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Post by Roehm3108 on Dec 17, 2006 23:20:26 GMT 10
How cute it is Cobber!!!  Great job well done. That one truly does belong in the National Museum. Congrats Ray |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Dec 18, 2006 7:23:33 GMT 10
Cobber & Yvonne, Love it!!!    Your little van is looking great, will it go to motorfest? It really would be a treat to see it there. Is your van the oldest one on the site? Keep up the great work and looking forward to seeing more photos of the resto - only the inside to go!!!! Regards Geoff & Jude |
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Post by cornishlass on Dec 18, 2006 9:13:06 GMT 10
WOW - Cobber that looks absolutely fantastic, what a little hero you are Leaves me feeling quite envious. Now if you should feel you want a holiday in Cornwall and are feeling at a loss now you have finished...................... Would be really proud to own a van like that, if ever you feel that you are fed up with her, just crate her up and send her over. Well done mate. Cornish Lass |
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Post by earlee on Dec 18, 2006 9:22:19 GMT 10
hey Cobber ... ;D ;D excellent job on the van mate!  What type of paint did you use to spray the outside? I like the idea of a trailer board setup for the rear lights .. any pics?  Earlee ;D |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2006 9:39:58 GMT 10
Onya Cobber. 10 out of 10 for effort. 10 out of 10 for presentation 10 out of 10 for degree of difficulty dealing with the inspection station. Bloody bugs will always turn up when spraying outdoors. what size saw blade did you use to kerf the timber J moulding  . would have to be thinner than a hacksaw blade. 98kg towball weight woooooooaaaaaa. that'll get the FJs nose in the air. be very carefull towing old 36 in the wet. reduced weight on the steering and less effective braking. could lead to some hair raising events. "Are you taking it to Motorfest" .. yep i imagine you will.... IF THE BLOODY ORGANISERS SEND YOU AN ACCEPTANCE"  Dunno about you , but i still havent recieved mine yet. Anyway Cobber congratulations on a job well done. She looks great mate. Reddo |
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Post by will and lyn on Dec 18, 2006 9:49:03 GMT 10
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Post by kingy on Dec 18, 2006 10:09:20 GMT 10
Just luv it Cobber, congrats on a great job.
like i mentioned earlier she'll create heaps of attention, hope to see it soon.
Cheers Kingy
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Post by cobber on Dec 18, 2006 16:52:19 GMT 10
Thank you all for your nice comments. KB1 & 2.....All I need now is a 1936 automobile to tow it with, know where I can get one....cheap and unmodified?? ;D Geoff...Thanks mate, I do consider myself lucky to have the old girl. Window stays, you could be right, although it might be the 4th from the right too, I don’t remember. Ray...the National museum only wants donations, and they want Australian built, and I’m still not real sure where this old girl came from. Geoff & Jude...Bunch of show offs at Motorfest. At this point in time I think she may be the oldest full size restored caravan painted cream on this forum. I think “Earlee has one that comes close and a couple of “Spotsman” tear drops are also in the running, but like the English cricket team...it’s there to be beaten. Woops, sorry Cornishlass....now that I come to think about it Cornishlass has one that is older...no need for you to feel envious Lass, you have a bottler. I wouldn’t mind another holiday in Cornwall..around June / July, do you mind if I bring my wife, otherwise, could be a problem. Earlee...I used water based acrylic (wheathershield) may not be a popular choice here but all the experts (I know that’s a worry) advised me that was the way to go..these days..on external wood, time will tell. I did consider using old lights on a trailer board I make up myself, but then I thought that would be a waste of old lights. So I bought a ready made one from Supercheap, they have them on “special” at the moment. Oh Reddo..you won’t like the inside mate....I painted it. Thicker than a hacksaw blade mate, maybe that’s what I should have used and had the cuts closer together...live and learn. The old FJ does point up in the air a bit and she wasn’t designed to take air shocks, or air bags, don’t know what I’ll do about that yet. Mob of skites go to Motorfest  Will & Lyn...thanks for advice and inspiration young fella, I did as you suggested on both counts. The proboscis??? I’m going to call it “an old football injury” Kingy...that’s why I don’t think I’ll go to Motorfest..too many show-offs  Dennis...not even a pretty face mate...ask Will. If I get hold of a set of stamps I’ll do as you did, that is the way it should be done...the plate is not legal, your right the second rego label ain’t either.It shows that the van was last registered in 1961 and I want to keep it. Going to stick an Aussie flag over it but I can’t find one until closer to “Australia day”...can you believe that?? Hope you enjoy Motorfest mate..don’t park near Reddo if you can help it Cobber. . |
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raym
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Post by raym on Dec 18, 2006 20:48:54 GMT 10
Cobber,
Excellent job on the van. If your car is sagging in the rear under the weight of the van, it should help if you fit a set of helper springs. These are an additional leaf that bolts under your existing springs. These can be fitted in approx. 20 minutes and can be removed, no holes to drill just bolts on and off.
