Johnmel53 Franklin Regent

[johnmel53]

hi new to site. mywife and i purchased a franklin regent 4 berth 14footer the only marking is on draw bar no is 1267-9 could anyone assist in dating van would be very interested we are trying to restore it tried to put a pic on but can't at the moment thanks john and sandrai1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc364/johnmel53/003-1.jpg

[Franklin1]

G'day John and Sandra, and welcome to the forum! ;D

From 1965 up to and including 1972, the last number in the chassis number is the year of build. So, your van is a 1969 model. The numbers before the hyphen are the consecutive numbers of chassis built that year. You have the 1267th chassis built, which would be very early in the year.

cheers,
Al.

[johnmel53]

thanks al much appreciated john and sandra

[johnmel53]

this our franklin/regent van 1267-9 on the way to restoring her

[johnmel53]

this our franklin /regent 14 footer 1267-9

[Franklin1]

G'day John and Sandra,


Now that we've got your van information set up in its own thread, I've come back and modified this post to include some more information.

There is one very important question to ask about the kitchen in your van. Did it (or does it still) have a shelf above the sink, that has a single triangular bracket underneath it holding it up? The shelf looks something like this...




If the shelf is still around, it needs to be kept for inclusion in any restoration work that you do. These shelves are a signature feature of Franklin caravans built during the 1960s. No self-respecting Franklin would dare be seen in public without their shelf. It's one of the main ways of distinguishing a Franklin from any other van in the '60s.


The other thing is that your van might have had fibreglass spats covering the wheel arches. Do you have them? If so, these are also a feature of some of the Franklin models.

If you click on this link, it will take you to another thread on the forum that is about a 1969 Franklin Premier model with the chassis number of 1286-9, just 19 vans after yours on the production line. Ignore all the talk in that thread about the age of the van. When it was posted back in 2008, we knew nowhere near what we know today about the age of these old Franklins.


Your van looks like it's going to be an interesting project. What are the general plans for the inside? Hope to see lots more photos as you work your way through it.


cheers,
Al.

[ripper]

Jan 2, 2012 16:30:06 GMT 10 Franklin1 said:

From 1965 up to and including 1972, the last number in the chassis number is the year of build.

cheers,
Al.

Thank you very much Al.
With your help, I've just discovered our Franklin Regent is 3 years older than I thought, hence I do belong here after all
Chassis no 2422 9, about 15ft, and originally had a set of bunks each side at the back. Needs some work to get it back on the road, but not too much.

[jenniewren]

Lovely van....it will come up a treat.

AND the shelf....Al has this thing about the "shelf" in Franklin vans.....just has to have one before you get your certificate of authenticity.........still up to your old tricks I see Mr Franklin!

Enjoy your resto....but most importantly....enjoy your family holidays in your treasure.

[andryn]

Hi I am new to your forum. I would like some on a Franklin Freeway with the numbers 998F on the front of the chassis frame. Van is old and has been sitting for a long time
Much appreciate you help cheers

[Franklin1]

Franklin Freeway with the numbers 998F on the front of the chassis frame.

Fair dinkum...are you serious??!! Boy, it never ceases to amaze me what turns up. Have a read of what I posted in this thread only yesterday!

Back to the drawing board...

cheers,
Al.