My Castle Caravan

[bigcorp]

l am a new member and 1st time at using a forum so hope this works. All I can say is - WOW!!! I admire anyone who tackles a resto of any kind, whether it be a house, car or van, it is a big job. I have loved reading about the project so far and look forward to seeing the finished product and am sure you will have it finished for that Christmas trip. I also think it will look great being towed behind your PT. Well done and keep up the good work.

Regards Shane "big" HH

[will]

;D
Hi retro just love the van
its a credit to you and what a great project for the site people world wide can see what can be achieved with wood a plan and a lot of sweat
fantastic project and highly informative

Will

[retro1]

Painting is coming along slowly but I'm sure it will be well worth it in the end. I have registered the van now and have personalized number plates ( I will tell you later what they are) Registration was a breeze approx $70 no questions asked. I have registered the van as a 1957 Castle caravan as I can not find any other information or pictures that would make it older or newer. This photo is of the drivers side the guards are on and the windows are in and painted. I have kept the outside shape of the guard the same but the centre on the original was a little bit to squre for me so I followed the rim radius to keep the curves happening.The colour of the van is " White Birch " with the trim pieces are glossier and a few shade darker. The black circle is a lockable water fill point. All the portholes I have polished to get more chrome on the van and the vents are stainless steel ( for the fridge).All I need to do now is the alloy trim on the edge in which I have found some from the early 60's.

Thank you to all the people who have left comments and if you have any questions on my van or yours please do not hessitate to contact me.

Better get back to work as they say..................................CHRISTMAS IS COMING

[will]

retro that is a masterpiece in wood I think i will call you pablo picasso
absolute masterpiece well done it is a work of art

best wishes
will and lyn

[retro1]

This picture of my van is of the front corner. It shows the rail at the front for drying towels. The side clearance light has a coloured globe in it. The cover is of a Volkswagon Beetle pre 70 and has a mount underneath to hold the globe. It was going to cost to much to do up the old ones so this shape is close enough. The port in the door has been restored and with its original piece of glass with the Castle logo on it looks a treat.
Better get back to painting

[jazhow2]

Congratulations on an inspiring effort Retro1...you should be very proud of what you have created there!
I WAS considering a modern van (shhh...don't tell anyone : until I began following your progress....now I am truely and permenantly converted!!!!!
Absolutely love the way you've done it....and am on the edge of my seat each time I check in on your progress....the Castle porthole glass being retained is the icing on the cake....how many of those little beauties would still be around...... I'm sure I would not be alone in saying that the suspense is building as we wait to see what little tricks you come up with for the interior!!
Not that we want to put you and Mrs Retro1 under any pressure...!!! ;D
Keep up the great work,
Marc, Jane Amanda and Zoe (Jazhow2)

[retro1]

Just a quick shot of the front stone guards. These are alloy plates very light but have a great affect. Still on track for Xmas. All the laminates are laid and painting is 95% done and all the cushions are done. Curtains are next on the agenda.

5 more sleeps till christmas............................

[retro1]

Finished painting the interior. The doors are drying and are a diffrent colour(there in the shed).Sink is fitted (original )plumbing is done and works a treat. Power is reconected and working as per photo. All that needs to be done is a little bit of trim here and there around the sink edge and bench edge. The screens are in and need to be wired and the last big job will be laying the lino. Greased up all the coupling and suspension nipples today as well.

[retro1]

We'll merry christmas the van is 99% done . The next pictures are of the outside. The van is called " DINER 2"
It goes well with the PT "Retro Diner" The style was picked as we love the 50's, the van is 50's, and we rock n' roll. All that is left to do is a few bits of trim. We leave for the maiden trip on the 29th Dec and are heading south.

[retro1]

This is the inside of the van. As you see we love Coca Cola and Betty Boop so it was decided to do the theme in these two icons of the 50's. All the seats are Coke fabric as are the various items. Some of the tin signs have Betty Boop and Coca Cola on them. The floor is the traditional black and white checks. The rear table drops down to make the bed.

[Deleted]

Sensational Retro ........I knew we could all depend on you for a sensational end to an amazing
restoration project that unfolded before our very eyes on this forum ................and completed right on time as well

Happy rockin & rollin in your Castle ........ aptly named "Diner 2"

Cheers ....(yes, I hava Coke in my hand) ;D

Mark

[cobber]

Retro,

That is the most incredible “restoration”
project I have ever witnessed, and to think
you have been able to find time to show
us it’s progress, stage by stage, as well
as do the work on it, is unbelievable.
You can be very proud of both
accomplishments, congratulations and thank
you for sharing it with us.
What are you now going to do with your
spare time?

