1970?-Regal - R1093

[Deleted]

Long time browser, first photo post (Hopefully)
This is our little 10ft. Viscount I think! Someone may be able to confirm for us.
Has R1093 on drawbar and those annoying Doug Thorley Executive stickers.

[millard1399]

Long time browser first time member. Love the site and have finally registered. Have enjoyed the site and learned heaps about classic caravans already.
I have a 10ft I think is a Viscount. Although it has the "Executive Deluxe Styline Doug Thorley" stickers It has number R1093 on draw bar, push out windows, hatch is push up old spring design, 12" wheels which I think could be Morris. Front table, side kitchen and rear couch/bed. Tare .620 Any ideas on model and year?

Hi Gary, congratulations on mastering the Photobucket challenge! ;D

It's certainly a cute little van! You could almost put it in your pocket and carry it around with you, rather than tow it behind a car!

I think we can safely say the van is from the 1968 to 1972 era, but I'm not so sure about it being a Viscount. There were a few different brands around in the early '70s that had a shape similar to yours. One that comes to mind was the early Coronets. Also, if you look at the body shape of the 1973 Capricorn van I posted in this section recently, it also has a body shape that is not unlike yours. We've had various bits of information given to us over time that suggests the Executive label was a case of "badge engineering", perhaps by Doug Thorley and/or others.

I've changed the heading of your thread to show the current name on the van. Sometime down the track, somebody will be better able to identify what your van actually is.

cheers,
Al.

[kiwijim]

Howdy Gary,

Welcome to the Forum,

I have become very interested in your "Riper little Van"
it is in great condition for it's year.

I doubt if it is a Viscount because I don't recall ever seeing ( in a Viscount ) the over-head cupboards cut to the shape of yours,

My guess is that it may be an early Newlands, or as Al said, possibly a Coronet.

Is there any way you could get a close-up photo of the front name label or is it to far gone to recognize.

kiwijim

[Deleted]

Thanks for the replies and the information.
I am attempting to remove the name labels as they are too far gone to leave. Would love to really find out make as I could them replace name stickers.
I did find that the Doug Thorley sticker was placed over a sticker : JUDD & ISNER(I think) Dandenong Vic Possibly a used caravan yard in days gone by?
I have started renos and have discovered water damage in all 4 lower corners. While I have ally sheets off I am going to re wire and add some power points and also new 12v wiring. Then replace axle and tiny 12"' Morris wheels with 14"' Ford wheels with a spring over axle conversion as I tow with a Landcruiser.
Already have a four seasons hatch to go in and a new door. Both obtained from a hail damaged van.
Finally will attempt to update interior.
Keep the info coming I will try to upload photos as the project continues.
Gary

[Deleted]

Some further info which may assist in identifying or dating our little van.
Along with the number R 1093 and 12"' Morris wheels other details are: Push out windows
Push up hatch
The little hand basin ( no tap though)
Morphy Richards Astral 240/Gas fridge.
The distinctive cut outs above the front and rear
windows. (they are not cupboards and do not hold much)
No brakes

Hopefully this info helps identify our little van
Gary

[kiwijim]

Howdy Gary,

When you start the interior reno, keep an eye out for any writing on the back of wall or cupboard panels,

many of the early vans had all sorts of info written on panels by the persons constructing the vans,

another likely place is the bottom on draws, also on the rear of the fridge.

Al, Millard 1399 has a Hugh collection of info and has access to archived news paper records, which may yet shed some light on the true make of your van, he will be sure to let you know if anything comes to light.

kiwijim

[Deleted]

Hi Gary,your van is a Regal (Noels Regal from Springvale in Victoria)Judd and Innes was a caravan yard in Dandenong that sold new and used vans .
Some Regals were made by Evernew I think,and yours looks like one of those.Regal vans had those little vanity sinks and plate and glass racks in the overhead cupboards.
This is not the same Regal caravan manufacturer that is around now.
Hope this is of some help to you
Cheers
hughdeani

[Deleted]

