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Post by cobber on Jun 13, 2008 10:34:30 GMT 10
Cobber's “Newcastle” caravan. Here's another “breath of fresh air” folks  . Rescued from it's resting place for the last twenty years in the midst of a mangrove swamp at “Bob's Farm” up Nelson Bay way, a fourteen foot three inch X seven foot “Newcastle” brand caravan.   It was built for an oyster farmer and his wife in 1960 by John Walsh @ “Newcastle Caravans”. Considering it's location for the past 50 years (over 20 years since it was last used) it is in fantastic condition.... the inside is in need of no attention apart from a new sink... maybe, it has rust spots on it,  Healthy Ice box    Even the floor tiles will clean up OK I think  The external woodwork appears to be one of the plywoods that has a brown coating on it... Res-wood... Rescote.... Plas-ply...  (does anybody know how to tell one from the other ?) is in top condition except for the bottom of the ply where it joins the chassis at the rear of the 'van.  Notice the size of the roof hatch, not as big as the trade mark Jennison one but big just the same. Now we get to the steel metal work, not much of it fortunately because what there is has rusted to a certain degree,  The chassis will come good I hope with the application of a bit of sand under pressure   It's got an interesting set up for the vacuum assist brakes that works in conjunction with... or independent of... the over-ride brakes. The vacuum tank is connected to the hand brake lever and pulls on it even if the reverse blocking gadget is operated on the over-ride brakes.  Me mate who lives @ Salamander Bay came to help pull it out of the swamp  ,  But the little old Magna pulled it home AOK all-be-it at a leisurely pace because of the lousy weight distribution on the trailer..... maybe I should have pulled it up on the trailer backwoods  .  Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2008 11:01:40 GMT 10
 Ok....  Please explain what ya doin' "Poaching Bondys" up in my back yard..... . You Dirty ol'man Walsh (Newcastle) caravans where built in Mayfield West on the site of the current motel which was also a van park at one stage. Not dead cert but i think they where responsible for the design and manufacture of the "Newcastle safety Hitch" as seen on the front of this van. In remarkably good condition considering the climate it has lived in for the past 20 years. High humidity should have damaged the exterior let alone not have attacked the inner walls leaving mould and Mildue. Its amazing just how much bigger a 14ft van looks as opposed to the smaller 10s and 12footers...... The fancy awning over the front window and its support brackets look very much like a "Purdon " feature. Must have been common amongst Newcastle district built vans.  Plas-ply .. we use to use it for concrete bridge formwork .12mm thick Used on steel framed formwork shutters. Something like marine ply . we use to paint it with oil before forming the shutters together using pegs, wedges and strongback pipes. A great find Albert.. you have shown true Steptoe initiative.. even if it did mean cutting my local grass to get to it So.. whats the plan Ditch that old moth eat'n '36 pommy van .......Buy a Chev sloper and tow the big flash Newcastle Van Young 'Arold.
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Post by andrew on Jun 13, 2008 22:46:06 GMT 10
G'day Cobber
Nice rescue of a good looking van. Amazing that it is still in good nick for where it was and how long it has been there.
Top points to you as well if you had spotted it just on a drive by. Seems like it was in thickish scrub but you must have been using the force well that day. "I just felt a disturbance in the force. There must be an old van around around here somewhere!"
Good on you mate.
