|
Post by curtis on Aug 21, 2010 12:00:23 GMT 10
Well we have been out to vote as the "gumminent" makes us do so now it is time for some serious V'Van stuff. As promised here are some update photos of Curtis. New brake master cylinder, and the tow coupling re attached. 90 litre water tank now installed. The original was only about 58 litres but there was some space - width wise for a larger one so why not?? You don't have to fill it full. (Did need some new hanging straps as modern tanks all seem to be a bit deeper than the old gal version.) The original stove cleaned up very nicely and works a treat so it went back in. The sink is the original but a new pump has been added - the old one was corroded together so badly it would not come apart - even with the stilsons.... Some added luxuries - a 12 volts TV/DVD and a radio/CD player In with the Lino and even a floor mat.... More to follow.......
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 21, 2010 12:07:03 GMT 10
So I mentioned earlier that I had borrowed an industrial sewing machine and was going to have a crack at the cushions...... Here is the machine - this would fairdinkum sew plywood together... I have decided to just keep my fingers clear of this thing rather than learning the hard way as i usually do. OK so some pictures of the partially completed cushions - yet to have the fabric back fitted and some wadding around the foam to make them snug in the covers. And now for the big news - This morning we have been off to the public weigh bridge so first trip on the road (with a permit) since we came home. All went well and Curtis weighed in at 860kg. We put our Vintage Caravans pennant in the back window for the trip!! We are booked for our rego inspection at VicRoads next Friday. Wish us luck. REgards Dave and Sue.
|
|
rex
New Member
Posts: 39
|
Post by rex on Aug 21, 2010 17:17:58 GMT 10
Good Luck ! You are doing splendidly - I have spent 'some time ' wrestling our lil beast , to fix the hatch .....sikaflex is evil stuff ! So i was keen to see how your innards went in . We are planning to go "somewhere" in a couple of weeks as it makes me sad to look at the van and not go anywhere in it .
But you've certainly done well ( watch out for fingers , claret and blue will clash ! )
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Aug 21, 2010 22:08:52 GMT 10
G'day Dave and Sue, You both should take a loooong, low bow! You've done some amazing work there over recent months! ;D ;D It's gotta be the freshest looking Franklin I've seen in a long time! Great stuff. Like you, I also wrestled with a jumbo dressmaker's Singer sewing machine during my restoration. Unlike you, I only replaced the fabric inserts on one side of the seats. I didn't go the whole hog and do the lot like you guys have done, including making your own piping edges. Amazing!! And do I see in one of your photos that you've put zippers in the covers as well?? Crikey!...that's really "top shelf" restoration stuff! ;D ;D I'm very, very impressed with what you've done to the van. The upcoming holiday will be a great reward for all the hours you've put into it. Enjoy!! cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Aug 22, 2010 6:48:51 GMT 10
Hey Dave Veeery nice and also period renovation Curtis should serve you very well for the next 40 years ..... or more Can smell the new paint and ply from here ;D ;D ;D ;D You must be pleased with the progress and finish you've achieved. Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 22, 2010 20:09:19 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for all your encouragement. It has been really wonderful to have the support and encouragement of the members of this website. It really has spurred us on to keep going. The advice has also been much appreciated.
I must also say that I am extremely proud of Dave's tireless efforts and we are really looking forward to going away in it together in a few weeks.
Only a few more things to do: Dave has to complete all the cushion covers for the seats and I have to make the curtains!
Thanks Again Sue
|
|
|
Post by nugget on Aug 23, 2010 0:12:21 GMT 10
G'day Dave & Sue, Congrats on a great job. ;D ;D ;D ;D You have provided me with heaps of inspiration ;D I have a Franklin Mini in need of some tlc and a good home if you now need a new project . ;D Well done good luck with rego. Nugget ;D
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 24, 2010 20:30:13 GMT 10
Thanks for the offer ;D but I think we have far too many projects on our list to deal with! We also have a lack of space around here now that we have Curtis and the cars - ( projects that Dave is looking forward to doing once we have finished Curtis. ) Restoring is never a cheap option - but it is quite satisfying looking at what you can achieve with a lot of elbow grease and sheer determination. I hope that we will now be able to use it as much as we envisaged - would be a shame to do all that work and find we don't have enough time to use it because we have too many UFO - unfinished objects! thanks Sue
|
|
|
Post by nugget on Aug 25, 2010 0:16:42 GMT 10
UFO's hmmm ;D . I hope you enjoy your van. Makes me wonder is it the journey or the destination we enjoy more Have fun Nugget ;D
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 27, 2010 11:00:16 GMT 10
Today my Mum and Dad took me to see the nice Vic Roads man. I was really nervous, it is a long time since I had a check up. He gave me a bit of a look over, measured me and checked my weight which was a bit personal I reckon. Then he gave me a new numberplate and a sticker for my window. ;D ;D ;D Yippee I am registered and my Mum and Dad are very happy. ;D ;D ;D Holidays here we come!! From Curtis Photos to follow.... Thanks to all those who assisted with my restoration with parts, advice and encouragement.
|
|
|
Post by philouise on Aug 27, 2010 12:48:14 GMT 10
Congratulations Dave and Sue on an excellent restoration.
