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Post by john&jacquie on Jan 30, 2017 1:16:48 GMT 10
Hi All,
We are in Adelaide SA. After deciding to buy a camper van or small caravan we decided to look at old ones. We quickly got attracted to quite old ones and decided we preferred to go that way. We saw this Fiesta advertised as 1956, and went and looked at it last Thursday, being the first and only caravan we actually looked at. We were struck by its extraordinary condition, and could not resist it and bought it.
We were told that it spent most of its life garaged, and occasionally used as temporary accommodation for grape pickers, hence the condition of the original exterior body and paint. The seller said that he knew the man that made it, but was not sure if he was still living. We read that some Fiesta vans were made in Mildura, but this one has SA on the wheel arch, so maybe it was made in SA.
The only real problem were the brakes. The hydraulic brakes were there, but were not connected to anything. We picked it up from Langhorne Creek SA, and took it to have it checked out and have the brakes fixed. The guy we took it to could not believe the condition of it and kept saying how we did well to find it. He suggested changing to electric brakes, and possibly just changing the whole axle-brake setup rather than upgrading the brakes on the existing axle. I do like the idea of electric brakes, but I am a little concerned at changing it too much (in trying to keep it as original as possible) and questioned if it was actually necessary to change the axle. Is upgrading the axle considered OK for this type/age of van?
It also has original looking tube tires that still look in good condition, but probably too old to keep, and that is another decision we have to make. Do we upgrade to radial tires, or do we stick to the older style tube tires?
Oh, one last question would be the actual year. Does the year 1956 sound about right?
Thank you in anticipation of replies,
John & Jacquie, Adelaide, SA
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Post by john&jacquie on Jan 30, 2017 1:35:28 GMT 10
Two more photos of our Fiesta Van, the last one showing the wheel arch with the map of Australian and "SA" on it.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jan 30, 2017 8:02:07 GMT 10
Lovely van & a good get. Definitely upgrade the tyres! Yours & other road users safety is far more important. Re the brakes, you can either mess around trying to fix the hydraulics or go for electric. I replaced the axle on my 1947 homebuilt wooden caravan & put in electric brakes as it actually had none, on the other hand, we spent a fair bit of time fixing the hydraulics on a 66 Franklin as it had a fairly unique hydraulic tow hitch. If your tow car has an electric controller, I'd go with that. I'd say your van in more likely a 1960's model. I gather you've found the thread on Fiesta Caravans? vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/8282/fiesta-caravans-mildura-vicBut maybe someone more knowledgable than I will be able to help you out here. Cheers, SGTL |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 9:05:44 GMT 10
Hi john8 jaquie,
Don't think your Fiesta is 1956,Fiestas were bondwood in the late fifties,looks more like 60s to me.
Also your van has a shape the same as a Miami,built in SA,don't know if it has been rebadged or copied or whatever!Don Ricardo is the resident sleuth and I'm sure he will be able to enlighten us soon.
As SGTL has said,new tyres and brakes for a start!
Cheers
hughdeani
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Post by thegeneral on Jan 30, 2017 12:40:00 GMT 10
Hi J8J, yes sgtl said you must replace the tyres so do it there would be no flex left in the rubber crack and blow I had a flat and some tyre shop's would not repair a tyre over 7 year's old. It look's like you have Holden rim's on the van so I guess Holden brakes if so by now are hard and useless being Holden you should be
able to buy electric brakes to bolt strait on. if you do" Please leave the original override system on disconnect it hide the electric wires and it will look period equip".