Regards Andrew
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 7:53:57 GMT 10
Hi Andrew.. He may have "used the force" .... But i am thinking Cobber was "tipped off" by his mate that towed the van out with the 4X4.... He's a local  Cobber may be one of the oldest members on the forum and wear a hearing aid ... but when someone mentions old caravans he instantly develops a Bionic ear. ;D Reddo |
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Post by boblor on Jun 14, 2008 16:44:12 GMT 10
Hi Cobber
Agree with reddo regarding plasply, it has a brown wax like paper surface/face and is not a true waterproof ply in the long term. So it needs protection from moisture, particularly the edges with glue/paint. Great find
Cheers boblor
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Post by cobber on Jun 14, 2008 19:18:01 GMT 10
'arold.. Andrew & boblor, 'arold, I don't know how this one escaped the notice of your army of scouts..... it was just visible from the road but it wasn't me mate wot spotted it, it came via a chap I was talking to at Motorfest, it belonged to his aunt. We will have to research the exciting history of the tow coupling, it could be a “Newcastle Safety Hitch” (or did you just make that up to test me you cheeky young scamp) but I put my money on the “Locktite” Adjustable Override Brake Set-up, I'll find a pitcher . In fact I think maybe this 'van has been sitting in the swamp for more than twenty years, that's how long ago it was last used, I think it's been there all its life. Andrew... good to hear from you, how is that TD going? Finished I expect and the lantern roof would be well on the way too.... how about a few photos of your progress ?. Sorry to disappoint regarding “The Force”, as mentioned above it was a result of “Motorfest” that it came to light, I also have a few leads as a result of a Steam Rally I attended recently but as you know I am retired and just don't have time to chase 'em all up . boblor.... half your description fits... it is a brown paper like finish but there is nothing “wax like” about it I don't think and we can complain about it's waterproof qualities..... it is in perfect nick. Does anybody know anything about “rescote” ?. Bob.... did you get my PM re. Expandavans ? Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 20:04:03 GMT 10
'ello Dad. I have heard the term "Newcastle safety Hitch" used by a few people in the caravan industry. There is a van dealership at Bennetts Green here in Newcastle. I was down there one day early in my experiences with vintage vans. I spoke with an old fella for a while about old van manufacturers in the Newcastle district. he was the bloke that told me about John Walsh and how he worked from a shed in his backyard building the "Walsh Caravans". The house was directly behind the caravan park which the family also owned and ran on Maitland Road Mayfield West. I have searched the local phone book for walsh's in that street. None exist. However there is a few Walshs in the Mayfield area. 3 from memory. The comment about the Walshs designing and selling "Newcastle safety hitchs" was also made by the old fellow at Bennets Green. So thats only hersay too. He seemed pretty switched on when i mentioned vint vans.. rattled off Walsh, Propert and Purdon..... no mention of Dons though... If i wasnt so slack i would do some "Phone canvassing" and see if i can dig up a Walsh relative who has the history... One day... Maybe when i am a pensioner with a stack of spare time on my hands.. Interesting to hear that you got your lead from Motorfest... Thats how i ended up with Matilda  . It is through us taking our vans to those sorta shows that some of these "treasures" are unearthed. Makes you wander how many of the owners of the cars on display at these shows have an old van tucked away as well..... I say "Let the treasure troves keep surfacing"...never know where the next old van is gunna surface Cheers Motorfest ears. 'Young 'arold |
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Post by cobber on Jun 15, 2008 8:54:13 GMT 10
'arold, If you weren't so slack you could chase up those “Walsh” contacts while I.... if I could find the spare time.... could chase up another potential source of information. If you look at the “Newcastle Caravan History” thread in the “Down History Lane” (DHL) forum there is mention of a Mrs. Ardel Prout who was related to, and worked for, John Walsh back in “those days”. I have got a phone number for her but can't get an answer on it yet, I will keep trying during week. The impression I was given regarding the 'van I have is that it was especially built for the people I got it from......... maybe that means it was especially fitted out for them?, if it was built in 1960 I would have expected them to specify a refrigerator and a gas cooker but they haven't... it's got an Ice box and a “CARAPARK” Methylated Spirit Stove ( which looks exactly the same as the “MAXIE” Methylated Spirit Stove in “Driftwood”, matter of fact I won't be surprised if more of this 'van I have is based on the “Carapark” 'vans..... have a geek at the Carapark "Cardman" in the “DHL” forum. ANDREW ! Did you twig to the similarity when you first saw this post ?? Reddo, you're in for a plurry shock when you retire old mate..... you don't have time to scratch your self. I still can't find a photo of that coupling......... ain't got enough spare time. Cobber. |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 15, 2008 22:20:20 GMT 10
Hi cobber, Rescote was trademarked to Ralph Symonds Australia, a major manufacturer of plywood, located in Homebush, Sydney. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the company was wound up around 1978/79. Rescote was a waterproof ply with a thin plastic film bonded to one side (the exterior side) to give increase weather resistance. The plastic film readily accepted paint coatings without the need to roughen up the surface. In a letter I received from them in 1976, they were still making the product for use in Millard caravan floors. The term rescote is mentioned in some of Keith Winser's books from the 50s onwards, so the product must have been around for a fair while. Ralph Symonds was a leading manufacturer of plywood back in those days, and was involved in the building of the Sydney Opera House. I don't know the history of 'plasply' but perhaps it was a competitve product to rescote ('plas' might mean plastic (?) ) Anyway, that's all I know about that... ps. Hey, reddo...you said the fella never mentioned 'Don', but what about Pur don?! The bluddy name is everywhere, don'tcha reckon?!! ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by andrew on Jun 18, 2008 21:24:45 GMT 10
G'day Cobber
Sorry to inform you but there has only been mental planning done on the teardrop and the lantern is currently a reseptical for caravan related items.
