Millard chassis numbers

[cablefamily]

Hi! New to this so hopefully I won't annoy anybody with my question.
I found this very decrepit (but perfect for me) Millard caravan in a bloke's paddock this week and it now sits in our driveway.
It seems to have been bare metal and green early on (under the outside door light is this combo) and then an aqua colour and finally painted white with mustard colour the last time.
The metal is the diamond pattern (I think that's what it's called).
I really just want to know how old (approx.) it is?
The chassis has M5182 welded? onto it (like with a stick welder and written the numbers etc).
If anyone can give me a rough idea of it's age I would be most appreciative
Many thanks, Karen

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Cablefamily,

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your acquisition.

Don't be concerned about annoying people on the forum with a question about your van. That's what most of us are here for - to discuss everything vintage vanning, and to look at each others vans!

Your Millard looks to be the same shape as a lot of the smaller Millards through a good part of the 60's, and somebody will probably be able to help you work out an approximate date from your van based on the serial number.

You can compare your van with those in some of the photos shown on the Millard thread in the 'Down History Lane' section - click here. There is also another thread that talks about Millards and serial numbers here. (You may already have found these threads if you've been looking around the forum.)

You mentioned that your van is clad in aluminium sheets with a diamond pattern, but viewing the picture it look more like the cladding is the ribbed variety (ie horizontal lines of various widths and depths embossed into the sheets to create a pattern). Maybe it's just a trick of the light in the photo? Can you explain a bit more please? The cladding with the diamond pattern etched into it was common in the earlier 60's, while the ribbed variety was used in the later 60's.

We look forward to hearing more about your van. In the meantime hopefully someone will help you to pinpoint when M5182 may have been built (within a year or two, anyway).

Don Ricardo

[Franklin1]

G'day Karen,

Trying to get a clearer picture of the age of Millard chassis numbers is proving to be quite frustrating. As soon as I think I've got a pattern happening, along comes an example that throws my theory out of whack.

I think your chassis number might be from 1967, and I only think this because of the information in the following thread link, where the van has the chassis number of M5642 (about 500 numbers after yours), and they had the fridge warranty card dated in September 1967: Millard Capri 1968 - Advice please

Having said the possible age of your van, I can also point you towards Millard chassis number M8079 which is supposedly a 1966 Millard. How can a van have a chassis number that is 3000 numbers higher than yours, but be from a year earlier than yours? Good question! And gees, I do wish I had a good answer.

But fear not, Karen...one day I'll get to the bottom of it all.

cheers,
Al.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Franklin1,

Is it possible that Millard used different series of numbers for different models? So for example a number beginning in, say, 5 might be a Safari, while a number beginning in, say, 8 might be a Florida?

I know that's what Don did when they started the Cadet series, so just wondered if that might be the answer with Millard...

Don Ricardo

[akeepsake]

Hi Karen Welcome to the Forum! Great to see another millard about to get a new lease of life! As Don said ask away that's what the forum is all about

Don on the serial numbers just to add to the confusion my Florida is a 63 model and may even have been built as early as 62 as have dated it by the electrical compliance certificate that was with it when I got it dated 3/63. The serial number is M-922. Would love to know if there is any rhyme or reason to it Interesting to see if the deluxe models have a different serial ( first) number ?? I am thinking mine is quite an early Florida ( diamond pattern aluminium, ice chest) would love to hear from anyone who has one to compare notes??
Cheers Andrew

[akeepsake]

Hi Isambard and thanks for the info. I think I saw your deluxe in the DHL millard section Very nice van
My interior is very 50s as well all totally original
Just out of curiosity do yo have any pics of the interior, also did your have an annex? I would love some reference pics of an original annex as I have lurched a s/h one and want to modify ( well will get Larry to ) so it fits well
Anyway don't want to hijack this thread surely someone else out there has a early Millard that we can compare serial # with??
Cheers Andrew

[cablefamily]

Hi and thanks so much for the friendly welcome!
I'm attaching some more pics now which might help?
The odl guy next door told us it was a diamond pattern but could be wrong, of course
I have no idea and I am sure this is the right place for info etc, so thanks so much for the replies so far, much appreciated

[cablefamily]

Hubby had a bit of fun using the guernii - best thing I ever bought him haha!

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Cablefamily,

Well there you go - both diamond pattern AND ribs! That will help somebody like Franklin1 or Hughdeani to narrow down the possible the build date for your van.

Don Ricardo

[jcole]

just to add to the confusion and conversation. We had a Millard Capri with chassis no. M6490 . We never gained a year for it but guessed around mid 60's. If interested for the history and gathering of info I can add pics.

[unaresto]

Hi guys,
I just purchased a millard Florida with a chassis number M8471, I was just reading through the posts on here and from what I can gather it's a 1967/68 model I'm yet to pick it up but its very interesting seeing all the different options on here.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Unaresto,

Welcome to the forum. It's great to hear about your Millard.

Based on the serial number, your van was built in the second half of 1967, sometime between August and November.

It will be great to see some photos and hear your plans for your van once you get it home. There are instructions on how to post photos in the 'Forum Guidelines & Helpful Hints' section of the forum.

Don Ricardo

[missannie]

hi
I was given a millard safari chassis number m-3566
Does anyone know the age?

[hughdeany]

Hi missannie,
Your van would have been built about 1965,should be silver aluminium if it hasn’t been painted.
Hope this helps
Cheers
hughdeany