veedubnut
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The Compact Camper
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 5, 2005 21:40:26 GMT 10
I'm new to this site so hi too all!  I have bought this project recently from Bigdidda ;D Over the next 12 months I intend to fully rebuild the old trailer which is made entirely from timber and ply... Oh and yes those ugly  trailer guards will be replaced with something far more befitting to its curvy lines From what we know it was built sometime around 1950 in the Yamba or Northern NSW area, but if someone here knows a little more about it the information would be greatly appreciated.   |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 5, 2005 23:04:08 GMT 10
Hi and welcome to the site. Tell Bigdidda he's a lazy soandso. I thought he would have finished that restoration by now, rather than passing the buck on to somebody else!
I would have bought that van myself had BD not beaten me to it! Probably for the same reason as you - a very original example of a Teardrop with huge potential. A real ugly duckling with a swan beneath it. Have fun with it.
Cheers
Ray
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 5, 2005 23:12:07 GMT 10
Thanks Ray,
hahaha I will tell Don, but he will probably see the post before I see him ;D
He has another van to play with now, this one does need some work, but will look great when finished... I will post progress pics over the coming months.
Cheers
Greg
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Post by bigdidda on Sept 6, 2005 7:44:03 GMT 10
Ray,
Not fair.Only joking.Better it went to a mate with garaging than sitting under the canvas in the yard from Hell (where it was stored).
He better do a good job or else.
Still have van from Glen and its coming along nicely.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2005 11:52:59 GMT 10
G'day Greg Welcome to the site. Great to see another teardrop hit the scene. A real piece of vanning history there mate. I agree totally with you. it does need some decent mud gaurds on it. There is a bloke here in Newcsatle that has a modified teardrop called "Rat Fink" that he tows behind a hot rodded 1948?? Chev sedan delivery ( yankee version of our panel vans). He offered me a pair of mudgaurds ( 1 aluminium and 1 steel for around $100 ) off a Austin A30 ute for my van ( see "reddos Van" in the members photo section) they would look great on your teardrop. Only problem i see is they are only about 3" wide and wouldnt be wide enough to cover your wheels . your Axles appear to sit too far out either side. Seeing as though your into caffcutter... ... er... um ... VW's. you might be able to fit a couple of Vee Dub rear gaurds to the van. i dont think they would look out of place  . Try and hang onto that Black and white NSW number plate when you finally get around to reregistering the van. They add to that "period look"  and are getting harder to come by. Finally i give you an A+ for working out photo bucket and getting your pix up first time . Keep us posted with the resto. post plenty of photos...... We like to watch.  Reddo - "Resident VintageVan site nutcase" - Newcastle |
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 6, 2005 16:04:27 GMT 10
G'day Reddo, Thanks mate, I have thought about narrowing the axle by a few inches because the wheels do sit out along way from the body. I even considered the theory of VW guards but, they're tapered for a curved body so won't fit without alot of modifying to the guards. I will also be changing the drawbar back to its original style however it will be of steel instead of the original timber The drawbar on it now is far to heavy and is not correctly supporting the timber chassis... All the strain is on the front members and is causing the chassis to flex. I will replace it with a single square tube hitch which will run from the rear of the chassis to the front and secured so as to support the entire frame. I will keep the pics coming as well. I just hope my 1200 Beetle is capable of towing it  or stopping it!!! Oh thought I should tell you the teardrop's rego has never been allowed to lapse so is still currently registered ;D The plate is a replacement copy though as the original I believe would have probably attracted some undesirable attention from the Highway Constabulary... It was showing its age! I must give credit to Jim for his instructions on using photobucket... It is very simple to do  Cheers Greg |
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 6, 2005 19:48:41 GMT 10
Thanks Jailbarjuice, I'll check Super Cheap out for their axle sizes. I have been having trouble finding hot rod parts suppliers in Sydney for the guards... I have checked the Yellow Pages and the web, but found nothing so far... I never thought to look at some magazines for info on suppliers  doh! If you have got some info on where I can obtain them I'd really appreciate it mate ;D It is a great project and I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather coming up so I can get started on it. Cheers Greg |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 6, 2005 20:44:25 GMT 10
Hey Bigdidda! Good to hear from you, wondering if you were still up in them thar tors  Remind me again, which was Glen's van??? I noticed you were bidding on the Qld Propert on ebay, that later withdrew. Are you still looking for one? Write to me off-site. Cheers Ray |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 7, 2005 17:16:32 GMT 10
Hi VDN Did you know that there is also a Teardrop site under Yahoo. Has over 300 members I notice. Might also be worth exploring.
