Please help identify a van I want to buy

[sprondonticle]

Hello there

I am new to the world of vans, and would love some advice. I can't find the brand of this van and am worried it might be one that was considered a bit of a lemon.

The ad says it is from 1978, but there are no further details.

It looks like it might be a Glenlee from Traralgon, but I haven't examined it yet because it is such a long drive (am heading off this afternoon).

It is listed on facebook marketplace today 9/01/21.

Thank you in advance.

Miriam

[hughdeany]

Hi Sprondonticle,
That van is an Avondale Explorer,their cheap and cheerful family van,they stopped building in 1979 so the age is probably right.Many folk think they are Franklins or Hilandale who had the same basic shape,but to the trained eye they are nothing alike.
Wooden framed and a nice van for their time,just check every nook and cranny for water stains or wood rot,remember if you can see a water stain on the inside the damage will be much more where you cant see it.
Hope this helps
Cheers
hughdeany

[jdazzle]

Hi all, I am going to tack on to this thread, there was a much commented on coronet twelve-six caravan for sale today on facebook, I am contemplatiing going to look at it (see photo). The seller is not sure how big it is and how much it might weigh. Would I be silly to think it is 12.5 feet? It looks like bondwood sides and aluminium front/back. Any other advice, oracles?

[hughdeany]

Hi jdazzle,
Yes,the van is about 12.6,would weigh about 800-900 kg empty.( my 14 ft bondwood is 960 kg)
From the look it will need work from the tyres up for restoration,including tyres,bearings,possibly wheels,brakes,repaint.
If you look closely you will see marks inside and outside that will need re painting or if you don’t want to do that then it will have a “ patina”
It’s worth saving to original,too good to “ glamp” or turn into a coffee van.
Hope this helps
Cheers
hughdeany

[jdazzle]

thanks so much hughdeany, agree tyres, brakes, bearings, latter two need checking at very least.

It is missing a stone shield (annoying), has had a ding in the front top, and looks like water damage near wheel arch…but yes, i need to check it all out to assess. Hard to see what rear tail lights look like and whether they operational. Im talking to fellow soon. 

I would never turn into coffee van or glamp, im rolling my eyes at the thought! Im a bolted on keep them totally original! Like 2000%! I am a loud lamenter on facebook at all the spolied vans….That is why I love this group, sensible, deep respect for the past. 

I am contemplating hiring a car trailer that weighs 700kg, with my car towing a max of 1600 kg, do you think that sounds like it might be stretching it to bring it home?

Thanks again. 

Jacqui

Feb 17, 2022 7:32:04 GMT 10 hughdeany said:

Hi jdazzle,
Yes,the van is about 12.6,would weigh about 800-900 kg empty.( my 14 ft bondwood is 960 kg)
From the look it will need work from the tyres up for restoration,including tyres,bearings,possibly wheels,brakes,repaint.
If you look closely you will see marks inside and outside that will need re painting or if you don’t want to do that then it will have a “ patina”
It’s worth saving to original,too good to “ glamp” or turn into a coffee van.
Hope this helps
Cheers
hughdeany

[hughdeany]

Hi again jdazzle,
Positively do not tow that van on a car trailer,pay someone to truck it,much safer for all concerned!They never had stonesheilds back then,they were optional,very glad you want to keep original.😉
Cheers
hughdeany

[jdazzle]

Just as an update, I bought it 🪐 and am getting it trailered back by a ripper person who is on this forum somewhere! 😄😄. Thanks for for all your help and advice!


Hi there again hughdeany

Ok, re car trailer, last time i used a truck my caravan got damaged, i was thinking better i do it this time?  If not stretching the thread, got any sugggestions Melb to Canberra for truck transport?

Actually just to add to this, surely if hired a 4wd and used a car trailer that would work? Then i can go slow and steady?

Re stone shields, i didnt know that. My 50s one has one so I thought all did. Handmade though.

Thanks so much again!

Jacqui 

Feb 17, 2022 10:22:29 GMT 10 hughdeany said:

Hi again jdazzle,
Positively do not tow that van on a car trailer,pay someone to truck it,much safer for all concerned!They never had stonesheilds back then,they were optional,very glad you want to keep original.😉
Cheers
hughdeany