Viscount valiant identifying/replacing cladding

[maddie]

Hi all, I'm a first time caravan buyer and renovator! So far having a lot of fun with my new old 15ft viscount (unsure what year exactly). Some of the exterior panels are beaten up, and while I'm hoping to straighten most of them out, some I would ideally like to replace completely. My question is how do I firstly identify the particular shaping of the cladding, and then of course where might I be able to find some matching replacements. I'm in victoria. Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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[shesgotthelook]

Hi Maddie, & welcome. Appears to be a late 60's model. She is a bit dinged up isn't she? As far as sourcing replacement aluminium, the best bet is a wreckers, although I don't know of any in Vic.
Here are a couple of threads that may be of help,

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/4167/aluminium-cladding-library


vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2038/viscount-caravans-fullarton-cabramatta-dandenong


I can't find it, but there was a thread on here about someone sourcing a new tail end for their van & it didn't fit!

I'm sure some far more knowledgeable folk will be along soon. Cheers, SGTL

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Maddie,

Based on the profile of the cladding, the design of the Viscount Valiant logo on the front, and the livery (ie the size and location of the coloured panel on the side) my guess, with apologies to SGTL, is that your van is probably a 70's build. My understanding is that the Valiant model was discontinued from 1970 to 1972 and reintroduced in 1973, so that may mean your van is from around 1973+, but that's just a guess on my part.

If you have a look at the Viscount thread in the Museum section of our sister Classic Caravans forum by clicking here you can see further info. (The Classic Caravans forum is for caravans built from 1970 to 1979.)

If you post the serial number of your van - which you should be able to find on your A-frame - on the Classic Caravans forum, the good folk over their should be able to confirm the build date of your van (and send you back here if I'm wrong! ). With a bit of luck they may also be able to tell you where you can source some cladding for your van too if there's any about.

Good luck with your van. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun renovating it and using it.

Don Ricardo

[maddie]

Thanks for your thoughts SGTL and Don! Really appreciate it. I've just posted over on the classic forum as well, which may be more appropriate- thanks for alerting me to it.

The only number I can find is on the drawbar, and seems to read V242- which doesn't seem too helpful?

Such a fun new world this old caravan business!