|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 11, 2011 21:25:45 GMT 10
Does anyone know if sliding cupboard doors on the overhead cupboards are original in a '58 franklin van? The tracks after I pulled them up to remove the sliding doors to paint have small nails that seem hand made and very old! Can't find ANY indentations of hinges having been there in the timber surrounds either top or bottom! So am thinking maybe the van came like this originally! After talking to a friend, she said her parents van of the same era had sliding cupboard doors!!!! Hummmm - Also, the aluminum that is around the two burner stove seems to have a varnish or something on it and I have scrubbed till I have no skin left on fingers - how can I polish it? Guess I could simply respray it with silver paint can hey! Or, I know, I know don't be slack and replace it altogether but I kinda like the old knocked about look of it, except it still looks grubby! Any ideas ANYONE? Jenniewren
|
|
|
Post by surfingyogini on Jan 11, 2011 22:00:59 GMT 10
Hey jen, try a stiff wire brush on the aluminium if it's really dirty. Otherwise brasso and superfund steel wool will see it come up a treat.
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 11, 2011 22:33:09 GMT 10
G'day jenniewren, I can't seem to find any photos of your van on the forum. Have you ever posted any to show what it looks like? Are you sure there's no chassis number welded on the front drawbar anywhere? From your description of sliding doors, it looks like your van might be somewhat later than a 1958 model. Franklin had hinged doors on the front and rear cupboards up till about 1961/62, when there seems to have been a design change and sliding doors were installed. Do your door openings have a slanted end at both ends? Do they look something like the sliding doors in this photo group? (...ignore the date in the red text. That's no longer true. This Franklin is now considered to be from 1964)... Can you post a photo to show me what your cupboards look like? Adding to surfingyogini's advice about the splashback, you could try any of your standard kitchen cleaners to see if they have any effect. I've found the cheap no-name liquid cleaners get rid of stubborn stains that other cleaners won't budge. "Gumption" is another goody for stubborn stains, etc. Then you get into the 'heavy duty' stuff like, 1. Metho 2. Turps 3. Kero 4. Nail polish remover (contains acetone) 5. Paintstripper Depending on which of these items you have handy, you could try dabbing a bit of any of them onto a small spot of the aluminium splashback with a cotton bud. Just rub around in a circle about the size of a 5 cent piece to see if they have any effect. Once you work out what removes the varnish coating, you could go ahead and remove the lot. A good scrub with soapy steel wool afterwards will bring it back to a shiny finish. If you are old enough to remember scrubbing plain aluminium pots and pans after dinner, you'll remember that dull aluminium creates a dark grey sludgy mess when it's scrubbed with steel wool and soap. It can be a bit of a messy job, but the end result will be worth your while. cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 12, 2011 20:39:11 GMT 10
Hey there! Thank you for all those helpful tips...in fact...I have tried every household product known to man! I think paint stripper may be the go as I am now pretty sure it has a varnish of some sort painted onto it! Just have to figure out how to take the stove away...I think when I was painting the under cupboard I saw some wing nuts.....I have posted a few pics..under.."wayfarer" as that is what it was sold to me as...but Dave saw the pics and we have established it is a Franklin around 1958! Bondwood sides with alum over front to back...at a guess I would say this was a later addition. There are definitely no chassis # anywhere as I have searched fruitlessly. Probably a new tow hitch has been added later...and..."sassy" is nothing like the above...outside or inside. There is a member & I can't for the life of me recall his name that is a FRANKLIN freak and has a few, one of which is identical...it is down history lane site and has an aqua stripe...mine has dark blue! Definitely NO evidence of hinges anywhere on surrounding wood cupboards...checked AGAIN! The doors are simply square cut pc's painted bright pink...that has to go! Stumped y'all haven't I? Thank you so much for the above info...I am going to try everything suggested.....cheers Jenniewren
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 12, 2011 20:43:43 GMT 10
PS I will attempt to post some up-to-date pics when I can figure out why the stupid camera won't work! And no it is NOT the batteries...it's just being contrary...Jenniewren
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 12, 2011 20:52:53 GMT 10
Me again..............just found identical van......well not the one I had mentioned but "Rayboy" has one that is identical!! Only difference - it has an outside light at door!! It is in the member's site about page 7 from memory Al if you'd like to take a peek at his. Cheers Jennie
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 14, 2011 21:55:20 GMT 10
Ok, I finally found the photos of your van in this thread... Wayfarer again........and I'm not convinced your van is a Franklin. If it is a Franklin, then it has been significantly modified to all the Franklins I'm aware of from the late 1950s. The two significant items identifying a Franklin from the late 1950s onwards are: 1. The wheel arch shape, which has a forward sloping appearance, as in the 1958 and 1959 vans in this photo... 2. A shelf above the sink that is supported by a single triangular support bracket under the centre of the shelf... Can you see both of these features on your van? Here is a photo of the typical cupboards in Franklins in the late 1950s... I don't know what your van is, but it doesn't look like other Franklins that I'm aware of. Fancy Admin allowing a Franklin freak on this forum... Obviously the membership rules aren't tight enough! ;D cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 15, 2011 9:54:24 GMT 10