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 30, 2017 22:20:41 GMT 10
Hi John8jacquie, Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on the caravan you've bought. It looks like it's a great one. Although your van has Fiesta written on it, it is the same as the Pacific caravans built in South Australia. You will find some photos of another couple of Pacifics like yours by clicking here. As you will see from that thread, we don't know a lot about the Pacific vans, but they do have a number of styling features which make them quite distinctive and different to almost every other Australian built caravan. At this stage, we don't know who built the Pacific vans, but I'm reasonably confident that it wasn't Fiesta in Mildura. As you say Fiesta was based in Mildura, not South Australia, and if you look at the thread Shesgotthelook referred you to, the Fiesta vans we've got photos of look very different to yours. In addition, Fiesta used entirely different looking name plates on their vans compared to what is written on your van. The one exception to what I've said about Fiesta caravans is the van posted about by the forum member named Fiesta (dated March 2015). Unfortunately the photos of her van have disappeared apart from the photo which forms her forum avatar. When I looked at the photos of her van (when they were there) I commented on the fact that Fiesta had been stencilled on to her van, and from memory the stencilling looked a lot like the way Fiesta has been stencilled on your van. Now looking at the little avatar photo of Fiesta's van, it has some of the same features as your van and the Pacifics, and so I think it is probably a smaller version of the Pacific. (I can expand on the similarities if you want me to.) So what does all this mean? Well it seems that some of the vans like yours were branded as Pacifics, while others were possibly branded as Fiestas. However, I don't think that the vans were built by Fiesta in Mildura, just that someone else used the same name. That was not uncommon with caravan manufacturers back in the vintage era (pre-1970). You mentioned that the previous owner knew the name of the person who built the van. It would be good if you could find out who that was and let us know, even if the builder is no longer living. A name might help us discover a bit more about the origins of the Pacifics/Fiestas and/or where they were built. Regarding the age of your van, it is much more likely to be 1966 than 1956. The overall style of your van - despite its unique features in some respects - is very much in the style of the vans built in the mid to late 60's by a number of manufacturers. The aluminium cladding was also the type used in the mid 60's. There were no caravans built in that style and with that cladding in 1956. I would estimate that it was built sometime between 1964 and 1966. Let us know if you are able to find out anything more from the previous owner, and congratulations again on a very fine caravan. Don Ricardo |
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Post by john&jacquie on Jan 30, 2017 23:18:15 GMT 10
Hello everyone, and thank you all for the replies and useful information. As it is quite late, will keep it fairly short, and just add a few more photographs. We realise that the "add attachment" method is not the preferred method for photographs, but we have not yet had time to go through the photo-bucket method, but will eventually get there. For now, everyone realises that clicking on my photos will make them larger and clearer.
One question that came up is about the original screw type tow hitch. Do we keep using it or replace it with something safer for towing. Someone said that these types of hitches are no longer legal. There is also the size difference between 2" (old hitch) and 50mm (new style ball). Apart from whether it is legal or not, is it considered safe to use it? Someone said that he had one of these screw types get loose and the ball came out. Considering we are fitting new axle and electric brakes, and new tires, obviously We don't want to have a weak link in the old hitch.
We will ask the seller for the name of the person who he said made this van and post it soon.
John & Jacquie
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Post by john&jacquie on Jan 30, 2017 23:22:31 GMT 10
Just adding a couple more interior photos.
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Post by john&jacquie on Jan 30, 2017 23:29:32 GMT 10
Two more photos.
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Post by Mustang on Feb 1, 2017 7:14:03 GMT 10
What do they say, "never buy the first one you look at"  ? Well you have a little honey there, (I would have bought it) the lino gods will be going off when you pull that carpet all the way up!!!! New electric brakes are so cheap, you will be able to buy a package (brakes/tyre) from a reputable trailer supplies group, some of them will even offer fitting. PS: If you go with electrics, make sure your cable size is large enough to cope with voltage drop. (I can offer you a link.) Also use Light Truck tyres, I would upgrade the hitch, these minor mods will possibly be mandatory for insurance anyway. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 3, 2017 21:54:10 GMT 10
Hi John8jacquie, Great to see some internal photos of your caravan. It really is a very nice van and in good condition. I meant to say in my last post that all the Pacific/Fiesta caravans like yours have been found in South Australia, so that's another indicator that they were built in South Australia, and not built by Fiesta in Mildura. (In the Vintage era - up to 1970 - caravans manufacture was largely state based, and caravans were mainly sold in the state in which they were built and most often stayed there.) Regarding your query about the coupling, your coupling is very likely perfectly legal because caravans built before 1988 are exempt from having to meet the current caravan regulations, including those concerning couplings. Basically the equipment on caravans built before 1988 is considered to be ok providing the caravan is in original condition and has not been modified in any substantial way. You can read about the why's and wherefore's by clicking here. I say 'very likely' because, as you'll see, the documentation we have is for NSW and Victoria, but I expect that similar exemptions apply in South Australia. I can't think of anyone on the forum from South Australia that's been required to replace an older style coupling. Of course, 'legal' is not necessarily the same as 'safe', and you obviously would need to feel confident that your coupling is safe as well as legal, and of course you'd need the right size towball for it. Someone on the forum may be able to help you with a 2 in towball if you decide to go that way, and other forum members can tell you their experiences with your type of coupling. If you're ok with it, I'd like to copy some of the photos of your van to the Pacific thread - which I'm proposing to rename 'Pacific/Fiesta [South Australia]' - because I want to write up some of the additional info that's come to light from your van and forum member Fiesta's little Fiesta van that I referred to the other day. Don Ricardo |
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Post by john&jacquie on Feb 4, 2017 8:50:24 GMT 10
Hi Mustang and Don Ricardo, and thank you all for the replies.
