How Old is This - Viscount

[tinnie]

Hi, can any of you experts assist me with the age of this:



there are more pics also at
vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1177773917
and
vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1170477551&page=1

Inside it has a two way fridge, "Shields" gas stove and the cupboard doors are all painted (multi coloured), it has venetians and heavy sprung cushions/mattresses. Windows are "Alfab". It has a late fifties look inside but the aluminium exterior says early sixties to me. The tail lights have also got me miffed?
Also has these groovy cut outs in the top cupboards with mesh behind:


Any help with identifying age etc would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Tinnie

[Geoff & Jude]

hi tinnie

i believe that with most viscount vans, the vin number starts with the year model, eg: (letter)63### etc.

this will be on an id plate or the number is welded on the front of the drawbar.

geoff 'n jude

[earlee]

hi tinnie,

Judging from the pics your viscount has a flat, non-dimpled aluminium finish.

Later models from about 1967 had the dimpled "orange peel" aluminium all over and the earlier 60's models had bondwood sides with aluminium front, top and back. So maybe yours is about in the middle changeover period.
Also the internal trim in most vans from about 1967 utilized the look-a-like timber laminate finish, which was new at the time.

I have a Franklin that has bondwood sides, aluminium front, top and back, with timber/ply painted internal cupboard doors. It is very accurately dated as ordered on 6 April 1964 and delivered on 1 May 1964 from Franklin in Mildura.


I feel your viscount is about a 1964 to 1966 model.

Okay - now everyone can shoot me down in flames.

regards earlee.

[WILL]

;D
GIDDAY TINNIE THAT VAN IS THE SAME AS MARKS (POOH-BAHS) VAN
EMAIL HIM PROBLEM SOLVERED

will
gnome _all

[tinnie]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

Geoff, need to check the chassis number, but from memory I think it was 71 something???

Earlee, the roof is flat ally, but the rest is diamond embossed style (check the close up pic of the tail light in the first link). I have seen an all alluminium 1955 Viscount on here, I think that may be the one Mark T has that Will alluded to.
vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=forsale2&thread=1114687164&page=1
Will, is this the Viscount of Mark T's that you refer to??

That one appears to be all flat alluminium, which mine is not. Although the interior has some similarities and the windows appear the same. Perhaps mine could be very late 50s/early 60s???

Earlee, my franklin is very similar in appearance to yours, except a year or two older I think (the cupboard doors in mine are plain ply and hinge up, but the cieling is the same, and mine has a wooden external door). The interior in my Franklin has a similar style to this Viscount.

I will post some pics of the fridge and stove and see what thoughts are on those also (although they could have been fitted later.
A couple of other interesting features: cable/mechanical operated overrun brakes & 50mm hitch. 13" Holden rims, but with wheel bolts into the hubs, rather than studs with wheel nuts (make it a pain to put wheel on & get holes in wheel and hub lined up!).

Next time I get a van it better come with the original purchase papers, so I know what and how old ;D

???Tinnie