|
|
Post by cornishlass on Nov 5, 2007 5:06:57 GMT 10
Hi Guys Well it had to be done at some time. You see Cobber has been advocating for some time that I should try to post some pictures. UK Brian posted some of the outside for me many months ago, but so far none have been shown of the internal layout and condition. So here goes. This is my 1932 bondwood van which I was informed when I purchased it was a Guildford Caravan. Very little is known about the Guildford vans as I gather they were only in production for a few years, therefore very few survived, in fact there is only one other that I know of in the UK. Unfortunately I tended to work on the van without taking many ‘as-you-go’ pics, and then suddenly think about it and take a whole load in bulk. The first set were taken at the end of last year/beg of this one and shows the internal condition. There had been some work completed before I purchased her, but this had suffered after being left open to the elements without most of the windows. Just to recall - the initial pictures are how I first viewed her before she came home to me.           Well, what do you know, I actually managed it Not very pretty obviously, and no funny/explanatory comments but got the photos downloaded Cornish Lass |
|
|
|
Post by firefighter on Nov 5, 2007 6:55:05 GMT 10
  ::)Hi Victoria good to see you back on deck after your op I missed you call on skype the other night tryed to call you back, put you were off the air keep the photos coming F/F ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by cornishlass on Nov 6, 2007 3:43:02 GMT 10
Now for a few more…... I am working with the intended colour scheme of a two-tone paint job on the outside being a warm cream – like Cornish clotted cream for all those of you who have experienced it – on the top half and a burgundy colour - BMC Maroon – on the bottom. So with that in mind I have tried to bring those colours inside to co-ordinate. The next photo is taken inside from the front to the rear – bit of a change hey    As you can see the everywhere has been painted or stained and varnished. A few of the interior pieces of ply have had to be replaced as they were too badly stained from the water ingress. The lovely stainless steel sink has been removed and a ceramic butler sink built in its place. Original 1930s door handles have replaced the ghastly ones that were there before. Lights fitted, gas piping laid and connected for the gas lights, foam cut for the cushions and new ply used for the beds. The floor is solid oak and still amazingly in top class condition which was a bonus. I have laid some carpet on the floor to keep the lino in tact and covered whilst the painting etc was going on. Hopefully this will scrub up as it would be good to keep, but it’s not in fantastic condition so we’ll have to see.  New oak window frames were made – that took some doing I can tell you, getting the profile right was taxing to say the least; new leaded windows had to be made (which is something else I can now do!) I was fortunate to discover that all the original brass window furniture came with the van although originally I had thought that it was some sort of black iron as that was the colour of it!! A good soak in tomato ketchup soon revealed the glory and shine and came up well.   Unfortunately I had no benchmark to work to with regard to the layout etc and just had to hope that the placement of units were correct. Two ‘extras’ that were put in would not have been there, I just felt that it added something. Firstly the two pieces of mahogany glazed with red glass. I wanted to screen the rear section off without doing anything too drastic and thought these panels would do the job. The other is the bowl of flowers on the floor. This was cut out from an original 20’s/30’s fire screen. It has a hardboard back and the flowers and bowl etc. are all made from plaster so they stand proud of the board and then painted. All very twee      The seating areas have been arranged to that it can either accommodate two singles and one double or two doubles. At the end of the seats in the rear of the van I made two doors by gluing pieces of hardboard together thereby making two extra cupboards. The idea is that bedding can be stored behind and the door would remain shut should the area be needed for a double bed. But if a single is required then the door is opened and with the seat about 6 foot long it is enough for most people.  On here will be a wooden draining board. Unfortunately I have had to get some help with this as I do not have a router to make the runs for the water. This will be placed over the top of the butler’s sink.  I also made to hardboard doors for the end of this unit.  Door now fitted- it was slightly warped but I have managed to sort it out All in all a total transformation. What do you guys think? I would love to hear your comments/criticisms Cornish Lass |
|
|
|
Post by kingy on Nov 6, 2007 6:04:43 GMT 10
Hi Cornishlass, That is one great transformation , it's a real credit to you - love the colour scheme - looking forward to seeing it hooked up kingy |
|
|
|
Post by firefighter on Nov 6, 2007 7:37:23 GMT 10
Hey victoria what you have been working away at looks great as kingy said show us you wheels  you need to pack you tools & paint brushes and come on down under have a working holiday calling on vintage vanners around the lucky country I am sure some of the blokes would like a hand to finish there projects    F/F ;D ;D ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2007 12:51:36 GMT 10
Hi Victoria. I noticed your yesterday post late last night. Only just spotted the "today" postings. Are you sure you didnt smuggle bits and pieces into the hospital to work on while you where convalescing You have achieved what a great deal of people could not achieve in a life time. Lots of angles and curves to contend with while restoring and painting. A real credit to you. So different to our basic Aussie designs and coachwork. and best of all..... its made of wood. extra, extra cool. Keep at it. Hope to hear from you soon re your pm earlier today re Australian ebay.Happy bidding and i hope you win the item. It will fit nicely in your van.  ;D Reddo |
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Nov 6, 2007 13:38:47 GMT 10
Hi Cornish lass
Firstly - good to hear you are up and aout again, hope all goes well.