What we are having done is:
(1) New 45mm square axle with larger ("Ford") bearings, electric brakes, retaining Holden pattern hubs for the original wheels, -will increase GVM from original 999Kg to up to 1380Kg. Not that we need 1380Kg, but it just increases the margin and hopefully reliability of larger bearings. (Caravan mass is only 850Kg, and "original axle" is 40mm square for 999Kg GVM.)
I forgot to say that the new 45mm square axle will also raise the caravan by about 40mm. They said it has something to do with the way the new axle is mounted.
(2) New Light Truck Tires on the original 13" Holden Rims. I think they are putting on Nankang 185R13c LT tires, with a load of about 750kg each, not sure if it looks too fancy? Yes, I asked the question about going to 14" wheels, but the guys said that the original 13" Holden rims should be fine, and I guess that keeps it as original as possible.
(3) New "legal" 50mm tow hitch (But keep the original one for future use).
(4) New "legal" chains that are supposed to stretch to double their length before breaking.
(5) Check the "7 pin" wiring and 7 pin plug to conform to actual 7 pin (the original "7 pin" wiring was actually wired to 5 pin).
(6) Keep all the old parts.
Don Ricardo, yes you can use my photos for the "Pacific" (Pacific/Fiesta) thread, I can send high resolution, let me know what size you prefer.
Regards,
John & Jacquie
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Post by john&jacquie on Feb 4, 2017 18:23:38 GMT 10
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone could help out with a few cosmetic repair issues we have to think about very soon for our recent purchase. We have lining on the ceiling of the van that is coming away and needs to be stuck back up, and lining on the cupboard doors that has bubbled. The lining is still in good condition on both ceiling and doors so we'd like to repair it rather than replace. The lining may have gone a little hard, but certainly not cracking or damaged. With the ceiling, we're thinking the lining may need to be softened with a solution of some sort then glued back up with some sort of glue that does not react or damage the lining. (Does anyone know what type of glue was used back in the 1950-60s, and if heat would soften it again, as happens with old furniture glue? -John) The lining on the cupboard doors probably only need to be softened and straightened out, trying to iron out any lifted areas. Photos attached. Any suggestions would be very appreciated  (The only other cosmetic change may be the curtains, thinking of changing to something brighter. Interested to hear what others think of the curtains, and if they may be original.) P.s I'm looking forward to our first trip away Jacquie (John8Jacquie) |
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Post by Mustang on Feb 5, 2017 9:13:22 GMT 10
With the ceiling lining, I expect you need to use a spray adhesive. When reapplying start from an existing edge and smooth out so as to avoid bubbles. No doubt some will occur in this difficult position, so they could be pierced later. With the door in the lower image, you may be able to use a cloths iron with a cloth under, a gentle heat may reactivate the adhesive & smooth out the bubbles. The curtains can be kept for posterity, so have some fun with some colour. Our Viscount |
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 12, 2017 20:20:51 GMT 10
We now have our caravan back home with the following alterations:
(1) New 45mm axle with Electric brakes, bigger(Ford) bearings, and Holden pattern hubs.
(2) Electric brake controller mounted in a lockable box at the A-frame.
(3) New hitch coupling and new chains.
(4) Fabricated spare wheel holder at the A-frame.
(5) New Nankang 185R13c 100/98Q Cw25 Light Truck tires.
(6) Converted to standard 7 pin trailer wiring and plugs.
(7) New axle has raised the caravan by 40mm due to new axle being straight rather than offset.
(8) Actual caravan mass is only 850Kg (with previous GVM of 999Kg), but the new axle has increased
the potential caravan GVM to 1400Kg.
12V Continuous, and 12V Brake Light Trigger for Electric Brakes:
The electric brakes and electric brake controller needed a "continuous" 12v voltage connection via the 7 pin trailer plug, as
well as a "brake turn on" "trigger" via the brake light voltage on the 7 pin trailer plug. However, our Isuzu D-Max ute did not yet
have the 12V battery connected to the 7 pin trailer plug to supply the continuous 12V voltage required for the electric brakes/controller.