Just got the pr. pur the whatmit for the carports ( one is actually a caraport but I won't tell if you don't.), so it is full steam ahead in building that first but Jacqui has the hots for the TD to be the next big project.
Regards Andrew
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 18, 2008 22:02:48 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Love the new acquisition and nice to have a 60's van in your collection! There don't seem to be too many Newcastles around, so it is good to see one going to somebody who will treat it well.  It's remarkable what good condition it is in, seeing that it has been in a swamp. Wouldn't have been surprising if the damp had got to it. The roof over it must have done its job pretty well. I presume there is some repair work needed on the back left corner? Like the hatch and the colour scheme with the unusual side flash. A bit different to the flash used on other vans. What's the hatch on the lower right hand side wall, or is it just a vent? Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Jun 20, 2008 15:19:44 GMT 10
G'day Don, I don't know if salt air is good for timber and bad for metal but that is how it would appear with this 'van, the woodwork is in excellent condition.... that blemish on the top rear corner is only superficial, no plywood damage at all, just paint cracking. Rust on the metal parts is the only problem and even that is not a big deal. When the 'van was built in 1960 it would have been expected that the buyer would have specified a refrigerator of some kind and so the inspection flap on the off side was provided..... however the people I bought it from chose to have an Ice box & a metho cooker.... good on 'em I say because both are still in perfect working order . Andrew, Not surprised that the lantern roof is on the back burner mate but I am surprised that the TD is not finished yet, you were doing such a great job on it when I last saw it. If Jacqui has the hots I would, if I were you, do my utmost to satisfy her . Cobber. |
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Post by andrew on Jun 23, 2008 21:39:10 GMT 10
G'day Cobber
Hey, what a bonza idea. Thanks
"Hey Jacqui. Cobber said I should do my utmost to satisfy you and then I might do some work on the teardrop."
Thanks mate. I might not be back on for awhile.
Regards Andrew
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Post by cobber on Mar 30, 2010 15:52:07 GMT 10
On Sunday I was looking at this Newcastle 'van of mine and feeling a bit slack because I knew it was not going to be a hard restoration compared to some of the other great projects being undertaken on this forum, so I sat down and made up an inventory of what was needed. Paint stripper.. rust converter... paint...turps...brushes..airless spray gun..sand paper...bog...steel wool...glass & rubbers for two windows ...new “eyebrows” over front & rear windows... new water tank..metal for roof hatch... towel rails. Sunday afternoon went to hardware shop and got most of the stuff I needed. Monday:- removed the “eyebrows” water tank & two front windows...made up a template for new glass. Tipped the old girl on her bum and wire brushed the surface rust off the chassis and gave it a coat of “Wattle rust converter”. While that dried I removed the wheels and brake drums to check linings and wheel bearings... no problems there, just cleaned 'em out and repacked with new grease. Then removed the external bits and pieces... towel rails...lights.... Marconi track & roof hatch. Monday arvo:- took “eyebrows” and water tank to sheet metal man and ordered metal for roof hatch.... took window template to O'Brien glass. Tuesday:- painted the chassis with the “Wattle metal primer”... then started stripping paint off the external ply....discovered it appeared to have only one coat of the light colour cream all over then one coat of the dark colour cream was on top of that on the bottom half only, so the stripping was an easy process. What was found was a reddish coloured ply that I assume is “Reswood”.... no plastic coat which would have indicated “Rescoat”. The ply is in near perfect condition except for a small amount of rot along the bottom two inches at the rear of the 'van and a section of the door under the fly screen door, easily fixed. Rubbed back the roof and found it was also “Reswood”...painted it with “Ormonoid silversheen”. Wednesday :- painted chassis with “Wattle epoxy paint”.. black underneath and silver “A” frame. Worked on the electrical wiring to the rear lights while my little helper started cleaning corrosion off the window frames. I cleaned and polished the rear light chrome pieces ( all the tail lights were reusable ) then spray painted the light colour grey on the outside. Wednesday arvo picked up water tank and “eyebrows” ..plus sheet metal for roof hatch from the sheet metal man. Picked up window glass from O'Brien's and got a pair of 6.40 x 15 “Rover” 8 ply tyres