Help identifying an old Baravan please

[Lauryan]

Hi, we've just picked up an old Baravan that we intend on restoring.  Its pretty much a shell of a van - unregistered with no papers & gutted inside. We cant seem to locate anything to confirm the year or model. New to this forum so we are scrolling through looking at old posts for some info on the Baravan's but would appreciate if anyone has any pointers.

Thanks in advance :-)

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[Don Ricardo]

Hi Lauryan,

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on the acquisition of your Baravan.

I'm not sure whether you've discovered the 'Down History Lane' section of the forum yet, but we have a thread about Baravan caravans there. Click here to find it.

We only have limited information about Baravans at this point, but as you'll see from the thread I've pointed you to, there are photos of a van which belongs to Baravan2276, and that looks to be the same as yours. '2276' refers to the serial number Baravan2276 found on the A-frame. If you can find the serial number on your van, it will tell you whether yours is older or younger than the that one.

You'll also see a post from Lee0808. Unfortunately the photos of her van have disappeared, but she says that it's the same as Baravan2276's van, and is a 1973 Baravan Princess 4SD. I'm not sure what the '4SD' means, but it may refer to the layout? Lee0808 has done a quite a bit of research on Baravans, so I think the year and model of her van are probably a good guide for you.

Hope that helps?

It would be great to see some more photos of your van, including some inside pics if you have them.

I see that your van has '3' on it beside the door. Do you know what that refers to? Was your it an onsite van or something at one point?

Don Ricardo

[Mustang]

Looks an interesting shape...do keep the images coming.

[Lauryan]

Thanks Don/Mustang.

I have had a look at the link, much appreciated. What an exciting couple of weeks of research I have had. My passion has now become my obsession 😉.

The chassis number reads 2032.

I have been in contact with the Vintage Baravan & Caravan Facebook page & found the mum of the owner who I purchased it off. She could be Lee0808 as has a very similar name. I have also heard that BruceB may be doing a book about Baravan's so if anyone reading his post has his email contact or number I'd be forever greatful if they sent it to me as I'd love to offer my help, I have experience writing books in the past for work and have a few amazing contacts that could help bring this history back out of hiding.

Our van is in pretty bad shape cosmetically. It has been gutted but we are delighted it's a metal frame with minimum work required on the frame & chassis. This weekend we are hoping to start getting her cleaned out & a start on the weather proofing works before the rains come. 

I aim to do a little more research on the original layout etc before we start too much inside as whilst we want to make her a family friendly van we don't want to deviate too much if possible from what she once was. 

[65valiant]

Hi i've also picked up another Baravan, it's chassis No. is 1849 & the electrical certificate states April 1970.
This will be a long term job as it's in a poor state

[earlygmh]

Hi 65valiant
I see in an earlier post you mentioned getting new perspex windows made.
I'm in Perth and have a 63 Baravan. I would like to get the front CURVED perspex windows replaced, but can't find a business that does curved ones.
Do you recall where you got yours done?
Thanks in anticipation
Matt
Earlygmh

[shesgotthelook]

I think we need someone clever to create a thread on perspex & polycarbonate windows!

I bought flat polycarbonate cut to size (measured from the old ones) With a heat gun on low & 3 people, we gently moulded them into shape & glued in. I have heard of some people doing it in the oven & also with a hair dryer using a piece of ply as a template.

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/11919/v2-viscount-reno-begins?page=2

[Don Ricardo]

Feb 6, 2018 7:36:52 GMT 10 shesgotthelook said:

I think we need someone clever to create a thread on perspex & polycarbonate windows!

Did I hear you volunteering, SGTL?

There is information scattered around various threads that just needs pulling together...or perhaps I should say moulded into place...into a thread in the Technical section. A quick search pulled up info on the pros and cons of perspex vs polycarbonate, thickness and bending techniques.

I'd offer, but I wouldn't know what I was talking about (again!), whereas you have had practice...

It is a frequent question, so well worth creating a thread to refer to.

Don Ricardo

[65valiant]

Hi Earlygmh

I took one of my old one even though it was cracked & broken to Complete Plastix Services & they worked of that, this was back in 2014 so not sure if they are still in business?
I 4 made for $62.50 each.....I'm sure they would be more now.

Complete Plastix Services - Unit 2 17 Elliot Street Midvale 9250 6055 email [e-mail]
I hope this helps & good luck

[earlygmh]

Thank you all for your quick and valuable responses to my query on curved perspex windows. The resources I've found on Vintage Caravans has been absolutely priceless. Regards Matt

[earlygmh]

Hi 65Valiant

The information you kindly provided enabled me to contact Gavin Rothwell at Complete Plastix Services, which is still operating from Unit 2 17 Elliot Street Midvale. Prices have increased slightly to $88 each for the curved windows, but I'm happy to have found someone to reproduce them in Western Australia. Hopefully I can extract the old ones without breaking them for use as a template.

Many thanks

Earlygmh

[CanAm]

Feb 6, 2018 20:47:48 GMT 10 65valiant said:

Hi Earlygmh
Complete Plastix Services - Unit 2 17 Elliot Street Midvale 9250 6055 email [e-mail]

Handy information 65Valiant - I need a screen made for my vintage speed boat so probably just the guys for the job.

[gray]

Yeah mate. I built a lot of baravans in the late 60s
They have a # on tow bar . I would say yours about 70 ish