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Post by garystewart on Dec 2, 2010 19:29:40 GMT 10
Hi all, I am a new member to the forum and have just taken possession of my parents 1971 Viscount C Royal. Purchased new in 1971 for $1700 dollars (I have all receipts). The interesting thing about this van is that it is still in an "almost like new, original condition". Needless to say my parents were very fussy about looking after the van. It has only traveled very low Klm's and always garaged. It has replaced my trusty old Millard (78) that was starting to show its age (But well used). The only change I will have to make to the Viscount is to convert the two single beds in the rear to a queen size bed. I would prefer to leave original but I am 6'4'' tall and physically can't sleep on the singles too well. Ive tried to include a photo but not sure if successful.  |
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 2, 2010 20:37:27 GMT 10
G'day Gary, and welcome to the forum! ;D You are exactly the sort of person I'm looking for to help with my history research - somebody who has paperwork to say when a van was purchased new! ;D ;D I'm really struggling to accurately identify Viscount vans built between the start of 1970 and the start of 1973, so you could be a big help. If you wouldn't mind sharing some information with us, I'd be most grateful. Can you tell me the chassis number that's welded on the front drawbar, just beside the jockey wheel? And can you tell me when in 1971 the van was bought new? (you can tell me the month, or you can just say 'early', 'mid', or 'late', if you wish  ) Your van looks magnificent, and is a credit to how well your parents have looked after it. Lucky you! ;D Tell your parents I'm a bit disappointed they didn't get in touch with me and offer it to me, but I guess you deserved first chance.  It looks to be around 16ft, would that be right? I understand what you're saying about the beds. I have the same problem with our east-west bed in the poptop, and it's 6ft 4ins wide internally. Never enough room to stretch out.  Do you have any other photos of the inside of the van? Just so I can drool a bit?? cheers, Al. |
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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 3, 2010 6:22:01 GMT 10
Hey Gary Mate before you start any major changes to the van Try this Take a sheet of 12 or 15mm ply and cut it up so that you have two pieces the same size or slightly narrower than the two singles That way you can put them across the two singles and use the single mattresses pushed together to make a queen size Worked for me  When travelling or not wanting to use them they are stored under the mattresses  Cheers Atog |
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Post by garystewart on Dec 3, 2010 10:53:22 GMT 10
Thanks all for your interest and tips. I will scan & post the reciept etc for the van and some internal pics along with the chassis number this sunday evening. I think its a 15' x 7' van, but I will confirm that. Anything I can do to help with your research please just ask. Happy to help. I have posted a pic of my trusty old Millard that is being replaced. Its in a reasonable - used condition and has never let me down (Certainly not as good as the viscount). But its a goodie and goes anywhere we tow it. I will be advertising it next week after a quick clean. Cheers  |
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Post by kiwijim on Dec 3, 2010 22:52:10 GMT 10
Howdy Gary, You have a real Gem in that Viscount, It would be one in a million, and now worth at least 5 times the cost of original purchase price. I was going to warn you about doing any alterations last evening when the stupid Internet explorer dropped out and I lost all I had written, so before it goes again, heres a bit of advise, If I was you I would do exactly as Atog suggests, It will be far cheaper than changing anything inside the van, Keeping it in original condition can only add value to it in years to come. Now the Warning.... Viscount made one Hugh, Boo Boo in the construction of their early vans, That was, they attached all interior furniture and wooden fittings by stapling it to the walls from the outside. If you want to remove any interior frame work including bed bases, you will also have to either recover or replace the wall panels because of the million holes the staples will leave. As I said, have a go at Atogs suggestion, it will make a Hugh bed and the full width of the van, at least 7'0"ft and more. Lastly your van will look great in the " Convoy of Classics", being organized for a trip to the West late next year.  Hope to meet Ya then. ;D ;D ;D kiwijim  |
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Post by drylander on Dec 3, 2010 23:12:31 GMT 10
Gary could u do me a huge favour and tak a couple pictures of the decals on the Millard. I need to get mine made up as all I have are the faint outlines
Cheers
Pete
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Post by garystewart on Dec 5, 2010 16:21:00 GMT 10
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 5, 2010 20:39:16 GMT 10
G'day Gary, thank you so much for giving the details on your van. Now I'm REALLY jealous! The van is in amazing condition!! It would have to be one of the best Viscounts I've come across (if not THE best ). Best you make sure you padlock it at night. I'm thinking I might just make a trip up your way in the very early hours of the morning. Be prepared for a very slow trip whenever you travel. There will be all sorts of people wanting to have a look through your van, and talk about the old days they spent travelling in a Viscount "just like this one". cheers, Al. |
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Post by bobandjacqui on Dec 6, 2010 5:43:50 GMT 10
Welcome to the forum Gary, Your Viscount would have to be one of the best that I have seen Would I be right in saying the cupboard doors are laminated ply ? I know later models changed to that dreaded chipboard  The van is a credit to your Mum and Dad Cheers Bob and Jacqui |
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Post by garystewart on Dec 6, 2010 7:39:56 GMT 10
Cheers all, yes interior is all laminated ply - they called the door panelling Poly 10 and the rest of the wall panelling Poly 11. The roof panelling is just called Alaskan. The original order form is quite detailed. What I might do in the next couple of days is scan & post the original documents here. It makes for interesting reading. Must be off for work now.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by bigvmum on Dec 11, 2010 14:19:21 GMT 10
Hi Gary, We are also new to the forum and we have just purchased our 1st van. It is a Viscount Ambassador and apart from the repainted stripes we just love the old warm charm that she has. Loved looking at your pics and can't wait to see more Cheers Cheryle and Phillip |
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Post by garystewart on Dec 11, 2010 15:37:26 GMT 10
Hi all, well my trusty old 78 Millard was sold this morning. Was a bit sad seeing her going down the road as we had some great times in her. Now, cant wait to take the Viscount on her 1st trip with us. I think my mum has some photo's of the Viscount back in '71 hooked up to the family 1970 Holden Kingswood, which incidently was the same aqua blue as the stripes on the van. I remember that it looked quite trendy. I will post if I can find some. Would make a great addition to the historic photo's section on the site. Well done Cheryl & Phillip on your 1st van. I enjoyed your pics as well.