fitted to the wheels at Bridgstone. Thursday :- Spray painted a second coat of light grey on top half. Fitted the new metal to the roof hatch and installed the water tank. Thursday arvo raced into Spotlight and bought Venetian blinds to fit the windows. Spent time re- gluing some of the floor tiles... only a temporary fix, will need new floor covering later. Put new washers in the tap over the sink. Friday :- Spray painted the dark grey on the lower part of 'van (after masking to maintain the original style). Not happy with the “Ormonoid” on the roof so repainted over it with ordinary “Dulux Silversheen”. Friday arvo made two of the wrought iron brackets that support the “eyebrows” and refitted the windows and the “eyebrows”. Saturday:- Sprayed a second coat of dark grey on lower half..... installed the Venetian blinds.. refitted Marconi track and towel rails... and did a little modification to the tow coupling so that it could be retained and fit the 50mm ball  . Sunday :- Made a number plate holder and refitted the external lights. Done away with the vacuum brake cannister on the “A” frame and replaced it with iron work to hold a spare wheel. Gave chassis a second coat of “Wattle Epoxy Paint”. Monday :- Off to the “Blue slip” man.......... got a knock back (1)The tow coupling hasn't got a makers name on it or max. weight stamp. (2)The safety chain was too short so I joined a piece to it using a shackle.... not allowed  (3)Requires side reflectors front an rear (4) Requires a tyre placard Monday arvo :- Rang the RTA technical man. He said the “Blue slip” man must be looking at the wrong “Caravan and Trailer Construction Requirements” form...... he emailed me the “Automotive information bulletin # 24 ” which pertains to vehicles first registered before 1st July 1990 . I don't need side reflectors or tyre placard  Raced into the hardware man and bought a length of 10mm chain and something else in a blue box Welded the chain on and applied paint stripper to the coupling..... low and behold there was the makers name and max. weight stamp under the paint . It also had a Pat. # on the other side of the coupling that the maker had put a rivet straight through the middle of. Tuesday :- back to the “Blue slip” man... after some discussion he gave her the OK. Visit the RTA shop... cough up the money and she's registered The inside has cleaned up so good that we have decided to leave it as original...except for the addition of the Venetian blinds and maybe a valance... and the floor covering (when I find the right stuff). Needless to say these Mondays... Tuesdays.... Wednesdays etc. didn't all occur in the same week..... not even in the same month..... not even in the same year.... but we got there in the finish, not wise to rush these jobs . Now for a few photos. On her bum to get to the chassis...(safe working practice )  Chassis finished.  Prior to painting ..showing the “Reswood” ply.  My little helper cleaning the badly oxidised window frames.  The inside.... not exciting but very representative of the time.. 1960   Lots of storage space in this 'van  These cloth "pockets" were made by the previous owner, not sure of their usefulness.   This one is useful though.   Ready to roll    Cobber. |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Mar 30, 2010 16:36:38 GMT 10
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Post by humpty2 on Mar 30, 2010 19:13:35 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 30, 2010 22:55:29 GMT 10
G'day Cobber, Hook, line and sinker! There I was reading what you'd achieved, muttering to myself "The man's a machine". Then I got to the line about "not all in the same week...", and it clicked. I was relieved to find out that you don't have superhuman powers after all! ;D ;D ;D Anyway, what a difference you've made. The van looks fantastic. Congratulations on a great effort with her. Nice to see a couple of little unique 'Cobber features' incorporated into her livery as well. Now the question for the rest of us - which van will the Cobbers turn up in for the Nationals? Guess we'll just have to wait and see... Don Ricardo |
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Post by kingy on Mar 31, 2010 7:05:38 GMT 10
She's come up a treat Cobber .........not many makes of vans have the three front and back window setup, only seen a couple too date, and i reckon all vans should have LARGE hatches.....wish mine did . I'm guessing she weighed in at around 750 kg's........how close am i , and being heavier than the rest of your collection i'm hope'in you take it on the meander....So we can keep up with ya ;D ;D Kingy |
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Post by cobber on Mar 31, 2010 7:52:27 GMT 10
