Teardrop Maiden Run

[Koala]

Hi All,
I thought that I would have the tear finished by now but work commitments have kept me from having much play time. Got back into the tear project today by painting the chassis.

I hadn't used a spray gun previously and surprisingly ended up quite happy with the job - my wifes only comment was 'It is definitly red'.
The body is about 95% finished just needing paint and reassembly to the chassis which I hope to have done tomorrow.

It is possible that we will make the Munmorrah weekend as a first outing if only I can find the time to finish the tear amongst work and family demands on my time.

Ken

[fbmad]

Nice strong chassis going underneath that teardrop Ken and yep,......... its definately RED!

Terry.

[wildmanaus]

It looks a very sleek td, it looks to have a lower roofline to the others i seen on here
wildman

[Koala]

Hi Wildman,
My TD is a Cub design from the late 1940's and is reputed to reflect the shape of an aeroplane wing. I need all the aerodynamic help I can get as my 37 Chev. tow car is about as aerodynamic as a barn door .

Ken

[wildmanaus]

I see I have the prob that my murrumba star catchs a lot of wind drag but the car dose not
Wildmanaus

[Deleted]

Hi Ken

Great stuff mate.
Another TD being hatched in a shed.

Red chassis 8-)whooooaaa... paint the body black and call it a "red belly blackdrop". Seems like you and kingy have been shopping at the same chassis paint shop ;D

I like the comment " Body is about 95% finished just needs painting and reassembling to the chassis which i hope to have done tomorrow" .
Man that much work has taken me 6 months.

I like the shape of your Td. The back area looks big enough to party in.. and by the look of the stubbys laying around you have been
Are you going to put a tailgate below floor level at the back where it tucks under or maybe access lids through the floor. looks to be good useable storage space under there.

Pictures.. we want more progress pictures... will we be seeing the completed project by friday ;D

Onya ken

Reddo

[paulc1952car]

Looking good Ken. And I thought my chassis was overdone:-)
Cheers
Paul

[Koala]

Reddo
The body is now back on the chassis ready for final paint. I have previously had it all together for a trial fit so it is no trouble now. the body lifts off the chassis as a unit.
Below is a more recent photo showing the kitchen area and hatches to access the storage area at the rear. I did consider having a tailgate across the rear but thought it a bit hard to do and seal as well.



I know that I am naturally biased but I think that the proportions of my TD are about right with the body measuring 10'4". It is longer than most and not a restoration but I have tried to stay within the original idea of a TD but a modern interpretation - as an example, we want to use the thing not just look at it at car shows so there is a microwave although it is hidden behind a door. We also want to be comfortable so there will be a Queen size bed. Don't think I have gone as far as some of the American TD's that you can see on some websites though.
I don't know what it weighs right now but two of us carried the body out of the garage by hand to put it on the chassis.

Ken

[Deleted]

[sportsman 1]

WOW! You have really found a gem there Mark.

Being a Vauxhall nutter as well as a TD lover it has just about all I need, even Vauxhall wheels.

I thought I was doing something new when I fitted the 1936 Vauxhall wire wheels to Myrtle the Turtle (the TD) but it seems nothing is new!

Fitting the wheels was easy as they had the same stud pattern as a set of hubs I had. Seeing as I am towing Myrtle to Darwin and back in July/August behind the Vagabond I thought it a good idea to have the same wheels and tyres on both car and van. That sounds easy I thought.

Buy 3 Vauxhall wheels,
Modify the hubs to suit the new stud pattern, no, dont want to modify the original bits,
Get 2 Vauxhall front hubs,
Machine locating ridge for brake drums off hubs, no brakes on TD,
Take wheels to wheel man to cut down from 15" to 14" and fit to 6" rims to match car,
Paint rims,
Fit 3 new tyres,
Get bearings and seals to mate up Vauxhall hubs to TD stub axles,
Get 3 Vauxhall hubcaps,
Get 3 trim rings,
Repair and rechrome as required.

See, told you it would be easy! It has cost a small fortune but at least its all new and it should do the trip with no problems. Best thing is I can put the wire wheels straight back on if I want and I have lots of spares for the car.

I will try and put up some pics of before and after, (never attempted P#$*^@ucket before) but someone posted a couple a while ago under Teardrops at Bendigo If you are interested.

Cheers to all V Vers

Leigh.

