Al's taken the plunge...

[Franklin1]

G'day All,
I was given a lead on a van about a month ago from a member of this website. Subsequent secret negotiations involving ASIO and other cloak-and-dagger organisations led me to putting the reddies down on the table. Had to wait a couple more weeks until Easter so I could get down and back. Now the van is in my backyard.
Details are in this first photo...



I've got some other photos, but rather than have them download automatically, you can click on the links if you're interested...

a) the van being towed back to Warilla (950 kms trip)
i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/macola51/TowingthevantoWarilla.jpg

b) the rear of the van
i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/macola51/1956Franklinoutsidereara.jpg

c) the inside front
i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/macola51/1956Franklininsidefronta.jpg

d) the inside kitchen
i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/macola51/1956Franklininsidekitchena.jpg

e) the inside rear
i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/macola51/1956Franklininsidereara.jpg

I'm now in the process of burrowing down every rabbit hole to authenticate the history of the van. If there's anyone reading this from Ballarat, I'd like to make friends with you for further help ;D ;D

I don't know (yet) how much of the van is original. It has a plywood/bondwood skin all over, but then sheets of galvanised iron have been put over the ply on the roof (3 sections, hand-soldered joints), and over the front and rear curves. There are also galv panels in the centre sections of either side walls, plus some small galv panels covering up some nasty sins at both back corners. The side windows seem to be aluminium-framed, but the front and rear windows are timber-framed. But it's MINE, whatever it is!! And it tows like a beauty...providing you don't go over about 85 kliks. (Above that and it thinks it's a rock-and-roll star )

So now I have to go and sort out me shed so I can find all me restoration tools. I've got it registered here in NSW, so I can do what I like now...

cheers,
Al.

[lisian]

Hi Al,
Congratulations on your new van, looks cool, very neat. Hope to see it and yourself at Coledale in October

Thanks
Ian

[trodler]

Hi AL

Nice van ,
I first spotted this one at the Ballarat swap meet in March ,and it always had a few people standing around admiring it. I think from memory he wanted six or seven Thousand for it at
that stage.
If you need some help or advice on any repairs send a personal message, Im just north at Corrimal.

Cheers
Trodler.

[Franklin1]

Hi trodler,
Thanks for the offer of help. I'll be posting lots of requests once I get started on the reno's. First I need to track down the daughter of the original owner for photos of the family on holidays in the van. Then I can get a feel for what the van originally looked like, and what I need to do to get it tidied up.
I'm not happy about overinflated prices for vintage vans, so I'm happy to reveal that I paid $3k for this one with one year's Vic registration to allow me to get it home. Within that price was a premium that I consider I paid because the van has significant history. Without that known history, I would have been looking at $2.5k or less maybe.
cheers,
Al.

[trodler]

Hi Al
You have done well , at that price youve got yourself a good buy.

Cheers.
Trodler.

[andrew]

G'day Al,
I saw the van at the swap meet too and took some photos as we have a Franklin aswell and when I talked to the bloke, he wanted $4000 for it. Nice to know it's gone to a good home and that you're excited to have. Goodonyamate.
Regards Andrew

[Deleted]

G'Day Al.
Good things come to those who wait. 3G is not a lot for a van in that condition ... especially when it is fit to tow home.

Good luck with the hunt for the daughter and the vans history.

Ya gotta promise us you will bring it to Coledale. Ring Norm at the park.... Do it Now!!!

Reddo