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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 8:48:18 GMT 10
Well cruisindoug has already described how we were driving back to C/park at Tenterfield after our ascent of Bald Rock on the Toads n Roaches tour, when a corner of a van hidden in a back yard caught my eye! A quick u-ee & we found out where the owner worked. After a long chat with the owner, we arranged to do an early evening inspection with Doug, of the 4 vans in the back yard. This one has been under the tarp for 3 years in his yard & the masonite has virtually disintegrated in that time, a gutted 10/9 Carapark (that he says is "worth heaps", a 50's bondwood that is the "wife's sewing room" & a Wayfarer, that has nice overhead cupboards but apparently not much left below the waist inside. He wants "about $500" for the Wayfarer. We were very excited about the van which we thought at first was a teardrop lookalike, but mostly hoping we weren't going to be bitten by the pack of large dogs he has in his yard or that we'd uncover a sleeping snake in the long grass. Then the next morning we returned with JBJ to size up this van in the cold light of day!   3 years sitting under a tarp even a cold dry climate like at Tenterfield, doesn't improve masonite!   From the old number plate, looks like the van could be 1937-late 1940’s en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Australia#Previous_General_Series Cobber, we'll take better photos soon!   Interiors complete with ants nests & rat shit    Finally onto the car trailer on Thursday, home that night after a horrendous 4 hour journey. Rob screwed old ply onto van to hold it together for the trip but expected it to be splinters at any moment!  smiles tbc |
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 11, 2013 10:26:31 GMT 10
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 11:02:33 GMT 10
The eagle landed Thurs nite, right in the middle of the spot we had levelled just before Xmas. We plan to build a new shed there …for all the vans! We unloaded her Friday morning [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 18.jpg.html]  [/URL] Rob had to get a bit pushy with the new van, now named Bogan Villa. [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 14.jpg.html]  [/URL] We suspect there may be some rot in the corners! [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 11.jpg.html]  [/URL] and the roof  but it does have a key which means it’s up to lock-up stage at least  Did I mention it’s a poptop van? [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 19.jpg.html]  [/URL] We can’t wait to pop the top & see it unfold so up she went last night! [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 16.jpg.html]  [/URL] [URL=http://s270.photobucket.com/user/carmiles/media/Bogan%20Villa/file- 17.jpg.html]  [/URL] I think I’m getting the hang of this new improved pee bucket…more photos today of Bogan Villa! smiles |
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Post by hilldweller on May 11, 2013 11:22:46 GMT 10
Wow! Saved in the nick of time by the looks of it. Must have been such a pretty van in its younger days. Please post more pics  |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2013 11:31:50 GMT 10
Great save!
Is it a jennison pop top?
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 11, 2013 12:46:38 GMT 10
G'day Smiles, Like Hughdeani, I am wondering if you may have found something pretty special there... Compare and contrast:  The van in the newspaper article is obviously a longer version, but there are a lot of similarities, including the rectangular shape of the windows which is quite unusual. And then there's the fact that it's a pop-top! There were a few builders in the 30's who were experimenting with a pop-top, but no-one (as far as I know) who took that feature into production besides...Jennison. And then you might want to take a look at the coupling shown in the patent application drawings for John Jennison's original pop-top, and the photos of the frame of one of his vans, both of which you'll find on the Jennison Road Cruiser thread in the DHL section here. Let us know what you think. We shouldn't jump to any conclusions - there are some differences between the two vans, for example the pop-top on this van appears to be held up by fold up arms rather than a telescopic mechanism. But at least we've got some material which may allow us to say 'yes', 'maybe' or 'probably not'! Meanwhile I'll do some relaxation exercises to reduce my racing heart beat. Hate to think what happens to our member Jennison when he sees this thread! Don Ricardo |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2013 12:52:40 GMT 10
unbelievable  whata find smiles .......and is that the one I read somewhere was garaged all its life until only 3 years ago  ? Someone should be shot ! Mark |
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Post by Cruz on May 11, 2013 15:09:08 GMT 10
WOW Love it!
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Post by JBJ on May 11, 2013 15:24:49 GMT 10
Hi Rob & Cathy,
Good to see you got it home in one piece.
It certainly looks very similar to the Jennison in the advert, so I believe your age estimate of 30's could be real close. The rego plate , the T Ford axle, & its construction style certainly are in the right period.
