Post by old374 on Aug 9, 2009 22:58:41 GMT 10
Well a few years ago I helped my brother build a teardrop and in the process I bought an old van which we felt was around the 1940's vintage.I did ask around at the time of purchase for an age of the van ( Rydeasy ) but no one had heard of them . We assumed it was a kit built at home originally .
It needed work but I didnt think it was as bad as it was . The idea was to repair what it needed a, a coat of paint and off we go ...... No need to tell you this wasn't the case
Dismantling begins with very dire results. The chassis was stuffed and at the end of the day I ended up with the windows, lights, switches, cupboard doors , icebox, portholes and the sides were kept as a template for the now full rebuild. We decided to start from scratch keeping the spirit of the old van but with some new school touches
the new chassis
The new sides, 2 x 1500mm x 3000mm sheets of 12mm hardwood ply biscuit joined together and cut using the original sides as a template. The van was widened 100mm to 1800mm but other dimensions remained the same
starting to come together !!!!!
The interior was based looselyon the old one with new overhead cupboards and a rear cupboard which I stole from the design of a new TAB caravan . The bench top and table were made from a slab of camphor laurel and a round sink fitted . The tap was sourced off ebay in the states. Everything was made from scratch with the designs coming together as it happened. I had a vision in my head and worked towards it.
Unfortunately I neglected to take many more photo's as we had to move in a hurry late last year. I had 2 weeks to pretty much finish the van and get it out of the shed. . All of the interior was fitted , we ran the wiring and hung the tank. the roof was fitted using 3mm bracing ply and the interior roof was lined with a decorative ply. I opted for a woody style exterior and the interior colours were chosen by the wife. Out side copped 4 coats of marine estapol , the silky oak windows were restored and smoke coloured perspex fitted. I had a burgundy vinyl roof fitted with a 5 mm foam underlay. It was finished with truline ally trim. Taillights come from a XK Falcon and centrelight froma FJ Holden. It has 14" Valiant sports rims with MOON caps and Whitewalls. It has a XJ Jag fuel cap as the water filler neck
Interior is a booth style where the table folds down to make the bed. I made the table so it drops through the floor , The whole van is 12volt with a deep cycle AGM battery and it has a roof hatch with fan , front rear and centre lights, 13 LCD and DVD / Cd Player with 4 speakers . The original icebox was refitted with insulation , all of the original cupboard doors and lights were reused. At the moment all we are waiting on is the seat cushions to come back from the trimmer and it will make its maiden voyage for our car clubs AGM at the end of August. I will update when the cusions are back
The tow car ( for short trips !!)
The finished teardrop
Thanks for looking and will update with finished pics
Cheers
Shaun
It needed work but I didnt think it was as bad as it was . The idea was to repair what it needed a, a coat of paint and off we go ...... No need to tell you this wasn't the case
Dismantling begins with very dire results. The chassis was stuffed and at the end of the day I ended up with the windows, lights, switches, cupboard doors , icebox, portholes and the sides were kept as a template for the now full rebuild. We decided to start from scratch keeping the spirit of the old van but with some new school touches
the new chassis
The new sides, 2 x 1500mm x 3000mm sheets of 12mm hardwood ply biscuit joined together and cut using the original sides as a template. The van was widened 100mm to 1800mm but other dimensions remained the same
starting to come together !!!!!
The interior was based looselyon the old one with new overhead cupboards and a rear cupboard which I stole from the design of a new TAB caravan . The bench top and table were made from a slab of camphor laurel and a round sink fitted . The tap was sourced off ebay in the states. Everything was made from scratch with the designs coming together as it happened. I had a vision in my head and worked towards it.
Unfortunately I neglected to take many more photo's as we had to move in a hurry late last year. I had 2 weeks to pretty much finish the van and get it out of the shed. . All of the interior was fitted , we ran the wiring and hung the tank. the roof was fitted using 3mm bracing ply and the interior roof was lined with a decorative ply. I opted for a woody style exterior and the interior colours were chosen by the wife. Out side copped 4 coats of marine estapol , the silky oak windows were restored and smoke coloured perspex fitted. I had a burgundy vinyl roof fitted with a 5 mm foam underlay. It was finished with truline ally trim. Taillights come from a XK Falcon and centrelight froma FJ Holden. It has 14" Valiant sports rims with MOON caps and Whitewalls. It has a XJ Jag fuel cap as the water filler neck
Interior is a booth style where the table folds down to make the bed. I made the table so it drops through the floor , The whole van is 12volt with a deep cycle AGM battery and it has a roof hatch with fan , front rear and centre lights, 13 LCD and DVD / Cd Player with 4 speakers . The original icebox was refitted with insulation , all of the original cupboard doors and lights were reused. At the moment all we are waiting on is the seat cushions to come back from the trimmer and it will make its maiden voyage for our car clubs AGM at the end of August. I will update when the cusions are back
The tow car ( for short trips !!)
The finished teardrop
Thanks for looking and will update with finished pics
Cheers
Shaun