|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 24, 2010 18:14:41 GMT 10
Vikki, we're only 5 or 10 mins from you, happy to help out with tyres, brakes etc. Cheers Graeme Thanks for the offer Graeme. It will be a little while, my Credit card was too well fed over the past few months and has grown very fat. ;D ;D Once it gets slimmed down a bit i'll have something to get the tyres with. cheers Vikki. ;D
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 24, 2010 18:11:22 GMT 10
Bill, came around to stamp the chassis numbers for me the other day. (A HUGE thanks to u Bill). I learn't a lot in a short time. LOL.. The funny looking bit of tin in the Ice box is a number plate holder! You guys probably already knew that but I was so surprised, I had no idea.. The strips of metal in the wardrobe are bits of the door frame and so .... Also, I was looking at the old Rego labels and 1 of them clearly says 'Ranger' as the model. It was viewable only in a particular angle of sunlight. I went out a couple of hours later to try and photograph it and couldn't see a thing. I'll have to try and get the time and sun angle right and get a pic of it before it fades beyond sun angle viewing.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 7, 2010 12:11:49 GMT 10
Love the louvered windows, the washbasin and actually I like the whole van, lucky you. )
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 11:47:13 GMT 10
I have to add that part of the pleasure of owning old things and fixing them up ( for me anyway), is doing it myself. I like to give things a go.. There is nothing better than sitting back at the end of all the fixing up and feeling that wonderful, proud, satisfaction , that I did it... I'm one of those girls that if something breaks I will always try and fix it before letting someone else touch it. I also love hard rubbish collections and the thrill of getting a treasure and fixing it up and making it beautiful again. I am a little limited now with being unwell, things just take muchhhhhhhh longer to do now. LOL... Vikki.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 11:36:48 GMT 10
Hi Ray, no lino . Plywood floor and some yukky old carpet pieces that I have already taken out The cupboards either side of the light are about 8 inches deep, there is also a matching one above the sink. The woodgrainy finish of the cupboard doors match the top of the stove section lid... I will be trying to fix it up. LOL. I feel confident that I can handle most of it. I may regret saying that? I will seek help with re attaching the brakes( if they are still ok) and getting new tyres on etc... The exterior only needs some rivets and screws and some little pieces that are in the van put back on... MORE DETAILED PICS COMING LATER TODAY Vikki.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 2:22:29 GMT 10
G'day Littleblackbirdvicki, In this thread at reply #16 Bruceb mentions that "Baravans" were at one time given descriptive names such as "Safari", "Royal", "Ranger" etc. Problem is I can't find a Baravan photo that looks like your 'van.... but I'll keep looking. The same Bruceb tells us Baravan started in 1954.. obviously making plywood caravans at that time. If your 'van turns out to be a Baravan I'd say she's an early model inexpertly clad with aluminium at some time. Have a look inside the cupboards and see what's there, plywood or aluminium ... also look inside all the cupboard doors to see if you can find a number penciled in there. Cobber. Hi Cobber, I had a look at the link. I can't find a number on the Chassis, some of looks non original. Is there a particular spot that numbers are usually placed/stamped? I had a hunt today and could not see one, found some rust though.. LOL. I copied this part of the post as it states metal van... Chassis number 454 described as an 'All Metal Van', size 10', Layout 2S (2 single beds) and originally sold to Skipper Bailey Motor Company on 14th January 1964. Vikki.....
