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Post by fungus on Jun 29, 2008 16:48:01 GMT 10
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Post by trodler on Jun 29, 2008 17:44:18 GMT 10
Hi Fungus
If you have a look at Cobbers Ol 36 van, your is very similar especially the rear end and the fan shape windows on the side of the van.
Cobber hasnt been able to find a manufacturer of his van but Iam sure he will be very interested to talk to you about it.
With the shellac finish interior ZI would say it could be 30s or 40s van.
Cheers.
Trodler.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 29, 2008 20:54:17 GMT 10
Hi fungus, and welcome to the forum. Did you pick the 'fungus' name because that's what's on the side of your van...or are you somebody who grows on other people after a while??   Like trodler, I'm inclined to think you have a van much earlier than the outside cladding would suggest. When you are inside the van looking at the walls and roof, what do you see?...plywood, masonite, aluminium, galvanised sheeting? It would appear that your van has been re-clad some years (perhaps many) after it was actually built. cobber's "Ol' 36" van is shown this thread, towards the bottom... vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=1994...but also note the style and shape of the first two vans shown in that thread. There may be other members here that can give a lead on the vehicle type and date of the wheels on your van. The handles on your cupboards are indicative of furniture made in the "Art Deco" period, which is generally considered to be 1925 to 1940. (compare with this picture... www.historichouseparts.com/images/DecoChromePullsColors3.jpg ...but yours are the push-button version...) If possible, would you be able to post a close-up photo of the tow hitch? That may also help others here to give you some further information about possible date of build. Seems like you could have quite a treasure on your hands...  cheers, Al. |
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Post by firefighter on Jun 29, 2008 21:03:47 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 29, 2008 21:55:36 GMT 10
G'day Fungus,
I think the others are waaaay out on their dating of your van. Caravans didn't get fitted with phones until very late in the piece, and the phone model in your van is definitely a late 80's model, so I reckon your caravan is probably only around 20 years old...
Just kidding. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
It looks like you've got something really intriguing there...and much older than late 80's, like maybe 40 or 50 years older... I'm looking forward to hearing - and seeing - what you discover when you peek under the cladding. Wonder if there are any signs of a front or rear window under there? There aren't too many lantern roof vans around.
Quite a few of the features of the van are definitely reminiscent of Cobber's Ol '36, including the double bunks at the front and the design and layout of the cupboards at the rear. Is that a stable door I see there??
I note that you have started this new thread in the 'For Sale/Wanted' section of the forum. I'm assuming that you intend to restore the van rather than sell it? If so, you might like to arrange to have this thread moved to the 'Members Photo Album' section. You can then add photos as you go on your voyage of discovery. I'm sure that Mark T or Kris B (the administrators of the forum) would be pleased to help with this. Anyway, great to have you and your van on the forum.
Don Ricardo
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Post by tinnie on Jun 29, 2008 23:45:36 GMT 10
Gidday fungus. What appears to be an ugly POS at first glance, proves that beauty most definately NOT skin deep. Looks like you may well have a beautiful piece of caravanning history, once you un-earth it. I would agree it is likely a 1930s lantern van that has had some very nasty skin grafts from the 1970s aluminium doctor. Interstingly it appears that the roof was probably reskinned earlier (perhaps late 50s/early 60s???). Thankfully it looks like the interior may have some good originality about it. What are your plans for the van & where are you from??? Cheers, Gristy  |
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Post by cobber on Jun 30, 2008 17:21:41 GMT 10
G'day Fungus,
As mentioned by a few of the members I have a 'van similar in some respects to this one of yours. Most of the questions I would have asked you have already been asked by those members who had a computer that hasn't been in hospital (as mine has).
What I would especially like to know is...... does your axle have any identifying numbers on it, I think it looks like a drop axle, is that right?
Can you let us have a look at the tow coupling or tell us what markings it has on it ?
And as somebody else has already mentioned, can you see any evidence of the 'van ever having had windows at the front..... I assume that last photo of your's is looking towards the rear of the 'van ?
Are the chassis side rails angle iron and all the cross members, except the front one, timber ?
Judging by the size of your wheel arch I would guess this 'van had larger wheels originally.
Cobber.
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Post by sportsman 1 on Jun 30, 2008 17:49:39 GMT 10
Hi Fungus and welcome to the forum.
All you experts out there can smack me over the head and tell me to shut up but in my opinion the van was built in the late 40's give or take a couple of years.
The cladding was obviously done in the 70's or 80's, the wheels (if original) help to date it around the 40's but the clincher for me is the push button handles inside which also appear to date from the latish 40's onwards. I dont think that style of handle was available earlier but if so please refer to the first paragraph.
Are you going to restore it?
cheers, Leigh.
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