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Post by retrovan on Mar 11, 2006 7:43:11 GMT 10
Yo all vintage vanners, Here are the promised pics of our lovely 12’ Wayfarer in very original, as purchased nick.      Can anyone give us any information about this type of van/this particular van?? Was pulled out of a lean-to at a shack in Glenmaggie, Gippsland, Vic. The plan is to have it tidied up for Coledale this year. Look at that shape…..now see why we need a Mark II Jag in front of it? Cheers, Tim |
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Post by retrovan on Mar 17, 2006 15:51:07 GMT 10
No replies  Either nobody knows anything about this van, nobody thinks it is worth commenting on, or nobody wants to talk to us  Well just you lot wait until she's all done up, then she'll shine (truly and metaphorically)!! ;D |
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Post by retrovan on Mar 17, 2006 17:41:21 GMT 10
Thanks JBJ,
I had hoped that being a professionally built van there may be more information about it floating around.
I'm thinking of polishing the alloy, painting the (Torana) wheels, and finding some chromed, dome hubcaps. It doesn't currently have brakes, so there is a tougher issue. The window rubbers need replacing, the simple chassis just needs removal of surface rust and painting, and new exterior lights are required.
We haven't decided about the interior yet. Unfortunately the curtains and upholstery need replacing and the lino floor is shot. However I scored some black and white lino tiles of similar size when I removed an early 40s kitchen from a deco house recently, so the van will receive a chequerboard floor.
Just finishing house renovations before I start on it, but then will post progress photos (and no doubt lots of queries) as I go.
Tim
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veedubnut
Full Member
The Compact Camper
Posts: 272
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Post by veedubnut on Mar 17, 2006 18:55:01 GMT 10
G'day Retrovan, What a great looking caravan  Its a shame nobody here has any info for you... I don't think I have ever seen a Wayfarer myself in my travels... Looking at its quality build though... there would have to be others still hibernating in some old folks garage or shed. Look forward to seeing you and the van at Coledale... Only 6 months to go  Geez Better get cracking! Cheers Greg By the way totally off topic... Does anyone know about Hyundai headgaskets? Hmmmm did'nt think so... Someone pass the matches please  |
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Post by belinda on Mar 17, 2006 19:17:42 GMT 10
I was sorry to read your plaintive posting. It is a lovely van and will look fantastic on the road.
If your upholstery has metal buttons, don't forget to save them before you throw out any cushions. They are impossible to get these days. We had to get two new cushions made, but the others actually scrubbed up well with a soft nail brush and detergent. The upholsterer re-buttoned the original cushions using what metal buttons we had and making some covered buttons when he ran out.
How is your water tank? There are some postings about these in the technical section.
Do you have the waffle thingy in the top of the ice box (the thing the ice sits on)? If not, I'm endeavouring to get a new one made for our van - they might be willing to do a job lot.
I can see that there are several lifted tiles so your lino probably can't be saved, but it would be worth trying to save that pattern if possible.
Don't say "we'll do it after we finish renovations". Noone ever finishes renovating (I speak from experience). It saves our sanity to be able to throw the kids in the van and go away for the weekend, leaving the un-sunny sunroom and the "bathroom of death" behind.
I also don't think it's necessary to get the van perfect before you go away for the first time. On our first trip the van was roadworthy and comfortable, but wasn't painted and didn't have a working water tank or stove. We had a great time anyway and using the van gave us a clearer picture of what needed doing and how to do it.
cheers
Belinda
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Post by retrovan on Mar 17, 2006 19:48:35 GMT 10
Thanks for all your comments. Hey Greg, when are we going to catch up? Belinda, my plaintiveness was tongue in cheek (and I should learn that tongue in cheek can get you in trouble here, because noboby can see your tongue in your cheek - or of course hear your voice, see your eyes, etc). Although I am a bit disappointed that nobody so far can help with any history on the Wayfarer. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts, and I absolutely agree with you, using the van is much more important than making it perfect. We have a 2 and a half year old and I want her to remember the "cabbaban" as a great fun, go places cubby on wheels rather than dad's endless project where she wasn't allowed to touch stuff. Greg, 6 months to Coledale . Ok so maybe house renos pause while van gets roadworthy!! |
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Post by retrovan on Mar 17, 2006 19:55:19 GMT 10
Oh, and Belinda, I am an old hand at house renovating....when I say "finish renovating", I mean the current finite project!! I think if we finished everything (as if, not possible), we would have to move....
