Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 15:03:11 GMT 10
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 15:05:16 GMT 10
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Post by hilldweller on Oct 12, 2012 15:09:24 GMT 10
Wow nine years! That's commitment. Congratulations Does she need any work or all good to go?
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 12, 2012 15:18:54 GMT 10
Very very nice. gordon
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 15:32:12 GMT 10
Wow nine years! That's commitment. Congratulations Does she need any work or all good to go? Thanks Gordon and Hilldweller, "Betty" has not been towed in 40 years and was last registered in 1997, has 1939 Chevrolet wheels. I will be replacing these and greasing bearings and installing a braking system. I do think I will have to replace the part that attaches to the towball as well. She doesn't leak and is perfect, no cracked windows, fridge works (where icebox used to be) pump tap installed as well to replace old handle pump type. Improvements were done in the 1970's but she was only used a couple of times after this. Her metho stove was also replaced with a gas one but the old owner gave the methane one in case I want to put it back in again.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Oct 12, 2012 16:00:07 GMT 10
Absolutely gorgeous Trish, well done
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 16:36:03 GMT 10
Thank you! I am like a proud Mumma.
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 16:44:07 GMT 10
Tryng photobucket again.... Kitchen area, the door above the fridge that drops down is where the ice blocks went the fridge was installed exactly where the icebox was without any modification on the cupboards. Rear... Front, bottom right of pic, drawers on curved area are cutlery drawers. Top left cupboard over dressing table is where the mirror is concealed: This stove was put it, in the 1970's there was a methane stove there, I still have it: Front lounge to double bed: Rear dinette to double bed: Mirror concealed in cupboard door... Vintage original lino! Privacy curtain put up: Original curtains: Wheels, 1939 Chevrolet: The original plans, found in a cupboard: and more: The van occupants in 1963, they are now in their 50's. Note the name "Moonya" signwritten behind them, was done by the first owner who took 2 years to build this van. "Moonya" means "dwelling" in Aboriginal.
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aquamum
Full Member
1968 Viscount Ambassador - Sydney NSW
Posts: 493
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Post by aquamum on Oct 12, 2012 17:17:50 GMT 10
Trish You have found a treasure ~ well done ;D
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Post by seeshell on Oct 12, 2012 17:19:34 GMT 10
Hi Trish
What a beauty you've found! I love the little cutlery drawers, the original bright lino, and the little touches like the mirror. And I can tell you you'll love all the drawers - how good is that! They beat a cupboard any day of the week.
There's something quite special about having a one-off too - you've every reason to be proud. How lucky are you to have also got the copy of the plans!
Well done, and enjoy your little "dwelling away from home".
Best regards Seeshell
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 17:36:50 GMT 10
Van history:This was made in the mid 1950's by a gentleman from Coleraine , Victoria, he took about two years to build it. He used it once and it was discovered that he had a "dodgy ticker". He was told not do do anything strenuous and hitching up and unhitching the van and what not was too strenuous. He went to his local car dealership in Coleraine and traded it and his car in. The owners of the dealership, Tunny and Margaret, decided to keep the van for themselves and their young family and used the van till the end of the 1970's. Just before the last few trips they replaced the icebox with a fridge, the old water hand pump tap to a more modern one and the metho stove to a gas one. The van is capable of running on 12 volt as well. They retired the van to the carport and various grandkids used it to stay in, Tunny kept the van registered till 25.09.1997 when he decided after it had been sitting so long it might not be going anywhere too soon. Tunny told me that Margaret "lost interest" in caravanning and preferred motels but he was still keen to do it but now too old. He said people had suggested he sold it to an enthusiast but he just never got around to it. And to have found someone like me who had been admiring it for 9 years was just where he would want it to go. The term "they don't make them like they used to" apply's to this van as well as Margaret and Tunny, they are truly lovely people and I am sure I have made great friends. They want me to pop over with "Moonya" on her maiden voyage. As a pet name I have named her Betty after all the famous Bettie's of the 1950's so from now on her full name is Betty Moonya xo Tunny and Margaret's honeymoon set up: Me, Margaret and Tunny: We only just made it through, under the carport: HOME!: Chassis:
