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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 22, 2009 11:43:39 GMT 10
Hi all Well, last Monday I went to the lovely town of Childers - (you will remember it from the backpacker hotel fire some years ago) and met up with Timmybunn, a member on this site. He had this old caravan that needed to come out of his shed. So after meeting this amiable gent, he jumped into the Xtrail with me and told me to drive through yonder canefield. "Wot?", I asked, "isn't the van in that shed over there?" I said, pointing to a shed beside this house. "Nah" Timmy replied, "It's in the back paddock shed", So off we trundle across field and furrow to this "other" shed, about an acre large! First thing I see is this HUGE army truck! "where's the van?" I ask, thinking I'm being dudded here. "Behind the truck", Timmy replied. "All I can see is another truck" I says, staring at a 1930 Ford truck with canvas roof. "It's behind the Ford" Timmy assures me! So out of the car we go and squeeze past said Army truck, and Ford (same badge on it as today's Ford) and lo and behold there sits Side of Van - you like the awnings over each window? Neat signage! Front of van Well everything is as dark as Hades, and even more so inside the van. Step into the door and I can't see a thing, and, of course hadn't brought a torch (remember that all you searchers, take a torch with you whenever you go to look at a van in a shed!!) "Can't see a thing here Timmy" I says. So how can I see what's inside the van??? It's about then I hear the rustling in the overhead cupboard!!!!! "I think there's something slithering in that cupboard, young Timmy" I says. "Don't worry, if it's a snake it will only be a python" reassures Timmy BEHIND me. Yeah, right, but it's not dead, I think to myself!! So the only way I can see what's inside this van is to aim and shoot the camera indiscriminately with the flash on my camera going. Here's what came out that's worth posting here Kitchen area: Another of same area Looking towards the front - single bed and wardrobe And all you Don owners, eat your heart out - them's leadlight glass windows. Sadly half are vandalised Can't pick the van up for another few weeks, as Timmy has to get the truck in front of it moved out first. Then I will be able to take a good look underneath it and hopefully restore this van to it's obvious former glory. A great experience Tim! Look forward to your phone call. Will be sweeping the shed floor for this new addition. I didn't bring my tape measure, so can't really tell you the size, but I'm pretty sure it's NOT the 15'9" model on the reference pages. Looks more like it could be 13' - but who cares. I just hope it can be saved! A very unusual layout -single beds front and back, dinette in the middle across the axle, with seats against each side wall. The table converts the dinette to a double bed. Kitchen area is in the rear. I said to one fellow member yesterday, it's an ideal married couple van. A great mood barometer is in the bed-making. If the missus makes up the double bed, you might get lucky, if she makes up the singles, forget it ;D ;D ;D Ray
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Post by dosse on Apr 22, 2009 18:56:31 GMT 10
G'day Ray. I like it....will look better when all cleaned out. dosse.
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neilncheryl
Full Member
Make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
Posts: 324
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Post by neilncheryl on Apr 22, 2009 20:24:07 GMT 10
Hi Ray Definitely worth saving. What a great find. Reckon it is longer than 13 feet - 2 doors on LHS. Don't think a 13 footer would have enough room to put two doors on LHS. Hope all goes well with the retrieval Neil
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 12, 2010 15:01:22 GMT 10
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freeway
Full Member
Make way for the Austin Freeway!
Posts: 191
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Post by freeway on Jan 12, 2010 15:14:15 GMT 10
Good luck with with the pick up Ray, looks like a very cool van you've found!
Andrew
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Post by cobber on Jan 12, 2010 15:42:40 GMT 10
G'day Ray, Crikey mate I don't remember seeing this thread before..... and before you mention it age has nothing to do with it Looks like a very nice project for you.... might have to do a bit more research on Trail-A-Home because with lead light windows she looks earlier than a 1950s caravan. See if you can find any old newspapers somewhere Cobber.
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Post by dosse on Jan 12, 2010 16:45:29 GMT 10
G'day Ray I have not forgotten about this van.....This is a rare van Ray, I can understand you not being able to sleep. G'day Cobber Is this not the 1951 Jubilee Super De Luxe 15'8 4 berth in the post you put up. Regards dosse.
