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Post by Mustang on Aug 3, 2018 17:22:50 GMT 10
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Post by nugget on Aug 7, 2018 18:14:31 GMT 10
I was drooling over this one earlier.๐๐
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 9, 2018 19:47:02 GMT 10
I bought The Don!!!
990. 120 series 1955
Iโve just gone down a rabbit hole, yes?
Thrilled to connect here.
Iโm kck ๐
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Post by strugglebrook on Aug 10, 2018 6:56:13 GMT 10
KCK, I think you have done very well, best of luck with the freshen up.
JD.
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 10, 2018 9:16:21 GMT 10
thank you JD. Pretty happy :-)
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 11, 2018 17:56:45 GMT 10
Hi KCK, Congratulations on your purchase, and joining the "Don owner's club"...not that there is a club, but there are a few of us around who are Don tragics! I was really glad to see that someone had bought the van, and also to see that you have joined the forum. That's excellent news. Your van has had a couple of owners over the last ten or so years who have hoped to restore it to its former glory, but have not had the time to achieve the goal (no criticism implied at all, there are limits to how much any of us can achieve in a given number of years). I have some photos somewhere of your van when I went to check on it for one of the previous owners. At that stage it was stored outside and was crying out to have someone to provide it with a dry bed and a bit of TLC. The person you bought it from saved it from the elements and looked after it, and now hopefully you will be able to provide the TLC. We will look forward to hearing about your plans and restoration of the van. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. One of the other forum members, Surf Tragic, has restored a number of Don vans, and I'm sure will be interested in your project. Welcome to the club (which doesn't exist ). Don Ricardo
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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1955 Don
Aug 14, 2018 7:16:49 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by kck on Aug 14, 2018 7:16:49 GMT 10
Thanks Don,
The 990 Don and I are a thoroughly modern duo meeting online. ๐ We are yet to formally meet. A face to face is a week away!
I would love to see any photos you have. Will you share them here? Nudge me if I should be posting somewhere else in the forum.
It is my intention to restore. Iโm a novice in every sense of the word but handy with a drill and sander! I would be grateful for any guidance. This non club is a great find. Really pleased to be connected here.
I love to hear from the tragic fella too! I could use a โvitualโ team of advisors ๐
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 14, 2018 10:56:36 GMT 10
Hi KCK, Just goes to show that online dating services really work - providing you're a caravan. It's fine to keep posting on this thread. But what I suggest is that I move the thread to the 'Members' Photo Album' section of the forum, and I remove the posts referring to the confusion some of us had about accessing expired Ebuy listings. You don't really need that to be part of your story of the Don I don't think? Let me know if you are happy for me to do that. (Or you can start a completely new thread in the 'Members' Photo Album' section if you'd prefer.) I'll hunt around for the photos I took of your van. There are a lot of them because I was providing a detailed report for one of the previous owners, and it was in the days before I had a digital camera...so, where did I store them...?? I'll also alert Surf Tragic to your purchase, although he has possibly already seen your posts. Just out of interest, what general area do you live in? I might be able to connect you up with some other Don owners who can provide advice or info, if and when you need it. Don Ricardo
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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1955 Don
Aug 17, 2018 2:32:32 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by kck on Aug 17, 2018 2:32:32 GMT 10
Hey Don,
Fine by me to make those deletions.
Iโm across the way from Flemington Race Course. 7km from CBD.
5 days to go until The Don and I connect in the flesh. Beside myself with anticipation. The gent hauling the โmore mature manโ from NSW to Vic and into my life, has been in touch often and has been a surprising and much appreciated source of assistance. When the eagle lands safely, Iโll have no hesitation in a recommendation.
Iโll search for the other thread and chime in there.
Kck
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 17, 2018 20:23:35 GMT 10
Hi KCK,
I've moved the thread about your van to the Member's Photo Album section and removed the extraneous posts, so you can use this location to tell us about your restoration.
I see you're in Melbourne. That's great. That's where I am too.
We'll look forward to hearing about the relocation of your Don.
Don Ricardo
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Post by kingswood308 on Aug 17, 2018 23:37:19 GMT 10
Welcome aboard kck . Is Don, is good Dave
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Post by grandad on Aug 18, 2018 9:09:16 GMT 10
My goodness. It looks like the interior may just require a bit of a wipe down and a quick sweep maybe. If that. I'm looking forward to watching the old girls journey from this point on.
