|
Post by oldbitsmadenew on Feb 15, 2011 17:22:08 GMT 10
Hi Atog
Being new to the VV scene I found your build fascinating, educational and inspiring. You have done a wonderful job and I hope to meet you and see your van on a run sometime. Well done! Peter
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Feb 16, 2011 6:41:31 GMT 10
Gidday Guys Thanks for the complements The van was indeed a labour of love, taking almost 2.5 years. I kept motivated by treating it as a series of projects rather than as one big one. Posting the progress here was also a goal. By posting regularly I kept the rebuild moving forward. Sadly during the time I was rebuilding there have been several others start and not finish. Rebuilding any van is a long project. I hope both of yours goes as planned. Stick with it and you will be rewarded. Most of the forum members will offer help and encouragement where they can. Sometimes that's all we need to keep the rebuild ticking along. ;D ;D I look forward to meeting you both and as many members of this and the Classic forum as possible in the coming years as we do a bit of travel South. Being in Cairns makes getting to events a real trial. The main event for us each year is the Cairns bike and car swap meet...... a good time most years. We will get down to a South East Qld event some time...... eventually ...... Perhaps we will see you blokes there one year. Another really nice van to have a look at is Swellwilly's Sunliner..... drool, drool ;D ;D ;D Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Aug 7, 2011 19:41:50 GMT 10
Well three ...... no ..... four years after starting to build my van. I've finally named her. So introducing Why Over the hill and far away? Cause I'm over the hill and plenty of times I'm far away from home. Good enough for me ;D ;D ;D ;D Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Apr 25, 2012 7:19:16 GMT 10
The week after Easter decided to take the van to Lucinda for a few days. So in preparation I noticed a soft patch in the corner of the entrance of the van. Hmmm not really a good thing, considering it is only about four years old. Ripped out the rotten ply and laminate to find a still wet area. Gotta love Nth Qld It bugged me enough to consider ripping the whole thing out and replacing with fibreglass and honeycomb (a plastic alternative to ply) But in the long run decided that it wasn't bad enough to go the whole hog. So did a repair instead. While it dried out over a couple of days I got some fibreglassing gear together. Hadn't done any glassing for some time so had nothing much left to work with. After an evening and an afternoon it now looks like this. Rock hard now. Just got to finish it off today if the weather holds The problem was where the edge of the fibreglass shell meets the interior ply/laminate. This edge allows water to creep between the two and if constant enough it will rot out quickly. Olympic overcame this by covering the edge with tape or a flexible paint. Personally I would rather have a fibreglass entrance as well as the shell. It would be stronger and waterproof as well. By the time I realised there was a product like honeycomb I had already committed to using ply. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. Guess I'll be taping the edge soon after finishing the repair this time. Did the repair ages ago just got lazy and didn't post the results.... Not too bad if I do say so myself Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by takeiteasy on Apr 25, 2012 8:32:45 GMT 10
As you predicted Atog.... a leak. Ah well, you needed something to tinker with lest you get bored and complacent. I love the stickers. Did you get the Olympic ones through Bob?
cheers, Bill
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Apr 25, 2012 17:50:51 GMT 10
Hey Bill Yes Boblor gave me the name of the printers for the Olympic signs. I just made a few changes to the side stickers.... The "Over the Hill and Far Away" was done by my neighbour. Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by olympicriviera on Oct 22, 2012 22:11:17 GMT 10
could I ask where you got the fridge vents from ATOG?
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Oct 23, 2012 6:00:33 GMT 10
Hey Olympicriviera
Went to a local sheet-metal workshop and got them to louvre some thin stainless steel.
That way it was the exact size needed. Maybe take your old vent in and show your local bloke, takes the guess work out of the equation. ;D ;D ;D
Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Dec 7, 2012 17:49:09 GMT 10
After a few years the ol van needs a bit of maintainence.... don't we all. So on the weekend I decided to recaulk the light and power inlet. Of course I've been sloooooowly making these awnings ..... may as well fit them as well. Just finished caulking the awnings and a very small shower showed me just how good they are working. Now the rain drips away from the windows. No more leaks from those windows.... I hope. Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by DC3Td on Dec 7, 2012 18:25:04 GMT 10
As always,is a pleasure reading ATOG. gordon
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Dec 8, 2012 6:52:04 GMT 10
Thanks Guys Always something needing to be done.... just getting to do it is the problem. ;D Jeff the awnings were first attached using a white sikaflex. As they have a lip inside, it makes it easy to attach well. That and waterproofing was the reason for the lip originally. It is held against the van with masking tape until the sika dries. You can see the lip on the finished product on the far left. Then I caulked the outer edges with mastic. It's flexible and won't dry out, so the sikaflex isn't exposed to UV. Link to the technical section showing how I made then. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=technicalstuffboard&action=display&thread=4145&page=2Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by griffin on Dec 8, 2012 20:49:00 GMT 10
Hi Atog
An excellent job, and they do look good, if you ever go into production then I'll put my hand up for a set. My Debonair has one quirky leak, it only ever seems to leak when I'm in bed and it manages to drip in my right ear!! I've checked it after the heaviest downpours and nothing, but when I'm in it, if there is only a shower then about 3 hours later it drips in my ear. A bit of tape along the top seems to keep it at bay for the long term 'temporary' fix.
