Fleetwind Caravan

[Sian]

Hi everone,

A second post about our little Fleetwind Caravan , hopefully with pictures this time. Thanks Reddo for pointing me in the right direction.

I’m trying to find some information about our van. We purchased it off a neighbour some months ago though it was last registered in 1986. I think it is a 1950-60 model? We’ve has no luck on the net with only a passing mention about Lancashire manufacturers. I would be really grateful for any info on the manufacturer, year etc..

My partner and I are caravan novices and are trying to decide whether to spend some time doing it up or to sell it on to someone who “knows what they are doing.”

It has no back windows (frames are still in) and appears to have a little bit of water damage in the lower front panel otherwise it is in remarkably good condition.

Are there any major things to look for when assessing the road worthiness of an old caravan?

We’re in Geelong Victoria – my thoughts were to get it down to a local caravan dealer and have them take a good look over it before we make a decision on what to do. Does anyone have any advice on a good dealer/maintenance person in the area?

Cheers

Sian

[belinda]

Dear Sian,

don't worry about being a van novice. Until about two years ago most of us were too (and that's what this forum is all about). The advantage you have is getting a van when the forum is up and running with lots of people happy to help. Doing up a van is a really fun (and useful) project, and you'll pick a lot of knowledge up along the way.

My advice is take things step-by-step.

If you want to see "before and after" photos of our van go to "Belinda and Robert's Pride and Joy". I started by getting a big pocket file and making a lot of phonecalls. The first one was a call to the RTA about what is required for NSW registration. I made a note of all calls, and slowly the file filled with bits of paper, business cards, scraps of fabric, paint charts and other stuff. It's now quite full and is an excellent resource.

The other huge help was Mark Taylor and vintagecaravans.com. When we first pulled our van out of the shed the forum wasn't up and running, but Mark was always at the end of the email with encouraging words and practical advice. You have no idea how this one man has in a lot of ways kick-started a national movement.

Getting a van back on the road didn't take too long (about ten weeks), and we've been nibbling away at the other jobs ever since - painting, new lino, new water tank, fixing leaks, restored stove. It was actually good to use the van before it was completely finished because a weekend away with the family identifies various glitches that need fixing.

So my advice is, keep the van and have some fun with it. Use the technical section to ask questions and expect plenty of helpful answers (and some funny ones).

cheers

Belinda

[Deleted]

Hi Sian

For Victorian Vintage Van Owners try.

"Vintage Vans Runs and Events" section.
"Rye weekend"

There is a weekend away organised to Rye - Vic on 17th and 18th of feb 2006

Three victorians attending are :
Nasco hunter - Tony Galea
Cuz
Noddy - not sure about him or where abouts he lives but he had stated that he was heading for the victorian alps over the xmas break.

try sending them a personal message by clicking on their name in the left column of thier posts.

The van appears to be a reasonably easy proposition to tidy up. No one is saying you have to spend a fortune on it . just scrub it up and use it . I notice it has toggle tags down the side. did you ask if there was an annexe with it. These annexes can cost more than you paid for the van.
Have a look inside the top cupboards for water stains indicating roof leaks. That dent near the fleetwind sign could be causing the roof to leak. check for rot inside around the lower edges where the walls meet the floor.

Rust in chassis and around the tow coupling.
Wheel bearings, brakes, tyres, rusty rims

The average Joe handyman should be capable of carrying out minor repairs for roadworthy inspections.

So ... go on ... have a go. Remember half the fun of owning these old darlin's is working on them and then trying to figure out where the bank account nest egg went

Reddo

[will and Lyn]

;D

Nice V.Van Sian
Havent seen one before
however looks in good nick
take it to a Caravan repairer and ask them for their opinion on what is required to register it Im sure they wont even charge you for it at least you will have a short list (we hope)
you can do the basics and register it then take your time to restore it

best of luck from W.A

Will

[Sian]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Does anyone have any idea of what year of the Van might be?
My guess was with the fittings perhaps early Sixties?

Still unsure whether to restore-with small children I dont have much time on my hands...


And yes Reddo it does have an canvas annex which I have laid out and looks to be in good condition. Not sure of how it attaches yet...that time thing again.

Thanks Again

Sian

[belinda]

Hi Sian

believe me, having small kids is exactly why you should do up the van.

Our whole restoration started with the question "what do I do with three bored boys in the Easter holiday?"
The answer was "frogmarch them up to the shed with buckets and cloths and sponges and detergent" and we all scrubbed out the van.

Now it's on the road we use it regularly for great weekends away. In the world of vintage motoring, I have to say vintage vans are the most family-friendly. Count yourself lucky that your partner isn't into restoring military vehicles or old trucks!

On the question of annexes, at the Coledale (NSW) get-together I took heaps of close-up photos of annexes and in particular the way they attach to vans. If you join the site I'll be able to email some of them to you.

cheers

Belinda

[groovy]

A few points about the Fleetwind.
Made in Sydney until they closed shop in the latter part of the sixties. Their factory was near Canterbury Rd and King Georges Rd, dam it, I cannot remember the name of the suburb and I used to live about 2 miles away in Wiley Park.
They were an alloy clad timber frame van and generally 6'6" wide instead of the customary 7' of the day, and also a little longer then equivalent models by other makers.
As to the build year, I think very late fifties or early sixties, the stove and table leg are from that period, although the sail slide on the stove counter top is late sixties.
The annexe sail track was likely a later addition, as bolt rope type annexes weren't common back then. The "toggle" catches are called "Brewsters" and still available for when the internal spring lets go or they rust up.
Greg
If you want to make the alloy clean as new, don't waste money on commercial cleaners, just buy a few 2 litre bottles of coke, shake up and spray on, leave sit for a few minutes then scrub while using more coke and then hose off.
Edited cause I forgot to add the cleaning tip.