1965 gypsy

[led]

Hi.
its my first time posting here so let me know if i am doing anything out of place. Im after any info on this little van.
I have a 1965 gypsy ..(that is what it was rego'd as)..and i want to restore it as original as possible, but it was half wrecked and i dont have any info about the seating.. except tell tale paint and scratches etc on the old floor from which i can tell its pretty much like all those little vans, with a small table to the lest of the door between 2 chairs that falls into place to become a single bed, and a couch that slides down into a bed at the back.. ( i do have the couch/bed boards that tell me a lot about that)...
There was 2 doors that fit long ways at the front end and i guess they slid to the side to store bedding....anybody?

Its missing the badge at the front.. the lid for the sunroof..and has 4 curious, almost tennis ball size holes at top and bottom, front and back, as if something slotted in there.. there are marks on the inside of the outer skin like something round was inserted into it.. ( a curtain rod could explain the top one.. but the bottom one is a mystery..)

thats bout it..
if anyone has any pics of the insides of the same van or similar or any info.. it would be greatly appreciated!!
Ill post a pic shortly.
cheers

[Deleted]

hi led

you'll find some info in our down history lane section about gypsy caravans here:

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2013?page=1

and here's some of aquamum's gypsy:

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/10781

hope that's a bit of a start for you.

conti

[led]

hi.
thanks for that.
i had found those photos already, they gave me some good hints.. i am still trying to work out a few things..since a lot of the van was trashed and missing, i am trying to keep it all as original as possible and its hard to work some things out.. eg

-how did the booth table secure to the wall and how did it drop down to the bed support.

-how was the double bed base made? plywood? or steel? the old floor doesnt have any marks to indicate that it was bolted down.... there is some timbert on the wall to support the ends of the bed..but the middle frame supports are a mystery..

thanks to anyone who has some advice or detailed pics would be awsome..
if not , then ill just make it up and try to keep it in the spirit of the era.

thanks!
ill try and get a pic up soon

[aquamum]

Can you post some photos of your van so we know which model it is and I'm in Broken Hill for the Nationals at the moment, so I'll reply when I can !!

[led]

hi
here is a pic..



did that work?

[tooleyau]

Dear Led,

I have been trying to find out what my van is for a long time, and then you picture pops up.

I think we have the same van


Here is a link to my restoration,

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/10914?page=1

If the photos inside mine look the same of yours then let me know and I'll send more.


Mike

PS. Where are you located?

[murray]

Tooleya and led,
I assumed your vans are Valiant/Viscount vans ??
Is there a number on the drawbar ?
Cheers
Murray

[tooleyau]

Murray,
Our drawbar has. W177

I hope this helps.

Mike

[led]

Hi Murray.
looks like the same van.
its a gypsy, a fella said who was gonna buy it before i did.. and when i got rego in qld with the plate number the lady looked up the details and it said it is a gypsy .. 65 i think. 
i will find the chassi number etc tomorrow and post it.. 
i have all the original things.. cooker.. even the clock.. but it was missing the bed frames and alot of the walls were missing and bed frames..
i would love some photos of the interior as im just about to put the ceiling in and then the roof back on.. then the skin.
I have completely rebuilt it as there wasn't much decent timber left in it.
I even found brass screws same as the original screws.
im gonna paint it the same chalky green and sky blue and creme for the interior..

Im missing
-a brake lens.
-the rectangle emblem for the front.. (there is a mark, but no emblem plate)
-a lamp cover for the booth end. .( but i have an old 60s lamp shade i'll put there)

i can see how the bed bases work, your photo is what i would have done.. but i would love to know the exact original shape of the booth seating.

and for the couch/bed end. i would love to know if it was a solid or floating base, as there are no bolt or screw marks to the old floor.
..and what are the holes at the top and bottom of each end for?

Im in Mildura, Vic.

ill post some more photos.
thanks and all the best.
Led
 

[led]

Hi Mike . sorry i meant to address that las to post to you.
my connection is slow, but i saw the interior fotos just now.... great.
is that the original interior? the shape of the booth mattress keepers?
and the cusions too?
thanks for that.
Led

[led]

Mike.. i just got the rest of your photos..
mine had no sign of cupboards about eh booth.. most of that was missing.. i double check for any tell tail marks on what remaining walls were there..which i still have in a pile..
and the bed meachanism was like that! i dont have that. i think min will have to be a slidey jobby without springs.

There are considerably more dints and holes in the aluminium skin of mine.. the front top curved roof for example has some dings.... what do you think is a good way to straighten that out? i was going to gently panel beat it.. with some sort of home job dolly... but i know it will squash the diamond pattern out of it.

any ideas on painting aluminium? 2 pack.. im going emerald green.. it was a colour underneath the blue on top..maybe the original colour.

..and i will do the table the same shape as yours, i guess thats original.. 
Anybody know where to get old laminates and that ally edging? i will try to find a retro table and cut it up to suit maybe.
cheers everyone

[tooleyau]

Led, here's the good news,
We will be in Mildura this Saturday, as we are currently in Broken Hill with our caravan. So get your tape measure and camera out so that you can measure and photograph all you need to

Please send me a PM (personal message) with your address if you don't want it published.

You can do this by clicking on my name on the left, and that will take you to my information page, and you then click the send message button.

Mike.