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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 6, 2012 22:33:01 GMT 10
G'day vwstyle,
Could it be something as simple as the electrical lead having the new-style plug on the end with the plastic shroud, and you are trying to insert that into the old-style power inlet on the van? The two styles are not compatible, and you won't be able to push the plug into the socket far enough to make contact.
If that's not the case, I'd be plugging a drill into the end of the lead and checking you've got power at that end, and then plugging the lead into the van and going inside the van and plugging the drill into a few different power points and seeing if you're getting power to all those places. If it's "ok" at the end of the lead, but "no" at all the power points, then you've probably got a wire loose/broken at the back of the inlet socket.
If it's "ok" at some power points but "no" at others, the wiring feeding the "no" power points has come adrift somewhere in the wall cavity.
If all power points are "ok" but the lights are "no", then the lighting cable has come adrift somewhere.
The bottom line is it's a matter of methodically working your way through the system to see what, if anything, is working or not.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 6, 2012 22:18:49 GMT 10
G'day aquamum, I know nothing about cars (except how to drive them ), but I was forced to learn about FJ wheels when I started my project. I learnt that the hole size for the wheel studs is different between the FX and the FJ models. There is some more info in the Vintage Caravan Wheels thread that's stickied near the top of the Techo index (see Reply #3 in that thread). cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 31, 2012 22:40:16 GMT 10
G'day All,
As many of you know, I'm a Moderator on our sister forum for Classic Caravans built in the 1970s. I was recently contacted by a forum member to discuss all the possible places in old caravans where asbestos might be found.
During his restoration, he had submitted a sample of the old sealant (used around his mid-70s aluminium-clad van) to a laboratory for testing. The test results confirmed the presence of asbestos in the sealant, and the lab man made the comment that "the asbestos was bonded into the mastic and furthermore this was very common practice for all sealants and putties of this era."
I was quite surprised to learn of this, as I'd never considered these sealants might contain asbestos.
I presume the sealants used before 1970 would have also had asbestos added to the mix during manufacture, but I don't have any confirmation of that.
If you have to remove any old sealant during your restoration, please be mindful of the possible presence of asbestos in the sealant, and take the necessary precautions.
thanks, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 30, 2012 15:36:09 GMT 10
G'day hilldweller, reddo's usually the "go-to" man for these old taps, as far as knowing what replacement parts are available, and where to get them. If you know how to use the forum search engine, look for fynspray or whale for 3000 days and 50 results (there are 19 threads from 2006 to this year ). That will tell you a fair bit about these old taps. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 25, 2012 18:50:52 GMT 10
Ah yes, but look at it this way, sgtl...you made 4,900% profit on your transaction, whereas the next seller is currently only at 300%, so you are the more astute "investor"! cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 24, 2012 20:41:30 GMT 10
No need to toss and turn all night, Koala... From all we've learnt so far about the Franklin chassis numbering system, the first chassis each year got #1 and then the 2nd chassis got #2, and so on. No separate numbering for each model. You have the 298th chassis built, and one day you'll come across chassis number 297 or 299 and they'll probably be a different Franklin model...maybe...possibly. Least ya know that fridge is original! cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 22, 2012 22:59:39 GMT 10
G'day sgtl, I guess the plain roof with a striped scalloped fringe would be the one you'd see more often in your travels. Or alternatively, the plain roof with a plain scalloped fringe. However, some people have had them made out of striped canvas on the roof section. I haven't seen too many of that style, but if you look through sutcac's photos in this thread you'll see one of the forum members has a striped roof. There should be plenty of other photos in the Nationals event threads for both 2010 and 2012, to give you some more thoughts on which way to go. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 19, 2012 22:13:15 GMT 10
Well, well, well...this is actually the "Charlwyn" van, which I almost bought back in 2006 but it was suddenly withdrawn from sale due to a change of heart by the seller. It went back on the market again in 2009, but never reappeared on this forum with the new owner. Anybody interested in reading more about this van can click on this thread from 2009... New member - charlwyn...and I also put some info into the "Home-made Caravans" section in the DHL index, back in 2007 (Struth! Was it that long ago?! )... Home-made CaravansI have some other detailed information about the history of this van, collected in 2006 when I intended to buy it. I'm blowed in I can find the original post on the forum from MarkT though. If you buy this van, and the seller doesn't have the original history information to give you, get in touch with me. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 9, 2012 23:06:47 GMT 10
G'day Jim, You have the pattern that was used on the 1969, 1970, and some of the 1971 Viscounts and Ambassadors. Like this one... Your chassis number would have to be from either 1969 or 1970. In 1971, they put the "A" at the end of the numbers. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 8, 2012 23:34:01 GMT 10
G'day Jim,
Is the aluminium cladding on your van silver with a painted stripe/design along the sides, or is it white cladding with painted stripes/design?