Thanks for the great info! I thought the little vanity might help and it does have plate and glass holders.
I dont suppose you would have any idea of a year of manufacture.
If I understand you correctly it is a "Evernew Regal" sold by Noels Regal or Judd and Innes.
I will now have to find a 1970s Evernew Decal to stick on the front.
Thanks again for the very helpful info.
I will also have to alter my reg as I registerred it with Vic Roads as a Executive!! (before I found out about those Doug Thorley stickers!!)
Gary ;D

[Deleted]

Hi Gary,
I meant to say your van was made by Regal,not evernew!
Sorry about that!
It looks like 1969 to 1970 to me ,but the old memory is getting fuzzy.
Cheers
hughdeani

[Deleted]

Thanks I will have to get a Regal sticker after all.
That is fine as I prefer the REGAL Logo to the Evernew anyway.
Thanks again for the input.
I would not have known how to research our van if it wasnt for this terrific site.
Keep up the good work
Gary

[millard1399]

G'day Gary,

At least you now know the "R" in the chassis number is likely to stand for "Regal". ;D

Now all you have to do is work out when Regal first started in the industry, and how long it would have taken them to make 1093 caravans. I'm guessing (and I stress the word guessing) they must have started around 1970, and were probably one of the smaller players in the industry at that time. 1093 caravans might have been a year's worth of production - who knows??

Your van could fit in anywhere between say 1968 and 1972, or 73. The push-out windows were prior to '73. The push-up hatch is prior to the Four Seasons hatch of late '74.

The Morphy Richards fridge might be the key to the whole question of age. If you ever have to take the fridge out for some reason, there may be a sticker or plate on the back showing the date of manufacture of the fridge. That would give you a rough idea of when the van was built.

Does the van still have its original stove, and is there any manufacturing plate on it, particularly on the back somewhere?

Has the inside been painted out at some stage, or is it still the original surface coating on the panelling?

cheers,
Al.

[millard1399]

G'day again Gary,

Here's some interesting info. I was just looking through the vans on my ebay watchlist, and one of them looks very much like the shape of your van, except it seems to be a little longer. The seller says it's 13ft 6 ins from towball to the rear, so my estimate is that the cabin would be 11ft long...



Different painted stripe design on the sides, compared with your van, but definitely an identical shape to yours.

And here's the interesting bit...this van is a "Customline".

...And guess which caravan dealer's name is on the sticker below the word Customline?...



Yep, it seems that sneaky Judd & Innes mob had their own sticker made up, and were rebadging other makes of vans with the Customline sticker. I suspected as much, because I have another Customline van in my collection of photos which is definitely a Franklin "Premier" model in disguise.

The things you learn in this caravan game!

You can see more photos of the Customline van above in the ebay listing (which has now ended): Customline van

cheers,
Al.

[bobt]

bugga

[Deleted]

Great work!! That "Customline" is the same shape.
Few little differences inside due to the extra length.
Eg 2 drawers under sink, cupboards above at each end, mine has a large fixed rear window (not push out or wind out) the "Customline" as two rear windows.
Yes mine has original stove(the same make as the customline) although I havent taken it out yet to see if there is a plate attached. Same with the fridge havent moved it yet.
My interior has been recently painted throughout. (Probably just before listing on ebay) The old white laminate panelling is still visible however in places. The customline has the same white panelling and same timber doors.
Thanks again for the info. I will have to keep a look out for that "Customline"!!
Gary ;D

[millard1399]

Back again Gary (can't get rid of me that easily! )

Here's another Regal van that's listed in the Trading Post:



Notice it has a different body shape under the back window compare with yours and the other Customline van. Also notice it has the push-out windows (no plastic brackets showing near the top of the outside of the window frame), which puts it earlier than 1973.

That different rear shape also appears on this Regal van from later in the '70s which has the wind-out windows (see the plastic brackets?). You can also see part of the Regal name sticker in one of these photos:






So it looks like the rear end shape might have changed sometime after your van was built, and sometime before the wind-out windows were introduced in '73. That might indicate your van is starting to look like it would be 1971 at the latest.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Sorry to throw another spanner in the works,but the 2 vans with flat profile aluminium were made by Regency caravans!They also made vans for Wayfarer(not the original)Judd @ Innes ,and I think Blue Horizon.The last Regencys built had wind out windows and 4 seasons hatches.I think they only had hydraulic overide brakes,so that dates them before electric brakes came in
Cheers
hughdeani

[millard1399]

Righto Gary, what's the idea of comin' on this forum and causing so much confusion with your van, huh??!! HUH?!!