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 17:52:44 GMT 10
Hi Trish What a beauty you've found! I love the little cutlery drawers, the original bright lino, and the little touches like the mirror. And I can tell you you'll love all the drawers - how good is that! They beat a cupboard any day of the week. There's something quite special about having a one-off too - you've every reason to be proud. How lucky are you to have also got the copy of the plans! Well done, and enjoy your little "dwelling away from home". Best regards Seeshell Thanks aquamum Seashell, I would be happy to have this van for as long as Margaret and Tunny did! The Holy Grail of caravans, the only reason I didn't ask before is that I didn't have the money, thought they wouldn't sell it, was always busy doing something else, it was just right place, right time, and maybe my late grandpa was watching over me? I am going to keep Betty as original as possible, she just oozes vintage charm, I have been scouring op shops etc for things from the 1950's. I am really looking forward to our new adventure. I am also glad that unlike my old caravan (at 12 ft) that it fits hubby and my 10 and 14 year old daughters as it is 14 and a bit feet. I hope one day to meet up with everyone on here in the future and so glad that I have found a true beauty that doesn't need a motherload of work and money put in like previous project vans that I have had
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Post by hilldweller on Oct 12, 2012 19:26:05 GMT 10
Wow that interior is amazing. Beautiful craftmanship. Love all the curves and the curtain fabric.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 12, 2012 19:45:12 GMT 10
OOOOohhhhh Trish, what can I say that hasn't already been said, except CONGRATULATIONS ;D ;D ;D ;D More word wouldn't do it justice. As you say, The Holy grail of caravan finds Enjoy Ray
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 12, 2012 20:37:13 GMT 10
Thank you Ray and hilldweller every spare moment now is spent out with her planning and cleaning and still at the "pinch me I'm dreaming" phase!
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Post by retro64 on Oct 13, 2012 6:45:25 GMT 10
Hi Trish,
Congratulations on the purchase of your dream van. 9 years is a long time to be admiring something and then finally own it yourself.
I'll bet that when you finally saw inside it was even better than you'd hoped for, it certainly looks beautifully built, all those lovely 50's curves and little details.
How very sad for the builder and original owner, imagine all the love and heart he put into the van only to find that he couldnt use it himself, must have been the end of a dream for him.
Margret and Tunny have certainly done him proud though, all the years they've lovingly owned it and used it, taken family on holidays etc. just the right people to have taken ownership way back then.
With all that history, and love that your van has seen,it sounds like it was sitting waiting for just the right new owner to love it ,and write" Chapter 3 in the life of Moonya".
Good luck and heres wishing you much joy with it,
retro64
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 14, 2012 12:19:53 GMT 10
Hi Trish, Congratulations on the purchase of your dream van. 9 years is a long time to be admiring something and then finally own it yourself. I'll bet that when you finally saw inside it was even better than you'd hoped for, it certainly looks beautifully built, all those lovely 50's curves and little details. How very sad for the builder and original owner, imagine all the love and heart he put into the van only to find that he couldnt use it himself, must have been the end of a dream for him. Margret and Tunny have certainly done him proud though, all the years they've lovingly owned it and used it, taken family on holidays etc. just the right people to have taken ownership way back then. With all that history, and love that your van has seen,it sounds like it was sitting waiting for just the right new owner to love it ,and write" Chapter 3 in the life of Moonya". Good luck and heres wishing you much joy with it, retro64 Thanks retro 64, I watched on for 9 years for a few reasons, I was too nervous to approach the owners unannounced, didn't think I would have the money for a gorgeous van like this, I also thought that since it was undercover that it must be a pride and joy and something they did not want to get rid of. A few times I also thought how I would kick myself if one day it was not there! My grandpa passed away recently and it reminded me that you must live a full life and chase after what you want, so I finally mustered up the courage to ask, he had such a full life and I can only hope to exit this world having achieved as much as he had. I sold my old van first and made sure I had a decent amount to offer, I am very glad I did this because the van meant a lot to them and I really was quite surprised when I saw how good it was! I am going to visit them again and ask them more about the builder of Moonya, as he was or is? very talented. Tunny and Margaret took a photo of myself and my family (hubby and our 10 year old daughter and 14 year old daughter) in front of it and I really will have some wonderful times with them in it and keep Moonya's legacy alive! Trish
