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Post by Mustang on May 6, 2016 17:12:41 GMT 10
Our 19 (?) Kennedy We have added our another baby to our collection. A HUGE thank you to "Kimbo" who made it possible. This poor sorry version was badly beaten, but bought back to life by a former restorer I,m yet to make contact with , hopefully this week. Link under image 3.  ![]()   Not sure about the "outback kit" I think it will need some surgery? View file images. Kennedy link
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 6, 2016 20:59:08 GMT 10
G'day Mustang, So I gather the Kennedy is the new running mate for your Mustang? That's good to hear. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics of the inside at some point. It's obvious that quite a bit of work has gone into refurbishing it. I note the query you have against the 1958 date. As far as we have been able to establish at this point, Frank Kennedy only started producing his fibreglass vans in 1964, so that's the earliest your van can be. That is based on the info Linpet has obtained from Frank's son. More details here. Hope the Mustang appreciates the effort you've put into finding it a companion.  Don Ricardo |
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Post by Mustang on May 7, 2016 8:03:12 GMT 10
Thanks Don, There is a link here or under image 3 in my thread. This will take you to images on photobucket. We doubted the rego papers that stated 1958. We have only found some scant info here, not much history. We saw a thread posted where Ian Kennedy a son was looking for history, not sure if anything became of this? There is a number 192 stamped on the new (?) drawbar. Any other Kennedy owners please compare your findings with us. Cheers Brent |
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kimbo
Full Member
Posts: 148
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Post by kimbo on May 7, 2016 10:22:14 GMT 10
Hi mustang
We have a franklin I have not mastered photo bucket I keep changing the stupid pics but we have notice there a few little things different in regards to franklin / kennedy I'll take them with me so next time we meet we can compare are you going to fine iron?
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Post by Warrenk on May 7, 2016 10:58:53 GMT 10
Although the information suggests that the caravans were not built before 1964 the advertisement for the fibreglass Kennedy from the link Don posted has what I think has information on it that suggest these caravans were around since 1959. On the advertisement it states " See our 14 ft Fibre Glass Vans --- Proved Australia's best tested over 10 years". If they were advertising their 1969 model and saying it had been tested for over 10 years they starting making these before 1964.
Warren
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 7, 2016 13:06:23 GMT 10
Hi Mustang, Kimbo and Warrenk, Mustang: I think Linpet have had the most recent contact with Ian Kennedy, and have obtained quite a lot of information from him, including a very nice brochure for the fibreglass vans and a summary of the features of the Kennedy aluminium vans. Hopefully Linpet will post some of that information at some point. (You probably talked to them at the SWR Nationals? They were set up four or five caravans along from yours.) Kimbo: Interesting to hear about your Franklin Futura. The easiest way to distinguish between a Futura and a Kennedy is to look at the following: - Front and back windows: On the Futura the windows slope in from the bottom to the top, effectively creating a little bulkhead over the windows. On the Kennedy there is no slope on the windows, and consequently no bulkhead effect; the windows are straight up and down.
- Waist high side moulding: On the Futura the moulding takes a little a little kick up near the front windows. On the Kennedy the moulding is straight without the kickup.
