Archie's Paramount

[archie]

Just picked up this yesterday-its 18 feet-4 bunks-does anyone know who made it and when it was made thanks i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx189/archie176/P1010029_zps5109c2dc.jpg [/img]

[humpyboy]

Not knowing a whole lot about early caravan makers my guess would possibly be Paramount caravans, check out Down History Lane and see what you think.

[cobber]

G'day Archie,

I reckon old humpyboy is pretty close to the money ..... have a look at the Paramount thread by clicking HERE and compare the inside with those shown in that thread, I hope your van looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside.

Some of us would kill to get hold of a van like that one..... look after it

Where do you live..... roughly

Cobber.

[humpyboy]

Oct 22, 2013 11:59:25 GMT 10 cobber said:

I reckon old humpyboy is pretty close to the money

OLD ? who you calling old? or are you meaning "me old cobber buddy mate" ;D

[archie]

here are some more pics

[archie]

Perfect towing partner for the old Chev truck

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Archie,

I'm so glad you decided to take the plunge and buy the van. In my opinion well worth the sum you may possibly have mentioned in a previous post. (Oops, did I say that out loud? )

I just posted a comment on Humpyboy and Cobber's proposal that your van might be a South Australian Paramount, and suggested that you post some more pics to enable us to make some more comparisons...pressed the 'Post Reply' button...and hey presto found that you'd already put up some more photos. So now I'm modifying my reply.

Having looked at the additional photos, I think Humpyboy and Cobber are right in what they are saying. The shape is generally right (although a little more curved at the front and back), the low floor height is right, the shape of the wheel arch is right, the dramatic decorations over each window and the door are right (although a bit more dramatic than other Paramounts), the shaped top of the door and the glass panel is right, the flywire door is right, the etched window glrass and the etched glass in the inside cupboards are right, the design of the flash (particularly at the front) is right and close to unique, and the way that the beading bordering the flash is screwed on is right. All those features appear to be very Paramount. And it is evident from the tudor ceiling and the SA number plate that it has SA origins.

I was a bit troubled at first because of the way that the canvas roof appeared to be finished off along the sides of your van. Paramount vans seem to have the canvas rolled over the sides, presumably to improve water run off and waterproofing, but your vans lacks this. however, it seems to me from the last pics you posted that your van has had the canvas taken off, and it is the uncovered caneite panels we can see. Is that correct? Also your van lacks the drop down corner jacks and knurled knobs you can see on other Paramounts. However, when you tick off the items I listed in the paragraph above, I think we are looking at a Paramount.

Dating your van is a bit tricky, but based on the way the vertical and waist joins in the external panels are covered with flat strapping, and the V-shaped top to the door suggests to me that your van may be midway between Mark T's and Austin125's vans shown in the DHL thread. So that would make it mid to late 30's. Having said that, there are some anamolies - the lack of the drop down corner jacks for one, and the apparently more modern cupboard door handles and catches for another.

I will be interested to hear what other people think.

One question for you: When you said the van is 18ft long, is that the length of the cabin alone, or does that include the A-frame?

Anyway, congratulations on your acquisition. It's a beauty!! (PS Love the tow vehicle as well.)

Don Ricardo

[archie]

Thanks, for the information, the actual van is 18 feet long, have posted some more photos I

[archie]

The roof seems to be covered with stretched canvas that has been painted, and has what looks like a thick cork type material,as underlay, also the van seems to be constructed of Masonite sheets on the outside ,,do you know if this is correct. I would like to extend and replace the draw bar, and fit brakes, It currently has 16 inch rims with 600 x 16 tyres ,I would like to replace them with smaller modern rims, of course I will have to change the hubs ,any comments from others would be much appreciated

[archie]

The back half of the canvas roof is intact,and in good condition, but the front from the hatch forward is missing

[Jennison]

Would not smaller rims cause problems with ground clearance?
At 18 feet foot long you will need that height to pull out of driveways/service stns etc to ensure you don't grind the rear end off!
Stick with your 16" rims for my mind - You will spoil it's original style, probably end up with major damage to the rear end and it'd look bloody odd with little roller skate wheels on it ;D
jenno

[archie]

Thanks for your advice, i see what you mean about the wheels, what about the draw bar, at 2 feet it does not make it very practical when towing

[archie]

