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Post by Alan, Jenny & Marvin on Dec 3, 2006 17:18:51 GMT 10
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Post by earlee on Dec 3, 2006 17:56:44 GMT 10
what a " rip snorter " of a caravan. What length is it? Is it a single metal skin? Can I suggest a very big V type television aerial on the roof , just to finish it off! It looks a bit sinister already... quick ... hide the children.... regards envious earlee. ;D ;D
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Post by Alan, Jenny & Marvin on Dec 3, 2006 18:09:19 GMT 10
Hi earlee,
I haven't measured it yet, but it is about 10-11 feet
It is single metal skin (aircraft aluminium) which I hope will eventually be polished like the Airstreams are in the US.
I have been told that it was built as early as 1947 and as late as 1955. It wears 48/215 or FJ wheels, which would indicate that the era is correct.
Alan
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Dec 3, 2006 18:14:57 GMT 10
Hi All, Well the secret of Marvin is out - it was very hard to keep quiet about it.
At least now Will has been let off the hook and won't have to be a decoy and distract the savage guard dogs while Reddo got Marvin loaded up and did a runner back to Newcastle.
It certainly is one very unique van - we went with Alan & Jenny today were formally introduced. It will be great to watch the resto.
Geoff & Allan spent about an hour changing a tyre on Marvin today, I will have to let the boys explain the problems they had. It kinda looks like whoever built it started with an axle & two wheels and worked up from there.
We love it and I have already put dibs on it - had to be quick before Alan & Jennys kids saw it.
Jude
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veedubnut
Full Member
The Compact Camper
Posts: 272
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 3, 2006 18:24:31 GMT 10
Hello Alan & Jenny, Welcome aboard and I must say also what a great looking van. I remember seeing a van like this on Ebay sometime ago now... I can only guess it is the same van I can't imagine how terribly cold it would be in Winter and hot in Summer Are you going to line and insulate the interior? Also what sort of vehicle do you intend towing it with? Look forward to seeing progress pics and hopefully will see you both and Marvin at Coledale 2007. Cheers Greg
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MRFJ55
Full Member
" KEEP HOLDEN ON "
Posts: 441
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Post by MRFJ55 on Dec 3, 2006 19:12:36 GMT 10
G'DAY EARTHLING'S . WARNING WARNING Dr SMITH & WILL ROBINSON ALIENS APPROACHING ! LOST IN SPACE has got nothing compared to this little number ! Hey Jude is Allan Geoff's brother i meet in Coledale ? And did they have to lift the whole van (Marvin) up in the air and drop the axle off just to change that tyre as i cant see any other way . Regards (NANNO NANNO EARTHLING'S) , CAPTAIN MAURIE . p.s BEAM ME UP SCOTTY !
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Dec 3, 2006 19:24:42 GMT 10
Hi Maurie,
yep that's the one - with the hd holden, see what happens when you attend a vintage van gathering - ya just get hooked!!!!!
I think the boys just about had to lift Marvin off his axle to change the tyre - don't really know as Jenny & I were doing the girl stuff about how great the interior will look.
How is your new girl going? When can we some some pictures of her? Say hi to Kate , Jude
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2006 20:56:48 GMT 10
Hi Alan & Jenny You pair are a very lucky couple. " Marvin" is totally unique.. a real "One Off" . I dont care what anyone says. This van is a great piece of Australian inginuity ( spelling???) . It deserves all the love and care that i am sure you two will lavish upon it. Cant wait to see it in "The buffed alloy" will look magnificent with a high polish. It is a real credit to the bloke who built it and i hope you track down as much history about it and is its designer constructor as you possibly can. Some might cry foul .. but i say Bloody incredible. Dont care how much you paid for it.... its a treasure. "Ground control to major Tom... commencing countdown engines on... ......or should that be" Planet on the starboard bow, starboard bow.. star trekin across the universe........ or " The illudium PU33 spacemodulator.. he has ruined it... Get that earth thing ;D ( Marvin the martian... Bugs Bunny show... '60s and '70s) Reddo envious.
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Post by 313royal on Dec 3, 2006 21:45:23 GMT 10
Hi Alan & Jenny
Coming from the aviation industry I see a distinct similarity between its structure & that of an aircraft, dont know if this will help in unearthing its origins
Chris
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Post by cobber on Dec 4, 2006 9:08:23 GMT 10
Alan & Jenny, Now that is something worth rescuing and restoring. I can't imagine why it hasn't been lined inside, it would be like sitting in a 44 gallon drum, both in summer and winter. Are there any clues that it might be an unfinished project? The door is a slider is it? If you don't mind me saying so....it's so ugly it's beautiful ;D Cobber.
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Post by groovy on Dec 4, 2006 10:12:40 GMT 10
Congratulations to Alan and Jenny, what a van.
VeeDubnut and Cobber, if they can get the exterior in a highly polished state, the van will most likely be cooler than a ply van in summer as the polished alloy will reflect heat far better than any ply van can ever achieve. I have been there and done that in single skin ply vans and I have to say, they aint fun in the sun. Oh and it will cool down much quicker when the sun goes down too.
