34 jennison cruiser

[Don Ricardo]

G’day Aussieute,

I am just catching up on this thread. I am really excited that you’ve taken on this project, and admire the way you’re going about the restoration. This Jennison must be amongst the half dozen most significant vintage caravans around, historically speaking. So it will be wonderful to see it back on the road.

Regarding its age, I agree with (forum member) Jennison and his reasons for arguing that the van is probably from around 1934. It’s certainly much earlier than 1938. The vans being produced by Jennison by then were much more sophisticated, and all of them were full caravans as far as I’m aware (not pop tops).

Cobber has commented a couple of times that the workmanship in the van is a bit ‘rough’ and speculated what that might indicate. To me all that says is that it’s one of Jennison’s early vans, and he was still developing his techniques. I’ve seen one of Don’s early vans from around 1936, and that too is a bit ‘rough around the edges’ compared to later examples.

I’m looking forward to seeing more about the restoration of the roof as your time allows.

Don Ricardo

[aussieute]

Have the new timbers in place and started to put the new masonite on and one Jennison in shed.
All the main frame was in good condition and just needed sanding have made a temporary frame
to put roof on to save back from bending down too long cheers chris

[aussieute]

Bending and nailing the side supports for the masonite was not fun🤔



Started to get paint on them looking good but do I go with the jennison trademark and paint
The hatch red on the out side to match the stripe on the side of the van cheers chris

[aussieute]

Got the paint off and oiled the cupboards with a scratch cover up oil looks good and a lot brighter

Decided to paint the roof red to match Bella the 17 foot jennison coming along cheers chris

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Aussieute,

The cupboards and roof of the van are looking great. Congratulations on what you’re achieving. The Jennison is going to be fabulous, and such an important historical artefact.

Don Ricardo

[cster]

I like the original colour scheme and the red hatch look very striking. I enjoy reading how all this is done. Thanks for sharing.

[aussieute]

Starting to get stripes and paint back on van it was fun replicating them of the old panels to get them right and making new parts that were missing cheers chris

[cobber]

Congratulations Chris, I love and admire the work you have done so far on this old van. She was a mess to be sure but is now on its way to looking like the van John Jennison would have built.

I wouldn't mind betting he may have rented this one out to people who, over time, treated it roughly ?

Cobber.

[Roehm3108]

This is becoming a real museum piece. Great work.

[aussieute]

Finally got the last sheets of masonite on front and first coat of colour
On van to show up where to fix some of the masonite was around for 4 years and has a few marks on them coming along well still to put trims on left to match right side and front and back joints. Next job is to remove brace bar under draw bar as it is hollow and full of dirt and make it easier to clean and paint cheers chris

[aussieute]

The interior so far

The outside slowly getting there

[aussieute]

Had the sign writter here today for chips hope it does the van justice
With its age I think it looks great cheers chris

[Jennison]

looking spectacular Chris, a wonderful resto
regards
Jenno

[aussieute]

/url]


Chips got his number plates on finally
Getting chips and Bella ready for there weekend together
Chips with Bella at the Melbourne caravan show

[cobber]

Back from the dead.
You have really done a great job giving that Jennison another go at life, she was a mess.
I'm anxious to see what you've done with the roof mechanism, the draw bar, the tow coupling, the interior, you have done such a thoroughly genuine restoration on all the exterior panels I thought those other bits might present an extra challenge 😉

I'm really pleased you took the restoration of this significant historic van on and with your collection of Jennison vans it does show how from little things big things grow.

Cobber.

[Roehm3108]

This is vintage caravan restoration in it's purest form!! Congratulations on the work and effort you have put into bringing this wreck back to life so magnificently!!
Ray

[aussieute]

Thanks cobber and Ray I still have a few small jobs to do. I am really happy with the feedback from the caravan show and the amazement that such and old pop top van still exists. And a very special thanks to cobber for letting me be the next custodian of such a special van will be bringing it to the nationals hope you can make it to let you see the difference from when I picked it up cheers chris

[Jennison]

Broken hearted I won't be at the Nats to see the finished van Chris. Even if I could have got the rec leave it (which was a problem) it now seems I will be recovering from hip surgery in May anyway so I won't be going anywhere! Mum would have been thrilled to see this particular resto on the road. What a beauty, you have done a wonderful job. Looks like its a trip to Vic in the future for me...maybe when you have the fleet on display at the next Victorian Caravan show....what a headline display that would be
great job
best regards
Jenno

[aussieute]

Due to my poor health haven't been able to do much so have been tinkering with some new wheels for chips hope you think they fit with the era of the van cheers chris




Now to make the other side up give me something to do when I can

[Jennison]

Looks fantastic Chris 👍👍😎
Jenno

[aussieute]

Finally got the time to replace the other Brocken spoke now to try to get better weather to paint it and finish putting it together
then will have to buy another tyre as used the one for the spare for the car cheers Chris