The water tank is a little header tank with a tap sticking out of it above the sink - I haven't actually put water in it as yet. A cute touch is the radiator cap on the outside which seals the filler to the tank. Will let you know about the ice box.....but I have to admit I am not that likely to use it as an ice box, and it may have to make way for a discreet frig.
Tim
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Post by belinda on Mar 18, 2006 3:59:36 GMT 10
Hi Tim,
Don't discount the idea of using the ice box until you give it a go a few times. Perhaps keep some coldies in it while you are working on the lino!
We holidayed for a week in January - five people at Kiama in hot weather - and the ice box was fine. Look at the "ice box" thread in the technical section for various tricks on using one. Compared to fridges they are light, simple, don't need gas or electricity and are original - having one gives you lots of cred. There are people on this website who'd kill to have an ice box (nearly as desireable an item as portholes). On display days the ice box is something that really blows people away.
For versatility I think the idea of a separate portable fridge is a great option - one of those things that looks like an esky. It would augment the ice box on a big/long event, and could be used elsewhere when you aren't vanning. If you put 240v and 12v outlets on the outside of the van the fridge can sit in the annexe. You need new lights anyway, so have some extra sockets put in at the same time. With such an original van this would also be much less interference with the original fittings.
There is stuff on water tanks on the thread "gravity fed water tanks". We had ours re-made recently and it is terrific. If yours still works, the trick to looking after these tanks is storing them empty and dry. That hadn't happened with ours and it was rusted out from the tap downwards. If the filler cap doesn't have a little hole in it, take it off and sit it on top of the tank when you are using the tank.
Your little one will love "cabbabanning" holidays. Our oldest child (11) asked for a sleepover in ours when we first did it up in 2004 - and he's still there. The child lives in the back yard and his rabbit lives in the house. Vintage vans have to be one of the most family-friendly pursuits about.
cheers
Belinda
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Post by retrovan on Mar 18, 2006 7:14:31 GMT 10
Belinda,
Still chuckling about your son's switch in domestic arrangements with his rabbit. I could see our little miss fiesty being quite happy with a similar arrangement....so long as there was a direct corridor to Mummy's bed available at about 6.00am.
The filler for the tank is on the outside of the van, and the cap is missing...so I must remember to leave the tap open in case any rain gets in.
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by retrovan on Nov 29, 2007 14:10:07 GMT 10
Hi All Well, we never did get our little van renovated. The mortgage became a monster and all spare time was spent working to tame it. In an effort to 'get ahead' my husband took up a job overseas in August and my daughter and I will follow on the 12th December, we are veiwing this as a long term move. We don't really have anywhere to store our baby and so have decided to sell. If you think you might be interested, have a look on the 'for sale' post. Wish you all 'happy vanning' and a fun Christmas  |
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Post by aussietanker on Nov 29, 2007 15:23:44 GMT 10
best of luck overseas ...... it is a great looking van and worthy of a full resto .... it would come up a real treat ...... perhaps someone will pick it up soon .... best wishes for the overseas expat experience
regards ......
A|T
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Post by retrovan on Nov 29, 2007 18:36:46 GMT 10
Thank you. We are off to the Middle East for 5 or so years ;D It is a fantastic little van ...we LOVE it and wish we had somewhere to store it as we would still love to restore it ourselves.  |
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Post by retrovan on Dec 2, 2007 11:44:18 GMT 10
SOLD
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jrod
Full Member
Franki Alli & The 4 Seasons!
Posts: 124
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Post by jrod on Dec 4, 2007 20:50:35 GMT 10
All the best overseas! If i had of seen this a few days earlier i would have been keen to get myself an early xmas present and another project......  Hopefully it has gone to a good home as its a great looking little van. Cheers, J |
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Post by retrovan on Dec 9, 2007 4:58:44 GMT 10
...and not sold.
Buyer couldn't make the trip up from Melbourne. Needs to be sold by 12 Dec.
Ph 02 4757 4089 if interested.
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Its a shame nobody here has any info for you... I don't think I have ever seen a Wayfarer myself in my travels... Looking at its quality build though... there would have to be others still hibernating in some old folks garage or shed.
Geez Better get cracking!