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 2:16:23 GMT 10
Vikki, I still think my option could be the truth... Which do you think sounds more feasible?: "Gizza gander at yer Rander"or... cheers, Al ;D Hey Al, LOL, ROFL. ;D ;D Vikki.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 2:14:42 GMT 10
HI Ray, there is a little something after the last R . I noticed that too. I will look tomorrow and see if the writing is centred or not.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 2:13:05 GMT 10
Well, this afternoon I crawled around and under and took some close up pics of things that may help. The rear round lights look original, I got a pic with the name. The rear square lights look like they've been added. I mentioned in another reply that the rear cladding , the bit that is partly roof and partly top rear looks like its been put on inside out? The mirror inside the wardrobe looks like it has the silver painted on in the old sort of stuff that they havent used for years. The hinges and handles inside all match and the hinges are definately 60's or before. I have some close pics of them too, maybe someone will recognise the year of those? I LOVE her anyway, even if she is a bit messed up, she matches me, LOL. I will look inside the cupboards and the drawers etc tomorrow and see if there are any numbers. I really , really just HAVE to know what year she is and hopefully her brand and what has happened to her. I will also email the people I bought it from and see if they can remember where they bought her etc. They have sold a fair few vans though so may not remember..... I just have to try the photobucket thing again to get the pics up. Night all, or should I say morning? Vikki. littleblackbird (:>)=
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 1:59:44 GMT 10
Too young Geoff, this ones much older, its got an icebox and the hinges used inside are much older Vikki.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 1:56:44 GMT 10
Ok, So here you go shadowed and unshadowed. The style of the font matches all they key points of the design of what is left of the old sticker. Cheers Chris Hi Chris, It certainly does match! Thanks so very much. Any idea if the little marking to the right of the last letter may also be a clue? Cheers, Vikki. ;D
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 1:54:24 GMT 10
Hi Al and Vikki... Vikki, you missed the "hint", i too have a set of stamps. I got them to "restamp" the VIN onto the chassis so I didn't have to get a Vicroads one... (except I live a chunky drive from you across town) Al, as for the comment about photoshop skills... I'm already on it. I have, via a friend already located the font, or at least a very close match to it, so should be able to mock up a repro image of what it should look like. I also sniffed around and found several references to Ranger caravans. They are all moderns, so you never know. I guess it depends on if anyone "owned" or "owns" that as a brand/model name. I've tried a few other variations on the word and none seem to make any sense, just like the "rander" one doesn't. Not that a name has to make sense, but Ranger does just seem to lend itself to a van name don't you think? Standby for an update soon on the repro name... Cheers Chris Hi Chris, I did miss the hint didn't I, LOL.. Its ok, Bill lives very close by to me.... I could only find modern Ranger vans also. Thanks for the Photoshop effort.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 1:50:25 GMT 10
Hi vikki, I don't want you to interpret my questions above as having a shot at your van in any way, ok? Far from it...it's questions like these that help us to get to the bottom of a caravan's history. Your van is a great little van, no matter what it's name or history is. ;D I also don't want to mislead you with the "Sandrover" name. I'm not suggesting your van is a Sandrover (although we can't rule that out just yet), but moreso I'm suggesting things aren't always what they seem. Sure the fourth letter looks like a "G", but it could also be a "D" in reverse. I think the key to the name is the third letter. Maybe someone with Photoshop skills could show what a recreation of the nameplate might have looked like. That third letter doesn't look like a typical capital "N", so it must be some type of stylised "n". All my questions about the cladding will help to understand what might have happened to your van over the years. Manufacturers who made quality vans would go to a fair degree of planning to make sure the "seams" on a caravan matched up on all sides. Now, either some repair work has been done to the cladding forward of the door, or somebody has clad this van without a great deal of care to ensure things matched up, on both the door side, and the other side. Are you able to tell if there is plywood underneath the aluminium cladding? Maybe this van was once a plywood van that was recovered? The profile of the cladding is from the mid-1960s, but vans of that era had generally progressed to the fridge stage, rather than retaining the icebox. If the van does turn out to be a Ranger, you'll be the first person that I'm aware of that has one. I haven't found any reference to Ranger caravans in any of the research that I've done so far. (And if it turns out to be a "RAnDER" I reckon you'll DEFINITELY be the only one who ever has one! ) cheers, Al. Hi again Al, It is confusing. The ice box, the cladding not matching up, the cladding on the rear roof , the part that curves down and becomes the top of the back looks like it is on the wrong way? The indentations in the cladding are opposite to the rest, the hinges used inside the van all match, but some things are not right??? Well, it looks like its baffling some others also so hopefully between us all we'll figure it out.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 4, 2010 1:43:50 GMT 10
G'day Littleblackbird, That aluminium 'van will be much lighter than the bondwood you have / had. Did you ever get a water tank for it.... do you still have the 'van and is it for sale now ? Cobber. Sorry Cobber, I forgot to answer the water tank question. Yes, Reddo came to the rescue and posted me down a lovely galvanised water tank with brass tap etc.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 22:28:16 GMT 10
Are you serious? Wow, I shall call!! Thanks HEAPS Bill, Vikki. ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 21:01:20 GMT 10
Vicki - when I had my Superb prepared for roadworthy, the repairer who did the inspection had a set of numbering stamps (a small version of a branding iron, only you belt them with a hammer and they indent the number into the steel) and he stamped a chassis number in for me for nothing Without checking, I think I used my birthdate, as the van was built the year I was born. ;D ;D Ray Aahhh. I see. I didn't get to pick my number, VIC roads gave me one. I would not have known what to pick as I don't know what year she is yet... I was going to try and engrave the nnumber in with my battery operated security engraver tool. LOL... The metal was/is much too hard, LOL...
