maybe not a valiant ??

[greecelightning65]

I have not seen this logo before and now and beginning to wonder whether she is actually a valiant at all?

There is a 64 ambassador on ebay (16ft) at the moment with the same shape stripes, front windows and even same laminex. I do not have curved rear windows though.

Chassis number is B2012, 12ft 6 in length. I was previously advised she was a 65 viscount valiant but now not so convinced.

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts,

Thanks

PS first time trying to get photobucket organised so hopefully it works ok

[Franklin1]

G'day greecelightning65,

I'm confident you have a 1965 model, based on the design of the green pattern on the side, and the B2012 chassis number. The curved windows are not normally seen on the Valiant models, but it's quite possible your van was specially made to a customer's requirements, or was specially made to celebrate a particular event. The unusual Valiant sticker suggests there was something unusual happening at the time your van was built. We've seen a couple of variations to the standard run-of-mill Valiant stickers, which makes me lean towards those stickers being brought out only for special occasions.

So, it sounds like you've got a bit of a "hybrid" van - ie. the base Valiant, with additional bling of Viscount wrap-around windows on the front, and some upmarket Ambassador laminex inside. All of which means you'll have to polish it to within an inch of your life, to return it to the "special condition" it once was!

cheers,
Al.

[greecelightning65]

hmm stuffed my shoulder stripping paint off the last project after someone painted her all white over the original stripes, so not keen on all of that polishing but you have to do what you have to do, right?

The interior lounge cushions are a sky blue (still in really good condition considering) and I can see remnants of pale blue under the green stripes so I think it is possible she was originally blue.

Do you think this was an original sticker? The one on the back is the same (just missing about 1/2 of it)

You are a wealth of knowledge Al, thank you, I am sure you helped with my original Lightning too
Sonja

[greecelightning65]

It is pretty cool that she might be a special one of kind edition lol : )

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Greecelightning,

Congratulations on two counts: (1) Working out how to post photos via Photobucket, and (2) adding another intriguing chapter to the story of Valiant caravans! So interesting to see your van and the logo on it. Hopefully you'll be ok if I copy some of your photos to the Valiant thread in the Down History Lane section so that we have a record of your van and its features there?

You commented that there may be a lightish blue under the green side flashes. That would not be surprising. From what we've seen, blue was the most common colour Viscount used at around the time of your van.

Don Ricardo

[greecelightning65]

Thanks Don Ricardo : )

I am more than happy for you to copy these pics, I have learnt so much from this forum and really enjoy seeing everyone's projects.

GL