The "Duralvan" tag was used from 1965 up until about 1971 or '72. If your van is silver, it'll be from earlier than mid-1969. If it's white, it'll be from mid-'69 or later.
Checking my records just now, I found that A5285 is a 1968 model, so I suspect you are looking at 1968 or 1969 with your chassis number of A6575. But, the colour of the cladding is the key.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 4, 2012 22:13:15 GMT 10
Yeah, Ken, this van certainly doesn't go down the back of the caravan park where the chook pen is, that's for sure. Not all of them got the gold anodised trim on the van, so I think there must have been a run of "specials" from time to time.
The first three numbers on your chassis number are the consecutive numbers of chassis built before yours, so you have the 298th chassis built for 1969. On the basis that Franklin were building about, say, 5000 vans that year, yours would be very early in the year, probably in January.
Franklin seemed to have "missed out" on designing a handbrake lever for their vans. I've seen a couple from around 1975 that have an additional lever that locks the brakes on when parked up, but most seem to not get that bit. Some people tell me it's not a good idea to have these hydraulic brakes in the "on" position all the time, so maybe that's why no park brake was incorporated in the coupling. Most owners I know of just use blocks either side of the wheel(s) to keep the van in position.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 4, 2012 18:48:48 GMT 10
G'day Ken, Well this would have to be one of the best examples of a Freeway that I've seen. Lucky you! Cobber is on the money with the year of 1969 for your chassis number. He's obviously been paying attention in class. ;D The last digit of 9 after the hyphen is the key to your year. 9 = 1969 Congratulations on a great find. cheers, Al.
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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 Franklin1 on Jul 13, 2012 19:19:40 GMT 10
Strike me pink, cobber...there's a fortune to be had here, and NONE of it is coming your way! If that artist can ask those sorts of dollars for an itty-bitty 100mm x 100mm canvas painting, then the actual van that all of this merchandise is based on would have to be worth a squillion!! I think you need to go back through this forum and work out who has actually looked at photos that have been posted of Driftwood, and then charge them a dollar for every one of the photos viewed. How is it that all these other people can make money out of your van, but you aren't able to? It ain't right, I reckon! cheers, Al. (Oh, and by the way... I've never looked at a photo of Driftwood on this forum. But I do know that reddo has it on his computer as a screensaver. That oughta be worth a few dollars to ya. ;D )
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 9, 2012 23:18:50 GMT 10
G'day Vanessa,
If you've got a small fridge magnet, you could do a test and see if the magnet is "attracted" to the base. That will give you an indication of whether the base is made of steel, or not.
I checked the lens I have, and they are 62mm base diameter, and 43mm height, so I'll sit on the "reserve list" and wait to see if you need me to help out. Bear in mind that mine were made in about the 1980s, so they aren't "vintage", but they are new/unused condition.