Hey MARK!!!!!! Notice that that site has VOICE chat!!!
Ray
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 7, 2005 18:44:19 GMT 10
Hi Jailbarjuice, Thankyou for that information I'll give Gary Oliver a call tomorrow and get a price on the guards and types available... If I see a Hot-Rodder getting around in my travels I'll ask them as well... One would think there would have to be someone in the Penrith/Nepean area making them. Hi Ray, I did come across that site whilst surfing for teardrop sites I'll check it out tonight! Cheers guys Greg |
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MRFJ55
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" KEEP HOLDEN ON "
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Post by MRFJ55 on Sept 7, 2005 19:47:55 GMT 10
G'DAY GREG , How ya going ? In a Beatle/teardrop combo by the look of it ! Have you seen "BLUEY'S" red V8 Beatle with the '39 Ford bonnet and guards with little teardrop in tow . Its a little beauty , i have admired it for years and probably got inspired enough by the teardrop to get into vintage vans ! (along with a few others i have seen) . Anyway good luck with the resto , all the hard work will be worth it . I'm sure your fellow VW boys will also be after a "TEAR"  when they see yours finished . KIND REGARDS , MAURIE . "KEEP HOLDEN(VW'ING)ON" p.s Dont forget the Coledale Beach weekend 15-16 October, if the TEAR is ready .
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Sept 7, 2005 21:18:31 GMT 10
G'day mrfj55, I'm very well thankyou ;D I have indeed seen Bluey's V8 powered Bug... It has been around for many years now... It looks fantastic and probably did inspire me to track down a Teardrop Trailer of my own... My good mate Bigdidda "Don" bought it a few months ago and I must've been green with envy when I saw it! I'm glad he offered it to me when he found another van Unfortunately I won't have it ready for this October, but when it is completed I will make sure I get along to a few of the gatherings I look forward to checking out a few of the vans you guys have in your collection. I'm sure when a few VW boys see my Teardrop at the future shows and other meets they will want one as well! One VW mate of mine could not believe his eyes when he saw it hahaha Cheers Greg |
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Post by bigdidda on Sept 14, 2005 17:10:25 GMT 10
Ray,
Glens' van came from Dubbo.Its cream and green fully registered and dont leak.
Cant send you an email at moment due to fritzed computer.
Could you send me an email so i will have your address again.
Greg will have a lot of fun with that teardrop.
regards
don
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MRFJ55
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Post by MRFJ55 on Sept 22, 2005 21:36:03 GMT 10
G'DAY GREG , Hows the "DROP" resto coming along ? Have ya finished ? Only joking , take your time , do it right the first time . Mate i found something that might be of interest to you on the FE-FC HOLDEN disscusion forum . Page 3 under their General Board (10/7/05), a thread on teardrops you will find Aaron (cer-444) has left &right mudguard moulds . I remembered you were after a set ,so check it out . Hope you can use this info to help get your "DROPPY" on the road soon , REGARDS MAURIE . ps might see ya at Coledale ! |
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Nov 3, 2005 19:46:59 GMT 10
G'day Maurie, Sorry mate I have been pretty busy with other projects and have not been logging onto the site here for a while... I have not made a start on the Teardrop just yet... Still trying to come up with a few ideas for restoring and also making a few changes to its styling... I really want it to make a statement! hahaha Have found a really good website forum in the U.S. and there is quite a few Aussie members there as well with plenty of nice photos... When it comes to Caravans and Teardrops the Yanks really do know what they're doing! I'll check out that website and info on the guard moulds too mate. Heres the U.S. forum I mentioned above www.mikenchell.com/forums/index.phpI spoke to Bigdidda lastnight and Coledale is a real possibility as the Teardrop should be completed by then... I hope Bigdidda posts some photos of his latest "find" and aquisition another Propert Caravan! Cheers Greg |
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Post by caraparker on Nov 22, 2005 8:30:30 GMT 10
veedubnut
Just make sure you bring your teardrop down to the BUG IN at Hobart
in 2007, and I'll exhibit my splitty and carapark (If the vw club has enough room on parliament house lawns).
I should have 3 vws there!, love to have four but I don't think I will have the time!
see you there.