[Koala]

Teardrop is now complete and went over the weighbridge today at 480 kg including a queen size inner spring mattress. Weight is about what i expected as it includes a braked axle. Rego on Friday hopefully with no problems so that I can use it for the Queens Birthday weekend at Lake Tabourie for its maiden run.
YAHOOOOOO.....................Maybe the family will remember me - been in the garage late at night for some weeks now.

Ken

[Koala]

Just as well that I have a sense of humour.
After making a booking, I took the new teardrop for inspection today but was unsuccessful in coming away with my number plates.
Lined up no problem a half hour early
Waved into the inspection station.
Paid $22 inspection fee.
Is this a caravan? - yes
WHERE IS YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
Right there beside you and the smoke alarm.
Look of disappointment from the inspector.
Lights checked OK
Underside OK
Coupling OK - so far so good
Where did you get this? - built it myself (puzzled look from the inspector)
Where is your tyre information sticker - Right there sir !!!.
Where is your VIN plate?? - Right here ready to be fitted!!
It doesn't have any number on it - Ummmm you need to allocate a VIN number to me...............
Sorry, can't do that, you need to book in again to prove ownership.
I made a booking, new van, new rego, told your office all that at the time. I'm here now, have a booking, here are all my receipts for the materials, can't you register it.
Sorry, you need to book in for THAT line over there. (Indicating the line where the inspectors were strolling around scratching their bums).
OK, can't they come over and look at my receipts?
No...Can't do, separate line, separate booking. Time for a brake test.
Moved onto the rolling road and a inspector pulled the lever on the mechanical overide brakes. All seemed OK but I was mistaken.
How much does this van weigh??
480kg - you have the weighbridge ticket that I gave you.
Hmmmmm- Too light to activate the brakes.
(Quick thinking here Ken) Don't need brakes anyway as it is under 750 kg.
But if you have brakes they must work.
(More quick thinking Ken) Ok.........Ummmmmm......... Errrrr. Got it - If I remove the brake cable then.............. the brakes that don't work.......... won't work!! Would that suffice?
Yes, that would be acceptable.
Phew..............
Can't register it anyway as you don't have a VIN number......... rubber stamp 'FAIL' '$11.50 thanks for coming ring this number to book for a retest. Move along.
Grudgingly moved to the car park with a feeling of defeat. Dialed the number.
Could I have a booking please this afternoon to have ownership verified??
Sorry, booked out.
But I am at the registry now and the inspectors are having a smoke and scratching their bums.
I'll make a call to see if they can fit you in.
That would be nice.
Sorry they are too busy!!!
But it is 3:25 now and my booking was not until 3.30pm and I can see them having a smoke and scratching their bums.
Sorry, nothing I can do.
OK, OK Give me your next booking.
Monday next at 11.30am
Thanks, now can those guys clear the 'FAIL' after they issue a VIN No. on monday.?
No. That is a separate booking.
You mean I need 3 bookings total.
Not usually ......... we stuffed up your booking.
So it would be really nice if I didn't need to come back a 3rd time don't you think??
Next booking to look at your VIN plate with a number and put a rubber stamp on your paperwork to clear the 'FAIL' is 3 weeks away.
Maybe if you go talk to them they might help.
You mean things might change?
Back into the registry and the original inspector is playing on his computer.
Could I talk to you for a moment??
Yes, OK
Do you think it would be possible for you guys to put a 'PASS' stamp on my paper work if I come back again in THAT line over there on monday and get a VIN No. and show them my receipts??
Oh!! All right, I think I could do that.

I am now on my third rum and coke......... the blood pressure is subsiding...........
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND............... Now how many rum and cokes do I have left??

Ken

[yqjrywv]

You REALLY need to live in Qld, you dont even have to take the van in, in fact I didnt even fill the form out properly. Just took the form in gave them money and left with rego plates WOOHOO

[jnigrelli]

too funny!

but glad to hear there's plenty of red tape and imbeciles to go 'round. sometimes i think they're only here in the states.

good luck!

j

[Koala]

We picked a great weekend to take our teardrop for its maiden run - we went to the south coast and received a good dose of the bad weather that hit the central coast. Cold, driving rain and gale force winds hit us badly for friday and Sat with sunday improving and today not bad. No water leaks in the bedroom even though I had not yet fitted the door seals and only a dripple in the kitchen - not bad considering.




The bedroom was very comfortable, warm and dry except for a little condensation as we couldn't open the windows because of the weather. Everything worked OK. Still have a few little jobs to do, I guess you never really finish building and fiddleing

Ken

[trodler]

Hi Ken.
Job well done .
The Teardrop looks great. Linda and I were also on the South coast but thankfully we were
dry and warm in our little house, it was one of those weekends when you couldnt do any thing but watch TV

Cheers.
Trodler.