Send me a PM if you need any further info about them.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 8, 2012 23:10:55 GMT 10
G'day gordon, It's probably some Globetrotters going to the saleyard in Miranda, or Windcutters going to Castle caravans. The photo would have to be from the early '60s if it was Globetrotters going to Miranda. They didn't last long in the Sydney market (Viscount and Millard squeezed everybody out). Pretty snazzy truck with whitewall tyres! Not often seen on trucks, are they?? cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 8, 2012 23:01:04 GMT 10
G'day austin125, Sounds like you've taken on a humungous project! You'll be the best friend of many a V.V enthusiast once you've completed that mammoth task. When you ask "Who made...", what exactly are you looking for? For example, St James caravans were made by the St. James Caravan Co., 393 Liverpool Rd., Ashfield (Sydney suburb) - [advert March 1956], or do you want to know the name of the owner of the business? What little we know of the Escort brand is in the DHL section. "Futura" caravans were made by Barnes Caravans, who are currently in Lansvale (Sydney suburb) [selling spare parts only these days], but they may have been in a different location back in the 60s/70s. I've never heard of plenty of those other names you mention, so it will be interesting to see if any info comes to light. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 8, 2012 21:33:57 GMT 10
G'day Vanessa, If the base is plastic (and looking at your photo closely, it's possible it is), then I'd be inclined to think they were fitted later. They may have been replacements for the original lights, or were later additions to the van. Both the diameter and the height of the lens are important. The diameter has to virtually just fit inside the base, and be retained by the spring clip. The height has to have sufficient room for the globe to sit inside, as well as allowing for some air space between the top of the globe and the top of the cone. Otherwise the heat from the globe can possibly melt the plastic cone if it's too close. The ebay ones would be a good substitute if the diameter and height match what you have. The ones I have in the shed are "new-old-spare" plastic ones, so it's a case of which type you prefer. If mine suit your needs, I'll send you two cones (or 3 if you want a spare), which means you'll replace both cones. I don't suppose dear ol' Dad salvaged all the broken bits of the old lens? A steady pair of hands and some 5-minute Araldite can work wonders with a broken lens. I repaired a lens on a van and it gets through rego each year here in NSW. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 8, 2012 18:29:38 GMT 10
Ha ha ha...he still puts the empties out for the Milko in the morning! How very Nineteen fifties! ;D ;D ... (Although I thought milk bottles were made of clear glass in the old days?? ) Where's all the photos of "Mr Frosty" on the ground each morning? Cameras don't work at zero degrees, huh? Looks like you all had a great time though. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 8, 2012 18:07:27 GMT 10
G'day Vanessa, I might be able to help out, depending on two bits of information... 1) The external diameter of the beehive cone where it sits under the spring clip in the metal base, and, 2) The height of the beehive cone (ie. from base to tip). Some of these beehive lights have differing base diameters and heights, so it's sometimes not easy to find a match for a broken cone. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 7, 2012 18:48:47 GMT 10
Are you guys talking about these Hella lights? cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 6, 2012 8:56:40 GMT 10
G'day Stan and DonR, "Customline" was an in-house brand put on vans sold by Judd & Innes, a dealer in Victoria. I guess you could say it was similar to Norm Reeman putting his badge on vans. The couple of Customline vans I've seen so far appear to be from the early 1970s, with the white acrylic cladding. If hughdeani reads this, he might know more about when Judd & Innes first started operating, but I've not yet seen anything that looks like it's a vintage era van with their name on it. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 3, 2012 21:24:26 GMT 10
I might as well add in here that Cowra Caravans also had a Viscount from around '64/65 on the lot, when we looked in May... Chassis number is A922. That's all the detail I collected. Dunno price or length or anything else. Don't even know if it's still there or not. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jul 3, 2012 21:13:50 GMT 10
G'day seeshell, This Olympic has been hanging around for quite some time, and is still waiting for someone to take it home. I think we were first alerted to this van by Don Ricardo back in August 2010 ( Seen on the road... ) , when he photographed it on a property at Canowindra (near Cowra). More of that van is in the DHL Olympic thread (Reply #18). The van later "mysteriously" appeared for sale in Cowra City Caravans yard (don't know the story of how it got from Canowindra to Cowra). The really odd thing about the Cowra sale was the price: $9044.12 or something close and equally as "unusual" as that. The van went through ebay a few times looking for a new owner, but to no avail. During the recent Nationals, we went for a squiz around that saleyard, and noticed the van was then down to $4990. The Cowra Caravans website said they were "closing down" after 43 years, and all vans were up for sale for any reasonable offer. Now it seems they aren't actually closing down, rather the ol' owner is retiring, but still all their stock is up for sale at any reasonable offer. They've got some really old Viscount and Millard flags stuck to the side of their sheds...the sort of flags that Viscount and Millard dealers would have had flying in their saleyards back in the old days. The flags at Cowra are weatherbeaten after 40 years of flapping around, but gees what great collectables they'd be. cheers, Al.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 29, 2012 11:39:56 GMT 10
Firefighter is your man for Vic rego plate history. He's posted the info on the forum in the past, but I don't know where you'd even start looking for it. I'm more curious about your 1959 Coronet. Did you end up with the van with chassis number 9, or do you have a different Coronet? If it's a different one, do you know what the chassis number is on your van? As far as the rego numbers go, I can only offer these photographs of vans from the late 50s / early 60s, which show the plates. I'll leave it to other experts to say if these would be original or not... cheers, Al.
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