Now you can sit back & enjoy the rebuild at your leisure
JBJ
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Post by cobber on May 11, 2013 15:31:54 GMT 10
Golly smiles ! If that is not THE Jennison pop-top I'll eat my hat, you should be able to confirm that from all the evidence in the thread Don R has linked to. The patent application is available these days online, and easier to read if you click hereWhat a terrible responsibility, to have something that old and iconic, in a neglected state, and have to do a faithful restoration on it  ....... I'm sure you're up to it   .  Jenno will be over the moon I hope the tow coupling has some numbers on it.. the IPAustralia patent search is working real good these day, if you have numbers we should be able to find it....... is the coupling upside-down in the photos shown ? there is what could be a similar coupling, patent applied for in 1939 by a bloke called Edward Alfred Franklin  shown here.... does your's look like it ? Cobber |
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 11, 2013 15:49:18 GMT 10
Hi Cobber,
I spoke to Jennison this arvo. He's overseas at the moment and not home for a day or so! But very excited about the possiblities...
I think he'll be willing the plane home to fly faster! ;D ;D ;D
Just goes to prove the Jennison rule...something always turns up about Jennison caravans when Jenno is away and has limited internet access!
Don Ricardo
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 11, 2013 17:08:53 GMT 10
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 18:50:23 GMT 10
Many of the features of the van definitely appear to be 1930’s construction. Rob was immediately impressed by the professional woodworking skills of the builder when we first saw it. We have been thinking it may be a professional build with a basic fit-out later, but after comparing this van to the info from Don Ricardo, we now think he’s right! It’s looks like it’s a Jennison! I’ll have to print up all the stuff on these little vans but the 3 most noticeable differences are that it’s shorter & doesn’t have the little window to the left of the door, which may imply that this was a little custom jobbie or that he actually built different sizes. The 2nd difference is that the roof just seems to push up. It doesn’t ever seem to have had the pipe and chain system as described in the patent. Perhaps this was a later version & Jennison had already junked that system & just gone to a straight push up idea. It’s quite light to push up & we can imagine the pipes would have been a heavy hassle, to say the least! This bolt runs along the side track when you lift the front end  When it’s folded down the bolt locks in place in the cutout on the left of track  When the roof is lifted up, there should be bolts that lock the 4 corners in place  3rd difference is that it has solid rather than canvas sides on the pop-top, but all these could just be later refinements.   Corner detail showing single sheet of masonite side with a lapped end & held on with a cabin hook inside. That braces the whole top & makes it rigid   |
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 19:20:08 GMT 10
Some of the other features of the van are a single drawbar with stand  enclosed ball that hangs under the car drawbar  all wooden chassis with thick wooden floor, Rob thinks this looks like a tie rod from a traction engine, as it has half a ball coupling bolted to the wooden crosspiece at the other end. The little bolt on the far left (may be 5/16”) is all that keeps the van from making it’s own way on the high way. ALERT: may need modifying!  model T front axle with flat bar locking the wheels in the straight position & they’re not welded   copper water tank with galv outlet pipe (hint: there are 3 other vans in this photo!)  filler for water tank recessed into middle of floor inside van just in front of the double bed! Just ignore all the years of rat poo!  well made window frames with a canvas flashing   window catches that are pieces of wire that go through the window into a hole in the sill  Interesting that JBJ said after we saw it that we could put spoked wheels on it, but these are the current wheels with at least 1 light truck tyre, 650-16. What do you think they are Col?  |
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 19:22:08 GMT 10
and there’s more inside! green enamel sink, bit rusty near waste with pump & wooden handle & cover for sink   wire based bed that must have been one of the first click clacks & converts easily into couch by sliding on 2 angle iron guides on sides  front lounge that converts into 2 single bunks  6 volt lighting, 2 bakelite light switches that turn & 2 6volt, 25 watt headlight bulbs (same as Don)   lino that has the “cotton reel” pattern that was so popular in the 20’s & 30’s  We haven’t figured out where the fold up table goes yet, but think it may be just to the right of sink when wire bed is folded up  Identical spot where Jennison rego label is located in DR’s photos  Nice hinge on door  Crusader lock on door  Gee the responsibility of it all has got to us. I had to have a Bex & a good lie down & Rob’s looking dazed and glazed with the task ahead, but at least he can stand up straight!  |
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 19:23:21 GMT 10
Dimensions are another story
The van is 6 ft wide at floor height then tapers to 5’8” at roof height. We think it was done to counteract the Reddo Effect (that is, that small vans look wider at the top than the bottom).