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 14, 2012 14:21:01 GMT 10
Hi Trish. Now that has to be the best original `van i`ve seen.Unbelievable condition.Interesting history & memories. Two things: Why would you want to replace the Chevy wheels & something odd about the positioning of that damn tea towel rail (ha) & the drop down mirror which doesn`t drop down fully. gordon
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Post by sportsman 1 on Oct 15, 2012 12:19:37 GMT 10
Wow Trish, that certainly has to be the VV find of the year! It is interesting you say that the "improvements" were made in the 1970's. To my mind what they did were changes but certainly not improvements. At least it looks like they were done thoughtfully and they should not be hard to reverse. Do they still have the 1939 Vauxhall Wyvern and the Sportsman teardrop? ? I would be interested in those 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers, Leigh.
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 16, 2012 8:07:36 GMT 10
Wow Trish, that certainly has to be the VV find of the year! It is interesting you say that the "improvements" were made in the 1970's. To my mind what they did were changes but certainly not improvements. At least it looks like they were done thoughtfully and they should not be hard to reverse. Do they still have the 1939 Vauxhall Wyvern and the Sportsman teardrop? ? I would be interested in those 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers, Leigh. Yes, the word improvements was meant to be in inverted commas for a reason..... I have sent you a PM
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Jun 18, 2013 16:20:43 GMT 10
Hi there, I thought I had better give an update on Bettie's progress. Since my last posts she has been sanded back and repainted on 3 sides. The rot under the window frame has been removed and repaired and she has a new front window frame as the old one was beyond repair. Soon the front will also be repainted. We have found a product called Dulux Metalshield Industrial Aluminium for the Roof which is heat resistant and will give the same silver look that it previously had. After this is done the plan is to attack all her running gear, the tyres and wheels and the towing hitch. Her clearance lights and tail lights have been replaced with as close to vintage as I could find. Sanded back to this: And repainted to this:
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Jun 18, 2013 16:22:13 GMT 10
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Jun 18, 2013 16:33:59 GMT 10
My next dilemma is to fix the tyres and get new ones, she currently has 1939 Chevrolet wheels (I believe) and I am not sure if I can just bring them into a tyre place and have them replaced or I have to hunt down new tyres? Any advice is greatly appreciated [a href=" "] [/a] [a href=" "] [/a]
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Post by akeepsake on Jun 18, 2013 21:31:20 GMT 10
Wow Trish I have just discovered your thread and your wonderful caravan WOW WOW WOW! what a cracker and the history just adds to the find! I love the interior It reminds me a lot of Vernon which until now was my favourite vanh ;D Your van sounds like it has gone to a great new home where it will be much loved Look forward to seeing some more posts ! Cheers Andrew
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Post by cobber on Jun 19, 2013 13:22:02 GMT 10
G'day Trish, Like Andrew I am wondering why I haven't seen the thread about this remarkable caravan before.....decided it was because we were on the road to Perth for the VC.com 10th Anniversary run. You are very lucky to find a unique 50's van in such great condition... things like the curved cutlery draws you don't see every day, and the drop down door to access the ice block compartment..... shame about the fridge but it would take great determination to reinstall the ice box I know...but boy wouldn't it earn you some brownie points I admire your wish to keep it as original as you can...... before you chuck the tow coupling can you post a photo of it for us As you said, just the right size for the family..... Lucky kids, get out and enjoy it Cobber.
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