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Post by ashlea0910 on Sept 2, 2015 7:11:28 GMT 10
Hi Everyone.
Im a new member and am looking at purchasing my very first vintage caravan.
Its a bondwood..not certain on the year..the guy thinks maybe around the 1962-63 era. Its in pretty good shape...no water damage which can be seen and the shell is in very good condition. He wants $4k for it and im prepared to pay that.
I actually want to modify it to be a business bar van and this is where my concerns start. Has anyone got experience with bondwoods and can tell me more information. Im worried that when i start taking out the cupboards etc that i may find wood rot... although i did look deep in the cupboards and under the chairs in the corners and couldnt see any. I am also worried that being plywood sides (it is aluminium roof and front and back) that when i want to cut out a big window, that the whole plywood interior will just calapse on me. Or that it wont actually be strong enough to hold new bigger windows or anything cause it wasnt built for that. It will probably need more reinforcing and support.
Has anyone in here transformed there bondwood van and can give me guidance whether to even attempt it or to not touch it? I have pictures but unsure how to load them.
Thank you
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Post by seeshell on Sept 2, 2015 7:43:34 GMT 10
Hi Ashlea0910 The frames of many of the old vans are relatively light, and the cupboards do provide a lot of the rigidity of the van. Additionally if you are considering carrying fridges, equipment, etc for a buisness, you're right there will need to be additional reinforcement. Also you will want to consider if the frame and axle are up to the additional weight as well. Many are underengineered, and won't have electric brakes which you are likely to need if the van is going to be substantially heavier. Depending on what you want to do, you might be better to buy a trailer with the right weight rating and build a body that suits you - there are plenty of old van shapes to copy. They're not that difficult to make, and you could construct the frame in such a way to suit your windows etc. It will also allow you to insulate, and run the right power to where you want it. And I can categorically say it is far easier to build than to renovate! And renovating is NOT cheap - buying an old van to "save money" over a new home build might be false economy!  Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by sportsman 1 on Sept 2, 2015 10:19:13 GMT 10
Hi Ashlea,
you state that the van is in pretty good shape, no leaks and the shell is in very good condition.
Whilst it is your choice do do what you wish it seems a great shame to take a well preserved bondwood van of some 60+ years old and pull it to bits, destroying is history and usability for what it was designed for. Most of us here are restorers and prefer to have the caravans as caravans.
Considering the starting price and adding all the work and expense to change it into something else I would suggest the same course of action as Seashell. Go and buy yourself either a trailer base or perhaps a more modern van which is damaged or needing lots of repairs anyway and use this to have a new body built to your needs. This will most likely be cheaper in the long run and you will get exactly what you want/need at the end of the day instead of a mismash compromise and destroying what sounds like an excellent proposition for the restorer to save and preserve.
Leigh.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 2, 2015 16:48:47 GMT 10
Hi Ashlea0910,
Most of the people on the forum are people who shed a tear or two when they see a vintage era van in reasonable order being gutted for a commercial purpose, so you're likely to get similar reactions to the ones you've already had if you proceed with your plan (although we acknowledge that in the end it's your choice as the owner). However, allowing for that, you do need to note Seeshell's advice re removing the cupboards. From the 40's onwards many - if not most - caravans were built on the basis that the internal furnishings provided part of the strength (stiffening) to the structure. If you therefore remove the furnishings the integrity of the structure will be significantly weakened. Adding reinforcement to replace the stiffening provided by the furnishings would be a big job, and possibly just about require you to pull the van apart and put it back together again.
One other option you may want to consider is having a chat with forum member stevej who has developed a business out of converting Carapark aluminium clad vans (what we refer to here as 'toasters') for commercial use. He re-builds them with servery hatches, etc, and I think undertakes work for other people. So you may be able to get a van that has had the basic structural work done, ready to do a fit-out yourself. You can find stevej if you click on the 'Members' button on the menu at the top, and then send him an email or a PM (personal message).
Just another alternative that may interest you if you're happy to consider having something other than a bondy, but still 'vintage'.
Don Ricardo
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rex
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by rex on Sept 10, 2015 20:56:52 GMT 10
Have a look at Woody Caravans - based in qld .
They have a Facebook page . Basic vans start around $13k
No connection , just think they build a good product and fill a very niche market .
You will find a lot of angst on this forum as soon as you mention " food van . Coffee van " even if the nay Sayers have no intention of ' restoring your van ' and as stated earlier restoring is not cheap .
I built a cheap teardrop ... Wasn't cheap !
Good Luck with your business idea
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