Hello Al Weelll, The interior is 95% identical......the wheel arches do slope forward but have an aluminum flashing added....the seats identical but prev owner has put in a new heavy poxy table. You are correct...there has been a small amount of modifications done to the inside, not by me. No shelf above the sink because the prev owner put in new laminate which is a flat ugly grey and have done the table in the same! Leaving that for the moment as it is ok....for NOW. Till I find a large kitchen red or grey 50's speckled table and will modify it! The shelf I would say was removed because of replacement of laminate above sink and they have wired in a toaster/oven thingy under the overhead cupboard over the draining side of the sink! Leaving that also, cause I am no electrician/carpenter and they cut a whopping big pce out of under the cupboard to accommodate it....AND all the cupboard doors are the same PINK in colour and the cupboards under sink have the same hinges as in your photo! The wardrobe door on mine has a full length mirror with the name "gabby" inscribed at the top! Same ceiling colour and pattern....it has a plastic/bakelite pump which I have repaired, thanks to you knowledgeable guys and it works!! Mine has a little round sink. FALKS two burner stove, works a treat. 3 in 1 fridge that does not work...will replace this. They have added on a shelf area next to stove presumably to place a TV as there is an antenna outlet plug above. Originally it had a couch only at rear. Still has the original hinged storage area but has been modified to accommodate a double bed which is now partly a fixture....that is OK as not particularly fussed about cramming a 6ft "the boy" onto a single front bed!!! Besides making it up each night does not appeal. The shape honestly is identical to the 1959er except we have no outside light near door. I can just make out a single stripe on bondwood sides but it now has two stripes in navy. It is in really excellent condition both inside and out.....bit of a mystery van. Originally was purchased thru Morwell caravans and serviced by them. So it can't be a home-made job as the sticker is still on the front of van along with an old rego label. I did find a name under the rear couch hinged seat with the name COULTON in pencil! The only other difference is the two front cupboard doors above table are separate in your photo. Mine has one long sliding both front and rear. The fluro light and little round silver light are the reverse in my van but the same! There is also a round silver light at rear. Oh something else, the rear window has been replaced and is now square but shall have that put back to the original shape at some stage. It's a mystery that I would like to solve but I think it never will! Have nearly finished painting so shall post some pics asap! Sorry about calling the Franklin member a freak....rules are meant to be broken hey! Cheers from a baffled VV owner.... Jennie
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 15, 2011 10:04:07 GMT 10
PS Al - had a quick look at the link "wayfarer again"...to refresh my memory of the original photos I took and came to the conclusion along with not being an electrician or car[enter I am NOT a photographer! Those photo's are dodgy to say the least. I will take a proper side shot of the shape of van and hopefully you will get a better understanding why I think it is a Franklin that has been updated......J
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 15, 2011 20:51:39 GMT 10
G'day jenniewren, If you can somehow take a photo of the wheel arch shape without the aluminium checkerplate fitted on, that would help to convince me as well. By the way, I wasn't having a shot at you for using the words "Franklin freak" in your post. I was having a tongue-in-cheek shot at "Admin" for allowing a 'Franklin freak' to join up as a member. Next thing you know they'll be letting "Don tragics" join up as well, and then we'll see this forum slide into rack and ruin. ;D ;D ;D ;D [jenniewren, probably best you and I duck our heads for a little bit. I think I can hear the sound of incoming missiles. ;D ]cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 15, 2011 21:25:32 GMT 10
Hello Al..........I'm ducking for cover. Right behind you! I don't know if I can take a shot without the alum covering..it actually follows the line of the arch and it slants forward...will give it a go just for you. If I can work out how to get it off without damaging it. J
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 15, 2011 22:21:34 GMT 10
If the checkerplate is stuck on somehow, don't go to any trouble to try and remove it. I thought it might have just been screwed on and could be easily removed. For goodness sake, don't do anything to the van that might damage it. One day when you and I cross paths, I'll crawl under your van and have a look from the inside of the wheel arch. Let's just say your van is indeed a Franklin, and we'll confirm that some time in the future. cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 17, 2011 19:35:38 GMT 10
Seem to keep missing you....work gets in the way! The alum flashing follows the line of the arc of the wheel so you don't have to crawl under the old girl! I did that for you! Definitely slants forward. I persisted in looking for a chassis # and the only odd # I can find is "ASD 16" on one section of the hitch and ASD 18 on the actual towball hitch....is this it? The other # is related to weight in kilo's. Which to me indicates it could be a whole new drawbar thing! I need a # to re-register the van don't I? Cheers Jennie
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 18, 2011 7:25:42 GMT 10
G'day Jennie,
Yep, you'll need some sort of "chassis number" for the rego process. If there's not one on the van at the moment, your rego authorities will issue one to be stamped on a blank VIN plate that you buy and fix (pop rivet) to the drawbar (at least that's how it's done in NSW).
