My Sandrover

[elpea]

My sandrover van estimated to be 1968. If any one can help confirm date I would be grateful. It has an ice chest, which I reckon must be one of the last vans to have one of these great devices installed. Only have pictures of the outside taken before clean up. The van is in reasonable condition and at this stage I’m only repairing and cleaning in order to get the old girl mobile and safe for the road. So far I have replaced some of the internal laminex with light coloured ply and painted in such a way to match the original laminax the best I could. There was only light damage due to van leaking. I have sealed the aluminum stripping on edge of van with Gutter silicone. I don’t know it this is the correct way to do this, but that is what was recommended to me by a local caravan repair company. ( before I found this site and could ask some real experts). Had to find 2 - 10 inch mini wheels, which took quite a long time to source (very hard to find). So it’s well on the way. I have done quite a lot of work on the van since these pictures where taken. Should have the van on the road in about 4 weeks ( all going well) Will post some pictures of the inside in the not to distant future.






Anyone with a good decal of the sandrover logo could you please send me a photo. I have made my own version up of the flying eagle which is OK but I would love to get a good look at the original version.




Elpea!

[elpea]

Inside van after clean up.





And the Ice Chest

[Franklin1]

Hi elpea,
I think the year of 1968 is probably not too far off the mark for your van (although I don't have any proof). The white aluminium cladding suggests it is from the mid-to-late 1960s, and the ice-chest looks to be a carryover for that brand from the earlier days.

We don't have a great deal of information about Sandrovers in our History section (as you've probably seen), so it's hard to give you more exact information.

I've taken the logo from one of the vans in the History section and magnified it using my computer, and then taken the logo off your photos and done the same. You'll notice there's some subtle differences between the two logos, suggesting a change was made at some stage (sorry the first one is so blurry but that's the best I could do)...



In the top logo which is from the early 1960s, the first R is reversed, whereas in yours it is the right way round. Also the eagle(?) wings appear to be a different shape.

So at the moment you are the only one we know of that has a Sandrover van from the latter part of the 1960s. Seems like you'll have to keep working on your own version of the logo.

It's quite a very tidy van you have, and should come up very spiffy when the clean-up is completed.

Sorry I can't help you more,
cheers,
Al.

[elpea]

Thanks Al for your efforts and comments very helpful. Here is my version of the Sandrover logo. I’m pretty happy with it, and have already had it printed up, so at this stage this is what I will go with.

[elpea]

Sandrover first trip out for 20 years. was just going to clean up the outside, but now thinking I might take the next step and repaint.

[Franklin1]

By gee, elpea, that HAS come up a treat!! A very nice looking van, almost like it's just off the showroom floor!

Congratulations on a great effort.

Dunno about repainting...looks in great condition to me as it is! ;D

cheers,
Al.

[elpea]

they say a picture paints a 1000 words, but in this case it only painted 250 good light the right angle and hey presto looks like new van. Unfortunately the powder coating on the van is fading in places from being neglected and left in our hot Aussie sun for all it's life about 40 years worth. but considering all that it has done pretty well.

[elpea]

Thanks to a very generous person on that famous auction site, the Key piece missing from my van. a good photo of the eagle decal.

[jaevan]

thank you for your reply .
My van is a ply van ,so no match.
Hope to see you some time .
Cheers
Jae

[retro64]

Hi elpea,

Were really happy for you that you got a copy of the original decal, kind of the person who supplied it. Your version of the decal looks really good too so if you decide to print an original perhaps your version could be framed or put in your caravan brag book .
Never heard of Mini wheels on a van, 10 inch must look really small glad you found some rims.

Do our eyes decieve us or is your van some sort of super deluxe double dinette model??With two tables??

Cheers retro64

[banno]

Gidday elpea, your van looks fantastic. I liked your Version of the eagle. But now you have a copy of the real one you can make it a little sweeter.

Banno

[seeshell]

Hi elpea

What a tidy lovely little van - 3 berth?

Very interesting about the 10" wheels. Do they make it behave differently on the road than say a van with 14" or 15" wheels?

And you did a lovely job with the logo - how nice though you managed to find an original.

Cheers
Seeshell

[jenniewren]

Lovely shape to your van elpea! I like it a lot....you have done a fabulous job....very satisfying isn't it?

[elpea]

Thanks for all the positive comments

Do our eyes decieve us or is your van some sort of super deluxe double dinette model??With two tables??

Cheers retro64

Yep table at both ends! one converts into a very small single bed & the other into a very small double bed. just as well the wife and I are in LOVE!

Seeshell :
I have never towed a van with 14 or 15 inch wheels, so the the 10 inch wheels present no problem too me! My tow vehicle is a landrover Discovery, so I hardly know the van is there!

I'm lucky enough to be in the Printing trade, So when time permits I will produce a decal closer to the original design.

[retro64]

hey elpea,

Lucky the two halves of retro64 are in love also because we havent found a vintage van with an original queensized bed yet!!!! They certainly made narrow beds and sometimes for quite short people. No arguments over who hogs the doona, theres nowhere to drag it!!! Oh well ... no complaints here, just elbows in the ribs ha ha... seriously though havent seen the two ended table design before, very interesting.


cheers retro64

[jon]

Sept 8, 2008 21:16:59 GMT 10 elpea said:

Thanks Al for your efforts and comments very helpful. Here is my version of the Sandrover logo. I’m pretty happy with it, and have already had it printed up, so at this stage this is what I will go with.

[jon]

Hi elpea!!
I'm currently restoring a 1968 Sandrover, was lucky to find a stamp 2 Sept. 1968 after having removed the Alu. cladding. I,ve nearly completed the task and was wondering if I could purchase the Sandrover logo from you, please let me know ASAP, if you like I'll gladly send you photo's of my project.
Regards.
Jon
[e-mail]

[elpea]

just to let you all know I have now sold this caravan. it is heading off to Queensland

[oversize]

Hi all, just letting you know I bought the Sandrover from elpea and look forward to continuing her story on this forum. I have given her a name, Sandy, and I am restoring two Austins to tow her (one at the time). Pics when I get her home. Cheers.