Now - just a couple of holidays - don't take too long getting to the cars - excellent work there too.
Cheers. Phil and Louise
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 28, 2010 7:35:09 GMT 10
OK as promised here are the photos of my happy day. This is me just leaving home - a close fit under the carport!! We are using the modern tow car for now, until the old car is complete - that might take a while...... This is me after my check up - Mum is holding me new sticker and number plate - so excited!! ;D ;D There was a crazy learner driver in the car park making us all very nervous. This is Mum putting the sticker on my window. Just a few things to finish off now on the upholstery, and a couple of tidy up jobs inside and I am ready to go. From Curtis.
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Aug 28, 2010 18:13:43 GMT 10
Now curtis listen to your uncle humpyboy, mum & dad have done you proud now it's your turn, make sure you keep them warm and dry okay, you look after them and they will look after you.
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 29, 2010 22:26:34 GMT 10
Well I think today we have reached technical completion. Spent the week end finishing off the upholstery, and some other small details around the van, Here are some inside photos.. About a year back I went to night school for a term to learn the basics of vintage car upholstery, glad I did. Not sure what the going rate for a set of caravan cushions would be..... The entire back area converts into a queen size bed - unfortunately I can not get the camera to connect to the computer so the photo of it converted will have to follow. Here is the dining area. Regards Dave and Sue.
|
|
|
Post by firefighter on Aug 30, 2010 8:13:31 GMT 10
G,Day Dave & Sue Curtis is looking great ...you both have done a good job to bring curtis back to like new Enjoy your 1st trip out in curtis .......don't forget plenty of photos I am sure curtis will also enjoy his holiday at Maryborough See you have your Vintagecaravan pennant in the window f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
elpea
Junior Member
sandrover
Posts: 87
|
Post by elpea on Aug 30, 2010 19:06:02 GMT 10
great effort! love the lounge set up at the Rear, great for those rainy days!
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Aug 30, 2010 21:21:07 GMT 10
Thanks for all the positive feedback guys - that's what is so good about this forum.... I have now resolved the issues with the camera/pc/user and so here are the photos of the bed configuration. This is the dinette turned into a single bed. And here is the queen size bed at the back - converted from the lounge during the day. Just turn over the cushions and fit the additional panels. There are some cross supports and the 2 extra cushions fit inside the seats during the day. Takes less than 5 minutes to convert, and is designed to all lock together quite securely - wouldn't want it to fall apart when I am sleeping!! Incidentally - this last photo is taken with no flash. The light is coming from 2 12 volt LED globes inside the old light fittings. 36 LEDs per globe is about the same as the old 21 watt incandescent globe, but much whiter light. Uses next to no power. Gotta love the way new technology can work with our old vans. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Sept 24, 2010 20:30:48 GMT 10
Hello fellow Vintage Vans! Guess what.......I have been on a road trip. Yes, for the first time in......I don't know how long. (Actually I really don't know how long cause VIC ROADS have no idea who owned me previously....... But anyway, my Mum (Mrs C) and Dad (Mr C) took me away to Maryborough. What a lovely place to visit for my maiden voyage. We drove past lots of Canola fields - they must have had some rain out this way. We had a site right beside the lake (Lake Victoria). There was even some baby swan - Mrs C says they are call signets. Here is a photo of the Maryborough railway station. Very impressive - a real must see. Apparently it was supposed to be built in Maryborough Queensland, but some bright spark sent the materials to Maryborough Victoria - a much smaller town. Hence such a big station for the size of the town. I was a VERY good boy Uncle Humpyboy - promise. ;D ;D ;D Considering this was my first time out for a while, I reckon I did OK. We all had a great time and got home safely. Here are a couple of photos of me with my annex on. Considering it was not my original annex, (it was bought on e-bay from Perth sight unseen), it fits me perfectly!! Here is me with Mrs. and Mr. C. (they look very happy to be on holidays without the kids) - by the way, the kids were just as happy to be on youth group camp with out the parents. It did feel kinda strange - I had the newest number plates, but I reckon I was the oldest van by a long way. (Seems like my parents were the youngest by a long way too!!) Most other people were retired and spent their time prospecting for gold. I reckon they hadn't found much cause they was still there!! I did make friends with a youngster called Sterling - he told me he weighed 2.5 tonne - I told him he should lose some weight!! Some other people get around in one of these - whatever it is..... I did manage to meet a Rivera. He was from 1971 so I suggested that his owners join the Classic Van Forum. Dad cooked "FLAMIN' STEAK" one night. It had onions, mushrooms, cream and brandy (and a match) salt and pepper and some rosemary. Yummo!! You should try it - but OUTSIDE. My mum and dad were very happy with the way everything worked. The bed was comfortable and converted easily, the stove and fridge worked fine, and we were all nice and warm with the heater. Dad only had to fix my over ride hitch cause it was kinda jammed and I tried to push them through an intersection when the lights changed..... (OK so I did play up a bit uncle Humpyboy - but I never swayed, I just travelled along very smoothly) Was not ready to come home - can't wait till I get to go out again. There are just a few things to sort out now. - Slight gas leak from a cracked fitting
- The top corner of my door hits the roof of the annex - not sure what to do about this. Anyone got any suggestions??