Now winter vanning, brrrrrr I somehow don't think this van is meant for that, brass monkeys come to mind.
Greg
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veedubnut
Full Member
The Compact Camper
Posts: 272
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 4, 2006 19:37:48 GMT 10
Hello folks, 313 Royal is right I'm sure I have seen an early 1950's VW Kombi with a modified body using the very same avaition type construction and it's builder was indeed an avaition engineer/builder. Groovy... Another Greg hmmm this caravan website is full of them ;D I had'nt really thought of the reflection of heat factor but, I can only imagine what it would be like in winter Freezing comes to mind... I can just imagine waking up in the morning with frozen condensation on the inside and one's face frozen against the inside wall hahaha Cheers Greg
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veedubnut
Full Member
The Compact Camper
Posts: 272
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Post by veedubnut on Dec 4, 2006 19:48:28 GMT 10
Heres a pic of the abovementioned VW Kombi
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Post by groovy on Dec 5, 2006 7:15:24 GMT 10
Now that Kombi truly gives the term "Pregnant Rice Bubble" meaning. Greg
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jrod
Full Member
Franki Alli & The 4 Seasons!
Posts: 124
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Post by jrod on Dec 6, 2006 9:28:12 GMT 10
Hi Alan & Jenny,
First off, we love the name! Congratulations on a rare find, Marvin truly is unique. Look forward to seeing more pics throughout his restoration.
Cheers, J-Rod & Sam.
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Post by Alan, Jenny & Marvin on Dec 7, 2006 7:45:48 GMT 10
I think I want the Kombi as a tow car for Marvin.
Alan
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Post by wildmanaus on Dec 10, 2006 22:07:49 GMT 10
Is Marvins yow bar broke or has it got one like on tipper trailers that pivot that is on cool caravan and seeing it and other vans on this site makes me want to get a few vans maybe one for each day, thanks to vans like this on i am get adicted to the old vans more and more. Wildmanaus
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Post by Alan, Jenny & Marvin on Dec 11, 2006 15:03:34 GMT 10
Hi Wildmanaus
The drawbar isn't broken. The tow ball is just under Marvin's snout and is permanently bolted onto the van.
What you see in the photos is actually the yolk to attach to the towbar of the towing vehicle. There is a quick? release/attach mechanism just in front of his snout. I will probably have to replace all of this with modern apparatus to get him registered.
Alan
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Post by cobber on Dec 11, 2006 16:46:41 GMT 10
Alan,
You don't have to replace or add anything to get a vintage van through rego, in NSW that is, and I would be surprised if other states are different.
If it works the way it was meant to, and you figure it's safe, and you want to retain the van's uniqueness, keep it I say.
If you're in NSW ring the RTA on 1300 137 302 and they will confirm what I have said.
Cobber.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2006 20:35:44 GMT 10
Onya Cobber Senior Member person Tell 'em like it is Bro. Glad to see someone besides me still willing to serve it up to the RTA. (RTA= Related To Apes) Too many of us just lay down when some authority starts flexing it legal / compliance muscles. Whats that you say sir" I need five tailights , six blinkers and wall to wall brake lights on my old van.... Yes sir ... straight away... no worries sir . What a load of Sh!t Half the time we are dealing with some half baked uni student or half trained deskperson that has never seen a coupling or towball. When confronted by something that is a bit left of field they run off and cry foul... blow the whistle and march ya outta the registery with a red card hangin around ya neck...... Treated like bloody criminal. Yep... i enjoy standing at the counter asking to speak to someone whos knuckles arent draggin on the carpet. Ya get to speak to just about everyone behind the glass petition. The whole place comes to a stop and then ya get... " we will make further enquires with Head office"..........I figure they have to ring head office because no one in the shop i am standing in has a "head that can function on its own" I am on a first name basis with some of the interllects at my local RTA. I enjoy watching em when i take a number from the idiot box at the door. about 5 of em put up " Closed - please use next window sign" and then they all stampede out to the lunchroom screaming something like... " Emergency fire drill.. everyone out" Such is my reputation they stand out the back debating who is gunna come out and serve me. I reckon i should be on the payroll. I have taught more RTA employees how to register old motorbikes on the historic rego system than thier main training centre has in Sydney. Anyway Al and Jenny ... Best of luck. Make sure Marvin doesnt become a Marleen and loose his balls . Do like the wise old Cobfossil tells ya...dont give up without a fight. ring the nice person on that phone number 'es has given ya........ Tell 'em Reddo sent ya and ya want to claim 12 months free rego............. Then listen for the dial tone.........They will have hung up ;D ;D ;D. Reddontcopshitfromgummimintdepartments ;D
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Post by wildmanaus on Dec 11, 2006 22:34:26 GMT 10
Hello I was looking at an old post Cobber did and in the link it had Marvins Big Bro
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Post by cornishlass on Dec 13, 2006 5:38:04 GMT 10
color=Blue]That is just sooooo cool [/color] [/font] [glow=red,2,300][/glow]I WANT ONE!!!![glow=red,2,300][/glow] Cornish Lass
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