At some points there has been a bit of confusion on the forum between the Franklins and Kennedys, with some Franklins being called Kennedys, and vice versa. However, my understanding is that the two distinguishing features referred to above were consistent throughout the production of the two marques, so identifying the vans on that basis is quite reliable. Warrenk: I take your point, and also noted that statement. As best as we understand it at this point, though, Kennedy didn't start building his fibreglass vans until sometime after Franklin had commenced building the Futura model in the early 60's (1962 or 1963?). So maybe the statement in the advert refers to 10 years of testing by Franklin and/or Kennedy? Mind you up until now the understanding has been that Franklin gave up producing the Futura because it was to expensive to produce, and Kennedy then bought the moulds and started producing his version. However, Franklin was still advertising its fibreglass Futuras in 1967 and 1969, so that seems to blow a hole in that theory! (Just on that point, later in 1969, Franklin introduced a completely new fibreglass van with a similar shape to its Regent aluminium clad model, so maybe that's the point at which production of the Futura ceased?) I think that the link between the Franklin and the Kennedy may possibly have been that the bodies of the Kennedy vans were produced by Filam*, a fibreglass production outfit in Geelong. So perhaps Filam actually produced bodies for both Kennedy and Franklin? Although why they would have separate moulds - as evidenced by the waist high moulding referred to above - beats me. It seems like we still have a way to go to put this particular jigsaw together, eh? Don Ricardo NOTE: * When I wrote this post, I referred to 'Filam' as 'IFAM'. My mistake, since corrected. |
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Post by boblor on May 7, 2016 13:24:21 GMT 10
What about the Skyline  . Were they produced at the same time as Franklin, or when Franklin ceased production, or were they Franklins fitted out by Skyline . Bob and Sandi's is a Skyline which was at the Nats.I will have to review my records closely to see if I can determine the sequence of production.Kimbo statements are correct re the differences Franklin/Kennedy.I did find a model that had fibreglass upper cupboards. Cheers boblor |
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 7, 2016 15:13:28 GMT 10
Hi Boblor,
The Skylines came out of the Franklin mould (as did the Clipper badged vans), so my guess is that they were Franklin Futuras fitted out by, or just badge engineered as Skylines. The earliest advert we have on the forum for a Skyline 'Franklin' or whatever we call it was 1963. It think that's about the time Franklin started producing the Futura but I'm not 100% certain.
Maybe Filam* produced bodies and sold them to both Franklin and Skyline? That's just a shot in the dark.
Don Ricardo
NOTE: * When I wrote this post, I referred to 'Filam' as 'IFAM'. My mistake, since corrected.
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Post by Mustang on May 7, 2016 17:06:56 GMT 10
Thank you Don & other owners for your interest.
I,m sure we will get closer to total numbers & some info on actual years.
Was there ever a chassis number system?
There was a member here last year that suggested they had ownership of the molds, any further news on this?
Cheers
Brent
PS: We are heading off to a friends property at Maryborough tomorrow, in the Kennedy for a few days.
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Post by mjwcookie on May 8, 2016 13:36:58 GMT 10
Hi All. I am mark and i now have the mold for the kennedy and plan to build one for myself (in the next six months), them would like to start making them in some sort of kit form where interested parties could fit them out and all i do is supply the new chassis, body, doors and windows. I am interested an any photos of internals and the chassis is there are some around. My understanding is that the molds have not been used since two or three vans were mounted on sleds and sent to Antarctica. Probably still there stuck in a snow drift. I am also interesed in trying to find the mold to the 18' version if it is still around. Mine is the 14'. When i work out photo bucket thing i will put some online of the big move after 50 odd years. Mark.
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Post by murray on May 8, 2016 19:33:25 GMT 10
Over the years there has been discussion in a number of posts about the Kennedy and/or Franklin Futura fibreglass caravans which were used in Antarctica. The information posted by Bubbles64 above refers to a van built by Kennedy. Recently I came across this post on the Classic Caravans forum about vans apparently built by Filam (who built chassis and other components in Geelong for Kennedy - see above) or Franklin in Ballarat for use in Antarctica in the mid-70's: Hi I'm new here but have been picking my way through, reading up on Franklin's as I go. I work for the Australian Antarctic Division, so I had a quick look through our image archive to see what I could find. There are a few photos, but none of them are much good. This is a van being unloaded at Mawson Station in January 1976  This one is captioned "Franklin caravan being prepared for Autum traverse to Moore Pyrimid" Mawson 1977  And this is the latest picture from the vicinity of Davis station in 1985. The tracked vehicle towing it is a "Hagglunds BV206"  I can't say how many vans there were, they were probably modified and shifted around at various times as needed. I have no idea where they went, probably disposed after they wore out. We have some very old plywood vans in storage (part of our extensive 'heritage' collection), but I don't know if we have any of these still. Tim I know that these vans are apparently from the Classic era, although perhaps one of them is the original Kennedy from the 60's? Who knows? However, the Kennedy and Franklin Futura fibreglass caravans are two of the models which straddled the Vintage/Classic "divide" (which doesn't really exist as such  ), and we have so often discussed the Antarctic vans on the forum, and the photos are so fantastic, that I thought it was worth re-posting them. At least we now have confirmation that they did exist.  An intriguing comment in Tim's post about "some very old plywood vans in storage". Now that raises a whole lot of other questions...like: Wouldn't we all like to know what they are? Don Ricardo |
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Post by mel on May 9, 2016 17:00:25 GMT 10
Congratulations Mustang, you have done well, they are such a nice looking van.