Can't ya just sell it, and go buy a Viscount that EVERYBODY recognises?? ;D ;D

[Deleted]

Your research and powers of observation are amazing.
I now know of 3 Regals and a week ago had no idea of the make of our little van.
I think you are right about ours being earlier than the others due to the rear.
I have noticed our back wall has no frame! Just ally on internal panelling. Is that normal for this period? Or just Regals?
Thanks for pointing out the Regal logos also! Have a reference now for future stickers. (Need some to cover crude removal of old Doug Thorley stickers)
Keep up the good work.
Gary

[Deleted]

Just found the posts on page 2 after replying to the new post from bobt.
You have certainly confused me now with the observation mine could be a Regency!!
Mine doesnt have wind out windows, 4 season hatch or brakes so is Regency still a possibility?
Will have to do some searching in cupboards, behind stove and fridge to hopefully end this confusion by finding some manufacturers reference or at least a year.
Gary
PS Dont think we could sell our little van for a Viscount now. It is becoming more special with each post of new info.

[millard1399]

I have noticed our back wall has no frame! Just ally on internal panelling. Is that normal for this period? Or just Regals?

Both my Millard poptop and the Capricorn van I stripped recently had no transverse framework at the rear, other than the window framework. Both had a gap between the cladding and the internal panelling. The Capricorn had a token crosspiece across the back, but that was more for the tail lights and wiring, rather than providing structural rigidity to the van itself. On both vans, it was not until you got up near the roof that timber crossmembers started being used.

Bit skimpy these vans, ay?!

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Thats why they were so light!
hughydeani

[Deleted]

Well its been nearly 12 months since we got our little van and I thought I would give a little update of progress.
So far have concentrated on doing up interior as the van is used as sleeping quarters primarily.
Previous owner had painted interior so I have re painted in a Cream colour with new cupboard doors and draws in a coffee colour(paint left over from recent kitchen reno).
Built new bed frame and got new custom mattress(old sofa bed gone) re upholstered all cushions(vinyl gone) new block-out curtains, made and installed new kitchen table and sliding cooker cover and made a matching bed head to cover panelling damaged while removing little hand basin.
Re wired 240v with new double pole power points incl 2 additional points and external power point.
outside have repaired water damaged panelling by replacing with marine ply, fitted 2 new access hatches, removed all windows(new rubbers or silicone to be inserted),treated rust in chassis and A frame and repainted with Kill rust, fitted 4 seasons hatch
To do includes (not in any order):rewire 12 volt incl new lights, new axle and 14" wheels(I tow with a Landcruiser so old 10" wheels have to go) new vinyl flooring, repair or replace door and frame, treat roof, install insulation, rear window protector, remove water pump and tank and replace with mains pressure tap and anything else that I find or takes my fancy!!
No computer at home so no photos at this stage but will try to upload some as soon as I can.
Gary

[Deleted]

OK will have a go at some photos.
Here is the water damage:


Repaired and access hatch in place:


New table and cushions covered:


New cupboard doors and new cooker cover


Old divan and cupboard doors:

[millard1399]

G'day Gary,

Wow! Nice job on the repair work!!

I reckon the hatch is a great addition to the van (although cough cough I reckon it would be even better if you remembered to put the aluminium cladding back on the van )

The van certainly looks a real treat now with all the hard work you've done. Congratulations!

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the kind words. Must admit it will look better with the cladding on but haven't rewired 12 volt or installed the insulation yet. All in good time.
We are pretty happy with the interior now and it will be great as sleeping quarters.(I do night shift monthly and sleep in it so that the better half can have free run of the house without worrying about waking me) Looking forward to using it regularly when finished.
Are there any runs or trips for classic vans organised in Vic?
Thanks again, Gary