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Post by belinda on Sept 4, 2004 11:53:07 GMT 10
For those who haven't seen it already, here is the link to the Propert van on display at the National Museum in Canberra. www.nma.gov.au/collections/slideshow_1_2.htmlIt is a really popular exhibit and inspired us to finally restore our van after years of saying "one day we'll get around to it. You can also get some nice caravan-based souvenirs at the Museum shop. The van has a lino-covered wooden box as a step and I'm thinking of doing something similar for our van. Has anyone seen one of these before? Was it typical of the period? |
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Post by cobber on Sept 4, 2004 17:57:05 GMT 10
The shape of that “Propert” at the national museum looks very similar to my “no name van” belinda but when I was down there on October 18th.2003 (for the FJ’s 50th anniversary) I was unable to get a good look inside it. An alarm goes off if you poke your nose over the barricade surrounding it. The only “Propert” I know of that actually hit the road is this fold up style that came on the “Great Caravan Caper” I have talked about in ‘trips’. It was water tight when folded up for traveling but leaked like a sieve when unfolded and the weary traveler was trying to get some sleep. This Propert is serial # 129.  Other members may know if other styles of Propert were made, the museum says the one down there was made just for advertising the company.. I have seen boxes used for a step, but it would have to be authentic belinda, something like an "ecks" soft drink box eh? ;D Cobber. |
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Post by retro1 on Sept 9, 2004 23:04:21 GMT 10
Hi there I hope this info can help It was made in Vaucluse in approx 1955 and cost 395 pound to buy. The company was Propert Gold Seal Products and was invented by T Propert. It weighed 5 cwt.  |
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Post by cobber on Sept 10, 2004 8:59:09 GMT 10
Yep, thanks retro, thats it.
Although saying it sleeps three in comfort is stretching the truth a bit.
It could sleep three at a pinch, and if it didn't rain you could say it was more comfortable than sleeping on the fence.
Cobber.
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Post by retro1 on Sept 11, 2004 0:22:23 GMT 10
Hi Belinda Found another advert for you from April 1955 ![]()  |
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Post by retro1 on Sept 18, 2004 1:24:51 GMT 10
Found another advert on this funny looking van. Must have been heavily advertised to sell it!!!!!!!!! ![]()  |
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Post by belinda on Feb 1, 2005 6:30:31 GMT 10
At Motorfest I spoke to someone who had owned a Propert.
He didn't have memories of it leaking, but said it was important to make sure the top was securely clipped down so it didn't blow open on the highway - an alarming thought!
He said he knew several people with them, so a lot must have been made.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Feb 1, 2005 20:08:32 GMT 10
I can't understand how that roof could have blown off, considering that the outer shell is hinged at the front and clipped on at the back of the van. Would have thought that windage would have kept it down. Have just finished repairing both shells on my propert. Tomorrow I start on the trailer section. Those of you who remember it on ebay might remember the pink/salmon colour. It was hand-painted without prior preparation, and boy did it hide a multitude of sins. Thankfully the lack of prep made it easier to get the paint off. Had to replace the main front frame of the outer shell and the front trailer frame(dry rot). Complete new cladding on the roof of the inner shell -(bogged in three places with blobs of glass fibre.) etc etc etc. AAHH the joys of renovating vans!!!!!!
Will try to log some pics on the weekend, if I can work out how it's done!!!
Regards. Ray
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Post by cactus on Mar 3, 2005 16:16:00 GMT 10
hello all. first time here. Noticed Propert vans..Have owned mine for 17 years.Towed behind many cars over the years the current one fb holden. I extended the draw bar so you can open the van while connected to the car. I have found this little van more convenient than new vans as it takes 2 minutes to erect with no canvas as most small vans have these days. The leaking problem does exist but can be kept to a minimum with the use of the small side panels that fit in once you lift the roof.. Note the square windows..I think they were on later models but not sure..I have only seen 4 or 5 in Victoria over the years.. Any questions, feel free to ask..Cheers all ![]() |
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Post by retro1 on Mar 3, 2005 23:57:21 GMT 10
Welcome to the site. I have now seen a few Propert vans . The oldest advertisement I have is 1954 which is quite old but they still were making them up to the late 60's. They are a very interesting little van. In the latest issue of Restored Cars ( issue 169 I think???) there is a story on vintage vans and there history. It includes pictures of the Propert Van plus picture from the early 30's. Post some pictures of your van as another member has just renovated one and you may swap Propert tails ( it is not illegal to swap Propert tails as long as you own one as they are indangered     ;D Happy vanning Retro1 |
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Post by willandlyn on Mar 4, 2005 1:33:30 GMT 10
Hi cactus welcome to the site
I think out of all the vintage vans we have collectively the propert is the van that is most discussed
I am hoping that there is a future member or someone in W.A. that can give me a Sqizz at it I am very keen to see one so if there is anyone out there please post a message and I am quite prepared to travel to the country to see one
Will
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Post by belinda on Dec 2, 2006 7:42:23 GMT 10
Here are a couple of photos of the Propert in the National Museum in Canberra.   |
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Post by groovy on Dec 2, 2006 9:04:27 GMT 10
Belinda
Are you sure these photo's are of a Propert?
The reason for the question, is that I thought all Properts were folding vans and the one in the pics is a solid wall full height van.
Greg
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Post by belinda on Dec 2, 2006 10:24:07 GMT 10
I gather this van was a one-off for Propert.
If you click on the National Museum link in the first post on this thread you'll see what info the NMA has on the van. Apparently they also have a folding Propert in storage.
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Post by trodler on Dec 2, 2006 15:36:57 GMT 10
Hi Groovy Greg.
Belinder is correct.
This is a one off Propert.
The small oval badge on the outside of the door frame,lower right corner,says
Body By
Propert Cold Seal.
Products.
Vaucluse.
They also made a few tear drop trailers as well.
Cheers.
Trodler.
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Post by groovy on Dec 2, 2006 17:26:26 GMT 10
Thanks Belinda and Trodler
I hadn't checked the initial link due to being on a very slow dial up connection, but did as soon as I read your answer.
It beats me why the museum would keep a van from a production builder that was neither a prototype, or regular production van.
I only reason I can see in the article is that the "decore" for want of a better word, is representative of what most people think the fifties were.
Yes the aluminium etc. was there in bulk, but the only pink van I saw was one that was painted in a mixture of redlead and white primer/undercoat prior to painting.
Greg
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Post by Roehm3108 on Dec 6, 2006 21:21:05 GMT 10
Belinda, your pics turned out better than mine did when I was in Canberra last year. A real shame that the Properts never put this van into full production, I reckon, but I suppose there was a lot of competition around for that shape of van. It certainly is a fine example of a vintage van. Meanwhile, the foldingPopert sits in storage and deteriorates more and more
Ray
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;D