Those numbers you've given above are not a typical chassis number, so I'm guessing they must be some sort of identifying numbers associated with the coupling itself.
If there's definitely no numbers/letters welded on the drawbar channel itself, then there's really only two options left for us:
1. The drawbar has been changed at some time, or
2. The van was built in 1959 or earlier, before welded chassis numbers started to be used on Franklin vans.
With all the other changes that appear to have been made to your van, it's a toss-up whether option 1 or 2 applies.
cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Jan 18, 2011 7:36:41 GMT 10
Hi All,
Some blue slip inspectors want the new chassis numbers to be directly stamped into the chassis rail on the drawbar. Simlar end result, different method. Since chassis ID plates are easily removed & potentially stolen ( although I haven't heard of that happening) the inspector I use prefers actually stamped numbers on the drawbar.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Jan 18, 2011 7:57:34 GMT 10
Thanks guys....Now Al, I would like to think the van is pre 1959 or thereabouts! AND I have a sneaking suspicion that you just maybe that "Franklin freak" I was referring too....please forgive me. I love this "franklin" van so I guess I am right up there with you! "The boy" seems to think the chassis is older than the hitch! He has actually wandered down to the van (work is manic for him, so does not have much time to spare) and I sweet talked him into taking a look! Hence no chassis # that we can find. He agrees with you guys the small #'s that I found are to do with the actual hitch/towball thing! l can't get the camera to work to take some pics...but I am onto it! I am thinking JBJ that the inspectors in Melb will want the #'s stamped onto the chassis as I have been told where we will register the van, they are VERY pedantic about things like that....ho hum! By the way it has holden hub caps on the wheels. The ones with the black lion with his paw on what I presume is a tyre. Although the spare tyre is all in silver. Silver rims..does that mean anything? Cheers Jennie
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jan 19, 2011 11:32:34 GMT 10
Hi Jennie, Two of the vans I have, have got this type of wheel on them... ...which I'm told by the forum experts is an FJ wheel. I also have two hubcaps with the GMH lion on them, but they are so heavily coated with blue house paint (dinkum!, but not by me) that it's hard to say whether the lion has his paw on a tyre or is holding a Big Mac. My FJ wheels require 15 inch tyres, so you could probably check out your wheels and see if they are the same sort as mine. One thing I've been a bit curious about is when the caravan industry might have changed over from using FJ wheels to the later Holden wheels. My "1960 Newcastle van" has these FJ wheels on it, and so does my "1956 Franklin", but I've always wondered whether vans in the latter 1950s would have the later Holden wheels. I think "silver rims...does that mean anything?" means silver paint was readily available back then, that's all. cheers, Al.
|
|
|
Post by cruisindoug on Jan 19, 2011 12:35:09 GMT 10
Al, Jennie, our 1961 Skyline / Franklin has HT Holden rims on what appears to be an original axle though it used bolts instead of nuts. Your Newcastle van has FJ, maybe the changeover was about 1960/61 - kinda makes sense as the FJ in 1960 had been out of production for 5 years and it would have been prefferable to new van buyers to match their wheels to the car?? Cheers, Doug.
|
|
|
Post by jenniewren on Feb 14, 2011 9:52:56 GMT 10
Sorry didn't realise you all had replied. The wheels are completely different to the above photo Al. But they are a little bit "fancy" and did not go thru Macca's drive thru! Definitely has his paw on a tyre! Have 5 triangular raised arrows pointing inwards....camera doesn't want to co-operate today! I should have explained properly....the "silver" rims click onto the actual wheel on the outside wheel rim. They are simply a fancy silver circle to pretty it all up...then the holden hub cap fits in the centre. All in A1 cond. The van has light truck tyres on it at the moment. If I get them replaced (all are pretty good) but for my peace of mind, are light truck tyres the way to go? Have just managed to take all the rims etc off....took me awhile...had to use a (jemmy?) bar thing. You have to love the people who put mountains of paint onto things...I used paint stripper in the end on the stove alum surround and it came off easily without any damage to the shine!
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Feb 14, 2011 10:58:44 GMT 10
Jennie, now that I have another look at the pictures of your van, I can see the chrome dress rims on the wheels. The hubcap seems to be a later Holden hubcap (didn't the Holden Premiers have these dress rims?) As far as tyres go, there will be information in this forum somewhere about them. But, it's easier for me to find the threads we started on the Classic forum (which I'm a Moderator of...millard1399): Tyre life and aged tyre hazardsTyres for caravansHappy reading... cheers, Al.
|
|