1800 x 750 sheet will set you back about $98.
Do I want to trim it? Not really and I don't really like any of the designs!

Formica in England and USA have some very cool patterns though for eg:
Skylark Boomerang
Beluga
Citron Ice
Cracked Ice
But VERY expensive $300-$400 a sheet and Australia does not import those patterns!!!

I wanted a high gloss look and checked out perspex and signage boards, Acrylics etc.. But they will scratch up to easy - maybe for a splash back though.. If I want to go that far..

So, I may end up painting the benchtop I made with a top coat of marine varnish and some chrome edging.. No stainless as I bought a nice deep stainless sink and a really nice old urn and I don't want heaps of silver..

At least until I find an old retro table on ebay that's within 50km that I can cut down.

When I finish the cabinet I will go get it weighed for registration before building the bed..
I figure the lighter the better.

Not alot to do on the outside - some wire brushing, painting, new lights and some nice trim..

You are probably all shaking your heads at my need for the aesthetics- But I'm the one that is going to have to sleep in it ;D

Cheers

Libby

[millard1399]

Hi Libby, if my van had ended up being a restoration disaster, it was going to become a car trailer!

One of the members on the Vintage forum used that boomerang pattern laminex in their resto. They said they got Mr Plywood to import it for them. Read reply #4 here: Where do I begin? I've seen it in their van and it does look pretty cool! They have pictures in Reply #29 here, but you can't see the pattern clearly in the photos.

We are in the process of having a new kitchen installed here at home. Had to go and look at all the laminex and formica samples to choose the benchtops. Eyes started to glaze over after a while. Far too many colours and patterns to choose from. But yep, nothing that would suit the 1970s or earlier. Sometimes you have to go hunting for someone who might be getting rid of a '70s kitchen and is giving it away. I've bought some 1950s kitchen cupboards off ebay from a young couple doing a house renovation. Won the bidding for $2.25 Had to pick them up from Sydney (did it on the way to another destination), and was too embarrassed to hand over a measly couple of bucks. So I slipped them $20 to help pay for a bit of paint and wished them well. They were tickled pink. ;D

So where's the piccies of what you're doing??? You show me some piccies and I'll tell you a funny story about sewing. It'll have you in stitch..._{[oh, shut up! ]}

cheers,
Al ;D

[libstar]

You have me in stitches... ;D
Okay first the formica stuff- I'm calling them tomorrow and see if they can get it for me...yay!

The Formica Classic Range:



and what it looks like on a table:



Some Pics of the sprite:


The Original Interior:



Gone!:



Some paint and decorating:



Old Sconce:



New Sconce:



Pot Polishing...lol




New padded and covered pelments:



The other tow car:



The Urn



and finally The Wallpaper: ;D



I've done loads more since but the digital camera has pegged it and will sort that out tomorrow..
Hope that satisfies some curiosity and doesn't offend lol..

I am still deciding what to do with the outside

[libstar]

Oh, You may notice the outside is in "St Kilda" colours When I went to buy the van the old guy was mid painting it for a spruce up... So, looking forward to getting that off...not!

[Deleted]

And I though sconces were something you had with jam and cream.

Nice formica btw.

[atouchofglass]

Hi Libby

Looks like a plan coming together
;D ;D ;D ;D
I remember similar laminex on our old table when I was a kid.
Ours was pastel green and called...... cracked ice ..... I think.

Hey Wahroonga
The sconce are nice but you have to urn enough to buy them.
That way you are always in the pink.

^{Give up Atog}

Cheers
Atog

[millard1399]

Hi Libby, FANTASTIC work you are doing on the van!! ;D ;D

Firstly...the pots...yep, you're unanimously voted as the "No.1 Classic Caravan Forum Pot Shiner". ;D ;D Crikey, they've got to be shinier than when they were first made!

LOVE the wallpaper! Certainly was worth the effort to track it down and get it sent over to you. Should look very nice when finished.

You've certainly got some interior decorator skills that I wish I had. "Boring ol' beige" is what I usually end up with.
The theme you've chosen for the inside makes me think I can see a genuine English cottage garden springing up around the outside of the van as we speak.

And yes, definitely the outside colour needs to go, and be replaced with something more suited to the charming interior you've created. I think you've done a brilliant job so far, and I'm keen to see what surprises you have next to show us!

cheers,
Al.
(ps. your query re email notification...it dawned on me today that there's a 'sticky' thread called "ACTIVATING EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS", second from the top in this General section. Seems to answer your question, ok?)

[libstar]

Thanks for the encouragement fellas, I am sure this far out from any other "decorating" ventures

A sconce would "look" good with jam and cream.. Maybe I'll call her "Devon" after devonshire tea?

Well today the wallpaper is up - just need to add some nice chrome trim.. Thought I would wait until the english garden is more established.. ;D

So todays effort:







Too girly? ha! ha!

I really need to stop messing about and finish the bench tomorrow, I have cut out the sink but need to paint, varnish and make a drawer and cupboard door.. Lucky for me the pool is like 10 feet from where I have parked the van (or as my husband calls it- THE LAB)..

So have nooo clue what colour to paint the outside..any suggestions (that do not involve pink) ?

I must admit I am enjoying this project and as you may have figured I am a gurl.. So, pretty happy so far with the journey

[millard1399]

Hi Libby, certainly a very "unique" interior, but a very appealing look nonetheless! That wallpaper really does add to a very classy look inside. Well done!