- Some additional padding in the back rest cushion - it gets a bit squashed out of shape.
- I will also need some flyscreens before I go away in summer!!
Have fun all you vintage vans - I know I did. Curtis.
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Sept 24, 2010 21:16:37 GMT 10
G'day Mr C, Mrs C, and Franklin C, Looks like you guys had a ton of fun on the big trip! Nice to see you've got the latest Vintage van radar detection system on the pole. Sure beats the heck out of sitting on the roof with a pair of binoculars ( Ooh...there's one over there!) Kinda make ya feel real smug to be living comfortably in a van worth a few thousand dollars, and the one next door is half a billion. ;D Biggest one I came across when travelling home from the Mildura Nats in May was this one... 52 feet total length with the prime mover. Must be a real hoot getting something like this around a roundabout. Nice score with the annexe. You've got a real good setup there, so congratulations to all of you again for the great work you've done. ;D ;D cheers, Al. ps. just as I was typing MY post, you were editing YOUR post. The door needs a little roller wheel fitting on the outer top corner. They come up on ebay from time to time, $7.90, like this one. Go to your local caravan parts supplier, and it'll probably be cheaper and no postage costs.
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Sept 24, 2010 23:42:15 GMT 10
Well looks like a pleasant time was had all round, nice pick up with the annex really looks the part, and I'm sure Curtis didn't mean to push you through the intersection, you just need to remember that it's been a while since he last got out and had some fun, probably just a little excited I'd say ;D
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Sept 25, 2010 7:13:36 GMT 10
Hey Curtis Looks like a nice trip had.
Must say that Olympic was trying to be younger than it really is. See all the piercings? Damn punk caravans.
Love the photo of the canola fields and the Signets.
We all need that kick in the coit at times to let us know there is more out there than work. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by humpty2 on Sept 25, 2010 19:28:16 GMT 10
I think that Olympic is pre 70's..........the single pane glass windows, the swing out top piece of the door, and the heavy aluminium moulding at the join indicate this. BTW: Love all the photos you took and the story.
|
|
|
Post by vernon on Nov 16, 2010 22:43:46 GMT 10
Looks good. Good on you.
Kel
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Jan 9, 2011 7:07:43 GMT 10
Hi All, Curtis here. It has been a while since I spoke with you all, but that doesn't mean I have not been out and about. In fact since September - when I last wrote - I have been away on a couple of trips. The first was to lovely Dayelsford - Jubilee Lake Caravan Park. Well it would have been lovely, but it rained so much Mum and Dad hardly ventured outside. Actually I was kinda nerevous all the way there as it rained a few times and the sky looked like this: Anyways, we arrived and found a nice spot to stop - well if you can call sleeping in the rain and having water run underneath you all week end "nice"!! Mum and Dad disn't even put up my annex - said it would take too long to get dry once we got home!! Looks like they were getting ready - just in case this was "the big one". Dad was making joked about finding two of every animal - I didn't find that funny at all. As if I could get in one of those tiny canoes!! Anyway you would all be proud of me as I hardly had any leaks at all!! Just a little drop or two insdie one of my corner windows. So late on Saturday - after Mum and Dad had to go off and vote - the rain did slow up a little and we saw this: Here are some photos of the lake that Mum took - shows just how much rain there was. Still I reckon this guy was pretty happy!! So that was Dayelsford. The caravan park was lovely really and Mum and Dad have said we will go back again when the weather is better!! Bye for now Curtis.
|
|
|
Post by firefighter on Jan 9, 2011 8:21:11 GMT 10
G,day Curtis Good old Daylesford weather ......Curtis tell your Mum & Dad Daylesford is my old home town ...that weather you had is normal Daylesford weather Back in late 2009 I tried to orgainise a weekend in daylesford stoping at victoria park caravan park ......booked a few sites put it on the forum ....BUT .....nobody answered my posting so I cancelled the weekend away ........ if you want to go back late march early april I am happy to go with you f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|