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Post by bobandjacqui on Mar 30, 2011 17:46:12 GMT 10
G'day All, Graham (margra) has asked me to put up a few pics of his new project. I'll put the pics up and Graham can fill in all the details.    Cheers Bob and Jacqui |
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Post by JBJ on Mar 30, 2011 19:03:40 GMT 10
Hi Margra,
Thats gotta be a real rare van, & other than the organic exterior, looks to be pretty original.
I love the moulded in rear bumper & over riders. That could only happen with vintage caravans.
The SE QLD Fibreglass/composite vans in the big sizes, from Chesney & Olympic, had some great creative shapes in the front & rear panels. I've seen some really creative mouldings on small volume production units, that probably have nearly dissapeared from our history.
What a shame no one recorded the history before we came along.
We have to keep finding & saving these bigger old vans.
The tandems tow & reverse so much better than the big single axle vans.
One more saved.
JBJ
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Post by margra on Apr 1, 2011 19:18:28 GMT 10
Saw the van a few years ago sitting under a shed at Kilcoy. Had tried to get the owner to sell it many times but he always refused but in the end I think he got tired of me asking so he finally said yes. Had to get a tilt tray to bring it home, so now the work starts to restore it back to its glory. It will have a few modern fittings so that we can travel but will be as near to original as can be.
The van was registered in Qld in '68 and the chassis is stamped BB3384. I read on the site that these numbers might be the month/year but I do not believe this in this case.
All info would be appreciated
Thanks
Graham & Margie
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Post by RollyDog on Apr 1, 2011 23:59:29 GMT 10
There is a very similar van near me at Strathpine. probably a bit shorter than that one and with red striping but definately a composite chesney. Looks good Graham.
Rollydog
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Post by Franklin1 on Apr 2, 2011 11:55:58 GMT 10
G'day Graham and Margie, Your van is the Chesney "Regal" model. From the information I've collected out of Sydney newspapers, your version of the Regal model seems to have been on the market from around 1967 until a new model (changed appearance) was launched in mid-1971. Your model essentially stayed the same shape for those four years, but the painted 'stripes' design on the sides changed as the four years progressed. The other model Chesney was producing at the same time was the "Pacemaker", which was completely clad in aluminium, rather than the fibreglass skin that yours got. Both had that 'unusual' triangular ridge in the body just under the front window. This advertisement from July 1969 shows the two models...  Obviously the Regal was the more upmarket model of the two, and was available in lengths from 13ft up to 25ft. It's interesting you say your van was registered in 1968. In mid-1968, Chesney completed Stage 1 of their new manufacturing complex at Lawnton, Qld. The complex was designed by Neil Chesney after a lot of research into caravan manufacturing plants both here and overseas. One of the aims of the new plant was to introduce a lot more 'simplicity' into the assembly process. All the furniture components were delivered to the factory in pieces that were number coded. The unskilled assembly workers could then just match the corresponding numbers and join all the pieces together (a bit like Ikea furniture, I guess). The reason I'm telling you this is because you might be able to determine if your van was built in the new Lawnton complex, or was built in the old Gympie factory. I guess if you poke your head inside cupboards and see number codings all over the place, it will probably indicate your van was built at Lawnton. I have no idea how the Chesney chassis numbering system operated, but at least we have your number to start a list, to see if we can make a sensible pattern out of the numbers used. cheers, Al. |
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Post by margra on Apr 2, 2011 18:51:36 GMT 10
Hi Al.- thanks for the info, no there is not numbers inside the cabinets etc so it might be an early van. I will be happy if it is an early one as there maybe not many left around. will try to be more precise about the rego but really all I have to go on is the number I quoted
Thanks
Graham & Margie
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Post by Franklin1 on Apr 2, 2011 20:29:31 GMT 10
Surprisingly, perhaps, these Regal vans are "fairly common". Now that you own one, you'll be surprised at how many others you'll see around, and wonder how come you never noticed them before!  One of the big benefits of the fibreglass covering over the roof and ends, is that it has allowed these vans to withstand the ravages of time, moreso than full aluminium vans. Consequently, you'll come across them in caravan parks being used as on-site permanent or rental vans. Sure, you may not see many from the earlier years of this model, but you will see them spanning the four years the model existed. Here's a couple of photos showing how the painted design changed after yours. These are the 1969 'updated' model...   If you ever decide you'd like to upgrade yours to a later model, look for one made after mid-1969, when an en-suite became available (I think it may have been an optional extra)...  cheers, Al. |
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chubi
Full Member
Posts: 158
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Post by chubi on Jun 4, 2011 9:16:44 GMT 10
Can anybody here tell me about the Regals that predated the fibreglass ones? I have just bought a 21 foot tandem and would like some info on the Regals of this era.
Cheers Rick
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Post by margra on Jun 20, 2011 18:27:05 GMT 10
G,day can you put a photo up so that we can see what your van looks like.
Graham
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Post by bekstar on Aug 4, 2012 2:49:42 GMT 10
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Post by bekstar on Aug 4, 2012 15:47:31 GMT 10
well after a little more research i think its a regal not a pacemaker..
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 4, 2012 18:40:08 GMT 10
G'day beckstar, You have the second generation Chesney Regal, launched in 1971. Our sister forum for Classic Caravans built between 1970 and 1979 will have more information for you if you click here. If you have no idea of the value of your van, then you DID get a bargain!   cheers, Al. |
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Post by margra on Aug 6, 2012 18:29:08 GMT 10
Hi Bekstar,nice looking van you should have some good times with it. I will post more pics on my refit as soon as I can. The rear boot I think was cut and fitted later but should come in handy.
Graham
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Post by firefighter on Aug 6, 2012 20:09:57 GMT 10
G'day beckstar, You have the second generation Chesney Regal, launched in 1971. Our sister forum for Classic Caravans built between 1970 and 1979 will have more information for you if you click here. If you have no idea of the value of your van, then you DID get a bargain! cheers, Al. G'day Bekstar Forum member franklin 1 .......is also a moderator over on our sister forum......this forum.........vintage caravans goes up to 31st December 1969 You would be better of joining........ classic caravans forum cheers f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by bobandjacqui on Aug 18, 2012 14:23:38 GMT 10
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Post by bekstar on Sept 16, 2012 14:06:16 GMT 10
Hi Al, thanks for the info, im not very computer savy, but i did have a look on the other forum,,, interesting stuff,, i love my van,, been painting it inside as the old owner had 2 different pinks... she also took out the bed and table and chairs,, so we are heading to brisbane from SA soon and my dad will build us a bed, so a mattress on the floor until then ,,lol another question,, underneath im not sure if they replaced flooring but its just straight wood under there,, was wondering should i just paint it,, or some sort of water proofing?  ? |
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