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

[goffo]

Hey just inquiring about a Millard caravan! The chassis number is M7333
Unsure on age and or type princess or Capri etc! Wondering if you could help me out

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Boffo,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for telling us about your caravan.

Based on the Millard serial number register compiled by Twocutekelpies, the van with the serial number M7333 would be a 1967 model.

We can’t tell you anything about the model though, without seeing some photos and knowing the length.

There’s info on how to post photos on the forum if you here.

Don Ricardo

[goffo]

thanks for getting back to me here are some photos 

I am currently trying to do it up! Surprisingly it is very straight and is all sound as far as I can tell so far? I have taking all the trims off and resealed it all and replaced with stainless screes with tefgel also I Have replace all the glass in the windows, re-painted the “original yellow strips” (was like it when I got it so was guessing it was original) ! started polishing aluminum now after oxidizing the aluminum! Big job 

what determines the length of a caravan overall length of aluminum or does it include the draw bar? Or am I not even close 

TIA 

Attachments:

[goffo]

Few more 

Attachments:

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Goffo,

If you look at the vans with the same shape, cladding and paintwork as yours in the Millard thread in the ‘Down History Lane’ section here, you’ll see that they are variously identified as Safari, Florida and Princess models. I think it all depends on length. The Safaris are 13 ft long, the Princesses 16 ft long and I’m guessing the Floridas are 14 ft long. However the model name may also be based on trim and fittings.

I’ll ask forum member Twocutekelpies, who knows more about Millards than me, if she can help us.

Regarding measuring the length of the van, for vintage era caravans at least, the length refers to the length of the cabin only. To measure your van, measure from the front of the cabin to the rear, one foot (30 cms) above the floor line. That was the standard way of measuring.

Don Ricardo

[twocutekelpies]

What a beaut looking Millard.    I wish I knew more about identifying the models, they've been a bit confusing for me and lengths don't seem to help.

From the Millard timeline - 

1966 - Capri started being advertised with 15ft Deluxe model and 13ft basic - Model B; Safari discontinued. There's also a Princess model from 1966 (1967 ad mentions 16x8 Princess pictured, link - push across to p41 of 67)


1967 ad mentions new 15ft Florida model (from DHL Millard thread) 


If stripping the interior (and I always hope this isn't necessary) the model and date can often be found written on the back of the ply lining around the front windows. It can also be seen while the trims/j rails are off for resealing and sneaking a peek under the cladding there (just noticed you've already done that so not able to peek there now).