Hummmm!

[jenniewren]

Ok Guru's - advice may be needed! After the euphoria has diminished and reality check set in - we have realised that our little wood/alum Wayfarer has had the rear window redone! It isn't a pretty sight. Plastic surround - with a plastic strip down the centre. "What the...?" Didn't notice that in the semi darkness when we viewed the van...but it's ok we still think it's pretty cool! I am assuming we can get a pce of perspex cut the full width to replace the existing window and the seal/rubber doesn't seem too hard to chase (according to your fantastic info) BUT where on earth do we start looking for the aluminum curved edged flashing that surrounds the window? It is an odd size I think...we are not too fussed about this...too much of a hassell to cut the alum/wood etc for my non handy man hubby! Great with a chainsaw for fire wood - BUT he is not attacking the van with it!
Your help would be appreciated....
PS: Have realised, not only is the pressed tin ceiling going to be freezing in winter hols but it is going to be stifling in summer! It was a mild 16 here today and Sassy was warm as toast! Uh Hoh! Should have clicked with the brain cells when we saw the little retro fan pointed over the bed!!!!!

[jenniewren]

Have scoured the site for info - also the model etc and starting to think maybe it isn't a wayfarer - could it be? Bit confused....has alum all the way from front over roof and down the back! Bondwood sides with two blue stripes. Obviously repainted at some stage - the key has a tag "wayfarer" 1965 as a tag from dealer where the gorgeous couple who sold it to us, it was sold to them as a wayfarer also, still attached! Guess a dealer would know his stuff?? Would be nice to confirm...would there be a compliance plate somewhere? Can't seem to find anything....

[DC3Td]

Hi. Got some pretty or not so pretty pics of your van? Makes life a little more easier to work out things. Check our Tech Sec out for ali extrusion/strips/J moulds etc. cheers gordon

[jenniewren]

Thanks Guru Gordon! Have the camera can't find the cord attachment to connect to computer! But I shall post pics...having serious doubts I will find it in the short term... BUT I really don't know what we have as regards to van..it could be home built on Wayfarer specs! Has the shape of an F series (we think looking at old photo's) but the alum at front over roof and down back has us stumped!!!!! Has anyone heard of pressed tin ceiling on the inside of vans???

[DC3Td]

Howdy. Not a guru as i`d know what van you have. However pressed metal panels have been around for 150 or so years. Least ways in Australia. There are still plenty of outlets dealing with this principle. There have & always will be folk who clad over things - like recladding a house either to pretty it up or cover up faults. So even with your van it could be original (home or factory built) or it needed to be clad over. Either way it doesn`t make it any less than what you have. After all it can be re-done or resto`d. My 59 y o teardrop had some work done to it thru the years in the kitchenette area. Noticed it when i first looked underneath it. Being an ex coach builder it was not a major concern & so i stripped out the kitchenette area bare. Been that way for a long while as other things have cropped up since & it has been put on the back burner although i have a propensity to pick up bits & pieces for it when i get the urge. Ha. But as for yours,once some pics surface,we`ll know a bit more. How hard/easy is it for you to lift off a panel to check what`s behind? If it`s not going to be a hard job, maybe remove the panels (marking each one) & fit some fibreglass or rocwool insulation. If you`re not going for authenticity,maybe fit a small grille to allow for breathing in the ceiling.Alternatively a flip up vent ala ones fitted on morris mini panel vans or such like. cheers gordon

[jenniewren]

Thanks guys - your comments are appreciated...I will post pics on weekend. Shall sneak our sons iphone and take some shots - then beg, grovel and plead with him to help me load onto laptop...as we leave for work in the dark & come home late, (it is dark now and work is in Bayside area) the w/end is my only opportunity for daylight hours...maybe I can cajole him to do it for me for Mother's Day as his gift to me and forsake the coffee in bed? Har.....21 yo's can be soooo impatient with their oldies when it comes to IT issues - so stay tuned.....

[jenniewren]

It has a small hinged vent on the ceiling as is Gordon....have not attempted to open it as I need a step (yes...I'm short in statue) can't quite reach it...and the van has one rear leg down and not the other! Don't like moving around in it too much at the moment. There is a steep incline near the van and I really don't want to end up at the bottom of the hill!!!! Which brings me to another dilemma...anyone know how we obtain a shifter/winder? Russell wound one down with my antique table winder. Did not fit properly and it was painstakingly slow - so much so he gave up on the second leg...too easily for my liking...geeez...Thanks Dave I will let you know if we can't track anything here around Melb regarding the alum window surround....Kind regards Jennie

[jenniewren]

Thanks Dave - good idea if I am game enough to crawl under the van! I think it may be a little dark (& spooky) under there....also thanks Gordon for the suggestion of peeling back the alum on roof and stuffing insulation in the cavity...did not think of that! Oh Hum...guess I shall drag out the BIG ladder and start using the screwdriver....good thing I am a competent female! Weell, sometimes! Hubby reckons my idea to buy the van...my project...my problem...think I could handle tackling replacing the window??? Maybe not.....but I will certainly give it a try....after I have done the interior! Russell has his own project...finding a tow car for "Sassy"!