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Post by paramount49 on Aug 26, 2013 20:37:21 GMT 10
Hi Everyone, What a fantastic Site! We have only just Joined,so please bare with Me. Hopfully we are in the right Area. We Have just become the proud owners of a 1940something? Unmolested 12ft Paramount caravan fully sheeted inside and out including Cupboards and Doors In aluminium inc framing. Original icebox and aliminium Pelmets all in place. The newspaper under the Lino was dated 1949 . As i we havn,t been able to find a chassis #on the draw Bar,or any other method of identification I was wondering if we go with 1949 or if someone may Know how to establish if it is older. ? Not sure if the photo Worked ,but will post more photos somewhere soon Thanks Rick and Deanna
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 26, 2013 22:05:33 GMT 10
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 26, 2013 22:11:54 GMT 10
I,ll Check first thing in the morning and post result Thanks
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Post by griffin on Aug 26, 2013 22:15:15 GMT 10
Hi Rick and Deanna What an interesting looking little van, '49 sounds like a good year, I'm a product of it myself I'm sure it doesn't matter, as long as you are happy with it and we get to see some more pictures George
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 26, 2013 22:19:12 GMT 10
Thanks George, Still finding our way around Site. Will hopefully have more photos up tomorrow night Cheers
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 27, 2013 15:27:10 GMT 10
No luck as yet on more I.D Will post more pics tonight but looks look 1949 it is.
Rick and Deanna
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foxy
Full Member
Talent is God given. Be thankful. Praise is Man given. Be humble. Conceit is Self given. Be Careful
Posts: 160
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Post by foxy on Aug 27, 2013 21:29:32 GMT 10
Hi Rick & Deanna
Welcome to the forum.
Does you van have a stove if so check to see if it has a manufacturer"s plate (which normally has a date on it) should give you an idea of year of manufacture.
There are a lot of guys on this forum who would be willing to pass on their knowledge just ask if you get stuck, and take lots of photo's, we all love to see the progress at each stage of any van being lovingly restored.
Regards
Foxy
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 27, 2013 21:42:37 GMT 10
Go to your thumbnail pic on photobucket. Hover over the top right corner where a cog will appear,left click on 'get links' then left click on the words 'IMG codes' & it will say copied. Come back here, right click & paste.
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 27, 2013 21:51:40 GMT 10
Hi Foxy, We don't have a stove. Just an icebox. I am trying to upload some pictures and have tried what you also said, shesgotthelook. Hope this works... Thanks for your help. Deanna
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 28, 2013 0:46:17 GMT 10
Hi Paramount49, You're going in the right direction with the links for your photos, but SGTL is correct - copy and paste the link that's tagged 'IMG' and the photo should display ok. If you still have trouble let us know, and I'm sure that one of us can assist you. Once you get the technique, you can post as many photos as you like in the one post - just keep copying and pasting the links one after the other. I've had a look at the pics of your van using the links that you've already posted. And I have to say that it really is an intriguing caravan. As you've probably figured out from the Down History Lane (DHL) threads SGTL pointed you to, your van is a Victorian Paramount, and not a South Australian Paramount. According to the information we've been given by the daughter-in-law of the founder of (Victorian) Paramount, he started building vans in the 40's and we also know that production continued on into the 60's. So that means it is quite possible that your van was built in 1949. Also if you compare your van with the pics in the 1956 Paramount advert on the DHL thread, yours has a relatively small single windows at front and back and smaller side windows than the '56 model which is a clear signal that it is an earlier model. All good! However, what is so especially intriguing is the fact that it is clad in aluminium inside and out, and that it appears to have metal window frames and a metal flash around its waist line (am I right about the last?). These are all very unusual features because (a) generally speaking, caravan manufacturers didn't start using aluminium/metal window frames until the mid 50's, (b) they didn't start using aluminium cladding until the second half of the 50's or later, and (c) hardly any used metal cladding internally. There were some exceptions to the above - Carapark started building steel then aluminium vans from the late 40's, and Jennison started experimenting with aluminium cladding in the late 40's and began selling aluminium vans in about 1953. However, in 1956 Paramount was still advertising its vans as being clad in marine ply and they were still using wooden framed windows. Even in 1961 Paramount vans were advertised as being clad in Rescote which is a type of plastic covered bondwood. So that's why your van is so intriguing! There are several possibilities: - Your van was some sort of experimental/prototype caravan.