Yes......it is a bit of a worry, which 'van to take to the Nationals Don R. I would like to take Ol' 36 to Lake Goldsmith particularly.. but the boss would like to do the trip in relative comfort she says. I have tried to explain that "The Swamp 'Van" ….(that's it's new name) only has an ice box.... metho cooker... beds... table... same as Ol' 36.. but apparently size does matter Geoff. Negotiations are in progress. I reckon that time frame could be made to work on a restoration like this one humpty. Get organised... get up early.. go to bed late..get the helpers onside... It's what I'm going to do with the next restoration now that I've seen how easy it is. You're spot on with the weight Kingy... sort of. She weighed in at 780kg without the cushions which weigh another 72kg... so I'm thinking I won't be making the old FJ pull it around too much at all. THE COLOUR KINGY !! ........ YOU DIDN'T SAY YOU LOVED THE COLOUR .... . Cobber. |
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Post by sutcac on Mar 31, 2010 9:31:15 GMT 10
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Post by kingy on Mar 31, 2010 9:57:35 GMT 10
Oh yeah, forgot to mention Cobber........Love the colour, we had a grey one once ;D Kingy |
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Post by cobber on Mar 31, 2010 13:58:25 GMT 10
From time to time on various forums here it is mentioned that it is a good idea to look at your draws.... both inside and under because caravan builders in days gone by had a habit of writing information there. When I applied paint stripper to “ The Swamp Van” the paint didn't bubbly up, it just went soft. Not a problem because it scraped off easily. The directions on the tin said water based paints wouldn't bubble. I thought.. “ is it possible that in 1960 this 'van was painted with a water based paint” I did a google and discovered that there is a company in Rydalmere NSW called Duralex who have been making water based acrylic paint since 1946 That I thought will do me.... I ordered my paint from Duralex and that's what I used to repaint it. Some time later I pulled out the cutlery draw and turned it upside down... just for fun  Makes no difference...... I would have used water based acrylic anyway Just in case you might think Duralex could be rubbish paint “Choice magazine” have tested it and gave it the thumbs up. Check your draws. Cobber. |
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Post by sugarshack on Mar 31, 2010 18:45:50 GMT 10
Hi Ya Cobber, hey what a great job you 've made of your van! As you mentioned at Coledale ,the Swamp van does look like my Purdon-it would be interesting to see them side by side for a comparison .Yet again some one raises that old grey motor on your FJ,Ithink it would pull that van with no problems,Iremember on one of the East Coast Tours ,that old FJ was always out in front,just paint it grey Cobber. ;D Sugarshack. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 31, 2010 19:10:38 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Some interesting information written on that draw... The info is not like Earlee's newspapers by any chance is it? No? Just checking! Do you think the info was written there by the builders or by the owner? The paint details could well have been written by the builders. But you'd think the insurance details could only have been put there by the owner, and the owner might also have put the paint info there so he/she wouldn't forget it, especially since it refers to 'house paint' as opposed to just the paint manufacturer and the colour. The other question is who produced Balm paint? OK just answered my own question... BALM stands for British Australian Lead Manufacturers and the company eventually became Dulux. Apparently Balm paint was used on some BMC vehicles. You probably already knew that didn't you? I presume the reference to 750 pounds for insurance may be the purchase price of the van? What do you think? Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Mar 31, 2010 20:01:55 GMT 10
G'day Mr & Mrs Magrin..... where the hell have you been ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D For new members.... i.e. anybody who has joined since 2006 You should look at this thread on page two to understand why I am laughing...... some good memories there aye ? Good to hear from you Sugarshack, I hope you can get to Coledale this year... if you do I'll bring “The Swamp Van” and we can do that side by side comparison and see what we can come up with. I don't think we have entirely sorted out the incestuous relationship that existed between the Newcastle caravan builders back in the 50s and 60s.... Carapark... Purdon and Newcastle. My old grey motor ....all I can say is that when I had it reconditioned in 1990 by a mob called “BettaBilt” I hope they didn't bore it out to the maximum, I wish she would stop as good as she goes . Cobber. |
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(does anybody know how to tell one from the other ?) is in top condition except for the bottom of the ply where it joins the chassis at the rear of the 'van.
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