New Sunliner member

[dorian]

Finally, here is my Sunliner! As I’ve mentioned to a couple of kindly members last night, I was given the van after a wealthy guy was getting rid of “junk” in his 94 yr old father’s backyard who is now in a home. It seems in remarkably good condition as it’s been garaged all its life. Have ordered chequerboard lino for floor and am thinking Venetians?? What say you all? Curtians? Venetians? Used singlets?

I write travel features for Aust Traveller Mag, The Age and SMH so I thought it might be fun to write pieces on how families used to spend their holidays in the 1950s. Why shouldn’t my kids suffer?

I think it’s 1963 Sunliner according to the hieroglyphics on the tow assembly – thanks to info via this forum. I am looking forward to any feedback and ideas and esp. meeting some other fellow sunliners tomorrow at Lake Mumorah on the Central Coast – where I live!

Very best wishes to you all fellow vintage van members – have been following you all for some months,

Dorian
PS If none of the pics show on the web I’ve goofed Jim’s instructions.

[dorian]

PS The kitchen cushions are reversible by the way - blue like the bed/settee. A couple of buttons missing - that's all.
dorian

[dorian]

PSS the original 50s/60s caravan crockery came with the van.

[humpty2]

My guess 63/64 model......it is exactly the same interior as my sunliner and the "columbine" colours on the interior too. Love it!
Looks great Dorian, great find.

[dorian]

Cheers mate! Yes, I've seen your Sunliner on line and I think it's the closest to mine fer sure. You've done a great job with the restoration on your van.
d

[lulu]

Ohhh what a beautiful Sunny
Looks practically brand new.... could be a Museum piece!!
Well Done & Congrats

Lulu

[dorian]

hey thanks Lulu! Thanks so much for saying so. Yes, it does seem to be like new. Spooky. One man's trash...

[Jennison]

LUV those old radios , bigtime. the white one matches the van too, Jennison

[dorian]

thanks - yeah the white one is a cracker. not original I'm afraid but great FM reception!

[fibrelass]

Congratulations on your find!! An inspiration for me to get on with my restoration!
Cheers and welcome!

[exocet]

BARGAIN!! Well done, love those sorta stories, instead of people rippin' people off or someone letting a VV go to rot rather than sell it to somebody who would appreciate it! Sorta' restore's ya faith a bit dunn it !! There is the prettiest bondwood van in stheast Tas that i have EVER seen, anywhere, porthole, absolutely classic lines, but is in a paddock belonging to very eccentric loner that will not sell ANYTHING to anyone, i have been watching it for years slowly deteriate,eventually it will just fall apart and just be an incredible waste. Anyway well done Dorian, a great story!


Cheers Exocet

[dorian]

cheers fiberglass! Yes, I said to my wife this find will make some hardworking restorers weep. I've see yours on line - very similar methinks.

[dorian]

Hi Exocet,

Frustrating about the van in the paddock. There is a similar story like that in Umina near me. It too will rot for no reason methinks.

[tonyh]

Congratulations on getting such a great rare example in an unrestored condition ;D I'm soooo jealous Welcome to the forum - you have picked the best to start off with -FIBREGLASS ;D ;D ;D

[dorian]

thanks tony, saddest thing was the bloke spent many a childhood holiday in it yet attached no sentimental value to it. Missed the message of life mewonders. His bad luck, my good fortune

[dorian]

oh, here are pics of the stove and fridge - both in perfect working order - came with original annex too - like new. (sorry)

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dorian,

Love the van. It is fantastic both inside and out. Welcome to the V V fraternity...nearly said club (wash my mouth out with soap).

Don Ricardo

[atouchofglass]

YYYEEEE AAAAAHHHHHH
What a ripper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dorian
We all get excited for you because it is such a rare find and such a beautiful example of the Sunliners

I've got a name for the van
"Scotsman's Kilt"
Why?

Because of the old joke

Question:
What's worn under a Scotsman's Kilt?

Reply in a Scottish accent
Nothing it's all in perfect working orderrrrrrrr

Just like the Sunliner ;D ;D


[glow=limegreen,2,300]Not that there is a hint of envy in any of the VVers on this forum[/glow]

Great find and happy holidaying

Atog

[cobber]

Congratulations Dorian& welcome to the forum and the obsession .

It is rare to acquire a Vintage 'van in such good original condition ... particularly at that price.

If I fall off the perch suddenly interested people should high tail it to my place because I don't think my kids have much sentimental attachment to my 'vans either, thing is they're not wealthy.. so they might see some monetary value in Ol' 36 .

That tow coupling is one that attracts a few adverse comments.... you might have to do something about that, but otherwise she looks great.

Cobber.

[dorian]

Dear Don, Atog, Cobber,
Thanks SO much for the feedback fellas! (Love the Scottish metaphor!) I think once I clean up the van (haven't even done that as yet) and put the new lino in I'm almost set. What do you reckon, curtains, venetians or both? And how best to tackle the rust? I see many of you have fabulous old tow cars so that is another goal. I believe glass avns are quite light to tow - is that right? What is the standard weight of today's van compared to the sunliner? Anyone know? The original brochure has a VW towing it but surely that's taking the &*%$.
Dorian
PS Have a squiz at my travel feature in today's (Saturday's) Melb Age/Sydney Morning Herald - might get a laugh..

[dorian]

Great to finally meet you all yesterday. thanks for showing me all the sunilners! Olympics were fascinating too. you were all such nice folk. If all vintage van members are a nice as you guys I'm n good company. Do keep me in touch about the possible sunliner gathering in November. And thanks again for all your hospitality yesterday!
dorian and lydia

[humpty2]

Hi Dorian & Lydia,
Yep, all the vv forum member are just as nice as I am, and all will be pleased to show you their vans and ideas.
It was great to have met you, and look forward to seeing you again.
Remember: If it's not glass it's NOT class! ;D ;D ;D
Peter & Denise (HUMPTY)

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dorian,

Enjoyed the article in the Age/SMH - a great read. Could only have been improved by telling us that you and your mate stayed overnight in his Airstream...which, given that he lives in New York City, I assume he would have to keep in his wardrobe! ;D ;D ;D

Reading the article made me realise that I am familiar with your name in a different context - as author of "Mozart's Maulers". A very funny book. We've given a copy to a few friends, and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in both music and sport (particularly football of any code).

(Hope you don't mind me blowing your cover. Maybe you'll get a few more sales from all those V V'ers looking for something good to read while they're on tour. )

Don Ricardo

[dorian]

Ahhh, cover blown! Thanks for kind words about my book mate! Small world, eh? Thanks for recommending it to people. Penguin don't do much advertising. What sort of van do you have?

[dorian]

cheers Pete! Wish I'd seen that blue lino before ordering mine.