[Deleted]

Hi Ken

That is one very cool TD. sounds like you have done a good job on the waterproofing. I got flooded out of my Td on thursdayn night at Kierra beach.
Lesson learnt. dont try and fit sunrofs in TD's it doesnt work.

Sorry to hear the weather put a "damper" on your first outing. I am sure there will be plenty of sunny trips ahead for you and the missus in your TD.... just dont count on Coledale being one of them... It always rains.... Its a time honoured tradition.

perhaps your presence might encourage the sun to make an appearance ;D

Once again.. congrats on a job well done.

Reddo

[Koala]

Thank you for the kind words on the TD build.
Umm Reddo, there is a sunroof in my TD. I was more worried about it leaking than everywhere else but not a drop. It is one of those smoked glass car ones - just so that you can watch the stars on those beautiful Aussie nights in the bush - or let the smell of the curried sausages out.
Maybe we could have an emergency VV run to your place for a working bee. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.
Ken

[Don Ricardo]

Beautiful job, Ken. Love the finish. Love the side profile - a beautifully fluid shape.

Trust your next outings are more pleasant weather-wise than the first.

Don Ricardo

[sportsman 1]

Well done Ken,

Perserverance is a wonderful thing.

That was only the first of many, many happy trips to come, I trust you feel truly satisfied with your efforts.

Leigh.

[firefighter]

Hi Ken

from the photos the T D looks great ,"as Don R said ...love the side profile " you built it to tow behind the 37 chev ,
no chev in the photo,s
Geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D

[will and Lyn]

Hey there Ken
that is a great looking teardrop and welcome to the teardrop club
Lyn and I were the first to have a teardrop on the site and you should have seen what I had to do to prove to others members
Particularly the Grand Pooh Bah (Mark)
that we teardrop owners are superior in every way to "just plain ordinary caravan owners ;D

we have better consumption due to the aerodynamics

we can park our vans in little tight spots when not in use

we can wheel them around easier without breaking our backs

we have a better social aspect due to our connection to the great outdoors
(have to sit outside)
which in turn gives a greater appreciation of mother nature

people just want to talk to you about the engenius little designs they come in
and guess what ? cheap on the pocket and easy on our tow cars
isnt it any wonder others look at us in awe
after you finish your holiday you have had as much fun as someone who has paid $50.0000 dollars for a mobile bedroom and kitchen
so ken when one of those high top caravan people give you a hard time just point to your wallet then to your head and simply say
teardrops are for "smart intelligent "people like me and a select few others in our group
that is if you can get away from the hoards of enquiring people standing around you in amazement wondering what it is and how you fit into it
so welcome ken and Family and congratulations on your great looking teardrop
there are many years of enjoyment in that fantastic little fun wagon
so be prepared to hold almost celebrity status when you drive into a caravan park

Will and Lyn
past president of the Vintage teardrop owners group

Reddo has recently taken over ;D

[Koala]

Thanks once again for your favourable comments.
Will and Lynn - You are quite right about people wanting to talk to you, this happened to us a number of times over the weekend and was partly the cause of us eating in the dark. Had a laugh when a extra large Winebago came in and parked near us, I needed a sign 'When I grow up I want to be a Winebago'. I did notice that the car used very little petrol even on the uphill return trip.
Firefighter - I will do a 2 hour tour of Canberra for you (like Reddos great idea) using the 37 Chev. as the tow car. This weekend was quite a rush to get the teardrop finished and the weather was terrible and I did not think it was a great idea to take the Chev. out based on the forecast (not to mention the 6volt wipers etc.) Still have a few jobs to finish it off but at least I can use it now.
Ken

Ken

[Koala]

OK OK, here are a couple of photos with the new teardrop in its rightful place - on the back of my 1937 Chevrolet Master Deluxe.





One thing I noticed, the combination attracted a lot of attention on the road. Not sure if the looks were WOW........... or what the f........... is that???
We have a club run on tomorrow Canberra to Gundaroo, Gunning, Bredalbane then Collector home. Will take the teardrop behind the Chev. if the weather is fine.

Ken

[chippydave01]

Top looking outfit Ken you should be proud of it.I love Chevs, but next time you take your photos do the burnouts and doughnuts with your chev after you take the photos. I had a 64 Chev belair as a kid and boy did it do a good burnout ,the thing was that heavy it didnt move just smoke the tyres.Cheers Dave