RayM
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Post by cornishlass on Dec 18, 2006 22:03:45 GMT 10
Hi Cobber Just to correct you, I only have half a van, the other half is waiting for the resto You on the other hand have a wonderful example. June/July : If you are serious let me know the dates and as for your wife, well of course the invite goes to you both, the more the merrier. Besides I think I have enough duplicates of the tools needed for the job Cornish Lass |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Dec 21, 2006 17:42:51 GMT 10
Why not use a set of sway bars Cobber? That should give you enough lift. It even helped lift the tail of a Magna I once had and improved the front-wheel drive to no end. Should help the FJ's steering in the same way.
Ray
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Post by cobber on Dec 21, 2006 18:44:38 GMT 10
Ray ! 1936 sway bars ? Bite your tongue Besides, the "A" frame is not long enough to accommodate them, I don't think. I most likely will go down the track suggested by RayM...I have had uplift springs in conjunction with air bags on Falcon utes I have used over the years to cart a slide on camper around. They worked well. In this case I hope the springs will suffice. Cobber. |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Dec 22, 2006 18:12:40 GMT 10
You raise an interesting point Cobber - when did sway-bars come into being. My 47 Superb has the brackets fitted, and it looks to be original - but then again, you never know! Maybe what you need is one of them fancy front wheels that take the weight of the van and then the car just pulls it. WHat are they called again?? Cheers - I refuse to bite my tongue, have too many other uses for it I thought it was a great idea, I mean to say, you shouldn't really be towing it with your FJ, cos it's far too modern a vehicle if you really wanna be a purist. So why not use a bit of after-market technology on the van too? Cheers & happy Christmas Ray |
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veedubnut
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The Compact Camper
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 23, 2006 22:01:44 GMT 10
G'day Cobber,
What a fantastic restoration, The van looks excellent... Can't wait to check it out at Motorfest in a few weeks.
A real credit to you mate.
See you there
Greg
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Dec 24, 2006 10:45:15 GMT 10
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Post by cobber on Dec 28, 2006 15:49:52 GMT 10
Ray mate, Have a heart, I know the caravan puts the old FJ to shame but nobody came good at Xmas with a ‘36 tow car for me, so I’ll just have to save my pennies, might take awhile The giant jockey wheel your thinking of is probably the “Hutchinson” caravan dolly..it too is to modern for ol‘ 36, I think I’m lucky to have any sort of jockey wheel on it. Thanks Greg, you are a gentleman Geoff, thanks for those links but, I haven’t got enough pennies yet Cobber. |
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Post by scootman on Jan 7, 2007 20:02:40 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, due to the fact that ive been away for a lot of the xmas break I am only now catching up with the forum postings. Great Job, Ive been waiting to see how this stunning little number turned out. It really does have style.
