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Post by shesgotthelook on Jul 31, 2017 11:27:10 GMT 10
What is more fun than restoring a caravan? Restoring two caravans at the same time of course! Having long coveted a Propert, I took the plunge & bought one that was in need of a great deal of love. My thinking was that I wouldn't get around to it for a year or 2 & if something in better order & for a better price came along I would sell this one. I didn't bet on my retired builder man Noel getting stuck straight in. This means the Viscount is taking a lot longer than planned but in the end, I will have 2 new vans ready to roll at a similar time. Noel has tackled it in a slightly unconventional manner & elected not to pull the whole thing apart. It's been difficult but I am happy with the outcome. This poor little van had been crucified with add ons such as perspex cut outs, don't know if this was to fix rot or let more light in? It had a massive square hole in one main panel & was simply rotting away on many main timbers. I know I couldn't have done it on my own. Still a way to go & many questions to be asked of the Propert gurus but here is an album thus far. ARRIVAL Some of the rot Rusty Nail!
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jul 31, 2017 11:32:51 GMT 10
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jul 31, 2017 11:37:13 GMT 10
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Post by mel on Aug 1, 2017 14:47:28 GMT 10
Oh dear, the "improvements" that people make!! I am so glad to see the van in safe hands and look forward to seeing it returned to its former glory.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 2, 2017 7:30:55 GMT 10
That is a REAL challenge there SGTL. In many ways, fixing it without taking the shells apart reduces the risk of doing alterations that will later come back to bite you because measurements were slightly out. Make sure that you replace timbers with same for same size, otherwise you might strike problems. There is not much tolerance (read NONE) in this construction, when it comes to exactness of timber size. ill watch your progress with interest!!!
Ray
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 13, 2017 11:15:38 GMT 10
Yes Ray, even with keeping it together it needs some fine tuning on the opening & closing. More to to do with the hinges in the piece of timber we didn't replace. Working on it. A few snaps of little bits PAINT REMOVAL (A curse on the folks who slopped house paint over every bit of this van) Heat gun vs sander. Sander better but can cause damage
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 13, 2017 11:20:21 GMT 10
The satisfying bit These are inserts for the sides to block the gaps when it is set up. Unfortunately the van only came with one so had to make a reverse copy. Camipng fees were cheap in the 80's Doesn't this make it look nearly done? Don't be fooled
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Post by robbo3 on Aug 17, 2017 19:25:28 GMT 10
Looking good.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 25, 2017 8:16:50 GMT 10
Playing with cupboards. Unfortunately the drawers didn't turn out how I'd hoped so I am going to replace the timber faces on them. Of course the screw holes on the new hinges don't line up with the old holes. Where would the fun be without a challenge every step of the restoration? Why they line up on the top but not the bottom has got me beat.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 25, 2017 12:44:52 GMT 10
SGTL, I had the same problem with the overlap on the hinges. I think that perhaps on the originals the overlap may have been ground back??? Perhaps a Propert owner who has the original ones can vouch for that???
Don't know if you noticed or not, but that whole cupboard seems to have been altered if you look at the original brochures and some pics in DHL. The sink section is generally closest to the bed and the stove (lower cupboard) is near the door, presumably for venting/safety reasons. Does it look like those two sections have been altered, or is it that the original owner bought the van as a shell (which was possible to do) and fitted his own cupboard design.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 25, 2017 15:36:00 GMT 10
Hi Ray, very likely that it was altered as I cannot find another with the same set up. The slide in drawer is cut at an angle to accomodate the hose to the sink & there is no ice chest. The big drawers that I am re- facing are a different timber & were never stained & the seating area has been cut out to accomodate a fridge. The table has an added on angle bracket (rather than a leg) to go around the fridge.. I won't be re-building the whole thing, that's for sure! But I do have a green plastic sink & a galley pump tap to put in & some red laminex to put over the bench. I think most properts had a wall mounted water tank with a tap. Mine has a tank underneath (which is no doubt rusted to bug..ry). The big drawers also have pencil on them stating 'LH rear' 'RH front' etc. With all the fiddly little bits & challenges, trying to decide if I have the energy to make up round tail light assemblies or just replace what is there with same 🤔
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Post by shesgotthelook on Sept 27, 2017 16:01:47 GMT 10
Hmmm, I wonder if the height of that galley tap will interfere with fold up?