A matter of interest for the Don non-club. It that interior pretty much dead original?
Congratulations kck
Jim
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 21, 2018 9:22:14 GMT 10
I hope so Grandad! :-) A wipe down I can manage. The Don arrives tomorrow. I can answer your question on "original" condition, fingers crossed, it does look promising.
I'm going to be based down at the Docklands in a boat shed on the North Wharf for the next 2-3 months and would welcome any visitors. I'd love a chat, if any of you are inclined? I won't put a sander in your hands, promise. I would be very pleased to make a coffee and show you over the 990 Don. Of course I would also welcome any advice and be keen for any insights, history, tales and connection.
I have questions lol
kck
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Post by Surf Tragic on Aug 21, 2018 19:26:34 GMT 10
G'day KCK I followed this van from the time it was listed, it appeared to just needed a dust off & paint ! It has been well cared for. I have a few Dons & have enjoyed working on them, they are the same to work on as any other brand of Bondwood van, just differ a little in shape There are plenty of qualified woodworkers on this forum to help you, if there's anything I can do to help, it will be a pleasure. Have fun. Surf Tragic.
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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1955 Don
Aug 29, 2018 7:10:30 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by kck on Aug 29, 2018 7:10:30 GMT 10
Thank you Surf tragic.
I do have some questions...Thank you...there will be more Iโm sure.
These ones are front of mind atm.
Please weigh in with opinions and advice? ๐
The jacks. Historically, are the existing jacks restored or better to upgrade?
The Draw Bar. Itโs very short. What are other Don restorers doing here? Can you share your chassis tale? Hoping for some insight on direction to take.
The tail gate. Can the back remain the same? Is there a safety (current) standard that needs to apply? I understand the lights, however keen to know what Iโm abliged to do and what others have done..
The op shop smell. Any gem to share?
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 29, 2018 7:23:18 GMT 10
Update. I have all 5 windows out. The interior is stripped. It needs a sand and a bit of elbow grease. Iโm ready!!! Wish me longevity in stamina.
The roof flap is off too. That was a huge challenge. Itโs so light tho. That surprised me.
The door!!! No handle. What did the original look like? What are people using? Security today will want it to be robust. There was a pad lock latch at the bottom edge but ugly and Iโm doubtful is was an original fixture.
Lead light windows survived extraction but will need attention from a professional. Did anyone else do this themselves? Does anyone have a referral in Melbourne/ outer Melbourne for taking these windows? Keen for a shared story here.
The latches all work but some are really rusty. I do want to use tgen and not upgrade but not sure if they can all be brought back to โgorgeousโ ... any advice?
Thanks in advance. Today marks 1 week in. I have a sore neck but unwavering enthusiasm.
Looking forward to hearing back ๐๐
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 30, 2018 17:08:13 GMT 10
Hi KCK, Great to hear that your Don has arrived safely, and that you are already "getting into it". In answer to your questions: 1. Door handle: The door handle I saw on the van in 2007 wasn't original. The original would have been an external car door handle matched internally to a locking device with a lever handle and bakelite cover over the lock. Is any of the internal lock still there? I can post a picture of ours to show you what it looks like. The external handle may well have been from a Standard/Vanguard (some of the fittings on the van apparently were sourced from that type of vehicle). The pad lock latch is not original and was added at some point. 2. Leadlight windows: In 2007 the leadlight windows (at least the side ones) in your van had a bow in them, so will need attention. I would expect there are house window restorers with experience with leadlight windows around that can do the work. It will be bonus for them that you can take the windows to them for attention (apart from the rear window!). You will need to ensure that the windows are properly sealed around the edges (but avoid silicone, or too much of it). We had to have our rear window fixed quite a few years ago after Son No 3 put a soccer ball through it. It wasn't properly sealed in the frame and it took us years to find where it was leaking. Surf Tragic had his leadlight windows rebuilt, but he has a very clever daughter who was able to do the leadlighting, which indicates that it is possible to do it yourself if you know what you're doing (she did). There might be leadlight classes at a TAFE or similar where you could learn to do it? 3. Latches: The latches and hinges for the cupboards can be refurbished and rechromed. Have a look at what Adamcharch accomplished with the latches and hinges on his Don 140 here. As you will see from that thread, Adamcharch is a master restorer who achieves more than what many of us can, but it shows what can be done. 4. Jacks: They are original and are very well built, and shouldn't need to be upgraded. You should be able to refurbish them and get them working well. Occasionally Don jacks get bent and need to be replaced. Someone on the forum may have one