So, for the electric brakes they have obtained both the 12V "continuous" connection as well as the brake turn on "trigger" from
the brake light voltage on the 7 pin trailer plug. They said that this is what they normally do in this case, until the 12V battery
is connected to the 7 pin trailer plug. A question I have is if this method causes any extra caravan brake delay. That is,
since the electric brakes/controller do not receive any 12V until the brake light voltage comes on, would this cause
any extra transient delay in switching the caravan brakes on?
Gas Fridge Seal:
We have been cleaning and carrying out any needed repairs to the interior, making new curtains etc. This included a new fridge seal
for the original Shredall Frigette "gas only" fridge. I managed to find a similar fridge seal and have replaced the hard & broken
fridge seal. The joins at the corners were glued with super glue as suggested by the supplier of the fridge seal, and
it seemed to work well. The fridge seal is all ready to go, so I was all excited about testing that the "gas only" fridge actually
still worked!
How Do We Light The Gas Fridge Pilot ?
Now comes a question. I can’t seem to work out how to light this fridge! It has a gas tap, and a gas dial.
But nothing seems to push in so that I can light the pilot light. Nothing seems to be obviously missing, but I just cant
work out what needs to be pressed to turn on the pilot light. Does anyone have any experience with this type of fridge?
John & Jacquie
Adelaide
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 12, 2017 20:39:33 GMT 10
Some more photos -showing new 45mm axle and electric brakes.
John&Jacquie
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 12, 2017 20:48:49 GMT 10
Some more photos -showing replacing fridge seal for Shredall Frigette Gas fridge. The close up photo shows the original old fridge seal on the far left which despite looking grey in the photo, is actually a green-blue colour. I did some hunting around and found three choices, the larger white seal and two black seals. I chose the larger white seal. The larger new seal just meant that I had to adjust the door latch a bit so the door closed properly. I did find an original looking green/blue seal on the internet, but it was in China: www.yxmfj.com/en/product.asp?action=More&id=24I may still try to get it and eventually replace it again. John&Jacquie |
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 12, 2017 20:53:49 GMT 10
More photos of completed fridge seal after it was placed in door. The corners were glued with super glue.
So, now that's completed can someone tell us how to light the fridge?
The second photo is of the original jack and tools I found with the caravan. An original 2" ball was also found in the caravan to match the original hitch coupling. These will be kept with the caravan.
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 12, 2017 21:27:08 GMT 10
Photos of stripping and cleaning the interior and Jacquie attempting curtains with an old Germain "1948 Zeta" sewing machine.
John&Jacquie
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Post by john&jacquie on Mar 14, 2017 20:55:50 GMT 10
Finally got the old Gas fridge (Shredall Frigette) working tonight. Thanks to the generic instructions in a manual posted here: link , thanks to this forum. As others may have the same issue in the future, I thought I should send what I did just as a bit of a re-iteration of what is said in the manual, and with a modern propane fire lighter rather than a "wick soaked in methylated spirits" which was in the 60yo instruction manual. (1) Turned on gas at Bottle. (2) Turned the gas tap on at fridge. (3) Turned the fridge gas dial to maximum or "C" for "Cold" I assume. (4) Used one of those common cheap long propane fire lighters (sold in Bunnings for $2.99) to heat just under the burner, and after about 15 seconds I heard a click indicating that the safety valve was hot enough to open and allow the gas to start flowing to the burner. (5) I then quickly moved the fire lighter flame to the top of the burner, and the burner was lit. (6) I then placed an electronic thermometer inside the fridge, crossed my fingers and waited, and hoped that the fridge temperature will come down. The thermometer started at 28.4 oC. and only after a few minutes it started coming down, so things looked good. I then left for about 30 minutes (?), came back and the temperature was already down to about 15 oC, and still dropping. After about 1 hour it was down to 10.2 oC and still reducing, but as it was late I wanted to stop the experiment, turn off the gas and get back inside. I expect that next time with the fridge left on longer, the temperature will come down even more. We were very happy with the results, especially at the speed at which the temperature came down. And no smells or obvious leaks, but we will check this out further to make sure. We are also glad that we did not have to remove the fridge and "turn it upside down" as suggested in previous forum discussion. We hope this helps others with old gas fridges similar to this one, that DO NOT have a bypass switch to press for lighting the burner. John&Jacquie |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 15, 2017 14:42:13 GMT 10
Hi John&jacquie, Just in case you haven't seen it, I posted here about the spats on your van after seeing some similar spats on a Miami caravan recently. I thought you might be interested. Don Ricardo |
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