Cobber.

[TREV N CARROTS]

awesome retro have a good trip with "diner 1"
but make sure you allow plenty of time coz i suspect you'll get delayed by lookers everywhere you stop
cheers trev ;D

[jazhow2]

Weeeeell...thanks for the ride Retro1 !!! ;D ....what an opportunity it has been for "us fans".to watch and learn!...... the journey is over for us but just begun for Diner 2!! .....Congratulations on an amazing finish...time wise and all up quality!!
I hope you get many happy years of satisfaction and enjoyment from the little ripper!!
Meanwhile I'll raise a Bundy...and Coke...to ........Retro1..coz in my humble opinion,you are the :)undisputable KING OF THE CASTLE!!!!!
;D

[ditzygypsy]

AND THE AWARD FOR BEST ALL ROUND GROUND UP AND MOST AMAZING RESTORATION GOES TO...................................................................................................................................... RETRO1.

now the level has been set guys................................

[retro1]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Here is a shot of the sink/fridge unit.
To keep it fairly original it was made as close
as possible to the old one( with the inclusion of a new fridge)

NOTE there is no hinges on the top right front
( I'll explain later). The bottom left is a drawer.



This is the unit with the oven hotplate in working position. The two fronts are joined together and catch on the bottom of the slide out shelf.



The next picture is of the wardrobe which has a mirror on the reverse side



As for this picture it shows the handles which are brand new 1950's "Turner" handles. I couldn't find the same ones as the originals so these were close enough (for now). The Betty Boop/Coca Cola plate is a light switch for the down light above the sink and runs on 12 volt.
The switch is from the 1950's and fitted perfectly

[will]

;D ;D Your a caravan building genious retro it looks absolutely awesome love the coke upholstery

Will and Lyn

[Deleted]

Congratulations Retro

A top retro resto. Those portholes are just sooooooo cooool. i have never been a big fan of spats but they definitley look just right on Diner 2.
The interior is magic. That checkered lino and the coke designs would be enough to make ya wanna just get up and start rock n rollin'.

Not hard to see how ya got your title.
Thanks heaps for the updates along the way.
Enjoy the holiday .... you have certainly earnt it.

Gawd knows what next year holds for this site. More subscribers, more resto blow by blows and hopefully a chance to start hooking up with some of us east coasters .
it just keeps getting bigger and better.!!!

Now wheres that sander, jigsaw, grinder, drill, pop rivet gun, paint brush. i am heading down the yard to make a start on the baked bean!!!!

Happy New Year
Reddo

[retro1]

Sending this from Victor Harbour SA.
The van has travelled nearly 100 kms and tows
like a dream. Very comfortable to sleep in and turns lots of heads. Will post pics upon our return

[WILL]

;D
THATS COOL RETRO ENJOY THE TRIP AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE PICS

REGARDS
WILLAND LYN

[retro1]

Had a wonderful holiday the "Castle" went like a dream
and was admired by plenty. It towed like a dream and our average speed was about 80 kph with a top speed of 100 kph for a short burst. Travelled over 200 kms without any problems.It rained for 2 days on and of but no leaks
This first picture is of the car and van near Lady Bay as you can see the storm is about to let go.



These are at the bridge at Goolwa near the wharf and train station.

[WILL]

GREAT PHOTOS RETRO KEEP EM COMIN

wILL

[bettyboop]

Retro where do you come from. I am in awe of your work. I also have a PT & would love to have a van for it IF you ever consider selling yours PLEASE email me .My PT is called Betty & if I can manage it I will put photos up. I have a mural of her on the back & fuscia flames on the front. Lots of Betty memorabillia including a serviette dispenser.
Check out my pics in the topic "BETTY BOOP" on the forum under "members vehicles" on the pt website www.ptcruisers.com.au

[retro1]

This is a shot of our site at Wirrina caravan park SA.
As you all know the " Castle " is fairly small, so this is a where we spent most of our time out-side the van.
As we don't have an annex yet we found the perfect outdoor companion for the van ( no fly's on me hey ).
Got it from K-mart and it was easy to assemble and very practible.

[retro1]

Just a quick note

Thanks to all the people for viewing "My Castle Caravan"

The PT Cruiser Car Club of SA have been invited to
" All America Day" at Emmanual College at Nover Gardens SA on the 20th of February.

Because of the Betty Boop and Coca-cola diner style of the van I have been asked to bring it along.
This will be the first public viewing of "Diner2"
If there are any vanners out there who wish to come and see the van you are all welcome and I hope to see some of you there.

Happy Vanning