Mark, If you find the 18' mould, I will place an order for one.
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Post by Mustang on May 12, 2016 16:52:37 GMT 10
The Outback Stone reflector has been removed, now "Kenny" looks like a Kennedy. Looking for a spare wheel kit to run the spare on the edge, & a possible "fiberglass Tool Box".  The plumbers pole box will be next. For the short term I will paint it Black. Just had 3 days on a property, sleeping was cosy? camp fires were good. |
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Post by Mustang on May 29, 2016 16:19:19 GMT 10
We have been busy polishing windows & general tidy ups, the windows appeared to have been left in original very dull condition & missed the first rebuild. This pre- image flatters the condition:  Front Doubles   Front Frame after polishing  Pole box painted black & new fittings.  Draw bar & gas ring tidied up with Paint. Aluminium brackets added to keep the regulator in place, new two way tap.  Now only four window frames to go  Aahh my aching shoulders. |
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Post by Mustang on Jun 2, 2016 18:51:56 GMT 10
Today we removed the porthole window, got a massive dose of silly-cone, it took 1.5 hours to break the seal.  Then remove the silly-cone:  I'am impressed with the reno since this was a burger van, 10mm wall thickness with ply & glass, then foam filling, then ply lining, then padded vinyl inside.  This is the original side:  |
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Post by Mustang on Jun 17, 2016 18:05:48 GMT 10
Here is the replacement: All set with Ribbon Mastic, no Silly-Cone  In place:  |
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Post by Mustang on Jun 17, 2016 18:12:19 GMT 10
New spare wheel mount:  From the front:  |
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Post by aussieute on Jun 17, 2016 18:21:37 GMT 10
It is coming up very nice love the leadlight porthole great touch what did you use to polish the window frames they look great chèers chris |
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Post by Mustang on Jun 17, 2016 18:49:03 GMT 10
It is coming up very nice love the leadlight porthole great touch what did you use to polish the window frames they look great chèers chris Hi Mike, There's not a product I havn't tried brushes/potions/ de-oxidisers/snake oil, I haven't found anything that works, better than below: (Iv'e removed, polished replaced, 23 x windows to date) Best method for tarnished aluminum:1)Course steel wool saturated in INOX (pending condition) If you have lumps of tarnish spray the frame with Inox then use a flat chisel, minor marks left by the chisel will disappear with the wool. Wipe constantly with paper towel/toilet paper to observe. 2)Medium wool sprayed with Inox (any tarnished condition) 3)Fine " " " " Steel wool is cheap, discard when it balls up, keep wiping the frame to observe your progress. If you haven't reached a semi shine by this stage you have skimped on stages 1,2,3. Now the secret is to finish with steel wool 0000 still saturated in INOX. Rub like no tomorrow, then de-grease before final polish. I have tried Purple de-Oxidiser, Purple Polish, White bull bar shine, most others.... I now recommend AUTOSOL, apply after all of above, cheap & it works. It takes time, you cannot rush it. All by hand Polish link |
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Post by Mustang on Jul 15, 2016 19:50:09 GMT 10
More goodies:   now you don't have to paint your gas bottle with a $25.00 cover. |
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Post by Mustang on Jul 15, 2016 20:18:24 GMT 10
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BlueBird
Full Member
Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Jul 15, 2016 20:36:23 GMT 10
Hi Brent, Colleen and Biskit, Kenny is looking great. You've done a great job Brent with the things you have done to him. The camping spot looks great. Glad to see you out enjoying your new van. Monica |
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Post by Cruz on Jul 16, 2016 9:59:30 GMT 10
Great job on Kenny, what a transformation. Nice Ultimate in the background made right here in Moruya.
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. Were they produced at the same time as Franklin, or when Franklin ceased production, or were they Franklins fitted out by Skyline 
), and we have so often discussed the Antarctic vans on the forum, and the photos are so fantastic, that I thought it was worth re-posting them. At least we now have confirmation that they did exist. 
Aahh my aching shoulders.
