Sunliner Wanted

[tonyh]

Hi all,
I am just finishing of a FC "Special" ute - bare shell rotisserie restoration (been working on it for 10 years, and got it nearly finished 5 years ago when the new paint went into crocodile cracks and had to take off the 9 coats of acrylic and start again - two pack now) and just joined VV and looking for a Sunliner to complete the unit. Are there any for sale - any condition - I am in the Brisbane area but will travel.
A few photos, the first is when we pulled her out of the farm shed after 12years + on blocks.
The Sunliner is one Mum & Dad hired when it was new.
Cheers,
TonyH

[dosse]

G'day Tonyh
Welcome to vintage vans, there are some vans that come up for sale from
time to time, and also on ebay. You may find that the old van thing is very addictive so
good luck in your hunt. Good choice in your tow car ( we have fc ute also) you sound
like some-one I know up Karana Downs way. Regards David . dosse.

[tonyh]

Hi David & Jailbarjuice,

Yes David I am the same some - one, on the same home phone. Love to get that info Jailbarjuice.
I have had a fair bit to do with fiberglass, timber work, spray painting and fabrication so I should be able to tackle most of the job with maybe a little help from friends.

Cheers, TonyH

[Roehm3108]

Hi and welcome tonyh. I see a Sunliner in the back yard of a place as you come into Bundaberg which looks like it's doing nothing except going to ruin. Do you ever get up that way? I'm due to go there again in January, so could check it out for you (if I can remember - after all, it's fibberglass and I'm allergic to that stuff!!! )
Ray

[tonyh]

Hi Ray, Yep do get up that way from time to time and thought I would have spotted it as I am always on the lookout for any old vans. We currently use a 74 Viscount (sorry I know it is a bit young) as our "normal" holidaying van and often stay at Woodgate , just south of Bundy.
I don't know at this stage if I will get a break at xmas so if you are in the area it would be great if you could check it out and let me know.
Thanks TonyH

[Deleted]

Hi Tony
As everyone on this site knows i am a
"Bondy Lover"... Plywood van freak , so i have no intention of doing up a fibreglass van myself , However i will gladly help out if in your hunt for a van.

There is a Sunliner which surfaced 2 months ago about 6 doors down from my place. They have a habit of sprouting up in our neighbourhood after heavy rain.... (sorta like big white mushrooms ) I spoke to the owner the other week as he was painting the outside of it.... even managed to paint straight over the windows . It looks to be in good condition on the outside . Definitely is roadworthy and would handle being towed up to Brissy no worries. Not sure what the inside is like but it must be "Liveable" if they are taking the kids away in it???.

The bloke said that he bought it off his mates property where they go camping at . He is going to use it to take his kids away camping.
I noticed it went away for a few days and is now back laying in the driveway nose down with no jockey wheel fitted.
He hasnt got much room at his place for storing a van and i figure the "Novelty" may have worn off by now
I will call in again an see whats doing with the van. He might be keen to sell it.

The van is in Barnsley near Newcastle.
Keep your fingers crossed ;D.

Regards
Reddo

[tonyh]

Hi Reddo,
don't want you to get contaminated by that fibre stuff but if you could check it out it would be much appreciated. By the way I would also love to do a bondy but as that would make 3 vans, 1 x 4wd, 1 x FC ute, 1 x FC for spares, 1 x Hartley bondwood 16' circa about 1960 boat, 1 x jet ski, 1 x Bobcat plus a shed and a 40' container full of VERY useful gear, I couldn't afford the divorce that went with that extra van. The photo below is my too young 1974 Viscount - alum stuff, but you can also see my Vintage BONDWOOD Hartley - does that give me any cred with you bondys?



Thanks, TonyH

[Thierry]

There is a sunliner on the gold coast might be closer for you to look at, travel along smith street into southport and when you get to the lights at the top of the hill next to the school hook a left and you can see it from there in the back yard. No idea of the owners intention but you can give it a go, it doesn't look in bad condition either.
Thierry

[tonyh]

Hi Thierry, I checked today at different times but no one was home - right up to 6.00pm - so I left a note to see if they wanted to sell - you were right it doesn't look too bad - from the road - It looks like it might be used for storage. If they don't ring I wil be in the area again next week so I will check again.
Thanks for the tip, TonyH

[tonyh]

Hey Thiery,
Finally caught up with the Sunliner owner or her ex and the van is NOT for sale, I got to have a look and it has a chanel chassis, leaf springs & solid axle model. Fibreglass is ok but internals need full resto. I left my card in case she changes her mindbut it needs a LOT of work.

Hey Dosse,
you know you said, "the old van thing is very addictive" well I am now reguarly being chased out of yards by big dogs and little old ladies with big brooms after spotting all types of Vans (even BONDYS Reddo) hidden behind sheds etc. You know I hate to see ANY van or car sitting rotting away with no attempt at protection for years with a gunna that won't sell. Should be a law against it!!!!!
;D

Cheers, TonyH

[Deleted]

Hi Tony
I know what your going through. extremely frustrating when you find things rotting away and people wont let them go.

I caught up with the bloke down the street and he isnt interested in selling his sunliner. I told him to come and see me if he has a change of heart.

Keep searching mate. I told Aussietanker 12 months ago that good things come to those who wait. he now has a beaut Don that is being restored.

Keep the faith.

Reddo

[lulu]

Hi Tony

Goodluck with your search for a sunny. You watch, it will happen when you least expect it. It will be worth the wait i promise.
I love our sunny and cant imagine owning any other van..with exception to a airstream ;D

Happy Chrissie to you

LuLu

[tonyh]

Hi Reddo, LuLu, Thanks for the encouragement and words of wisdom. One thing over the years the many projects have taught me is patience - it has taken me over 12 years to finish the Ute after the major paint failure/strip/repaint/rebuild that could have been the end to any project. I am also finishing off another shed a 9m x 6m that is 3m high so I can easily put my van/vans away from the elements, with all these storms I am getting a bit paranoid. I will keep the faith as I have been down similar roads before where you think it won't happen and you just keep plugging on until it falls into place.
Thanks Again, and to all VVers have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Yours in Vanning, Cheers, TonyH

[sunliner tony h]

i have a sunliner van that i have kept to restore one day. however with another baby on the way & relocating in a few months, i dont think i will have the time or money

i have it under cover at my farm which is for sale

i can email a few pictures if you like

email me on [e-mail]

i decided this week to think about selling it & this was the first site i came to when i did a google search on the van.

regards paula
ps its in pretty good cond, few things are a little delivate like window openers etc & paint work peeling

flat tyres, wld need new tyres
but last time i towed it, it towed great

i live on mid nrth cst NSW

[Deleted]

Hi Paula.
Is that your sunliner sitting off to the side of the highway not far past the Port macquarie exit when you are heading north?
I think it is near the petrol station on the side road that comes out from Wauchope,

Seen one there when i went to the wintersun festival coolangatta last year.

Reddo

[lulu]

Reddo..where that Sunliner that you're talking about used to be, was there on the highway house for ages. I spoke to the lady months ago about the van and it was her friends that live not too far from her, which im sure she said live on a farm/big property. They were restoring it right there at her house though & wasn't for sale. She had heaps of people always come and ask her if it's for sale & the servo across the road even took messages and phone numbers from people that wanted to buy it...lol
So many enquiries!!! I told the lady to stop being asked about it, to do a "not for sale" sign..hehe but she said she didnt mind telling people herself and it never bothered her.
We drove by the highway house 2 weeks ago and the Sunny was gone. So it could be the same one...we'll soon find out. Was a nice van too.

LuLu