RocketRod's 1970's Viscount Reno

[Deleted]

Thanks mate...yeah im pretty relieved as its always good to know a bit of history about our vans...there are a few different types in our era for example ambassodore,royal,supreme,grand tourer etc i knew mine was a Royal i just had no idea what year of manufacture it was due to a very rusty draw bar right on the number...Typical hehehe but all good now i do.

[Deleted]

Hi Kerry/Ray

When you got the new draw bar put on your van did the engineers weld the original chassis number back on it??? if he did then you should be able to identify what model of viscount it is???by the 1st letter of the chassis number eg: (R) for Royal followed by the next number will represent what year model your van is....Failing that the guy i went and saw the other day in caboolture is a viscount wizz... but your number should read as eg: R7####

[kezzbot]

Cheers Rod, unfortunately the van came with the new draw bar when i bought it so have never eyeballed the original chassis number.

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If you want to find out what model your van is this Shaun guy at caboolture will know straight up by a pic.....the ÄMBASSODOR"was the top of the range in respect of the old viscount models...your van is looking awesome keep up the great work

[Deleted]

Here is my beautiful bar finished. You will notice I have built new doors – other ones were a bit boring I thought. I have re-glossed the interior from satin to gloss


Here is bottom half of bar showing bar top and new cupboard doors underneath


Here is close up of benchtop


Here is my kitchen with built in microwave and amplifier to drive the LCD, DVD and surround sound


Again new cupboard doors on kitchen overhead cupboards and close up of splashbacks


Remember my bed head. I thought it was a bit plain so I tarted it up. I drew up a designed and wanted to have the wrought iron effect so I sculpt this out of 3.5mm MDF, matt black paint and clear coat

Sitting on club lounge looking to back of van

Again close up of bar – notice the interior gloss – almost like being on a yacht

New cupboard doors under bar

Close up of LCD/DVD – still got to put down lights around arch of bar

Kitchen bench and club lounge in background



Next couple of weeks lounge gets upholstered



See the gloss finish – looks magic in real life. I originally used low sheen but sanded back and used high gloss ... looks awesome







Decided to add detail to backing of bedside lights to match bed head ... glad I did ... looks amazing. Very glossy in pics as just painted today ... will settle down in coming days

[kezzbot]

That sure is some fancy looking caravan. The woodwork looks great!

[Deleted]

Thanks guys...yes went out this morning and the gloss looks awesome has dried beautiful...Finally getting back into renovation mode been a bit busy with other things....Now im on a roll,Just looking for something different while still keeping the "OL -SCHOOL"look, Van is coming up trumps,just repairing my draw bar 2day,then she will be off to the weighbridge soon for rego hows yours coming along???

[Deleted]

what a top job Rod can I have first bids on it when you if you sell it?I find it very disheartening (spell check) not having youre abilities to do that kind of work sometimes but I do apprecciate others great work well done and thanks for posting youre photos
Gary

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Thanks gary I have had a few people who wanted to buy her when she is finished,mate thats the thing i dont think i could ever part with this beauty the amount of time,work and effort $$$, put into this van...pictures dont do it justice,could only imagine what a caravan builder would charge for something like this....we went to the last caravan show and can honestly say all the vans looked the same...Thats why i customised this van to have the WOW factor but keep the ("ÖL-SCHOOL" ) look. definately a one off...thanks mate

[boblor]

Hi rocketrod
What a great job you are doing, it looks like a palace, look forward to seeing it in the flesh sometime at a VV outing.
Cheers boblor

[Deleted]

sounds good!

[philouise]

yeah - mee too.

Lots of outings in S.E.Q.

Rod, by the way, what's your hourly rate or do you give a quote for a renovation ;D ;D ;D

just kidding phil

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So close, cant wait to get out there and enjoy,cut the draw bar back and fish plated a new section in on the weekend.....wiring up the outside this week, wiring inside the van today....YAY then off to the weighbridge.....

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Cut and fish plated new section of draw bar and painted hammer tone silver, complete with new override coupling brakes and wheel bearings

[kimm]

This renovation is amazing!

[Deleted]

Thanks kim

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Okay van is finally registered, all lights wired up – looks awesome









Lounge has finally been upholstered and we are heading to the Gold Coast for our first trip shortly

[Deleted]

I am looking at buying another van now to start a new project soon ... I am addicted! I love these OL SCHOOL vans

[kiwijim]

Howdy Rocketrod,

That's a fantastic job you have done in your van, ;D

Love that varnish look, hard to believe that it's a Viscount,

Congrats on a job well done,

Don't worry, there are thousands of Classic vans lying around,

just waiting for you to get those gifted hands on.

kiwijim

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hi kiwijim. thanks for those kind words ...actually got my eye on a 14foot franklin sitting in a paddock under a tree....looks in awesome condition, just getting stained sitting under this dirty big tree...doesnt it annoy you when you see these old vans just sitting in a paddock left for dead...and if you ask them do they wanna sell it they say nO...

[millard1399]

G'day rocketrod,

That is one STUNNING van!! ;D ;D

There ain't no way you'll ever reach the Gold Coast. People will be stopping you every few metres, wanting to have a good look at it!!

I'll bet you wish you get a dollar for every time you hear, "Gees mate, do ya think ya could come and do that to MY van??!!"

Congratulations on such a fantastic job. You've certainly set the bar way too high for the rest of us. We'd all end up with nosebleed just thinking about trying to match what you've done. Amazing stuff!

I'll send an email to the freelance journalists in WA who did the story on my Millard for the magazine, and point them to your thread here. I'm sure they'd be impressed, and would hope to catch up with you and your van one day.

cheers,
Al.

[atouchofglass]

The detail of the built in table/stand beside the cushioning is excellent.

The whole interior is something to be proud of
Well done

A job to be proud of.

Definitely worth a speaking to Papparazzi about


Cheers
Atog

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Hi Al... your not wrong about the old "hey mate do you think u could come and do that to my van"hahaha.. Or is it for sale, but you know what is great to see that people can see the work that has gone into this OLD GIRL....thanks guys

[Deleted]

Thanks ATOG...mate now just got to do the count down and get away in it....stay good

[tassietiger]

Terrific job rocketrod. It is inspiring my creative juices to flow and move the Franklin renovation list up the order of priorities. Hope all goes well for the inaugural trip away.