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Post by cobber on Jan 12, 2010 17:16:37 GMT 10
G'day Dosse, Could be aye ? but the add. doesn't mention "lead light windows" and you would reckon that would be worth skiting about. I'm thinking this could be something like a 1948 model.. although I don't know if they were around then. Ray will get a bit of newspaper from earlee that will settle the issue . Cobber.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 12, 2010 21:00:57 GMT 10
Hey cobber My Keith Winser 1951-52 book does have this van mentioned, but it sounds like a different layout to this van. But, no mention of the leadlight glass. Nor does it mention anything about leadlights in the copy of info boblor gave me at Canungra. Speaking of whom - you gotta hand it to Bob for keeness in all things vintagevanning. He came equipped with old reference books and even a photocopier to help out anybody like me and I believe he does that for every run he goes to. Thanks Bob!
Interestingly, had a phone message from the owner today, to confirm that the van is now accessible, but in moving it he shredded the tyres on it - understandable after all those years. The tyres are 6.00 x 16 - which coincidentally is the same size tyre of my Superb - and we know that the Superb is a 1947 model, so you could well be right that this van may even be older than 1951-2. Now I'm hoping that the hubs are the same, just to make life a little bit easier! Unfortunately the owner can't remember its age, as it would have been before his time anyway. Hopefully more will be revealed once I get her home.
Just hope that any rats &/or pythons have abandoned ship!!! ;D ;D
Ray
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Post by RollyDog on Jan 12, 2010 21:34:00 GMT 10
Ray Good luck with the van. This is the second Trail a Home in 12 months !. The 9 foot Bantam that Kel's Kombi got had been sitting in a shed for many years and I remember squeezing along the wall to get in BUT I did take a torch. Look at the way that turned out so you are on a good thing. Rollydog
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Post by kaybee on Jan 13, 2010 7:08:03 GMT 10
Hiya Ray,don't forget the camera will you.....and while you're snappin' away ,how 'bout a pic of the Military Ford?......hope it all goes smoothly for you ,regards, Col.
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Post by earlee on Jan 13, 2010 10:14:21 GMT 10
Hi EJ Ray. That is a wonderful and unique van - not many around with original leadlights. Looks about 15feet in length to me - ie more than 13 feet. As everyone says - keep the camera handy to share some photos. What year do you think it is? I may be able to help date it with a matching newspaper? earlee.
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Post by cobber on Jan 13, 2010 11:05:50 GMT 10
Hey Ray,
Earlee said --
What year would you like it to be ? I may be able to help date it with a matching newspaper? In the 1948 "The Caravan & Touring in Australia" magazine "Trail - A - Home Caravans" get a mention so they were around then (no photos, sorry)
So challenge earlee to come up with a '47 paper at least.
Cobber.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 19, 2010 20:38:59 GMT 10
Well folks, I am HAPPY ;D ;D ;D ;D to report that the Trail-a-home now has a new home Got her into the shed of misadventure late this afternoon (not an easy job I might add) Will work out pics in the next couple of days. But I was almost correct in my first thread - I said 13 ft, she measures in at 13'9", so is probably what they call the 14' model. This van has been in the same family all it's life, and according to Mr Bunn Sen, it was bought around 1953/4. Ray
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 20, 2010 14:49:55 GMT 10
Well here are some more pics of the van. But first a couple of pics of the offending trucks that caused the delay in getting the van out: First the WW2 Blitz. Going by the rust, she could well have seen service in the Pacific! Then there was the 1932 V8 Ford, complete with wooden bench seat and canvas roof Just to prove that I was there! Well I now have a lantern roof ..... of sorts!!! Note that it is at the rear of the van, whilst the 15'9" model has it at the front! All Boarded up and ready to roll Finally, goodbye Childers Haven't taken any more interior shots yet, but will do in the next couple of days. She has a fair amount of damage in the back section, which I could not see when she was in the shed, but nothing that can't be fixed/rebuilt. I think this van is worth restoring, as so far it's the only one of this model that's been found. Sadly the leadlight windows are pretty smashed, but there are two almost intact, from which to get a template. Just another challenge!! The roof also has a canvas covering over it!!! The wheel rims are actually 6.00 X 18, from a Vanguard. Anybody hiding some tyres this size??? Ray
