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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
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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
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Post by jenniewren on Jan 11, 2011 21:06:02 GMT 10
PS How on earth did you manage to polish that aluminum around your stove??? Com'on...let me in on the secret as mine has been painted with something like varnish that is not pleasant to look at although I have scrubbed it to death!!!!! Jenniewren
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Post by jenniewren on Jan 11, 2011 21:02:46 GMT 10
Hi guys - I LOVE your van.............how cool are those retro colours!!!! Incidentally, I am waiting on my cushions for the diner and have chosen the reverse to yours!!! Great minds think alike hey? Agree with Reddo - bottom line - enjoy your vintage van however you like!!!! Mine is definitely not being renovated with authenticity in mind but more for modern day comfort of what we WANT in a van when out in this great land of ours!!! The shape of these gorgeous vans are what first initially catches everyone's eye!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! J/wren
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Post by jenniewren on Dec 28, 2010 10:55:07 GMT 10
The VV with the yellow stripe, is it a Franklin? Looks to be similar to ours but a little bigger! The only thing I have done over the past several months is wash the outside....simply used warm soapy water, a soft bristled broom and elbow grease....came up surprisingly fantastic. Oh and finally managed to pull up the fuzzy carpet and lino tiles....took forever. If anyone needs cushion seats etc made. I have made contact with an awesome guy who lives in Narre warren - Victoria who operates from home....he will be making mine up shortly. Whatever design etc you want he will do.....ours will be piped edged and diamond buttoned, two toned and it just was not a hassle....hope all had an awesome Christmas as we did! Cheers Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on Nov 10, 2010 18:04:46 GMT 10
Awww how cute is your van - and all those little extra's stored away in there (kero lantern, retro canisters etc) will give it such an authentic touch! I also have seen this shape before on this forum...especially the palm tree stickers! Enjoy the resto cause that is half the fun!!!! I really need to get stuck back into my resto...given me incentive with your enthusiasm....welcome to an addiction you will not be able to shake! Jenniewren
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Post by jenniewren on Oct 27, 2010 20:00:20 GMT 10
I am soooo slack.....it has been too cold in the hills to do anything but open the van door and let in a bit of fresh air!!!! But I am being inspired again with the warmer weather coming on....keep the photo's coming on your resto so slackers like me get their act together!!!!! Welcome to the world of continuing resto's!!!!! Jenniewren...................................
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Post by jenniewren on Jul 7, 2010 21:30:27 GMT 10
Can't wait to see MORE....what a lovely van & car!
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Post by jenniewren on Jul 4, 2010 21:57:45 GMT 10
Awesome! I wanted the slide show to go on...and on...and on...and on...please sir...may I have some more!! THANKYOU for sharing these photo's...........J
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Post by jenniewren on Jul 2, 2010 11:13:24 GMT 10
A friend of ours who has a NEW van recently purchased a heater. Bought it at "rays outdoors" I think. It is small and has a safety feature that if it topples over it automatically switches off!! He DOES have a generator as it is electric! Didn't cost him much...about $60 I think...I did read somewhere on the site some time ago about insulation that they use around air conditioners?? Whoever it was highly recommended it as it was easy to manipulate into cupboard spaces & ceilings ...or alternatively you could wrap yourself in newspaper/cardboard like the street urchins do!!! Hee hee... J
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Post by jenniewren on Jul 2, 2010 11:01:48 GMT 10
Does anyone know of a good motor trimmer/upholsterer in the Ferntree Gully/Bayswater area? Need seat cushions made! Deadline is looming up too fast! Thanks Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on Jul 2, 2010 10:53:29 GMT 10