Scoot
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Post by cobber on Jan 8, 2007 9:00:34 GMT 10
Scootman, Thanks mate, style you reckon? I think she’s got just as much style on the inside (what there is of it, she’s only little) but I'm having trouble taking photos that do it justice, need a wide angle lense..... or something. This is the latest effort...plus some of the junk I can't help collecting. The Dining Room  Big Ben, that's it in the bottom left hand corner... and the unusual quarter circle window.  Her Dressing Table  His Dressing Table  The kitchen area. In when travelling,  Out when on site,  I agonise over whether the slide out cooker cabinet is original or not. One of the features that indicates it might be is the crockery cupboard beside the sink. When the cooker cabinet is out it is possible to access the crockery from the sink side of the cupboard but.... when the cabinet is in it blocks access to the crockery cupboard but..... provision has been made to access the crockery from the other side of the cupboard, indicating to me that the crockery cupboard was purpose built to cope with the cooker cabinets existence. Sink side of the cupboard.... when the slide out is 'out'.  Access from this side....when the slide out is 'in'.  The adult sleeping quarters. Double bed arrangement,  And the single bed arrangement,  The kid's sleeping quarters The double bunks set up for the kids,  December 2009 we had the upholstery renewed... "Warwick Australian Jacquards--Royale Willow"  Interior of a 1933/34 built caravan  Interior of a 1933/34 built caravan “Ol' 36” ice box... relied on the space between the tray and the walls for the cold air to fall through to the bottom. Note the bottom of the tray is sloped towards the drain hole.  No rubber seals on the ice box just relies on the tight fit between the chamfered wooden surfaces.   I'll just add close-up photos of the original 1930s period fittings in the van. Draw handles, Bakelite I'm pretty sure.  Bakelite for certain sure.  Small ¾'' Bakelite knobs  I saw some of them for sale on eBay UK  This style of catch is usually die cast but the ones on Ol '36 are pressed metal   You may have noticed these lights in other photos so here are close up photos of them. There is no 240 volt wiring in the van and only two low voltage lights inside, and one outside. This one reminds me of the type of light used in small yachts.  And this one is sort of home made. The glass is actually a small square bottle with the top and bottom removed.  Cobber. |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Jan 8, 2007 10:59:33 GMT 10
Hi Cobber & Yvonne,
WOW!!! and we were impressed with the outside.
You have done a fantastic job and she is the loveliest old girl I think I have ever seen. It is an absolute credit to you and certainly goes to show just how important it is to rescue & restore these "Fine Old Ladies".
Geoff & Jude
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Post by groovy on Jan 8, 2007 11:40:57 GMT 10
WOW, What can I say that would accurately describe ol '36, maybe fantastic, excellent, incredible, wonderful, NO these words do not show my thoughts on how good I think it is.
How about supercalafragelisticexbealladoeshous, however it is spelt, other than that, even the word SUPERB fails me, it is that good.
But I will try anyway Cobber; it is superbly wonderful and incredibly excellent.
I do see one major problem with the van though, your chest must be so swelled with PRIDE, that you must have trouble getting through the door, I know I would.
Greg
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Post by groovy on Jan 8, 2007 11:52:47 GMT 10
Ray
The jockey wheel your thinking of is the Jones Jockey wheel which is basically like a giant castor wheel with suspension.
Cobber
The Henderson Dolly is just that, a Dolly. It has a coupling to connect to the car with an arm leading back to an axle with 2 wheels and a ball mounted somewhere along the frame depending on how much weight it is required to carry, for the van to be hooked onto. These are excellent and have been around for many many years, just DO NOT try and reverse park with the van on.
Greg
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Post by scootman on Jan 8, 2007 13:32:42 GMT 10
WoW! Cobber that REEEEALY is Beautiful.
Scoot
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Post by carapark on Jan 9, 2007 6:07:12 GMT 10
Good work Cobber, congratulations, your perseverance has paid off, looks great, looking forward to seeing it on our next run.
Gary
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Post by cornishlass on Jan 11, 2007 7:39:07 GMT 10
Hey Cobber Really envious, now I know that you and Yvonne should come over and help me out with my old van She looks absolutely fantastic, one that I would be proud to own. Well done to you ;D One question: was the inside already varnished, or did you have to strip is back and stain and varnish it yourself? The reason I am asking is that I like the colour, and wondered what it was Cornish Lass |
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Post by cobber on Jan 11, 2007 8:39:08 GMT 10
G'day Lass, Yes, the adult sleeping quarters were already stained and varnished and in good enough condition that I figured it was best to leave it alone. I did repaint the ceiling. It is a walnut stain and I have to say that with the lack of a window in the back wall and just those two small windows in each side, and no 240 volt lighting, it does make for a very intimate atmosphere, a good place to sit and sip a red wine. How is work progressing on your van with the round bottom Cobber. |
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Your little van is looking great, will it go to motorfest? It really would be a treat to see it there. Is your van the oldest one on the site? 
. would have to be thinner than a hacksaw blade.
