|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 4, 2014 17:38:33 GMT 10
For some time now I've been on the lookout for a late 60's to early 70's Viscount 13-14ft long. Two weeks ago we took the long journey from our home in Gippsland Vic to Bellingen NSW (near Coffs Harbour) to visit our 20 acre property that we hadn't been to for several years. When we bought the property some years ago there was an old van at the bottom of the block (I'd not taken much notice of it before as I didn't have any keys and didn't know much about old vans then) so I went to investigate... Would you believe it's exactly what I've been looking for - even down to the lightening bolts on the sides. The reason I'm gutted is that the local lads had trashed it as well as stealing anything of worth from our locked shipping container. They've ripped out parts of the interior including the door and smashed most of the windows so it's been at the mercy of the elements for some time. I'm devastated and I don't know if I'm more angry with the little sh*ts who trashed it or with myself for not realising what I had before it was too late. It's way beyond my skills to restore it now but I can't bare the thought of it continuing to decay or being turned into scrap. I honestly don't know if it can be restored/repaired but what I would love is for someone to take on the restoration if they believe it's still worth salvaging and I'm happy to give the van to anyone who is up for the challenge. "Free to a good home" as they say. Removing it will be an issue. The tyres are flat and the chassis has no coupling head/hitch (probably so it wouldn't be stolen) so it'll need to be transported by truck I'm guessing. We have just put the property on the market so if there's anyone out there who wants it you'll need to let me know before it ends up being owned by someone else. I will attempt to upload the few photos that I have but for now this one will have to do. Oh and if someone has one they want to sell to me... in slightly better condition of course... I'd love to hear from you  Cheers, Lisa Attachment Deleted |
|
|
|
Post by greedy53 on Aug 4, 2014 18:31:33 GMT 10
if it's all like that it would make a good project having a good van it's a bit harder to rip things out,with the inside would be a great way to do ya own thing
|
|
|
|
Post by DC3Td on Aug 4, 2014 18:33:05 GMT 10
Thats pretty wicked what those little sh*ts did 1Wanda.Love to feed them a lump of 4x2 wouldnt you! Hope you find a better reno in the interim. gordon
|
|
mikeoz22
Full Member
Back from hiatus. Looking to finish the Valiant now step son has finished with it.
Posts: 107
|
Post by mikeoz22 on Aug 5, 2014 17:51:56 GMT 10
Hi Lisa, sorry to hear about the state of your van. Your van looks like a Viscount Valiant and I've just finished doing up a similar van (except for the exterior paint job). If you could upload some of your photos of the interior damage, I would be happy to let you know what would be involved to restore it. As far as the windows are concerned, I found it easier to replace the glass ones with polycarbonate which can be cut to size. Don't give up on the idea of restoring it though.
Happy to chat with you about this further
Kind regards
Mikeoz 22 - Canberra
|
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 5, 2014 21:06:09 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by DC3Td on Aug 5, 2014 21:37:11 GMT 10
Gday 1Wanda.Well the bones of it are all there for you to refurbish & we on the forum have seen worse.But i would think if you`re thinking of getting to some degree of repair to tow home to Vic then you`d be looking at some dollars - Undetermined chassis condition/Brakes/wheels/tyres/lights.Then you`d need to wrap tight with a tarp to prevent wind blowing through as you tow it.Taping up the windows will do nothing other than fly off in the breeze. gordon
|
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 5, 2014 22:01:14 GMT 10
Yes a good point True Blue but all that work to make it road worthy would need to be done anyway, wouldn't it - either in Coffs or after being towed home to Victoria. And I'd get the windows replaced at the same time. I know I'm a novice but the way I see it, either I'd be up for the cost of having the van towed to Victoria then having all those repairs done or I get them done in Coffs and tow it home myself, right? Internally, the overhead cupboards were all damage free and the wardrobe was in good shape too. The bed & parts of the kitchen would need a rebuild and possibly the dinette. The ceiling and some wall panels have water damage. I don't know if I'm brave enough (or mad enough) to strip the entire insides back to bare frame and start from scratch. It's all a bit scary but I'm always up for a challenge.
|
|
|
|
Post by DC3Td on Aug 5, 2014 22:50:31 GMT 10
Actually its DC3TD as per my avatar -(teardrop factory clad in DC3 aircraft aluminium) or gordon. The True Blue is a posts level tag. cheers gordon
|
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 6, 2014 7:42:06 GMT 10
Of course it is, sorry Gordon... it was way past my bedtime...
|
|
|
|
Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 6, 2014 14:26:02 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Observatory on Aug 6, 2014 19:56:24 GMT 10
Hi Lisa, sounds like you got the old viscount bug like me. When I was looking for my van a few years ago, Victoria had a lot more cheaper late 60's early 70's Viscounts than NSW. I'm up to my neck in it with my restoration project: 1966 ViscountGood luck with whatever you come up with. cheers Pete |
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 7, 2014 8:16:17 GMT 10
Thanks Pete, yes I'm a bit of a Viscount tragic - or at least I would be if I could find "the one" lol. There's nothing else like a viscount IMO, they are an Aussie icon and remind many of us of our childhood holidays. I've made the brave decision to give up on my battered van and will try to find one in considerably better condition. They do pop up reasonably often in Victoria but I had given myself a list of essentials and that has narrowed the search significantly eg, 14ft long, double bed rather than singles, and still in original condition... and so the search continues. I'll give your restoration thread a good read later today. Good luck with it and happy vanning Cheers, Lisa |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2014 11:18:51 GMT 10
I have a nice little original 1963 Wayfarer 12 foot (double bed) in storage in Ballarat if you're interested Lisa
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 7, 2014 14:44:06 GMT 10
Yes Mark, I definitely would be interested in finding out more about it... any photos on here?
Lisa
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2014 19:51:23 GMT 10
no photos here Lisa, I have them in print form, so will scan & email them to you,
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 8, 2014 14:03:41 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 8, 2014 17:11:23 GMT 10
Yes but that one is too long. Thanks for trying though  |
|
|
|
Post by Gidget on Aug 9, 2014 15:36:05 GMT 10
Problem solved... I just bought a 14ft 1965 Viscount Ambassador. Happy days |
|