Fantastic...these guys are exactly what I need as was thinking of ditching old fridge & buying new! Reluctant to throw the three way out...but it has about a three inch crack and smaller cracks radiating from that on the bottom inside. A friend told me this was not good...and it should be replaced altogether! ? I can't seem to get it to go either... Might give these guys a call in Clayton and see what they think....if I can get the darn thing out!!! J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 28, 2010 22:08:50 GMT 10
Mission Beach would that be??? My brother lives at a place called Flying Fish Point right on the beach - about 8km or so from Innisfail so if you were all at Kurramine recently, it may have been you guys - although he did say there were quite a few Mustangs in the entourage all towing vin vans! Love the cars - that GTO poking out looks quite wicked!!!! Do you favour fibreglass vans cause they are lighter to tow or just..... because? ? Have you pushed the bondy's away out of sight? Convinced me that a Mustang/Camaro or similar is the tow vehicle for us! Shall ask my brother if you were the guys he spied & admired! Cause he laughed & laughed when he heard I had succumbed to a vintage van - humpff...he is a superb builder & cabinet maker & I think he is glad he lives soooo far away at the moment!!!! BUT he thought the cars & vans he saw were a credit to their owners......he actually loved them! Envy you going to Mission Bch have a look at Etty Beach also - pretty little van park there right on the beach...my family all live in Qld - from Gold Cst to Cairns to Atherton Tablelands! Know Mission area well....have fun...Cheers J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 27, 2010 23:40:53 GMT 10
Yes Dave...I think that is what we shall do before committing ourselves. Have no idea the weight of the van as yet. I have cut up the wooden "double" mattress framework which weighed a ton! As does the table which is not original. Plus a heavy overhead laminated benchlike thing over the bed at the back of the van that was held in place with chrome poles & huge long bolts & a ton of washers! Heavy as! Goodness knows why they thought 4 x 4 wood framework for under the mattress was the go - an elephant could rest on it and not make a dent!!! And they built it all within the small space of the bed area & there was no way we could get them out in one pce! So thinking that will make a huge difference in the overall weight...hopefully! Guessing it could weigh in around 800kg. So a 289 standard mustang seems like it could be a winner...although the boy has been looking at camaro's - told him he is dreamin'......he just smiles serenely...oh dear! Don't like that look! Painting interior will begin when the temp goes up....brrrrrr Regards J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 27, 2010 22:23:08 GMT 10
Thank you for your replies....have been at the movies! Toy Story 3 you have to go & see it. If only for the child within all of us irregardless of age! The boy (husband) is now convinced he needs a mustang or cougar or camaro....oh dear! $$$$ I have opened up pandora's box with the purchase of the Franklin I fear...we loved both! Verrry nice cars boys! ;D Thank you for posting the pics Don R - Regards J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 27, 2010 17:49:14 GMT 10
Weeelll! I think they are awesome looking beasts - although our vv is a Franklin 59er (we think) and were hoping that someone else also towed their v van with the same sort of car! Hoping that its weight (the van) won't be too much of a problem for a mustang! Maybe Kenworth73 will read my query also and tell us what he thinks??? Thank you Don Ricardo, as always you reply promptly to all our inane questions! Have a lovely evening - kind regards J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 27, 2010 16:23:43 GMT 10
Has anyone ever seen or heard of a vv towed by a mustang...at all? Luv em but am hesitant whether or not they are an acceptable tow car? ? We want something totally different and radical to the usual tow car....my brother has seen six in a van park recently in far north Qld, all towing vintage vans but I have not heard or seen of any myself.....anyone else out there heard any snippets? Ho hummm...back to trying to choose paint colours for the van interior....what a pain in the butt when I love so many colours!!!!! Cheers J
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 22, 2010 11:47:04 GMT 10
Love ittttt.......beautiful......if only I had the time to start collecting...sigh.....
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 7, 2010 17:42:14 GMT 10
Cool van - looks in top condition! Would love to see some inside pic's! WELCOME and I warn you this site is addictive...
