Viscount Clock

G'day jann,

I bought an identical unit off ebay a couple of years ago, although at the time I asked the seller to cut all the shelving around the clock away, and just post me the clock box to save on postage (...I was young and irresponsible then )

I've never actually seen them in any Viscount photos, so I'll trust hughdeani to tell us the truth. I notice yours is a later technology model than mine, since you have the hands-free version _{(No, no, jann...don't get off your chair! I'll kick myself up the bum for trying to be a smart-ar*e!! )}

If I ever come across a photo on one in a van, I'll send it through to you.

cheers,
Al.

G'day again, jann...

I cheated and stuck a book down the back of me duds while I kicked meself. Ha! Didn't hurt a bit!! ;D

Here's a photo of my Viscount clock...




And a photo of the battery-operated movement at the back...




The battery sticker recommends "Varta" batteries (aren't they a German brand?), so I wonder when Varta first came on the market? Or even when battery operated clocks first came on the market?


The only clock I've consistently seen in Viscounts is this one that's in magicangelisa's van...



I've seen this clock in a number of Viscounts (but never in the Ambassador model) ranging from around 1965 up to 1972 or 73. After 1973, clocks seem to have disappeared from Viscounts, either as a cost-cutting measure, or because Viscount finally got it through their thick heads that the last thing people wanted to know about when they were on holidays was the time.

Anyway, you and I can be founding members of the "What the heck is this Viscount clock?" club. I'll be Treasurer, 'cause I'm good at embezzling money. ;D ;D

cheers,
Al.

Hey Al, I am pretty positive that our old family van was a Viscount Ambassador:



It definately had a clock (have got a photo somewhere with it in the background) so pretty sure they did have them.

Cheers, Doug.

I'll have a look Al; I think its in a heap of stuff I'm clearing out of Mum's place.

Hi Griffin

Regarding the clock for an Olympic:

My Riviera doesn't really have the same cupboard configuration with the space in the middle as the viscount pictured - though I'm not sure about your Debonair.

To get a clock mounted that is a decent size, you can do it near the door (and just around the corner as well) where there is a space about 7" by 7" in the old money. Or alternatively you can always mount it on a bulkhead or wardrobe door.

I've been searching for a clock as well. Some of the old kitchen clocks look like they will work a treat (the GE telechrons were smallish, but of course you'll want something age appropriate).

Just find a shape and size you like and don't worry if it is electric powered (which extends your options to 120V clocks as well). It's a simple enough matter to *ahem* improve it by de-guts-ing and replacing it with a quartz movement - for practicality sake. It's not that I'm against electric kitchen clocks (which are charming), it's just a bit of a bastard resetting them every time you pull away from the power grid.

Alternatively you can go with a wind up clock - plenty had key mechanisms and would also suit the vintage.

Happy hunting!
Seeshell

Gees I wish I had the time to sort this thread out properly...

Now look here, young Doug...

I'll concede you had a genuine Viscount clock in that van. But now you have to convince me it was a standard factory fitting in the Ambassador model, and that your van was not an example where it was fitted as an "optional extra".

It's the first Ambassador I've seen with that Viscount clock in it. What I will concede though is that another couple of Ambassadors in my collection have a clock in them that SEEMS to be similar to each other...



But they are the only two with that type of clock in them. I have heaps of other Ambassador photos from the 1960s where there are NO clocks fitted in them, or if there are, they are clearly various after-market clocks.

The waters is very muddied, ay!

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G'day griffin (Gordon),

It would be interesting to know how many manufacturers fitted clocks to their vans over a number of years like Viscount did. I haven't studied the clock side of things in any great detail, but Viscount are the only one that stands out in my mind.


To get a clock for your Olympic, you can either do the sorts of things seeshell is suggesting, or you can get one custom-made for your van. What you need to do is find the clock you think matches the period of the van, and then go find an arty-crafty-nerdy young person in your neighbourhood who can weave some magic with a computer.

You set them a challenge. "How about you make me an Olympic clock?", you say.

"Yeah, sure, Pops...how about this?!"

"Not an olympic clock with the five rings, you nincompoop! An Olympic CARAVAN clock!!"

"Ohhhh..."


But don't be like the idiot who made himself a Franklin clock _{[Hey, who you callin' an idiot?! ]}...





...only to discover after some later research that Franklin actually originated in 1952 and not 1956 as he was first led to believe. Now that idiot has to re-do the clock face on his computer, and pull the clock apart to put the correct face in.

A few years ago another member was going to have a go at making a clock with the Sunliner logo on it. He'd photographed the logo and was going to make a clock face like I did and put the logo on it. But, I dunno whatever happened about that project, because he's no longer with us, I think.

I'm sure other members have come up with some ideas about making their own custom-made clock for their van.

cheers,
Al.

Ooooooh Im so excited to see the clock in the ambassador caravan, I want one now ;D hehehe thanks Doug & Al!!

I can certainly say that there was no clock marks above the diner in our van, so maybe it was an option

Al, after looking carefully at your clock photo, the hand they sent me is alot shorter and thicker at the end.
Im most certain its from another clock now, plus the mechanism isnt the same as yours (ummm am a bit disappointed) but i will make sure this clock is fully working and restored!!

If anyone has a spare smaller viscount clock PM me please!! ;D

G'day George,

Ah-ha! So you're already a crafty ol' bugger, eh?!! ;D

Crikey, you'd have no trouble making up a clock face to suit your van. I created one for Olympic just to see what it would look like. I know you've got a Debonair, but I only have a close-up photo of the Riviera sticker in my collection, so I used that...




Don't have a go at me for my choice of colours. I only chose them to give a bit of contrast.

Spend a rainy day on the computer, and see what you can come up with.

cheers,
Al.

Hey Al, this ad has another example of a clock in an Ambassador, same as the one in our old van ....