Those pelmet colours will go with just about ANY colour either inside OR outside, eh?!! Goodness me...more colours in them than five rainbows put together!

I think the sticking point with the outside colour of the van is the purple colour on the Valiant. Hmmm...might have to get a respray heh heh.

I agree that pink on the outside would be too . I think the pink flowers on the wallpaper, and the red check curtains are giving quite a nice show from that part of the colour spectrum. So let's think of some possibilities for the outside...

The purple on the Val is a mixture of blue and red on the colour chart. Could we think a thinnish stripe of Valiant purple along the side of the van somewhere around the bottom of the windows? White top half of van. Lower section below the purple stripe to be...ummm...a blueish colour?? Something that carries into the van to complement the blue in the wallpaper??

Or maybe a blueish stripe or flash along the side below the windows, with Valiant purple border stripes above and below it? Maybe something like a lightning flash design to suggest speed? (That Val looks like it goes like a rocket!! )

I'll leave my thinking cap on and see what else pops up.

Again I congratulate you on "being unique" in what you are doing. I LOVE it!! Like I said somewhere above in this thread...not a black sheep, but up there in a class of your own!! Good onya! ;D ;D ;D

cheers,
Al.

[libstar]

Now I blush

What a "hoot" I really though you fellas would give me grief over the decorative stylings of the ole gal.. Well at least it's not happening publicly

I too am thinking a blue with a bit of purple - It is a really hard call as I have a full perfect annexe that is dark green and orange stripes

How do I paint a van incorporating inside colours, car colours and annexe colours ?

Al, I can't respray the S Series it just came back from it's second spray - first one was a joke and the ole fella will skin me alive.. ha!

When I get a chance I will photoshop something for some feedback.. and pester you fellas some more ;D

Cheers

Libby

[Deleted]

Most of us have wimmen in our lives; so a smart jerk on the choker chain prevents any mirth over things like colour choices.

Keep the pictures rolling, she's a real beauty.

[atouchofglass]

Hey Libby
Anyone that saves an old van deserves praise not smirking
But if you want I'm sure some of the boys could ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Look forward to the next installment

Cheers
Atog

D@mn is that van pink or what
^{There you go ;D ;D ;D
Think I'll change my name to "putty"}

[libstar]

This weekends efforts: The bench is 99% finished.. I am going to cut a circle of rubber and stick it to the bench for under the urn..

I am also going to ask the ole fella to make me a strap (like a fire hydrant release clip) to go around the urn and fix it to the wall.. None of the plumbing clips are big enough..

It will be quick release so it can be emptied or filled (with Port? ;D .. joking really I am!)

I can only work on her early morning or late afternoon as it is like a sauna when you are wielding a hammer or drill in such high humidity..

I think I need to stay inside for a few days and knock out the rest of the curtains before I start on the bed.. It's just toooo HOT!





See it will all match in the end



Oh, And look what I scored today

[millard1399]

Hi Libby, looking very, very nice! ;D ;D You certainly won't run out of hot water for a cuppa in any hurry! If you are going to put a bracket for the urn on the wall, could you get away with just having some non-slip matting under the urn? I'm just thinking that if the urn carks it in the future, you'll have a circle of rubber stuck to the bench that's of no further use.

Yep, love the ducks. Most people can remember having seen a set of ducks on a wall of a house back in that era.

Gotta agree with you about the humidity at the moment. Phew!!!

cheers,
Al.

ps. like "tassietiger's" thread, I'm going to shift yours over to the Hall Of Fame as well. Will do it in the next 24 hours, ok?

[atouchofglass]

Feb 23, 2010 7:58:51 GMT 10 millard1399 said:

Hi Libby, looking very, very nice! ;D ;D

Gotta agree with you about the humidity at the moment. Phew!!!

cheers,
Al.

Errrrrr humidity???

No don't know what you guys mean.....
Only 85%+ and 34 degrees here.......
When it stops raining


Cheers
atouchtoowet

[libstar]

Hope it doesn't end up in the "Hall of Shame" See your point about gluing down the rubber - may rethink that one Al.. Cheers

Yes, Humidity lol, I live in the dusty western suburbs, although as I am a brat I do spend most of the day in the pool

Question on humidity? If it's 100% humidity would it raining?

[atouchofglass]

Hey Libby
As far as I know you can have 100% humidity and it not be raining....
But hey ..... what do I know ...... I've just got to suffer it here in Cairns.
Recently was 40degrees and possibly 100% humidity
Most people were melting

On a different note
Your Avatar
I was listening to Hot Chocolates song "You sexy thing" while typing a reply to you.
Your Avatar works well with the chorus ;D ;D ;D ;D
Laughed till I dropped ;D ;D ;D

Cheers
Atog

[atouchofglass]

Feb 19, 2010 15:12:37 GMT 10 @wahroonga said:

Most of us have wimmen in our lives; so a smart jerk on the choker chain prevents any mirth.

Hmmm
Perhaps a little too much information about your ....... life
there Wahroonga
;D ;D ;D



Cheers
Atug

[Deleted]

Gidday Libstar,

And a big welcome to you, I must say that certainly is one of the brighter decorated vans that we have on the forum but it is a breath of fresh air to have as well.

Nice tow car too by the way.

I have been working in the bush away from even the reach of the internet lately and only get home on the odd occassion about every 3 weeks or so, and what I see is a swelling membership of the forum and yet more and more happy smiling faces with vibrant ideas.

Good on ya's ( Love the ducks )

Carl