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 1, 2010 16:43:22 GMT 10
Thanks Al...the resin coating sounds like the go. I hope my finished job will look as good as yours (doubtful)...Tiles - animal glue hey? Good grief they must have been boiled down cockatoo's! Tough! I did try a hairdryer/boiling water but that didn't work very well either. I have been laboriously chipping away this afternoon with the tiles & did decide..bugger the black paper it can stay where it is stuck well & truly to the floor! But I do have a belt sander & am pretty good at using it having renovated a house recently that was sadly neglected so I am going to plug in & give that a go! I have three more stubborn tiles to remove so shall go back & have another go...Al - character building sucks like polishing alum windows...but you are correct, determination has set in & I am not one to give in easily!!!! Thank you for the encouragement..back out I go!!!! Might just grab a coffee first! Kind regards Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on May 31, 2010 21:31:23 GMT 10
So glad to see this vv... as it is identical to ours - now I know ours is definitely a '59 franklin! A tad updated albeit but the same shape & windows. I can even make out the original outline of a single stripe that "was" there! We have 2 new speed stripes - makes it go faster in a head wind I am guessing! I am going out to see if I can find a chassis # that looks like the above as I didn't know what to look for before! Have a feeling we have a knew drawbar! Hope the reno are going along nicely Rayboy! Regards Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on May 31, 2010 20:32:51 GMT 10
Whoohoo! Thanks Dave but I think I have fixed my bakelite dilemma! Thank you also Gordon for clarifying the sleeve objective! I went to the local milkbar & came out armed with araldite..."Donavan" milk bar owner (ancient asian dude - can't be his real name??) mumbled something eligible & I simply nodded. Think I should have shook my head as he looked at me weirdly & smiled - a lot! He pulled out an old cardboard box full of different glues!!!! Bless the man...anywho....I re-glued and held my breath...at this stage it has worked. I have come to the conclusion that it does need a reinforcement however...really don't want it breaking at the critical moment as you say...but I thought of a very small hose clamp???!! Might not look very attractive but I am sure that is all it needs over the break line....so thank you so much for your help. "The boy knows" what you mean re: bicycle lever sleeve! Grrrr.....vinyl tiles....Guess you or someone doesn't know how to lift vinyl tiles off the vv floor? I have a blister from painstakingly chiseling them off and they are sooooo stubborn. Fluffy grey carpet was stuck over the top using a ton of glue. Unbelievably hard to peel back. Peeled that back (finally) & thru out the door in disgust only to curse that these lovely tiles had been underneath....actually they were made in Gt Britain so I am guessing they WERE fantastic quality - shame. I just can't budge about 8 of them. And finally do I have to remove the black paper like backing completely cause I can't budge some of that either!!!! Boiling water??? Blow torch??? Bomb??? At least the colour of these old tiles has been the deciding factor for the overall colour scheme!!!! Hoping somone out there knows a painless method.... :'(Regards Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on May 28, 2010 20:45:15 GMT 10
Whoa...12mm thank goodness ours doesn't have any rot/damage cause I would not know where to begin...I think the sides of our franklin is just as thick somehow. Cause when we tapped the sides it seemed as solid as a rock! There was a minor repair in one corner that looked like 3mm ply that had been "doubled up" "stuck on top of one another" had been used to repair the damage when I finally cut the bed in 4 to get it out to check out the underneath cupboard!! Don't know if that is useful information for you or not! At least you have an original rear window! Ours is a sq ugly looking thing (that I will have changed at some stage!) but it doesn't leak...phew regards Jennie
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Post by jenniewren on May 28, 2010 19:48:40 GMT 10
You are a very sweet & special man Dave - really - underneath that tough exterior eh? I have fond memories of spending my time with my Dad as he built his "boats" in a tiny garage. I was a lot younger than Zac when I ran around handing him the tools required! Still have a saw mark on my arm where I carried the hand saw the wrong way!!! And nearly lost the end of a finger with a chisel but we had a lot of fun in that shed! Especially when he built an 18ft wooden Hartley cabin cruiser, one of six in total and realised he couldn't get it out the door - I learnt a few choice not so gentlmanly words that day! And yes had to remove parts of the shed roof/doorway....but he kept his sense of humour as farmers do when faced with a dilemma! Ol' Ron is no longer with us - ah but the memories linger...he would have loved helping me with this van. I would have taught him to communicate with you guys via computer and I know he would have eventually succumbed to either building his own bondwood van or done up a lost cause...perhaps that is why I am so determined to do this project!!!! Zac will look back later in his life and think what an experience... and what a truly lovely gentleman you are!!!
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Post by jenniewren on May 27, 2010 21:50:04 GMT 10
It's gorgeous! Love the interior/colours - really need to get my act together and start refurbishing ours!
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