Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60 
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Post by Aussie on Oct 26, 2014 19:19:36 GMT 10
Hi All, I just wanted to introduce you to my current project, code name "Molly" She's a Murrumba Star, not 100% sure on vintage, i was told 68' when i bought her. Hopefully someone here may be able to assist me with this. She measures up at 15' and i am the fourth owner with the first two being in the same family, 3rd a friend of a friend whom bought it to restore and two years later decided he didnt have the time. Hence here we are. I think it's in pretty good nick for its age, lots of work about to commence with a modern/vintage overhaul on the cards. Now, i will warn you all, i like to take pics SO most of my posts will have an image or 11 in them. These first few posts of this thread WILL be image heavy so apologies in advance. First pic is the A frame. Hoping someone can assist with a better id.  Exterior Pics.     |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 26, 2014 19:24:34 GMT 10
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 26, 2014 19:30:18 GMT 10
The first plan is to convert the dinette into a double bed with storage underneath.   so far, ive found some rot as you would expect, but, luckily it hasn't been anything too drastic. Apart from the above, ive found: Onside, rear window & Top inner corner, door. Both of which i knew about. Im sure i'll find more lol.   |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Oct 26, 2014 20:55:32 GMT 10
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 27, 2014 10:35:21 GMT 10
I sure have had a look. Thanks for the welcome SGTL :-) |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 27, 2014 10:36:58 GMT 10
So, the next few days ill be refurbing windows. Lol A bit short on a few parts but will get to it when they come in..  |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 27, 2014 17:43:14 GMT 10
With all genuine efforts in this resto to keep things (as) original(as possible), where do you draw the line on trading OE for functional? I purchased a few of these kits (left) to see if i could retro fit/replace the OE gear. It would look a little better, function a little better and to be honest, i dont feel it would stand out too much or take away from it. Side by side, i need to replace them just not sold on what ive picked...Not that there are too many other options lol.  Also, did anyone manage to have a look at the chassis number on Molly to try and back track for a DOB? |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 27, 2014 20:23:52 GMT 10
G'day Aussie, Great to see the pics of your van, and to hear about your plans for it. Good to see too that you've discovered the Down History Lane section. As you will have already discovered, there haven't been too many Murrumba Stars turn up on the forum, so it's good to see photos of a good example (yours). Regarding the age of your van, we haven't seen enough Murrumba Star serial numbers yet to be able to decode and/or link a number to a particular year. I'm presuming that you read yours as MS 1012, or do you think it is MS 7012? If it's the latter, then 70 might refer to 1970 and 12 the 12th van built for that year. However, that's possibly a bit unlikely because we know that Murrumba Star went bust in 1969 or very early 1970 and the factory was sold to Glendale by March 1970. I guess it's possible that Murrumba Star knocked together a few vans at the very beginning of 1970, but what do you think the number says? And what are the small numbers or letters to the right of the '2'? The other thing I can tell you is that your van is a 'Venus' model, and that it was on sale at least as early as 1967, probably 1966. I just posted some extracts from a 1967 Murrumba Star advertisement on the Murrumba Star thread in the Down History Lane section that I thought you might be interested in. They show the four models that were available at that stage, one of which was the Venus. That means that your model was most probably available in 1968 which is the date given to you by the previous owner. The other relevant point is that the 13 ft Astra model shown on the DHL thread, which is a smaller version of your van, was listed by the seller as 1967 or 1968, so that also fits with what you were told about yours. I reckon I'd work on your van being 1968 until we get a better fix on Murrumba Star serial numbers. But I'm still interested to hear your reading of the number on your van. Don Ricardo Hold the presses: I just had a thought Aussie, and remembered I have a 1969 Winser in my book case. There's not as much info or photos of the different models as in 1967. However, there is a photo of a 19 ft Saturn model which is the same design BUT the flash on the side is a different shape to that on the vans in the 1967 photos, ie different to yours. So I reckon that's another pointer to your van being from somewhere between 1967 and 1968.  |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 27, 2014 20:31:47 GMT 10
G'day Aussie, Great to see the pics of your van, and to hear about your plans for it. Good to see too that you've discovered the Down History Lane section. As you will have already discovered, there haven't been too many Murrumba Stars turn up on the forum, so it's good to see photos of a good example (yours). Regarding the age of your van, we haven't seen enough Murrumba Star serial numbers yet to be able to decode and/or link a number to a particular year. I'm presuming that you read yours as MS 1012, or do you think it is MS 7012? If it's the latter, then 70 might refer to 1970 and 12 the 12th van built for that year. However, that's possibly a bit unlikely because we know that Murrumba Star went bust in 1969 or very early 1970 and the factory was sold to Glendale by March 1970. I guess it's possible that Murrumba Star knocked together a few vans at the very beginning of 1970, but what do you think the number says? And what are the small numbers or letters to the right of the '2'? The other thing I can tell you is that your van is a 'Venus' model, and that it was on sale at least as early as 1967, probably 1966. I just posted some extracts from a 1967 Murrumba Star advertisement on the Murrumba Star thread in the Down History Lane section that I thought you might be interested in. They show the four models that were available at that stage, one of which was the Venus. That means that your model was most probably available in 1968 which is the date given to you by the previous owner. The other relevant point is that the 13 ft Astra model shown on the DHL thread, which is a smaller version of your van, was listed by the seller as 1967 or 1968, so that also fits with what you were told about yours. I reckon I'd work on your van being 1968 until we get a better fix on Murrumba Star serial numbers. But I'm still interested to hear your reading of the number on your van. Don Ricardo Thanks so much for the feedback Don, much appreciated! As soon as i can, I'll wire brush that serial number back and see what i can discover. I have read what history i can find on them, also suggesting it was a pre 70 baby, but me being me..i'd like to know more The extracts you posted were just great, i love a good history lesson! I even saved the one showing my model and its sitting proud as my desktop image. Thanks again Don, i appreciate you taking the time to post this. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 27, 2014 20:40:09 GMT 10
Hi Aussie,
I just added an addendum to my previous post that you might find interesting.