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Post by kaybee on Jan 20, 2010 16:00:41 GMT 10
Hi Ray ,if they are Vanguard rims they'll be 16" and also are the same bolt pattern as 5 stud Chev from '49 on and HQ-WB Holden/Jag ......gives you a few modern options for tyres. .....and....it ain't a Blitz ;D, it's a Diamond T Wrecker.....it and the Ford are waaay cool..... ...... congrats on the successful recovery effort and thanks for the pics, Col.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2010 17:29:55 GMT 10
Good onya Ray. Great ta see another old van brought back into the present day sunlight. I am sure that...... given time ( and a lot of effort) you will have this old dalin' parading around S.E.Q at runs and gatherings. But lets not get too carried away. Just get her tucked away safely .. have a real good look around her. Take a hammer and saw in your hand and.... tread carefully. Great..... No.. .......excellent"" score old mate. The "lantern roof club" is VERY exclusive Congrats Reddo
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Post by bobandjacqui on Jan 20, 2010 19:52:39 GMT 10
G'day Ray, Good to see another old van being saved. Looks like a good project for you.Should keep you busy for awhile. Thanks for the photos keep them coming. Cheers Bob and Jacqui.
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Post by kingy on Jan 21, 2010 9:55:07 GMT 10
Great van Ray, like it a lot .......the big bonus with vans such as these is that their not common.....your not likely to see another on your travels.... it's unique, and i reckon thats good - Well saved Kingy
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 22, 2010 22:28:59 GMT 10
Hi Ray, Great to see that the Trail-a-Home has been rescued. From the pics it is well worth restoring. As you mentioned at some stage it is the first of its model and size to come to light, so I reckon that makes it a genuine treasure worth lavishing some love and attention on. Apart from anything else I just love the little sunshades over the windows which were a characteristic of the 50's (and maybe 40's?) Trail-a-Homes. It is great that you have a couple of examples of those to work off, even if they are a bit worse for wear. Regarding your comment: Well I now have a lantern roof ..... of sorts!!! Note that it is at the rear of the van, whilst the 15'9" model has it at the front! Ahem... ...I don't want to start WW3 or let the air out of your tyres... ...but what is the definition of a lantern roof? My understanding is that it is a raised section of roof which incorporates small opening windows along the vertical sides for ventilation purposes, as an alternative to a roof hatch. Looking at your van, the raised section of roof in your van doesn't have any vents but seems instead to be an example of a styling feature on some vans in the early 50's. Another example is shown in this photo of an early 50's Flynn caravan belonging to Keith Winser: My question/comment doesn't take away from the value of your van of course - the fact that it incorporates this styling element actually makes it an even more interesting and special van in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of its restoration. Don Ricardo
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Post by littleblackbird on Jan 23, 2010 9:22:42 GMT 10
Wow, what a van. It really is something. I cant wait to see more pics when u have light.... littleblackbird.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 23, 2010 17:25:30 GMT 10
Don - that's why I added the rider "of sorts" ;D ;D ;D. I agree it's not a true lantern roof ala earlee and john (?) from vic. But it does make the interior effect quite interesting. Am even tempted to add some fixed glass into a section - just cos I can!!
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 23, 2010 19:29:01 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 23, 2010 19:35:46 GMT 10
Now that I've seen some more pics, Ray, I'm even more impressed. It was once a really nice van, and will become one again in your hands, I'm sure.
What is the object set into the overheard cupboard in the dinette/galley area? It looks like a dial or guage of some sort...
Don Ricardo
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 23, 2010 19:45:21 GMT 10
Thanks Don. That insert in the top cupboard is a clock. The LH base sink cupboard is the icebox. Opposite the sink is a drawer cupboard with an opening at the top for a single burner stove. The owner thinks they still have the stove somewhere, so hopefully eventually they may find it. Apparently it's still in its original box and safely tucked away - - somewhere
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