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 20:58:15 GMT 10
Maybe it was a one-off & named Lone Ranger! Boom boom. cheers gordon I like the idea of 'Lone Ranger'. ;D
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 20:57:28 GMT 10
Actually, looking again, it might have been a 'Something Ranger'. If you look at the "brow" sticker, you can see where the original was above the remnants left. The aluminium hasn't dulled as much..., particularly above and to the right, excluding the lichen of course... Is there a brand called a 'something? Ranger' ? whatever that something is?
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 20:55:48 GMT 10
Why does the cladding forward of the door not line up with the cladding aft of the door? Why is the joint in the cladding on the offside higher than the nearside? What do the four-stud wheels come off, and what time period do these wheels belong to? In the "Sandrover" brand of vans, some of the vans had a Sandrover sticker that looked like the "d" was reversed. So, could the "G" actually be a "D" in reverse? Have no idea what that could possibly make the name be, but I always remember "Salem's" van that had the sticker that looked like Salem or Saloon, only to eventually find out it read Falcon. So many questions...so few answers... cheers, Al. MY you are very observant! I did not even notice the cladding not matching up! I've just been so excited to get it home. Yes, many questions and no answers as yet? I don't know why the cladding joints are different on each side? The previous owner suggested they are old Austin wheels and managed to get me a spare, not the same, but with the 4 studs. There is a thingo at the top for sliding an awning/annexe in and there are the little clip things for an annexe skirt for around the front/ base of the van but no little clips up the sides for an annexe? The inside has me a little baffled as well. I will get some inside pics up soon as I can't figure some of it out. Some bits are missing. I will check out the aluminium near the writing and see if its fading is enough to allow for it to perhaps say Sandrover? Cheers, Vikki.
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 20:42:40 GMT 10
Maybe it was a one-off & named Lone Ranger! Boom boom. cheers gordon LOL!!!!
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 20:26:54 GMT 10
Hi Chris, I see what u mean about the keyboard letter 'G' . Ok, so it's still a Ranger? But I can't find any info and somewhere along the way, the van has been changed/damaged and I really wanted to find some pics so I can fix her up how she is meant to be. What do mean about the chassis stamping being free if I know someone with a set of stamps? Sorry, a bit thick here? I don't know many people, i'm a bit of a shy hermit, LOL.... cheers, vikki. )))
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 2:05:18 GMT 10
I cannot identify my van. I can't find anything on RANGER except for modern vans. I am not sure now that it says Ranger. I look at it and the 4th letter that I thought was the 'G' out of ranger does not look like a 'G' anymore? Come on guys/girls, help me read this writing and find out what my cutie van is, Please. )))
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 1:57:37 GMT 10
Its not my first, LOL, I joined this Forum in 2008 when I bought my first, a 1946 h/m bondwood. The car I had for that one was stolen and my replacement car is too light to tow it without some long term extra wear and tear so I started looking for a little aluminium one, will match my car better too. ) and I am alone now so wanted something I can handle without man muscle. LOL... I dont collect until weekend of December 19th.. This is my X-mas pressie to myself... I was unwell and din't manage to collect until later in Jan....
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Feb 2, 2010 1:55:57 GMT 10
Hi LB, that's because all vans are required to have an identifying number. Pre 1983, whatever is stamped there is acceptable as long as it's readable. Post 1983, you have to have an official long winded VIN that Vicroads charge to supply, then all the compliance plate stuff. I presume they charged you for the priveledge of getting one.. Cheers Chris No, they did NOT charge me for the VIN number, ( it was FREE!!). The man said that most early model vans did not have one. He did say that I need to get it stamped into the drawbar which will cost me of course..
|
|
|
Post by littleblackbird on Jan 25, 2010 22:18:12 GMT 10
What a nice thing to inherit... Its a lovely van I think knowing the history of your van can make it even more special... Vikki. And, yes, as Al said, you may be wanting that original pump fixed and back in the van eventually so hang on to it if you still have it.
|
|