or two they could pass on to you if you need them. 5. Drawbar: Yep, the drawbar on Don's are short, which means that you need to be a bit careful when turning sharp corners! However, the drawbars are also well built and strong, so you shouldn't need to replace it unless it's badly rusted (i.e. holes through the bar, not just surface rust). From memory, when I last saw your van, the drawbar was in reasonable condition. The original Don 'captive ball' coupling on the van has been replaced by a more modern coupling. You shouldn't need to replace that. The jockey wheel has also been replaced. It looked a bit sad when I saw it in 2007, so you may need to find a replacement, but post some photos of it and we can give you some advice.6. Tail gate: Do you just mean the back of the van? That doesn't need to be changed. You don't have to meet current standards. If your van was built before 1990, it only needs to meet the standards applying when it was built, and that is quite legal, providing that the van is basically original (which yours is). At the same time you have to be safe, so you may want to make sure that the van has a tail/brake light on both sides at the rear for example (it originally only had one on the right side on the number plate board, and it is legal to keep it that way but maybe not safe). 7. Op shop smell: The van smelled a bit damp in 2007 because of condensation, but I think it's been kept under cover since then. So it may be that the smell you refer to is just the smell of the bondwood the van is clad with. Don caravans have a distinctive woody fragrance, a bit like the smell of cedar, and that is part of their charm (or it is for those of us that grew up with it ). However, maybe its a musty smell from being shut up. Airing it with windows and roof hatch open may fix it over time, but there may be some supermarket potion you can use. I'll leave other people to suggest what might be useful. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 30, 2018 23:01:55 GMT 10
Hi KCK, I've just sent you a PM (Personal Message) with a link to photos I took of your van in November 2007. If you're not familiar with forum PM's, click on 'Messages' on the menu at the top of the forum window and it will take you to your messages. Having looked at the photos again, some of what I wrote in a post earlier today was incorrect, so I've amended it. You may want to read it again. (Hope that's not too confusing! The bits I've amended are in italics.) Don Ricardo
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 31, 2018 7:01:05 GMT 10
Really great information. Thank you Don.
I'm a little disheartened today. The whole bottom edge around the caravan is rotten under the beading. Plywood needs to be cut out and replaced. Up until now, I've been up to the task. This is way past my skill level. Do I need to go as far as the first cross beam? What tool?? Is there a wooden frame on the outer edge between floor boards and plywood, or is it the floor boards? That edge is turning to dust! :-(
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Post by grandad on Aug 31, 2018 9:09:53 GMT 10
kck, can you take some pictures of the wood working that needs doing please. Maybe we can advise once we see it. Remember, it's only daunting because you've never done it before. Once you're taught how to proceed it becomes less daunting and once you've done it you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Jim
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kck
New Member
Posts: 48
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Post by kck on Aug 31, 2018 9:39:13 GMT 10
Hey Jim,
Thank you for pumping up my tyres!
I have photos...tricky posting them.
kck
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 31, 2018 11:14:19 GMT 10
I have photos...tricky posting them. Hi KCK, as I think Grandad was implying, there's almost nothing on a vintage van that can't be fixed with enough time and a bit of advice (and some resources!). There are instructions on how to post photos in the 'Forum Guidelines & Helpful Hints' section of the forum. It does take a bit of nutting out, but what Grandad said in relation to your van also applies to posting photos: "Once you're taught how to proceed it becomes less daunting and once you've done it you'll wonder what all the fuss was about." But if it all looks a bit complicated - and you're just dying to get back out to the van instead of sitting at the computer all the time - you're welcome to email the photos to me and I'll post them for you. I'll text you my email address. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 31, 2018 14:45:37 GMT 10
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Post by Koala on Aug 31, 2018 18:20:11 GMT 10
Can anybody remember who that was? It may help KCK to see one of her options. That was likely me working on our Wayfarer. It is not particularly hard to do with a bit of patience and a good router. Koala
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Post by grandad on Sept 1, 2018 8:54:30 GMT 10
Koala, was the router to cut curved pieces? They can be a bit daunting for a newbie maybe. Usually there's not much a cheap Ozito jigsaw can't do in the same situation. We need photos of what's under the skin for sure. I can't help with that. My Franklin didn't have a frame so no photos here. I'm still not anticipating anything a newbie couldn't successfully tackle with a bit of instruction.. Jim
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