Viscount Ambassador . Our first caravan.

[moon]

Hi .
Well my husband and I just purchased our first ever caravan to create some wonderful memories with our 11 year old son 6 year old daughter and 2 year old baby girl.

The idea is to get out 11year old boy out of the house away from his computer games and in the shed with his father.
He is actually really excited about the project and can't wait to start .

We are so in love with her.
Not 100% sure on the year of the van as we bought as 1973 but when we had to get blue slip he marked it as 1975 ,so this got me little curious and done some reading and didn't realise all the history behind these lovely caravans.

Our caravan has the push out windows not wind out and has rectangle lights not round ,the number on the tow bar says 5011e which I found marked in the bottom cupboards down in the bedroom.
Does this number confirm 1975.
The sticker has been sprayed over but is the triangle type .

The floor coverings and lounges are original.
Anyway if anyone has any ideas about what year she may be I'd love to hear from

[Koala]

Hi Moon
Nice van you have there.
Sorry that I can't help you with the year of manufacture but I expect from the profile of the aluminium used on the sides that it was made in the 70's. If this proves to be the case then you would be best to swap over to the Classic Caravan Forum which caters for vans built 1970 onwards. They are a friendly mob over there and may be able to better assist you.
ditzygypsy.proboards.com/

On another matter, the first thing that I would do to your van is change the bolts which hold the tow hitch to the `A' frame. The ones currently fitted are incorrect and may in fact be dangerous.

Anyway, enjoy your van and I am sure that someone more knowledgeable than I will be along shortly to help confirm the year .

Koala

[bigkel]

Hi , i agree with Koala , those bolts are made to bolt timber together and no where the strength of the high tensile bolts that should be there , make it a priority to get those changed .

cheers kel.

[Franklin1]

G'day moon,

Your van is most likely from the second half of 1970, and is the 5,011th Ambassador chassis built after Viscount changed the chassis numbering system, and put the letter 'E' after the numbers (it was previously before the numbers).

So, you've only missed out on being eligible for this Vintage forum by a matter of months. However, I can vouch for the folks over at our sister forum for Classic Caravans built in the 1970s. Friendly and welcoming, they are.

Don't ask me how I know....I just know.

cheers,
Al.

[Jennison]

Your not wrong Koala I saw those cuphead bolts sitting proud myself.....Some hi tensile hex head replacements required as a matter of urgency ...Nice old Van you have there moon nevertheless. Welcome to the fraternity

[Roehm3108]

That's one magnifiently orpginal van you have there. Does it have an ensuite?

I am rather curious about that scolloping in the ceiling above the doorway, with the cuphooks attached. Any idea what that was in aid of??

You will certainly create some lovely memories with your family and do it in style and comfort.

Enjoy it - after you fix them thar bolts ;D ;D ;D

Ray

[moon]

Hi. Thanks for your advice , the better half is on to the bolts.
No ensuite.
Double bed up back .
We plan on cleaning and keeping it the way it was in 1970.
Turning front dining into queen bed by adding piece of something? Ply timber to join up and maybe using air matress , put 2 kids up back in double bed. Rather than taking out double for a queen. If that makes any sense.
Just feel bad to change her as she is still has all her original parts and I love stepping back in time .

Thanks again
Moon