Cheers
Gary & Anni
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Post by garystewart on Jan 30, 2011 19:54:08 GMT 10
Hi all, I managed to track down 2 original slides of the Viscount when it was brand new and on its 1st two voyages back in 1971. I was only 9 years old at the time. The 1st pic (without the annex) is in Swan Hill and was the vans maiden voyage behind the family 1970/71? HT or HG Holden (HG I think) during the September school holidays in '71 to try it out before the main Christmas holidays. You will note that the Aqua flash on the van exactly matches the color of the car. The 2nd pic (with the annex) is Christmas '71 at West Beach - Adelaide, we had 1 week there and then traveled back to Warrnambool for a further 3 weeks at (the then) Surfside 2 Caravan Park. Yes that's me, the shortest one. Well short then, 6'4" now. Hope you enjoy. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the van is still like new in condition, however I noticed that the rubber/plastic seals on the front and rear curved corner windows have shrunk and perished a little, to the point where they let in a little water. I guess no amount of care can stop this from happening. Are these easy to replace (They look easy) and where can I get replacement seals from? Any advise would be well appreciated. I want to keep this van in pristine condition. Cheers Gary   |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2011 16:02:52 GMT 10
Wow, that is one good looking van, it looks like new...
Love the old photos as well
Tammy & Dave
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 7, 2011 22:05:54 GMT 10
G'day Gary, Nobody's been forthcoming with any info about the corner window seals yet. Do you have any idea what the profile of the seal looks like? The CaravansPlus website has a glazing wedge for the old push-out windows, but I have no idea whether it is suitable for the corner windows as well. You could have a look at this link, and scroll right down to the bottom of the page, and see if the second-last grey product might suit... Glazing wedgeFailing that, you could maybe find out who the second hand caravan dealers are in your region, and see if any of them know anything about replacing the seals. Also any caravan repairers as well. Let us know if you discover any useful info, and we'll include it in our Technical section for future use. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2011 16:01:56 GMT 10
Hi there
Just a note on the glazing wedge - I'm new, so take what I say with a grain of salt, it's just my experience. I understand from hunting around that there is very little if any of the grey left from anywhere and it is discontinued - so you may have to go for the same profile in black if you decide to get product through CAMEC or their distributors. I'm also told that you can get the right kind of seal from people who do shop windows, that might be another place to try.
Cheers
Seeshell
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2011 14:59:58 GMT 10
Hi guys, I know Im a little late(story of my life!) but I recently replaced the seals in my Viscount 26er corner windows and got the rubber from Camec in Welshpool W.A. They seemed to have plenty there and it went in beautifully with some detergent spray. It's grey btw. Not sure of the part number, sorry!  |
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Post by Nigel M on Oct 14, 2013 6:56:51 GMT 10
Hi there, just replaced the seals in my old viscount. All I did was to cut a small piece so I had a profile and went to the local Glass and window shop and got 26 meters of a very similar profile rubber that worked a treat.
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Post by Sharky on Jun 14, 2014 21:50:47 GMT 10
Sorry I know old thread but WOW that's mint inside, a true collectable!
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Post by awbeattie381 on Jun 27, 2014 22:19:27 GMT 10
I was wondering why I hadn't come across this post yet - its because its a really old post! AMAZING van though its like a time warp!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 21:41:25 GMT 10
Well Gary,
It is interesting for me to see this post.
My father brought exactly the same Viscount van 2nd hand in 1977. It came with a double annex.
We towed it with an XB Ford.
We also touched up that blue lightening flash to make sure that the original visuals were maintained!
Many happy holidays in the van. Fully functional and easy to tow. We sold it in 1995.
Yours is in absolutely excellent condition! Trust you have lots of fun with that stylish van.
Garry
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Post by david on Jul 12, 2017 23:09:19 GMT 10
I have one of these vans , Identical layout inside and out. Will take pics and get the number off it . My van needs a lot of work. this van looks great
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It looks to be around 16ft, would that be right?