Secondly - you are a great example to all oz women that you don't have to be a mere male to restore an old van, especially one of such vintage built at times when artisans still existed.
Your van has all the attribute that I love in old vans - lantern roof, bay window, natural timber. Going by your thread, you don't have any plans of this vans - or do you? This would be a great van to replicate.
Thanks for downloading your pics and mastering the old p/bucket. Keep up the good work.
Ray
|
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Nov 6, 2007 18:29:58 GMT 10
Victoria lass, How the blazes have you achieved so much, considering the set -backs you have suffered, and the miserable "summer" you have endured. And to have done it in such a modest fashion proves you are a true Briton (if a Cornish Lass doesn't mind me describing you as such) I told you photobucket is a piece of cake. Ol' 36 has a timber drain board, looks to me as though it was done with a curved chisel, did they have "routers" in 1932/ 1936 ? And I must be halusinating..... for a moment I thought I saw those silly un-1932 screws in the door hinge.. no, I must be having a night-mare Congratulations Victoria you have achieved a lot and we can't wait to see what you do with the outside. Cobber & Yvonne. |
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Nov 6, 2007 22:19:18 GMT 10
G'day Victoria, Great to hear that you are back out of hospital, and I hope that all is well with you. I think you have done an absolutely amazing transformation of this van!! I'm sure if Her Majesty is a viewer of this forum, steps will be taken to recognise your efforts with a special Order in the Honours list ;D. It certainly is one very unique-looking vintage van, and you should be rightly proud of what you have achieved (...but go steady when patting yourself on the back...don't want to be back in the hosp for a dislocated shoulder, eh? ) Can I ask if the light fitting (in the first of your restored photos shown) is the same as those from the supplier you put me onto? The three I ordered (and PAID for) have yet to appear, and it's now just over 3 months since they were sent from the UK. Talk about "snail mail"!! Congratulations again on an outstanding effort! cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by aussietanker on Nov 6, 2007 23:44:16 GMT 10
wow ....
that looks absolutely fantastic Cornish Lass ... what incredible before and after shots ...you have done a great job ...it's inspiring and motivating ... and even more impressive considering that you have done it all yourself ...
congratulations and well done ... look fwd to seeing some pics of it on the road ...
regards
A|T
|
|
|
|
Post by cornishlass on Nov 7, 2007 0:52:20 GMT 10
Hi Guys Thanks for the encouragement, really warms the cockles of my heart ;D ;D ;D It’s funny when you work on your own with no-one around to share your enthusiasm with, you sort of loose track of how things really shape up and NO, I don’t want any violins to be played  As to the outside, things will get sorted – but again in time. Weather is now really on the turn with early nights and damp days so probably best to wait a couple of months until spring comes as I will be painting outside. Also gives me time to save some more cash aaagh On the plus side I have a gypsy/traveler who keeps visiting me and offering me more and more cash for it. He started off with an offer of 1000 Pounds without seeing the inside and has raised his offer quite considerably. Trouble is that it’s a labour or love and don’t really want to sell. Case of heart ruling the head really It’s okay Cobber, take it easy, just a few heart pills should do the trick  Whoops, forgot about those screws – and you wondered why I didn’t post photos before. Now off to the hardware to purchase some flat head ones. It’s amazing I put the Phillips ones on absolutely months ago as I didn’t have any of the right size of the ‘correct’ ones in brass. Since then I have been in and out of the door hundreds of times and hadn’t noticed – just shows what you can get used to!!! Good point about the chisel, though I told you that I was no carpenter. There was another reason though – in order to get the profile correct on the oak window frames it was a case of a Stanley knife, time, determination and glass paper to smooth it down – bit of a mission really. The thought of trying to do the same with a beech draining board didn’t appeal. Ray, I have no plans at all unfortunately, and because of the rarity of the van I cannot get hold of any, but if you want some and are prepared to give me some time I could do some drawings for you with sizes, specs etc. Just have to get the drawing board out and the pencils sharpened. Actually thinking about it, might be a good exercise anyway. I have decided that as soon as this is complete I would also like to build a smaller van. Just a small one or two berth that would be easier to tow. Had thought about a teardrop, which I really love because of all the curves on the body, but because of the body (mine not the vans) would prefer something I could stand up in. Perhaps something along the line of Reddo’s (presuming he still owns it) Fugly. Al, the light fitting is one I acquired from an old Stirling caravan that was being destroyed – shame really as it was an early 40’s van, but it was just too far gone. If you pm me with the vendors details for your lights I will get onto it straight away. Once again thanks so much to you all – it has given me a real boost and I really appreciate it. ;D ;D ;D ;D (Exit left of stage feeling really smug) Cornish Lass |
|
|
|
Post by willyn on Nov 7, 2007 8:57:19 GMT 10
;D Hi ya Cornish lass fantastic work on your Van it is a credit to you keep up the great work Will and Lyn
|
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Nov 7, 2007 16:16:25 GMT 10
Hi Cornish Lass
Am hoping to make it to visit that island across the water from you some time next year - with your results I might have to ask the pilot to do a quick stop in Cornwall just to see your masterpiece! ;D ;D ;D Would really love to have a copy of whatever you draw up - certainly no rush, as I have plenty to keep me going here, between house renovations and vans to fix.
