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Post by carlight on Aug 2, 2007 5:34:28 GMT 10
I don't know what year yours is - it looks like a 60's either 68 or 69. If you are unsure you can work it out from the chasis number Ours is a 1972. The vans were all made personal to each individual needs. We don't have the little cupboard above the dinnette area and have a different glasses cabinet.
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Post by ukbrian on Aug 2, 2007 6:49:01 GMT 10
Dave, Sally and Humpty
Mention of the Carlight serial numbers reminded me of this post that I put on my Safari forum!
For Safaris the first two digits are the year of manufacture, it was suggested that I look at the numbering system for Carlight Caravans on their own website.
WHEN WAS MY CARLIGHT CARAVAN BUILT?
serial number and their allocation
You can determine the age of the caravan from the serial numbers, as we have used various methods of allocating serial numbers to the caravans over the years, this section gives details of these and explains how the build number and approximate date of manufacture can be derived from a serial number.
from 1932 to 1959 inclusive
A 2 to 6 digit serial number was allocated to each caravan. The first 1 or 2 digits being the build number, these ran from 1 up to 99 before starting again at 1.
The build numbers originally ran through one model i.e. Continentals ran through from 1 - 99 and Coronets the same, so it was possible to have two different models but both with the same serial number in the factory at the same time i.e. Coronet number 3 and Continental number 3. So this system was changed in the 1960 and build numbers ran from 1 - 99 irrespective of model type.
Build numbers are not related to any particular time period i.e. caravan number 1 is not necessarily the first caravan built in a particular year. The build numbers are simply to help distinguish each caravan whilst it is being built. For the first few years of production this build number was the only form of identification.
However, for the late 1940’s another 2-4 digits were added, of these extra digits, the second 1 and 2 digits provide the month of manufacture and the last 2 digits provide the year of manufacture.
So, for instance caravan number 1249 would be van number 1, built in February 1949, and number 721158 would be van number 72 built in November 1958. To save confusion, from the late 1950’s the months upto and including September were prefixed with a "0" and the build numbers from 1 - 9 were prefixed with a "0" i.e. 020959 would be van number 2 built in September 1959.
from 1960 to 1991 inclusive
In 1960 the numbering system changed slightly to give a coded year of manufacture.
For caravans built from 1960 - 1991 inclusive, the build number is shown as the last two digits and the month of manufacture is given by the centre two digits. The year of manufacture is coded, but can be quickly worked out by deducting the last digit of the serial number from the number which is made up of the first two digits at the front of the serial number.
Take for instance number 860979. This would be build number 79 (last two digits) built in September (middle two digits) 1977 (first two digits 86 minus the last digit 9 = 77).
It is important to stress this gives the approximate date of manufacture and not necessarily the model year.
They must have had a whole department just thinking up new numbering systems!
Bemused Brian from the UK
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Aug 2, 2007 9:47:15 GMT 10
gooday brian
that's gotta be one of the most complicated serial number systems i've ever seen.
geoff 'n jude
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Post by carlight on Aug 3, 2007 2:04:03 GMT 10
Yep the older ones are more complicated, but most of the vans you just take the first last digit from the first two you get the year of manufacture.
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Post by Cole on Nov 2, 2007 8:31:32 GMT 10
You might see the Carlight looking down its nose at a Rover P5, but it would still make a great outfit. I expect you have already found the manufacturer's website at www.carlight.co.ukOn their restoration page is this Continental that they restored at the factory and the owner pulls it behind his 1960's Bentley Continental.  There was a Classic Car magazine article about this outfit a few years ago. It'll take me a few weeks to find it in my mag collection in the loft. From memory I seem to recall it cost him about Ausd 50,000! Do you know that Carlights originally came with a full bone china crockery set all marked with the Carlight logo in Gold leaf with caravanning scenes on them - plates, cups & saucers, even a teapot. A teapot sold recently on ebay for Ausd 500. Has to be the finishing touch to a full restoration. You will now astonish me by telling us that yours has a full set already in it! Brian - from the home of Rolls Royce and the Rolls Royce of Caravans! |
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Post by cole on Nov 2, 2007 8:37:04 GMT 10
After finding this site and reading the posts i would just like to add that i have a Carlight which i tow with a Rover P5B Coupe, so go for it Humpty it makes a great outfit, Finding a good car could be difficult, but worth it.
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Post by humpty2 on Nov 2, 2007 18:58:16 GMT 10
Are you in UK or here in Australia.
I would love to have contact with another Carlight owner downunder.
Your towcar would be ideal.........or a Bentley 'Continental'
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Post by humpty2 on May 25, 2008 20:42:33 GMT 10
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Post by atouchofglass on May 26, 2008 6:28:26 GMT 10
Hey Humpty
ouch that's gunna hurt
Looks like a fair bit of time to be used up in repairs
But isn't it a satisfying feeling when you stand back and see the finished product.... ;D
All the best on the resto
Atog
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Post by humpty2 on May 26, 2008 20:01:28 GMT 10
That is only one side Atog, I have to figure out how to get the framing back in without taking the whole exterior off the van.
The construction of the van is of a monocoque style, with the frame glued and screwed to the interior , with the exterior just hung on it for style.