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 3, 2005 20:13:01 GMT 10
G'day Caraparker,
I'll keep that in mind... I've wanted to travel to Tassie for along time now and it would be great to take the bug and teardrop trailer for a VW event... Do you have any dates for when it is on?
Cheers
Greg
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 11, 2005 22:58:29 GMT 10
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Mar 29, 2006 19:32:37 GMT 10
Hi all, I have finally got into the rebuliding of my teardrop... I will post some pics within the next day or so... There is so much timber to replace Oh well its all going well so-far. By tomorrow afternoon I should have the timber chassis (yes timber chassis!) repairs completed and the new floor fitted. Then it will be time to start on rebuilding the wall and roof frames. Will keep you posted on its progress and lots of photos are being taken along the way. Cheers Greg |
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Apr 18, 2006 21:25:34 GMT 10
Well... I have finally found some spare time to load up some more photos onto photo bucket  Here is the left side with the old fender and tyre removed  This picture shows some of the extent of timber rot and the very dodgy repair someone has done many years ago  A picture of my father wondering just what has he/me got ourselves into  Another left side view with the ply sheeting now removed  Everywhere we looked we found more dry rot  Heres a closer photo of the left side outer rail or whats left of it!  Heres the old floor... The original builder had obviously used what materials he could find at the time... "BAR" How interesting ;D  Well... Heres the rebuilt timber chassis... Luckily all that needed replacement were a couple of cross pieces, the rear tail piece and left and right outer rails  Finally the new floor fitted and the old top frame section mocked-up for final measurements... The whole top section will be replaced and rebuilt as close to the original frame as possible  I am already in the process of fitting the new top section and will take some more photos and post them here soon. Cheers Greg |
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Apr 24, 2006 20:13:57 GMT 10
More progress pictures ;D The hardest part done  View of what will be the resurected kitchen area  That is glue dribbling out of the joins... Don't worry it very easily scrapes away when cured  |
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Post by trodler on Apr 25, 2006 7:29:00 GMT 10
Hi Greg.
Starting to look really good now.
Itl be all worth it in the end.
Cheers.
Trodler.
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MRFJ55
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Post by MRFJ55 on Apr 25, 2006 8:23:28 GMT 10
G'DAY GREG , I have been watching and waiting with interest for this little "DROP" to evolve ! Well you haven't disappointed , what a top job your doing ! I think i am getting envious as i wish it was me . I think what you've got and what your doing with your teardrop just epitomises this website ! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ! I noticed your first post was 9/5/05 Happy Anniversary for next week . You've come a long way . REGARDS , MAURIE . p.s See you at Coledale |
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Apr 25, 2006 9:16:11 GMT 10
Greg
It might be an optical illusion in the picture, but the springs on your teardrop seem to be longer than the usual 650-700 length.
This is a good thing, by the way..
A suggestion to have them working much better is to remove them, dismantle them, clean off all the rust, paint and lightly grease between the leaves.
Replace bushes and bolts if there’s any sign of wear.
Check the bracket welding and for elongation of the bolt holes.
You may need some concentrated heat to straighten the wrap around clamps when dismantling.
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veedubnut
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Post by veedubnut on Apr 25, 2006 21:32:12 GMT 10
G'day folks, Thanks Maurie... I did'nt realise it has been alomst 12 months. Time goes fast. I have been lucky to have some help from my dad which has really helped get the project moving in the past few weeks. Hi Trodler, Yes all is looking really good so far should be a very smart looking Teardrop when its finished. Hi Jim, You have an eye for detail I must admit I really have'nt looked into the suspension side of things just yet. I do know the bushes have been replaced and new bolts fitted but, you're right they do need a good clean-up and grease on the leaves. I'm going to take it to my folks place when all the timber work is completed and my dad is going to paint and perfrom some of his signwriting talents with some pinstriping on it. While it's there I'll have a good look at the springs. Here's a couple more pictures of its progress today. Cheers Greg   |
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I have bought this project recently from Bigdidda ;D 
trailer guards will be replaced with something far more befitting to its curvy lines 
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and are getting harder to come by.
or stopping it!!! 
doh!
when they see yours finished . KIND REGARDS , MAURIE . 
I have also removed the rediculously heavy "A" frame which was fitted. It alone weighed about 45 kgs! Heavy enough to haul the HMAS Kanimbla 