Length is 9’11”, height is 4’9’’ inside when closed or 6’3” when pop top is open.
The pop top is 5’8” x 4’9”.
Re history of van… when we first saw the van it was full of ‘stuff’, just like the other vans in Doug’s posts. The owner insisted that he had put all of the stuff in there, but it was very obvious that at least some of the stuff was originally with the van. We managed to buy some of the stuff from him but he kept things such as 50’s kids toys & a photo album. I glanced through the album & saw a photo of the first arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge so that would have to pre-date 1932. He said that he went to school with the girl whose family had the van stored in a shed for 40 years around the corner from him. I think the van may have been a kids cubby judging from the many little plastic bags of marbles. I had the identical Chinese Checkers set as a kid in the 50’s. Anyway, the owner says he will contact the girl, granddaughter of original owner? (most likely now in her 50’s) & get some history for us so here’s hoping!
Luckily today in a tin, I found a Bank of NSW pay envelope with someone’s name on it. Remember when you got paid cash in a little envelope? I did a quick BDM search of the name on the envelope which matched Cyril & Iris who got married in 1938. Maybe it was a honeymoon van before WW2. The well worn lino shows that the van had plenty of use!
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Post by cluelesssharon on May 11, 2013 19:33:12 GMT 10
Looks like my cup of tea, can I have her next year when you've finished, don't forget paint works cream & green
Sharon & Steve
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 11, 2013 19:41:17 GMT 10
smiles said "Maybe it was a honeymoon van before WW2. The well worn lino shows that the van had plenty of use!"Hopefully not DURING the honeymoon!! ;D ;D ;D You have a treasure of a find there guys, and are certainly accumulating a lovely collection of VV's. To think it all started with a humble Propert Have lost your contact details, but certainly intend dropping by a little town up your way next month. Can you PM me? be nice to chew the fat and see your treasure "in the flesh". Ray |
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Post by sutcac on May 11, 2013 20:10:04 GMT 10
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 11, 2013 20:18:53 GMT 10
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Post by sutcac on May 11, 2013 20:23:42 GMT 10
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Post by kaybee on May 11, 2013 20:41:09 GMT 10
model T front axle with flat bar locking the wheels in the straight position & they’re not welded Interesting that JBJ said after we saw it that we could put spoked wheels on it, but these are the current wheels with at least 1 light truck tyre, 650-16. What do you think they are Col? Hiya Cathy and Rob (the silent one ;D).......can't help you on the wheel ID......but they're not Ford,nor is the axle. T Model ( and later) all had just a single spring across the top of the axle mounted on pins through the axle itself......could be an early Chevy or similar, the wheel pattern looks more Chev-like than anything common to that era, but it's hard to say from pics. If you want to trace the outline of the studs onto a piece of paper once you get the wheels off and post it down here ,I'll see what it matches for you. Congrats on an amazing find...... |
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Post by kaybee on May 11, 2013 20:42:23 GMT 10
....or maybe Dodge..... ;D |
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Post by akeepsake on May 11, 2013 21:58:37 GMT 10
Jeff like I said good things come I threes!
First the 17' pathfinder with shower, then the 30!s pop top ... What's next ! The Jennison car! Or maybe the speedboat !!
Great find guys!!!
Cheers Andrew
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Post by smiles on May 11, 2013 22:00:07 GMT 10
Hi Cobber
Rob has looked on the tow hitch & there are'nt any markings on it unfortunately. We looked at that patent you included in your post but its not the same as our van.
Hi Clyde...geez you're a stirrer!!! yep we 're already lying awake at night worrying about the responsibility of it all. Seriously tho we'll be doing any work on it pretty slowly. The frame doesn't have any rot but has some cracks that will have to be mended first. We'll think about the Masonite versus plywood question I guess when the frame is fixed. The main roof cross members are very bowed so that might be first to do. Yeah lovely Chev!
Hi Col
The guy we got the van off said he thought it had red Austin hub caps on it when he dragged it down the lane to his place 3 years ago but he "couldn't remember where he put them". If you'd seen his yard you'd understand why we didn't bother looking for them!
Rob said he'll send you that outline of stud pattern. Thanks
smiles
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?
....... I'm sure you're up to it 
. 