It is not impossible, but it will be a BIG job.
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Post by atouchofglass on May 27, 2008 6:48:02 GMT 10
Hey Humpty Monocle... monosodium...mono... I give up my brain is too small to fit such big words in ;D ;D ;D Post some more photos for the rest of us to see what helpful ideas are out there. I remember your van when your dear wife allowed Gordon S and myself to have a look inside. She was rightly proud of all the vans and her clever husband if I remember correctly  (Two Sunliners having been nearly completed at the time)Also remember being delighted at the style of caravan the Carlight is. Two doors and a rear kitchen, nice wall paneling .... anyone could see the quality of the van. Course the star of your collection to me is the Olympic (see comments on "Our Olympic" thread by TonyH) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Keep moving forward and hopefully someone on the site will give you some ideas that are useful to your resto... Atog |
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Post by cobber on May 27, 2008 9:00:56 GMT 10
Humpty,
Was that a bit of a surprise, finding that sort of damage?
I thought that 'van was in excellent condition...... regardless, it's worth spending all the time and money on it you have to spare... and then some, it's a show piece.
Cobber.
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Post by humpty2 on May 27, 2008 20:08:45 GMT 10
I was hoping not to find the ROTTEN WOOD in such copious amounts like that.......but nothing is impossible.
Basically it is the 2 front frames that will need replacing definately, getting to them is the biggest hurdle.
I will post photos later to show why. To ease my pain I go and work on one of the fibreglass vans.......Sunliner close to finished, 21' Olympic.......on the way.
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Post by atouchofglass on Jun 22, 2008 7:32:23 GMT 10
Hey Humpty
It's been awhile since your last post
How's the rotten front timber episode going now?
Atog
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Post by humpty2 on Jun 22, 2008 19:49:28 GMT 10
I have been spending all my "spare" time on Sunliner 2, just waiting on the rubbers now from Tonyh..........fit up the windows.....put in the lino, and fit new tyres......THEN, after the Sunliner is finished onto the Carlight.
I am trying to limit myslef to doing one job at a time ;D ;D ;D
Also I need the room in the shed to work on the Carlight.
Hope to have it ready for 2010.
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Post by ukbrian on Jul 8, 2008 17:34:29 GMT 10
Humpty I am not sure if I have posted this on VV before, but I found the same frame rot on my Safari two years ago. Click on this pic for a link to my album of pictures of my restoration efforts.  I managed to get all the front wood replaced without taking the side panels off, but obviously it depends how far back the rot has gone. |
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Post by elot64 on Sept 15, 2008 19:39:02 GMT 10
Hello oldtimer caravan lovers, So. after a few months i finally bougth my carlight! The next six months i put in in the barn where it is safe and warm! i will start the restoration this fall and wintermonths and even spring i believe! All the varnish has to be removed tho get the original oak color back! The cushions has to have a make over, i found some pieces of the original carpet, so th curtains and new carpet will be in that design, Roof is not leaking, wood is not rotten, some places it has to be repaired (windows ect..) Every advice is welcome, thanks in advance! See for the picures: www.flickr.com/photos/30466495@N04/sets/72157607267888035/( just copie and past otherwise it will not work!) |
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Post by humpty2 on Sept 15, 2008 19:43:10 GMT 10
The link to your Flika is not working....................and I want to see more of your "Carlight"
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Post by rfw on Sept 15, 2008 21:02:18 GMT 10
Yep, not working here either.
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fibrelass
Junior Member
Used to have more money than brains..now have neither!
Posts: 97
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Post by fibrelass on Sept 15, 2008 23:02:47 GMT 10
Link works with cut and paste..wow, kind of decadent luxury in these,
lovely!!
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 15, 2008 23:18:46 GMT 10
Hi Elot64, Welcome to the V V forum. Great van you've got there. I presume that the photos were taken after all your work, because the caravan looks to be in very nice condition. Where are you located? Judging from your reference to 'fall' I'm guessing that you may be in the northern hemisphere? We look forward to hearing more about your caravan. How much do you know about its history? When was it built? Don Ricardo Humpty - Cut and paste the following string into your web browser, and you will see some pics that will make your mouth water, and give you further inspiration to keep working on your Carlight: www.flickr.com/photos/30466495@N04/(As Elot64 has said, you need to include the whole string including the bit that is in black type.) |
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Post by aussiegirl on Sept 15, 2008 23:49:10 GMT 10
I have just checked out this van and what a beauty - even has a toilet. It must have been the top of the range type of van in its day
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Post by elot64 on Sept 16, 2008 0:12:28 GMT 10
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Post by humpty2 on Sept 16, 2008 19:43:02 GMT 10
I'd love to copy & paste.......but don't know how to!
I have highlighted it with the mouse, clicked the right button, but the copy facility does not come up.
I can't wait to see the pictures.........HELP
Humpty
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Post by elot64 on Sept 16, 2008 20:03:55 GMT 10
Hi again Just highlight the link, then control c, and for past do control v! That must work! erik I'd love to copy & paste.......but don't know how to! I have highlighted it with the mouse, clicked the right button, but the copy facility does not come up. I can't wait to see the pictures.........HELP Humpty |
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