I had a good look at the van today ,I am pleasantly surprised how good the timber work is, the inside is in very good condition, down to the original ice box, spirit stove cushions, etc.. I have restored a few cars, and am looking forward to doing some work to the van. If I compare it to a car resto it seems like a very easy resto. basically paint ,and a few small repairs,and the font half of the canvas roof. My only issue is getting it out under the roller door, it was quite an exercise getting it in.Had to dismantle the roof hatch, and remove the wheels.Just wondering what it would be worth fully restored, I would appreciate others views

[Don Ricardo]

Oct 24, 2013 20:39:44 GMT 10 archie said:

The roof seems to be covered with stretched canvas that has been painted, and has what looks like a thick cork type material,as underlay

Hi Archie,

The cork type material is probably caneite, which is/was made from sugar cane fibre waste and was used by a lot of caravan manufacturers for the ceiling because it could be used on curves and had insulating properties. There are a couple of people on the forum who have replaced the canvas on their rooves. One of them was Roehm3108 on his Rowvan. It would be worthwhile checking their threads to see how they went about it. No point in reinventing the wheel!

Mark T will be able to tell if the cladding on his Paramount is masonite.

Good to hear that the van is in such good nick. Unfortunately though we can't discuss the value of the van when it is restored - forum policy. But in truth there is no way anyone of us can tell you for the reasons we explained when you asked about prices when you were buying the van.

Regarding the length of the A-frame, it's probably not all that unusual for the era. At the least with the Chev you might be able to install a tow bar and tongue with a bit of length to it to compensate to some degree?

Don Ricardo

[archie]

Hi Don thanks for your reply, i probably will tow it with one of my early f100s,i don't fancy driving that old chev truck any distance, not much fun, if you have ever driven one you will know what I mean , as to value I understand I was just curious,cheers

[archie]

I guess I am going to sound pretty dumb. but how do I find threads,in particular the one you mention,Don

[Franklin1]

Archie, the search function for this forum is pretty easy to use.

Click on the word search on the blue toolbar at the top of the page.

Wait for the screen to reload.

Type the words you're looking for in the Search for: blank field at the top.

Scroll right down to the bottom of that page and change the days field to 3500 and the Maximum results field to 100.

Change the dot to the threads (collapsed) option.

Click on the [Search] button underneath.


For what you're looking for, do two separate searches, one to search for the word calico and a second one for the word Paramount.

You'll get the hang of it after a couple of stuff-ups. You just have to remember to change the fields down the bottom of the search page, and put the dot in the threads option.

cheers,
Al.

[archie]

Thank Al

[archie]

I was having a look at the under body of the van today-just a thought-if I widened the track-and extended the draw bar ,and fitted brakes, and smaller wheels, would it not make the van more practical and safer to tow, just looking for others views----

[hilldweller]

I'm no expert on the mechanical side of things but it's a beautiful original van you've got there. To me it would seem a shame (and would devalue the van) to change its appearance. Brakes perhaps, but I'd leave the wheels and drawbar intact (obviously attending to any rust and dodgy bearings etc, but not making any fundamental changes). Just my thoughts.

[Cruz]

I would consider electric brakes, fit a whole new axle is eaisiest and lengthing the draw bar, if it is short, makes reversing much easier.

[cobber]

G'day Archie,

Mate........ if you buy a new caravan they've already got good brakes and they tow beautifully.

How much do you want for that piece of old junk you've got there

Cobber.

[Jennison]

Your van is already quite low, again I reckon keep the 16' rims or you will cause other unintended consequences IE damage to rear end , when exiting and entering driveways. Looks to me like it has a cranked axle which keeps down you height already, got any photos of underneath
jenno

[kaybee]

Oct 28, 2013 7:32:34 GMT 10 hilldweller said:

I'm no expert on the mechanical side of things but it's a beautiful original van you've got there. To me it would seem a shame (and would devalue the van) to change its appearance. Brakes perhaps, but I'd leave the wheels and drawbar intact (obviously attending to any rust and dodgy bearings etc, but not making any fundamental changes). Just my thoughts.

....agreed, seems a pity for something like that to make it this far without being messed with ,and then change it before you ever know if it works well or not. If you especially need or want to put brakes on it , it may be possible to use the brakes off the car that matches your exisiting wheels. If you want to post a square on pic of the wheels with as much detail as you can get ,I might be able to tell you what they are off....cheers, Colin.

[archie]

The chap that I purchased the van ,said they were international wheels