George
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Dec 9, 2012 5:58:51 GMT 10
Hey Gents It does seem to finish off the outside of the van doesn't it.
Griffin If you want a set made up, PM me and we can talk. Seems to be a problem a few of us have - as I also have a PM from another member enquiring about a set for his Olympic.
So Anyone that needs a set made up PM me and I'll see what I can do. I can't promise a set in the mail by days end or anything - as there is a day job to think about. ;D ;D But if you need a set I'm sure we can work something out.
Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by honeyblossom on Aug 4, 2013 19:56:16 GMT 10
Hi ATOG, Love your flyscreens and little window clip things! amazing work :0 Honey Blossom
|
|
|
Post by olympicriviera on Oct 13, 2013 14:32:12 GMT 10
Thanks ATOG, for the inspiration and the advice in rebuilding my olympic. Tried to post photos many time during/since completion but to no avail. I think an excellent point made re the investment on both time and money. A van that cost me $500 initially has since consumed approximately $14,000 and 12 months of every spare moment I had. But following your advice of lots of little projects it came together with minimum fuss. Keep in mind that the only work farmed out was the gas fitting, 240V electrics, and the manufacture of a replacement stainless water tank, kind of scary to consider the spend if farmed out completely. After the first trip though, all the money was well spent and long nights, blood, sweat and tears were worth it. An extremely rewarding experience if you have the time, budget, and willing to learn new skills
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Oct 13, 2013 16:26:41 GMT 10
Hi Olympicriviera,
I reckon from past experiences in rebuilding 3 vintage vans, that what yours cost is pretty well what any good rebuild will end up costing, unless you have skills beyond the ordinary mortal vintage vanner. I think you probably got it done pretty quickly. I find the 14 to 16 foot vans have taken me a couple of years, & my last 12 foot one about a year.
So I wouldnt be concerned about the cost if I were you. Most that rebuild vintage vans do it because its a passion, & we all know that commonsense & practicality often dont go hand in hand with passion.
But you now have a van you are happy with, & you know & understand its little quirks.
Not like when you buy a finished product & it often starts falling apart on you unexpectedly.
Good to see another one rebuilt.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Oct 13, 2013 20:01:05 GMT 10
Hey Olympicriviera Mate you are more than welcome. In the end it comes down to being determined to see the job through and putting in the hours. Makes it all worthwhile when you get out and about. There is nothing nicer than realising you did it and it all worked out. That new paint and timber smell is real nice as you get tucked up in bed on the first night away. ;D ;D Then there is those times you get to meet up with like minded people at get togethers.... can't beat it. As for cost.... Well, I put it down to a great experience and it is unlikely that the van will ever be sold. There will always be some little thing that needs adding or completing, these vans are never completely finished. It's all good. ;D ;D ;D As JBJ said " Good to see another one rebuilt" Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Oct 13, 2013 20:05:04 GMT 10
Hi ATOG, Love your flyscreens and little window clip things! amazing work :0 Honey Blossom Thanks Honeyblossom Sorry for not replying earlier. It is the little things in these rebuilds that make each van more comfortable and unique. ;D ;D Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on May 3, 2014 18:02:36 GMT 10
The van has been waiting patiently for us to use it.... for..... 8 months.. oops. Too much to do and no free time, at least that's my excuse. So Mum revamped the bed and cleaned her up a bit. Nice to see it with a few new touches. Atog
|
|
bigkel
Full Member
If you never never go, you never never know.
Posts: 248
|
Post by bigkel on May 5, 2014 22:37:02 GMT 10
Hi , we will be at kurramine beach for a get together and car show 16 17 18 th may , King reef van park .
cheers Kel.
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on May 6, 2014 7:26:11 GMT 10
HI Kel Sounds like a good weekend. But... our van is now house bound as our son has moved home after 6 years away. Guess where he's staying? Yep.... the van is now occupied full time. So for an indefinite future it will remain home. Doesn't mean we can't come down for a day trip though. Cheers Atog
|
|
bigkel
Full Member
If you never never go, you never never know.
Posts: 248
|
Post by bigkel on May 6, 2014 10:18:42 GMT 10
Hi , the car show is on sunday morning in between the pub and the beach . cheers kel.
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Jun 27, 2015 11:35:55 GMT 10
Just a quick update on the van. As with many things - we think we will have time to use them and suddenly . . . . nothing happens. We decided to remove the blinds as they attracted mould. So instead we had the windows tinted. Opens up the van some and removes the mould issue. Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on May 11, 2017 14:41:59 GMT 10
For you Adrian
|
|