Happy hibernating during "The Snow" (equivalent to "The wet" In Northern Territory)
Ray
|
|
|
|
Post by jackie on Nov 7, 2007 20:01:35 GMT 10
Dear Cornish Lass,
as a rapidly aging female with no skills myself, I am truly inspired by your efforts and in fact having real trouble trying not to use expletives (as this is a family friendly site after all) about how #*@^* fantastic the van looks and what a great achievment you've made. Love the colours (how girly of me) love the leaded windows, love the wrong screw in the door - just what I'd do! Thanks for the inspiration. I'm off out to the van .... well, maybe not, it's dark out there!
Jackie
|
|
|
|
Post by cornishlass on Nov 8, 2007 3:44:41 GMT 10
Hi Ray, good to hear that you may be coming over to good old blightey next year. If you fancy it, send me a pm with your basic plans, dates etc and will have to see if I can investigate the possibility of you visiting any rallies that may be on. Drawings will definitely be undertaken, but as I said, not yet. Jackie, I gather from some comments I have recently heard that being a woman in Aus and renovating/restoring your own van is slightly unusual, well all I can say is that your van certainly looks like it’s worth saving and will be an absolute corker when you finally complete the job. Keep it up girl, let’s make a mark for girlie power. Quite envious of you really, there seem to be so many guys over there who can help, advise and give inspiration to you along the way. Firefighter, thanks for the conversation last night, seems ages since we last spoke. You have had me thinking all day about the meander. And the good news – Cobber are you listening - Philips screws now been removed and slotted ones have taken their place ;D ;D ;D Cornish Lass
|
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Nov 8, 2007 12:15:25 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by cornishlass on Nov 8, 2007 15:41:06 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Nov 8, 2007 16:43:43 GMT 10
Yep, I think you made some comment about that last year, from memory. Will always remember Lady Di's death on my 50th   Will PM you in the New Year re my trip to the Emerald Isle gotta check to best time to travel fare-wise and cost-wise over there Cheers Ray |
|
|
|
Post by Geoff & Jude on Nov 8, 2007 16:50:48 GMT 10
gooday victoria
that's an exceptionally good job you've done on the van, love the colours and leadlights.
i hope one day we can get a van of that style or one like cobbers and rebuild it to it's original condition in the 'purest' fashion - screws and all.
you must be very proud of the result, well done.
geoff 'n jude
|
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Nov 9, 2007 13:16:33 GMT 10
|
|
As to the outside, things will get sorted – but again in time. Weather is now really on the turn with early nights and damp days so probably best to wait a couple of months until spring comes as I will be painting outside. Also gives me time to save some more cash aaagh 
Whoops, forgot about those screws – and you wondered why I didn’t post photos before. Now off to the hardware to purchase some flat head ones. It’s amazing I put the Phillips ones on absolutely months ago as I didn’t have any of the right size of the ‘correct’ ones in brass. Since then I have been in and out of the door hundreds of times and hadn’t noticed – just shows what you can get used to!!! Good point about the chisel, though I told you that I was no carpenter. There was another reason though – in order to get the profile correct on the oak window frames it was a case of a Stanley knife, time, determination and glass paper to smooth it down – bit of a mission really. The thought of trying to do the same with a beech draining board didn’t appeal.
