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Post by Koala on Apr 2, 2017 19:29:28 GMT 10
What do you do when you have finished your project and it has sold.........buy another of course. This Wayfarer 6 berth 18 foot van was originally recovered as a barn find outside Melbourne and has had some remedial work carried out before being moved to Sydney and advertised on the forum and Gumtree. Apparently the van was purchased by a couple in 64 and towed to north Queensland for a holiday using a AP6 Valiant. The van was little used since and languished in a shed until recovery in recent years. It did sustain some damage to the left rear corner due to an opening in the shed which let the weather in but this was repaired by the builder finder. Unfortunately the original floor tiles were lifting so he replace them with black and white check vinyl and fitted some checker plate at both ends to cover some damage, nothing which cannot be rectified. It still has cross ply tyres fitted which could very well be original. Still plenty of work for me to do. Lucky I have a drive through site at the Nationals. Some initial enquires reveal that these 18 foot tandem vans were made by Wayfarer on a dedicated production line where they were built by one employee of German descent. So far I believe there are at least 3 survivors. Koala
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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 3, 2017 6:38:23 GMT 10
For someone that started off his vintage caravanning in a Teardrop, albeit an overweight one, you're certainly making sure you have all creature comforts in your old age, Koala!!! At least another resto will stop you from chasing after women Or will it? You do good work, so am looking forward to following this one and enjoying your labours as much as I did the last one.
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Post by Mustang on Apr 3, 2017 8:07:50 GMT 10
I did lust after this van, especially at the price, but as we have a 17'6' Classic van at the moment I couldn't justify the purchase. I think you have a nice piece of history there & pleased the checker plate is going to a good home.
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Post by mel on Apr 4, 2017 14:34:10 GMT 10
I lusted after this one also!!! What a great van. Enjoy the space.
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Post by Koala on May 1, 2017 18:04:41 GMT 10
Ok I have settled down a bit so I think it time to tell the next instalment in the Wayfarer saga. Some will already be aware. These photos are how it now looks. This damage is the result of the untethered van rolling off the tilt tray and impacting with the brick wall beside my garage door. The transport company have been trying very hard to sort out a insurance claim but the wash up is that it is likely that the van will be written off. The impact was at quite some speed and has destroyed that corner of the van. Additionally it appears that the force was carried forward through the right wall casing cracks in the front inner wall and breaking the body to chassis mounting at the left front corner. The body must have been twisted diagonally. Although I am obviously disappointed that it has happened there is nothing to be gained by giving anyone a hard time. The transport company will remain unnamed as they have acted professionally to do what they can to settle what is nothing more than a unfortunate accident by a new employee. Maybe I will end up with the damaged van as my next project Koala
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Post by cobber on May 1, 2017 19:20:10 GMT 10
As they say in the classics Ken .... it could have been worse. (1) Somebody could have been standing behind it. (2) It could have gone straight though the garage door and collected the vehicles inside. (3) The garage roof could have fallen down on the vehicles inside (mine would have) (4)The transport company could be uninsured or uncooperative. (5) you could have not been looking for another project. (6) It could of happened to somebody less able to fix the van (if the insurance Co. lets you keep the wreck, after a full payout, they might even pay you to repair it)
FEELING BETTER ?
I feel for you mate, she was/will be a nice old van.
Cobber
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Post by aussieute on May 1, 2017 19:53:43 GMT 10
Sorry for your loss hope they let you keep the shell for restoration as you said there are so few of this model left chris
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Post by Jennison on May 1, 2017 22:17:39 GMT 10
What a bugger ken, hope you can keep it. The blokes a dill. Hope you can fix it Jenno
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 1, 2017 22:54:50 GMT 10
Hi Koala,
That's terrible news. You must have been in shock for a while - maybe still are?
I trust that there will be a positive outcome once you've worked through all the insurance procedure. It's a beautiful van, and hopefully will be again.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Geoff & Jude on May 2, 2017 9:54:14 GMT 10
sorry to hear this news koala.
we're sure your skills, contacts and endless material supplies will have it back on the road in no time.
(we can lend you and judy a 2 man tent for shellharbour if it's not finished in time).
see you soon.
geoff 'n jude
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Post by Mustang on May 2, 2017 10:07:17 GMT 10
Also "as they say" you will laugh about this some day, although I expect it will not be soon!!!
