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Post by 330OLX on Jan 23, 2015 8:58:33 GMT 10
Hi all, I've been lurking around this forum for a short time enjoying some of the stories and adventures that have been posted.
My wife & I are involved in the classic car scene (see my avatar pic) & have been wanting to purchase a classic / vintage van to enhance the retro experience.
We've recently been offered an Olympic Contessa van at a good price, but I have a few concerns about it's condition & am seeking advice from the knowledgeable people on here as to whether it can be saved.
The van itself was used as a weekender at a relative's property & was parked under a group of Pine trees. Over time there was a substantial build-up of pine needles / rain etc on it & the fibreglass roof is my area of concern.
There is quite a lot of distortion / buckling of the roof with the main problem just behind the right rear corner of the roof hatch. This area seems to have lost some of it's structure & the weight of it is putting downward pressure on the inner roof / ceiling.
When pushed from underneath the entire area can be raised a few inches back to where it belongs.
Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted Even some of the overhead cupboards on the kitchen side seem to be distorted because of the downward pressure.
The front of the roof is also buckled but still seems very solid.
Has anyone on here had similar issues, & how did you manage to deal with them?
Or, are we better off running a mile from this van?
I had a phone conversation with Boblor yesterday about this issue & was about to send him an email with photos when my application here was approved.
Thanks, BRUCE
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Post by gregh on Jan 23, 2015 9:39:15 GMT 10
Hi 330olx
Boblor is the man to talk to. Not only does he run the register for existing Olympic caravans, but he is also the Guru.
My thoughts on seeing the state of the roof is that the floor which supports the sidewalls has rotted and sagged. This would definitely cause the buckling in the roof and sides/cupboards.
If you look down the side of the van on the kitchen side and take note of the curve of the van from front to back - now look at the other side of the van; you will probably see the kitchen side has a much greater curve - a really good indication the sides have dropped and are now leaning out - floor is definitely rotted.
Is it worth saving?? Most definitely! but it really comes down to cost, time and experience. It's been my experience that vans in this condition need to have the floor replaced. This usually entails gutting the van and a lot of hard work to put it back together - not something that can be achieved in a few weekends.
If you still think it's an option because it's the right price, hears something to think about. I've done one of these from the floor up; at the end of the day I spent around $4000 plus the cost of the van ($500)and around 12mths worth of weekend work.
If you are handy with tools, cabinetry and fibre-glassing; still like the idea of owning an Olympic van and not frightened putting in a lot of effort - then go for it. If you're hoping that it's a quick fix with a few weekends of work - then move on to something else.
Greg
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 23, 2015 11:18:34 GMT 10
It looks like the chassis is the problem. If you can push it back into shape by raising it a few inches it sounds like the chassis. These vans were made as light as possible and so are very thin. Even the chassis isn't that heavy compared to today's vans. Many of the owners overload the back of the vans and so you will see this problem. Depending on the "good price" it is definitely worth saving. There is quite a bit of work to do if I'm right. You will need a new chassis and once it's pushed back into shape - a new floor. Depending on the $$ you want to spend and your skills, it will come up a treat. By the looks of the photos everything is still there and that is a bonus. I'd buy it and make it a project for sure. All the best. PS nice Torana Atog
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Post by 330OLX on Jan 23, 2015 12:05:37 GMT 10
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'd assumed it was only a problem with the roof itself as the roof profile is different on the right side compared to the left. Also, when you push up from under the ceiling there is a crunching (maybe not the best description) sound where the inner & outer roof panels make contact with each other.
Unfortunately I won't get to make the 2 hour trip to inspect it again for another week or so but it's very helpful having more of an idea of the areas I need to check.
I had checked under the beds & under the floor & saw no signs of rot / sagging in these areas but will look again to ease my mind.
We had thought the $1000 asking price was pretty decent but no longer sure that's the case. Price probably isn't negotiable as the owner had never intended to sell their Grandfather's old van. They were only prepared to sell it to us after we pestered them about it.
Atog - yes, the van is complete & very original. & I'm a mad keen Torana enthusiast
Thanks, BRUCE
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 23, 2015 12:26:12 GMT 10
Didn't realise you were standing inside to push up on the roof. My mistake.
Not sure of what has gone wrong if it's just in the roof/ceiling.
If you have fibreglassing experience it still might be worth it. If not.... I'd be inclined to leave it.
The outer shell may need to be cut and reglassed. That can turn into a nightmare for young players. There are still some Olympics out there to restore. $1000 isn't that bad for a complete van even with the issues - if you have the skills and time to fix it.
The old saying "ya pays ya money and takes ya chances" applies I would suggest.
Atog
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Post by 330OLX on Jan 23, 2015 12:55:02 GMT 10
Ah, O.K. I knew what I meant but in hindsight I did a poor job of relaying that message to those I'm seeking advice from.
Sorry about the confusion, BRUCE
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Post by bobandjacqui on Jan 23, 2015 13:39:55 GMT 10
Welcome to the forum Bruce,
Looking at the photos close up, those circular cracks look like hail damage to my eyes? I also wonder whether someone has tried to walk over the roof hence the large dents there? Just a couple of observations.
Cheers Bob.
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 25, 2015 8:46:53 GMT 10
I was thinking about this van and the problems it has. It occurred to me that you can turn a negative into a positive here.
If the roof needs pulling up why not extend it up. Not try and make it look original but make the roof behind the hatch as tall or taller than the hatch. Strengthen it and fit an air conditioner perhaps. Put in a skylight or make a storage area out of it.
There are lots of possibilities.
It would be a shame to see the van sit and rot. When it could be changes and used.
Just a thought.
Atog
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Post by boblor on Jan 25, 2015 19:44:00 GMT 10
Hi Bruce I think the van can be restored from my point of view. Will chat to you when you are at the van some time. Cheers boblor
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Post by 330OLX on Jan 26, 2015 9:38:04 GMT 10
MMMMM, it's amazing what you find out at parties.
We were discussing this van at a friend's Birthday party last night & it turns out a fellow Torana enthusiast / clubmate works in the fibreglass repair industry.
He sounds more than qualified to tackle this van as his company are used to tackling HUGE repair jobs (mainly on boats) He seems happy to put in some weekend work to get this problem sorted. Just hoping he feels the same when he sobers up.
Sounding promising, BRUCE
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Post by murray on Jan 26, 2015 12:14:35 GMT 10
Just hoping he feels the same when he sobers up. Sounding promising, BRUCE Just keep the drink up to him !! It's Australia Day
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Post by 330OLX on Feb 1, 2015 14:26:23 GMT 10
Funny how things can change in a week.
Firstly the roof was a worry til I was assured by very knowledgeable people that it's very repairable.
Then doubts arose about whether my Torana would be a suitable tow car for a 16ft van.
Turns out the car will be fine but the towbars available for Toranas these days don't have a sufficient rating to tow an Olympic Contessa & I'm not willing to risk an accident with an unsuitable towbar.
It all seemed just a bit too hard (felt like it wasn't meant to be)
We've since found a 12ft Franklin Regent that we're going for instead.
Thankyou all for your advice on this matter, sorry if I've wasted your time.
BRUCE
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Post by atouchofglass on Feb 1, 2015 17:41:12 GMT 10
You have to go with what you feel comfortable with. Haven't wasted anyone's time Bruce. Someone will read this thread and think " I can do that" Boom - another vintage van will be saved. All the best with the Franklin. Atog
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