- Your van was built to special order for some purpose.
- Your van was clad in aluminium 'after market'.
I think we can probably exclude the 'after market' option, because although a few vans have turned up having been clad by someone at some stage, very few of them look to have been done as professionally as yours. In addition, I have never seen an after market aluminium cladding job include metal window frames + the shaped guttering above the windows + a metal flash decoration. I have also never seen an example where it has been clad internally in aluminium after market. And did I see that some/all of the cupboards are built out of metal as well?? So...it looks to me as if you very probably have a very rare caravan, which may even be a one-off. Of course we don't know that - and may never know whether that is correct - but I think you're safe to think that you have something very unusual. Was the previous owner able to give you any background or history on the van that might give you a lead as to its history? Don Ricardo
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 28, 2013 19:40:43 GMT 10
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 28, 2013 19:52:27 GMT 10
Hi Don, Thanks for the detailed response. Have added several more Photos showing extent of Ali for framing,drawers,table top ,the works!inc Framing .by the way the Metal Flash is correct. All very fascinating. Previous owner had in storage for about 3 1/2yrs with no prior history Info unfortunately. Stay tuned more photos are coming Rick and Deanna
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Post by DC3Td on Aug 28, 2013 20:08:16 GMT 10
What a great `van & the construction detail is amazing. Look forward to its progress.
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Post by humpyboy on Aug 28, 2013 20:12:10 GMT 10
I'd need to see the other side to be sure but in the third pic you have a round plastic lens, from what I can see it looks to me to be a lens from an interior light for an FX-FJ Holden ;D
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 28, 2013 21:52:19 GMT 10
Hi Paramount49,
The more I see of your van, the more amazing I think it is.
Given that it's virtually 100% metallic construction I am certain we can definitely rule out the 'after market' conversion option. So either an experimental model, a prototype which never went any further, or a special order. But even the special order seems a bit unlikely - it's not just a modification of an existing model, but a whole new model requiring quite different skills and tools.
Just one question. Have you tried passing a magnet over all the internal fittings, etc? You said that it was all aluminium, but I just wondered if maybe the drawers or the ice chest internals were possibly galavanised iron?
Thanks for the additional photos. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief and lifting my jaw off the floor!
Don Ricardo
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 29, 2013 8:55:56 GMT 10
Hi Don, Ice chest internals (excluding tray) and all drawers and doors , do not respond to Magnet. How cool is That!! Shame your in Vic. Would love for you to see our Van and would Value your Input for her Restoration. Talk soon Thanks Again for your help to date. Rick and Deanna
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 30, 2013 15:43:31 GMT 10
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 30, 2013 17:45:36 GMT 10
Ah ha When are else fails, Read the instructions!! Sorry all ,will attempt to fix Photo fail tonight Rick
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 30, 2013 21:43:22 GMT 10
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Post by humpyboy on Aug 30, 2013 23:13:46 GMT 10
I now see the lens and the base and yes they are from a 48-215 so your van would most likely date around the 1949 mark as you suspected, seeing these lights came out in 1948 (late) as you can tell the base is pretty much gone but if you keep an eye on ebay they do come up from time to time and if you decide to replace it with something else may I have first dibs on the lens
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Post by paramount49 on Aug 31, 2013 18:43:14 GMT 10
Thanks Humpyboy for the Keen Eye. Hopefully we will be able to find Base to suit,but I will Keep you in mind if things Change. Thanks Rick and Deanna
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Post by paramount49 on Sept 4, 2013 8:59:26 GMT 10
Hi Everyone. Quick Question . Does anyone have any suggestions on someone to help or guide us with some aluminum repairs (nothing serious or structural)in or near Toowoomba Qld. Love this Site Thanks Rick and Deanna
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Post by paramount49 on Nov 8, 2013 11:22:36 GMT 10
Finally the Panel beater is almost Ready. Hope to be posting some progress shots soon. Was Aiming to be on the road for X mas ,but having lost this much Time, will see how we go. Rick and Deanna
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willow5075
Full Member
Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Nov 8, 2013 19:58:03 GMT 10
looking forward to new shots!
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