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Post by Koala on May 2, 2017 17:23:16 GMT 10
No further progress in the damage today but I had a good look over the van while trying to put the damaged area out of my mind. I really know nothing about Wayfarer caravans and only have been told that it is a 1964 model so unless the gurus can tell me otherwise I will run with that. I guess that 1964 would be about right as I would call it a transition van which means that it is half aluminium and half bondwood so sits between the all bondwood vans and the all aluminium vans. I don't know when they started using Alfab aluminium windows but I would call them transition windows as the frame for the glass is aluminium but it just seals on the bondwood opening with no aluminium outer frame. The window rubbers are still listed as available on the Alfab website. The interior is about half lined so it could be a bit cool in a Canberra winter Found a number 840 welded on the inner chassis but don't know if this can be used to date it. The chassis is very lightly constructed to the extent that it would be a worry for cracks developing in well used vans, the drawbar is lighter than the one on the 16'Franklin. Overall the workmanship is good and inside the cupboards is finished like the builder had some pride in his work. Koala
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Post by kingswood308 on May 2, 2017 23:42:29 GMT 10
Yours is the 4th one I have set my eyes on Koala, the last one I saw had a shower/ toilet fitted a few years ago up the front left hand side of the van. It was a very tidy old girl.
The same extremal colour combination as yours as well, I have photos of it some where.
Dave
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Post by Koala on May 3, 2017 6:05:24 GMT 10
Hi Dave Any photos and information would be appreciated.
Koala
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 3, 2017 6:42:10 GMT 10
How much tragedy can a koala bear??? It will continue to be an interesting story to follow. Good luck with it all, especially if you decide to restore it.
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Post by Koala on May 3, 2017 17:51:10 GMT 10
Ray I now have you booked in as a volunteer for a couple of days paint stripping. I'm laughing so hard that I can hardly bear it. Koala
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 4, 2017 6:42:10 GMT 10
Mr Koala, I think that you would have more success asking your mate "Buckley" !!!!! Only just finished repainting mine and my shoulders are still screaming!!!
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Post by Koala on May 17, 2017 15:54:47 GMT 10
The resurrection of the Wayward Wayfarer has commenced !!! Everything in the right hand back corner is pretty much stuffed and will need to be reconstructed. At some stage some repairs have been carried out on this corner. I found it interesting that the drawers have #815 pencilled on them but #840 is welded on the draw bar. So if you own Wayfarer #815 then I have your drawers Hopefully I will have the framing completed this weekend. In the meantime I am considering my options regarding which aluminium sheet to use. On a positive, apart from the damage the condition of the van is great. Koala
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Post by Koala on May 17, 2017 17:21:54 GMT 10
Does anyone know of a tame chrome plater who is good with die cast? I have 4 of the knights head and 6 of the spears from the Wayfarer which need doing. The knights head originally were painted red behind the raised lettering and beige above and below the Wayfarer name. Incidentally, the spears are marked `Holden' part number 7425012 so maybe one of the Holden enthusiasts can date and model them and if I was real lucky someone will have some NOS or reproductions available. I also have a bit of rechroming of some other bits and pieces. Koala
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Post by Mustang on May 17, 2017 18:37:20 GMT 10
The framing is in really great condition. Re the Holden parts, there are re-sellers on ebay re-producing stars & the like. (enter the part number) Some of the car buffs here I'm sure will be able to recommend a Sydney plater.
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jamo
New Member
Posts: 27
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Post by jamo on May 17, 2017 22:26:45 GMT 10
hi Koala I used the guys at Electroplating Technology at 67 Thurralilly Street Queanbeyan
to do a few bits on an 1934 Austin I did a few years (might have been a lot of years, it's hard to remember) they did a good job then.
Jamo
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Post by aussieute on May 18, 2017 18:42:48 GMT 10
Great to see you were allowed to keep the wreck by the look of your progress it wont be a wrecked van for long its great to see your progress so far doing a great job cheers chris
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Post by cobber on May 18, 2017 19:32:30 GMT 10
G'day Ken, You wanted a new project now you've got one, congratulations ! It is surprising to hear/see that there had been work done previously on that part of the van, makes you wonder why ? Doesn't matter, she'll be like new when you're finished with it Keep the photos coming on how you go about it Cobber.
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Post by Koala on May 19, 2017 17:34:08 GMT 10
I wasn't really looking for another major project Cobber I would have been happier with a bit of a touch up and a coat of paint. I have spoken to the guy who initially recovered the van and he said that the shed where the van had sat for the previous 40 years had a leak above the right rear corner of the van which resulted in water finding its way into the van and rotting the inner lining. From what I can see he would have removed the bed and rear internal sheet and replaced some of the structure. I can see where he has been because of new timber and modern silicon sealers being used. The boss has suggested that as I need to remove the double bed and that she would like single beds to go back in. Not sure how to interpret that request but I always do as I am told Koala
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Post by tooleyau on May 19, 2017 20:51:21 GMT 10
........but I always do as I am told I find that hard to believe. Tooley
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