Valiant van

[aeroliteej]

This is my "parts" van,as it blew over,while in the possession of the previous owner, hence its condition.
This is my first attempt at posting a thread, if it works ok,l will be posting threads of our 2 other vans(a different era Valiant and an early 12ft6 Aerolite). I am hoping to work out the years of our vans, and also maybe help others do the same with their Vals and Aerolites.
This van is 12ft 6 long,6ft 10 wide. As per the photos, the chassis number is B1264,the inside cupboards are laminated and the exterior panels are screwed(in more ways than 1), to timber framing.

[Franklin1]

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

I'm surprised you are using this van for spare parts. I would have thought a bit of glass in that rear side window, and you'd be good to go, heh heh.

A chassis number of B1264 is from the 1963/64 time period. That wide painted band along the windows is typical of that time. For the 1965 model, they changed the paintwork to be side flashes above and below the windows.

I've got photos of B2053 in my collection, and it shows the wide band like yours, and I've got B2965 showing the 1965 design, so sometime after B2053 the change was made.

cheers,
Al.

[aeroliteej]

Howdy Al, thanks for the reply and info.
Fotos dont really do the van damage, justice.
She's pretty sad,it would be easier to list the things that arent damaged, rather than vice-versa,h haa. At least l saved this van and the other one from the scrappy, which is where they were headed in a month or 2.
I was hoping that this van may have been around '64(even tho my original thought of the chassis number including the numbers 64 may have pointed to it being manufactured in '64 was wrong),'cos l'm thinking the other Val van is a bit older,and may even year-match one of our tow vehicles, our EJ Prem (yeah,as yet unrestored as well,ha). Keep on rockin,cheers-Pete.

[aeroliteej]

Gday junctionbox,l hope to sell a few of the salvageable bits. Its good to have a spare van for parts, as l havent heard of many caravan wreckers,(like, none).
Thanks for your very useful hint. After reading your post, l went out to the van, searching, in the off-chance of finding a pencil scrawl somewhere. Lo-and-behold, written in pencil,underneath the cutlery drawer was "Water tested OK Keith Odd(?) September 1964." I wasn't sure on the surname, but looked like Odd.
All in all, l consider, a great find. Thanks again,junctionbox,up here for thinking mate, all the best-Pete.

[Franklin1]

G'day aeroliteej,

Lo-and-behold, written in pencil,underneath the cutlery drawer was "Water tested OK Keith Odd(?) September 1964."

Now that's interesting...

Because I'm about to illustrate how confusing this whole subject of chassis numbers can be...

You have chassis number B1264 which appears to be 1963/64.

I've told you I've got pictures of B2053 which has the same painted band as yours, and I've told you that B2965 has the 1965 stripes design on it.

Now I'll throw in that the chassis numbers for Valiants changed from a B-series to a C-series at some point, even before the B numbers were exhausted (ie. before they got up to B9999 ). When did they start using the C-series? Not sure.

Now here's the clincher...

We have a member on our sister forum for Classic Caravans who owns a 1964 Valiant (...I'll explain why she's there another time). The chassis number on her van is C221...



How do I know it's a 1964 van? Well, let me quote her:

Found written on the bottom of the cutlery drawer, "water tested ok. Keith Odd December 1964".

So, when you've figured out how the chassis numbering system worked for Valiants, let me know ok? Because I've given up!

cheers,
Al.

[aeroliteej]

Ok Al,l now have a theory,(take a deep breath, and if you have the option,a big-dose glass of Merlot).
My"damaged" Val has chassis no B1264, and is more than likely a'64. Your photos of the '65 striped van has the chassis no B2965. I wonder if the other van you have pic's of (chassis no B2053) is actually B2063 and is a '63 model.
Ok,onto part 2 of my theory(they are always correct, 2 me anyway,ha haa,just ask my right hand woman),the Val photo which you posted at 12.26 am(maybe pm???,LOL) is a 14ft 6 van, AND has the Valiant Alumvan(as l have read previously,means aluminium frame,pop-rivets) sticker, hence the new C code(C221). S--t(am l allowed to swear), l need another Merlot.
In reply to Arthur- I agree that parts may have been stockpiled, 'cos my other Val(the less-damaged 1)has pencilled on the back of some drawers"328 14-6". which l am supposing points to chassis no 328(mine is actually 315)and a 14ft 6 van(mine is a 12ft 6). However.......l believe that our mate, Keith Odd, would have only" tested the water"once everything was in-situ in the completed van.
Hope you can sleep t'nite Al(good luck).
Also, hope you guys dont try to spread yourselves around every different caravan brand.......ha haaaa, keep on rockin-Pete.

[chubi]

Fix it up it aint that bad lol

[caboodle69]

Photo of my Valiant; Chassis C1234: Al thinks may be 1969... ( Was last registered as 79...)

[happydays]

Hi Pete

I realise this is an old post and I am probably way too late, but I’m hoping you still have your parts van.

I have my Dad’s 1966 14ft Valiant Alumvan that he bought brand new and was first registered 10 October 1966. The Chassis number is C576 and was a special order so they had to wait for it. Dad said that in 1966 you could choose timber or aluminium frame. It also has all exterior panels riveted. Given yours is a wood frame and different paint style to mine, I would suggest that it is pre ’66. Hope this helps with dating yours. As for the paint on mine. My brother painted the blue right the way through both darts. If you look closely at the top you can see where the original dart was. My Avatar is a picture of it when new being pulled by an Austin 1800.

I am looking for both door locks (including the flyscreen one), stabilisers, outside light (whole assembly) and probably 101 other things as I go on with my resto.

As for Keith Odd, the only thing under my cutlery draw is the number 8737.

Cheers Janelle.