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 27, 2017 21:59:54 GMT 10
The height of the solid backing panel is your "plimsoll line" - - - - - - - OR, you could let Mr SGTL lock you in with a torch (do you feel lucky??? ) and check it that way!!
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Post by shesgotthelook on Sept 29, 2017 9:03:22 GMT 10
Phew, it's ok, it fits! Next problem making it all connect as new sink has completely different placement of plughole & have to cut some timber out to accommodate tap as that is in a different place too. Pretty happy with how it's coming up.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Oct 14, 2017 15:58:13 GMT 10
Moved the Propert today so we could get another van out, photo opportunity!
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Post by shesgotthelook on Nov 1, 2017 15:23:54 GMT 10
The bed meets with Digby's approval! Unfortunately it's going to be uncomfortable nights for Mr SGTL given the whole van is only 6ft wide. I can't believe they were advertised as 3 berth. Can you tell that this just a laminated print? Still looking for an original. Trophy place can reproduce it but want a lot of money for the artwork.
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 1, 2017 21:13:20 GMT 10
Hi sgtl, love the work that you and yours have done to restore the van to its present condition! The laminated "copy" of the badge is a very clever idea...looks like an original badge in your photo. I noticed the bedspread(?) in your 2nd photo and thought that would look very good in my van. Can you give some more details and a more complete photo of that bedspread please? Would like to file the photo away so I know what to look for in Op Shops, etc. cheers, Al.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Nov 2, 2017 7:08:32 GMT 10
Hi Al, I'd give it to you but I only just bought it from Ebay UK & with postage it cost me about $70 ! I do have a pinky red one similar somewhere that I don't remember what I paid so might be willing to part with that if you are interested? There is also a monster town garage sale this weekend so I 'll keep my eyes open for you.
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 2, 2017 13:26:01 GMT 10
Hi sgtl, Well, I certainly didn't expect I'd have to go searching the Opshops in the UK to find the item! My van is two-tone green inside, so the one in your picture would be much more suitable than a pinky-red one. I quite like visiting the Echuca region and could easily make a detour to Rochester in the middle of the night. I don't see any padlock attached to the bedspread, so I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard to make the transfer from your van to mine. Can you tell me if the doggie in the first photo barks when strangers are around?? Will pack some treats as well to distract him/her, if necessary. Thanks for posting the photo and giving the additional info. cheers, Al.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Nov 2, 2017 20:16:04 GMT 10
Can't you tell that the dog lives in the Propert to guard it? There is a photo higher up of Mr SGTL training him to do this important job. Lot of riff raff around who would stoop to any level, even stealing a vintage caravan & or it's contents
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jul 31, 2018 14:26:13 GMT 10
New tyres & weighbridge today Rochester Silos. Home
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 1, 2018 7:32:10 GMT 10
What a great looking job you guys have done! Love the photo backdrops too!!! Well done!!
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Post by sportsman 1 on Aug 1, 2018 21:49:33 GMT 10
Yet another wonderful resurrection completed, don't know how you do it!
Big congrats!!!!!
Leigh.
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Post by Mustang on Aug 3, 2018 17:40:15 GMT 10
420kg Priceless for overnight accommodation
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 4, 2018 20:19:45 GMT 10
Congratulations SGTL. The Propert looks great. However, I think it's a bit unfair of the weighbridge folk to insist that your kids stay in the van while it is weighed. That just increases the recorded weight... Don Ricardo
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