How old is my Sunliner? (Chassis Q5610 015)

[ane]

Need some help peeps! Just got my Sunliner, now known as Miss Lemon :-)
She is registered as a 1961 but the chassis number is Q5610 015.

She has fibreglass framed side windows with brows, and domed back windows (actually there is only one back dome which is whitened/milky, the other one has been replaced). 

The front windows have a similar set up, but glass/Perspex has been replaced, and there is a central aluminium window that opens. This is confusing me, because I have not seen this on any other sunliner. The fibreglass body along the front windows looks like it has been fiddled with, and I am sure the body was originally made for two dome windows, as they wrap around the corner a little bit. 

I have done done some sanding, and the body is definitely a chalk white and the window frames baby duck egg blue. There is also a tiny smidge (looks accidental) of this baby duck egg blue on the aluminium front window. 

Thoughts?

[JBJ]

Hi,

Sounds like an early 58/59 Gracemur, built in Qld.
Some pictures would help, but if it has fibreglass window frames on the sides, it is pre 1961.
Only the gracemur's had central opening front windows I believe, unless modified by previous owners.

JBJ

[ane]

I will try the photo bucket thing! Why would the chassis be dated 56 if they didn't manufacture until 58?

[ane]

I think maybe I have made some attachments successfully...? 

[dam]

she looks good ane, the good thing is you can go camping without too much work, can t wait to see her!!!! i ll bring some pictures of mine who is a 64, i ll check my chassi number!!! have fun!!!

[ane]

Thanks Damien! Yes I am very chuffed - have at leas 4 weekends lined up for the next couple of months, so we are all ready to go. Long term, I I want her nicely restored in original colours and trims inside and outside. Just a lot of information to take on and not knowing where to start! Don't want to detract from the area and spirit that she was built, but really want some modern day gadgets like power sockets...
Lots of research to be had!

[JBJ]

Hi,

Looks good & pretty original outside.
Chassis numbers are notorious for giving problems in translating age.

For example if you try to register a van, & the chassis number isn't easily found, then the inspection guy generally gets the registration authority to give him a new number, which gets stamped onto the chassis. That doesnt always happen , but I have had to do it on 3 vans.

Secondly we know from history that Sunliners didn't get built in 1956. Gracemur's were built under franchise , or so we have been told, so they could not have been built before the Sunliner.

But the exact age doesn't really matter. Its a good example of a late 1950's vintage van, that you can be proud of having.

I say tidy it up as little as you need to, & get out & enjoy it.

JBJ

[Don Ricardo]

G'day Ane,

Congratulations on your new van. Thanks for posting the pics. Forum members always enjoy checking out other member's pride and joy!

As JBJ has intimated, your van is actually a Gracemur, which means that it is a Sunliner built under licence by Gracemur in Bundaberg, Queensland. That's indicated by the three piece front windows as well as the 'Q' serial number.  There are other differences between Gracemur's and Sunliners, as well, but those two things are the most easily identified features.

I'm not sure if you've had a look at the Down History Lane section of the forum, but if you look there you will find a thread which tells you more about the history of Gracemur vans, and also shows some pics with the original livery (paintwork). You may find that useful if you are wanting to restore the van to a more original look. You can find the Gracemur thread by clicking here.

As you'll see from the DHL thread, the other good news is that in the case of Gracemur vans, the serial number of your van tells you quite precisely when it was built - Q5 610 015 equates to 'May 1961 number 15'. So your van is the 15th Gracemur van, and was built in May 1961.

Hope that helps.

Don Ricardo