Small Vintage Van Wanted

[frogprincess]

I am desperately seeking a small vintage van. I love the look of bondwoods and 1950's circa. But every time i find one that i love it is already sold. If anyone knows of any still out there for sale, please let me know. Thank you.

[frogprincess]

Thanks so much. I am still learning about this wonderful page. And oh so keen to get myself a vintage van! I want one yesterday !!! (as in, i want one NOW!!!) Fingers crossed i find my baby

[frogprincess]

So i have fallen in love with circa 1957 Driftwood caravans as well as small bondwoods. I live in Brisbane. If anyone comes across one for sale i'd appreciate the contact. I am currently 'stalking' peoples backyards hoping to stumble across one. I know she is out there somewhere xo

[cobber]

G'day Nicky,

Good advice there from the oldfart..... do as he advises

Old "Driftwood" appreciates your accolades but fortunately / unfortunately she is one of a kind, built from a kit we think and given the name "Driftwood" by us because she's made from wood and drifts around a bit from time to time.

Good luck with your search... be enthusiastic but........ be patient, something will turn up eventually.

Cobber

[barbara]

hello we are you located?

[frogprincess]

I am in Brisbane.

Cobber, i would kill for your van. Sooooo beautiful. Well done. And i am green with envy !!

[frogprincess]

;D ;D ;D Hahaha... so 'Driftwood' is just the name of your van and not an actual kind of van. Too funny. I'm still learning.

So, i live in Brisbane. Would prefer a van that is restored as i am not qualified to do restorations. But if i find one that needs a few touch ups i do have a guy in Queensland who can help me.

I want more of a round edged van than a square van (if that makes sense). One with real character... a real head-turner. Small (around the 10' sizing).

I don't ask for much do i? ... i know she is out there somewhere.

xo

[frogprincess]

Yes but uummm, i can barely put a picture hook in the wall let alone build an ark!

Don't dare me, because i'll be the one that you see on 'Breaking News' little blonde girl tries to build a caravan which falls apart on the Pacific Highway ...ooppsss

Anyway, you guys do them all so beautifully i couldn't compete with that.

I tell you what though, i am finding lots of vans in peoples yards that are screaming for restoration. I found a Chesney in Brisbane yesterday if anyone is looking for one.

[Roehm3108]

Hi frogprincess

Be careful about checking out those backyards, you might get arrested! ;D ;D

But if you persist in doing this, a word of warning/advice. Look for vans that are actually under some sort of cover (no, not trees) like a carport at least. With the Qld humidity, vans left in the open tend to deteriorate quite quickly, even aluminium ones, and you have a job of cutting out the woodrot. Best to check out sheds (especially higher ones) that look out of place, you MAY make a barnfind in them.

Now olfarts will be jumping up and down that I am giving trade secrets away, but he's got enough vans already for two lifetimes worth of restoration. AND, he can always find more in his state, where the air is drier.

A lot of backyard finds are also vans from the 70's. Nothing against classic vans, but they are less likely to be vintage age. That Chesney you found - would it be a bondwood one with a plastic/acrylic Chesney sign on the front? Have always wondered where it went, if it is. It would be in very good condition inside. But I guess I am drawing a long bow, hoping to see it again.

Good luck in your search. Above all, be patient

Ray

[Jellybean]

Hi and welcome to the forum. There are definitely vans sitting around in people's back yards. We found our "Jellybean" in a yard at Deception Bay, on Brisbane's Northside. However, chances are if it's a Bondwood and it's sitting outside in a yard, it will probably need some work done to it

Good luck with your search, and I say talk to anyone who will listen, and one day someone might know someone who has that little van that's looking for a new home. You never know who may be able to help.

Cheers
Dianne

[frogprincess]

Thank you all sooo much for all this advice, it is helping me a lot !!

Ray, I hope the Chesney is not the one you are searching for because, like you warned me, its roof can not be seen due to the layer of rotting leaves on it.

I guess i will stop stalking yards then and just keep stalking this forum and ebay. Unless Dave or Cobber what to share some love and sell me one of there's !!!

It's hard to be patient because i want one so badly! I want to make her a star on the vintage stage ...hehehe. I'm completely obsessed with these vans now.

[frogprincess]

OH my Goodness! Dianne, i've just seen your 'Jellybean' van... a-mazing !!! Soooo sweet. How small is it 8' ? I love the character it has. Well done !

[Jellybean]

Thanks frogprincess, Jellybean is a rather long 8' 4" We absolutely love it, and are so grateful the previous owner agreed to sell it. That's why I say talk to everyone. Jellybean wasn't for sale, but I just knocked on the door and asked and the owner agreed to sell. So don't lose heart, just keep looking and talking. The right van will be out there somewhere just waiting for you to discover it. In the meantime why don't you come along to one of our gatherings to meet and talk with some of the group. You never know who knows of something coming up for sale. I think our next get together will be when some vintage vans will be on display at Strathpine at Rodz Rock 'n Roll at the end of May (see thread in Runs and Events). There's also Gasoline & Garterbelts at Tamborine in early May, but I'm not sure how many vans will make that due to the Nationals being on the same week.

Dianne

[frogprincess]

OH that sounds like lots of fun! I was actually just sitting here reading about the Motorfest at Eagle Farm Racecourse in July and wondering if there would be any vans turn up at that. I'll mark your dates in my calendar and hope to make it. Jellybean is soooo cute. I have fallen in love with so many on this forum. I can't wait to find one to show off to you all.

I'm still looking incase anyone is hiding something from me!!! I'll make a great mother believe me !!

[Jennison]

FrogPrincess
Check that globe advertised today here on site

[frogprincess]

I am sooo onto it !! but for some reason my silly computer wont open the file in the docx format. I've sent an email to have a photo sent my my email.

I'm interested to see it. Ideally i do want a 10' and this one is 12' but beggars can't be choosers!

[humpyboy]

Apr 18, 2012 17:24:58 GMT 10 Jellybean said:

In the meantime why don't you come along to one of our gatherings to meet and talk with some of the group. You never know who knows of something coming up for sale. Dianne

Good suggestion that, this is how I found my "STU" the teardrop, just follow the link at the bottom of my post for the "Safetee Minor"

[frogprincess]

Thanks HumpyBoy.
I am loving this globe that has just been advertised today. I'm just investigating how to get it up to the Sunshine State and then find someone to restore it for me. So a meet and greet of expert van lovers is exactly what i need.

[pmandlm]

Hello Frogprincess
We can't bear the suspense - did you get your dream van??

[frogprincess]

Not yet. Unfortunately my search has been put on hold for the past few weeks due to other circumstances. But i am still looking and checking regularly. Believe me, when i find my van, you will all hear about it !! ... We need to help Miss Molly find her baby too !!

[Miss Molly]

Don't worry FP- I'm looking for both of us! MMx