Don Ricardo
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willow5075
Full Member
Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Oct 29, 2014 15:03:00 GMT 10
Your van is in really great condition should brush up a treat!
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 29, 2014 19:01:25 GMT 10
Thanks willow5075 I've got the whole weekend coming dedicated to Molly. I thought id get things rolling this afternoon and started with the windows. I have a question...What do you all use to clean up the windows/frames? There seems to a build up on the frame which is extremely tough to remove. I bought some steel wool, which does a great job bringing them up but does not seem to remove the build up on them. ideas?   The glass (apart from 2 windows) is all in good nick, so plan is to add new stays, locks, corner blocks and re rubber each one (as per above pic). Plus add new hinge end caps. Also, clean the frames, both glass and van frames. |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Oct 30, 2014 19:27:30 GMT 10
So staying true to my love of pics and posting.. Today i grabbed the last of my window parts that came in, bringing the current cost of the window refurb to $416.50 with 3 windows yet to be re-glassed. I had estimated around $500 so hopefully the new glass wont push me to far past it.  Today (after an hour on my back under Molly pondering) i also decided to replace rather than overhaul the running gear. So ive ordered: 2X 840mm 7 Leaf 8mm x 45mm Springs 2x 9" Drums (Ford pattern) 1X 9" LH Mech backing plate 1X 9" RH Mech backing plate Just need to sort out the u bolts, nuts and grease-able pins once they arrive. Will also need a brake cable kit when i get the pointy end sorted with a new coupling. |
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Post by DC3Td on Nov 1, 2014 8:46:21 GMT 10
Great.When you finish your stuff Aussie i have a swag of ali pots/pans/etc that need cleaning & polishing.Oh,and a bbq too.
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Nov 2, 2014 6:22:43 GMT 10
Great.When you finish your stuff Aussie i have a swag of ali pots/pans/etc that need cleaning & polishing.Oh,and a bbq too. You're not friends with my wife are you? She said the exact same thing lol. |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Nov 2, 2014 19:52:57 GMT 10
So, as it does from time to time..my weekend didn't really pan out as planned. Family stuff and the likes..and, as usual.. chores... So, Not much in the way of scrubbing was done. I did get few little jobs done though. Which, as small as they were.. i was pretty happy with. Got the fridge out, need to work out if she's a go'er or not. The gas ring was removed from the a-frame what looks to be years ago so i followed suit and removed the remaining gas lines. All 240v from here on in. I also got cracking on the dinette to double bed set up. Got the base frame knocked up. Need to remove it again now, finish fixing the wall, sand and paint the frame...re install. From there I'll ply the top and make some hinged trap doors for access to the under bed storage. Will also add some dividers under there.      |
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Post by DC3Td on Nov 2, 2014 20:22:33 GMT 10
Gday Aussie.Well you`ve certainly made some headway.Worth a shot to see if the fridge can be saved if only to operate on 240v.These units clean & paint up pretty easily & follow up with a spray & wipe internally of - McLintocks Vanilla Fresh - or whatever other brand is available.Door seals are still available. gordon
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Nov 2, 2014 20:29:48 GMT 10
Gday Aussie.Well you`ve certainly made some headway.Worth a shot to see if the fridge can be saved if only to operate on 240v.These units clean & paint up pretty easily & follow up with a spray & wipe internally of - McLintocks Vanilla Fresh - or whatever other brand is available.Door seals are still available. gordon Thanks Gordo! Im pretty much dedicating what free time i have (after work, weekends etc) to Molly, the Mrs is keen to jump into the VV scene and i want to make sure this thing is 110%. Im going to do what i can to save the fridge mate, its rough as is but hasnt any dings and is all pretty well original. If it works, i'll strip it and re paint it, new seal etc etc. Thanks for taking the time to reply! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 14:22:37 GMT 10
Swap fridge?let me think............still thinking...........
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Nov 7, 2014 19:51:36 GMT 10
Swap fridge?let me think............still thinking........... LOL, I'll take that as a no. |
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Aussie
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by Aussie on Nov 7, 2014 20:01:01 GMT 10
So, i spent the whole week working in Sydney (yuk!) and the itch to jump back into the van was bigger than ever heading down the freeway. Soooo, i swung by Bunnings on the way home (lol) and grabbed the ply to do the bed base and found these nice little flush mount concealed handles for the storage access doors. $7.89ea...Almost too easy! Cant wait for Saturday now so i can rip in!   |
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Post by DC3Td on Nov 7, 2014 21:47:38 GMT 10
Gday Aus.If i knew you were in Sydney i`da baked you a cake. Well not really but you might`ve had a squiz at the teardrop.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2014 6:48:15 GMT 10
Aussie, I bought these at a s.hand shop. Don't know if it's what you are looking for? You are welcome to them. Thought they were of a set of draw's,put in work room and thought may use some day. Attachment Deleted |
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