Post by halps on Nov 9, 2021 11:46:08 GMT 10
Dear Vintage Vanners,
It has been some time since I have visited this forum.
Sadly, it has come time for my family to part ways with this beautiful little Purdon Van. Price $10500.00
I had plans to use the van for short getaways to coastal caravan parks, but life got in the way. We have had a major cancer scare, I lost my sister to cancer, my father-in-law is battling cancer, my children have commenced the process of obtaining licences, cars etc, we all know the COVID theme and how that has impacted travel and while I realise that we could keep the van and just sell the children...something inside me thinks 'that's just not right.'
I will be as honest as I can possibly be so that when you read this, you can be fully informed. Particularly, those that may be new to the Vintage Van scene.
History: The Purdon story is outlined on this forum. It is a remarkable story of one person's resilience during WW2 and their ability to reload their life after this horrific conflict. What an amazing generation of people during that era.
The Purdon: We purchased the van off Reddo in 2014 and he obtained the van from another loyal vintage forum member. In that time the van was painted/restored to suit our tastes. As I am a school teacher and tend to work with the student's that may resonate with more trade-based subjects, the van was often used as a resource in the classroom. That enabled the roof to be replaced (under demonstration from a student's grandfather who was a former QLD Railways employee). He reinstalled a ply with canvas overlay. It is as tight as a drum. The tyres were replaced including the spare and they have done less than 200km. Bearings were checked and repacked, override breaks work well. The hitch is slightly smaller than the standard 50mm, but it will be sold with the appropriate tow-ball. I am 6'2, so I needed a full sized double bed. Under supervision of a cabinetmaker the internal cupboards were modified to suit a full sized double mattress. Originally the Purdon Van had a "fixed" rear window. This was replaced with an opening window (to allow me to store my 9'8 longboard in the van). There is no gas connected to the van and the electricity has been disconnected (we used rechargeable LED lamps/and a portable 15amp safety switch when we were in caravan parks). I added the green annex which is in excellent condition. It has new poles and ropes. It does not have a draught skirt. The lights on the van are LED break/indicator with a flat 7pin connection. There was no fridge in the van. We used a small 240v bar fridge. We added the white "spats". These can be easily removed. There were some small signs of dry rot in the bottom corners of the van, which were either cut out/treated/patch fixed. New "J" moulds were added. The old water tank remains, but a new cold water tap and connection point were installed. Tin splash-back was added, table and front dinette were completely rebuilt. Original floor was strong and structurally sound, but has been overlaid with bamboo laminate planks. New front cushions. Chassis has some surface rust, but is completely structurally sound. I was going to paint this, but one of my automotive teachers said that a potential purchaser would want to see how good the condition is...rather than just painting it as if I was attempting to hide something.
There are no screens or curtains, but fixings remain. No leaks around hatch. Although the van was used as a resource to compliment my professional connection with students at risk...I paid for all work on the van (when retired professionals were engaged).
Specifics:
PURDON SIZE: 1900mm WIDE/ 2270 HIGH (includes the top of the hatch) 3000mm LONG + the 750mm Drawbar (3750mm). The Purdon Van fits very comfortably in my standard 2 car garage.
Things to consider: If you are considering purchasing the van, it is made of wood. The wood is approximately 65 years old. The van should be kept undercover. Much has been written on this forum about how quickly these wooden vans will break down if they are left for month(s) outside. Wrapping it in a tarp can cause a lot of "sweating". This too will cause the van to loose it's integrity. The van is currently not registered in QLD. The van is very light and I can move it around by hand on the concrete into tight spaces. I have comfortably towed the van in my standard 1.8L, 4 speed 1975 VW Kombi Microbus (this too has been meticulously mechanically maintained (just in case you have a clapped-out VW kombi and think this could be an option). Obviously, the van could be used as a food/coffee van. I would consider this a shame. The van looks amazing in these photos. Anyone with experience in exploring a car/van/boat "online" first, will understand that the pictures will not show up small blemishes in the paint or small oil stains around 65 year old hinges. It is best viewed in person.
Location: The Purdon Van is located in Graceville, QLD. Graceville is 7km from the Brisbane CBD in the western suburbs: bordered by Tennyson, Chelmer and Sherwood. As my eldest daughter is on the way to purchasing a car, weekend school sport commitments...we do need the space...I would prefer to see the van being used, enjoyed and admired. It brings a lot of attention. I am not just "testing the waters"...genuine reason for sale.
I can be contacted on Mob: Zero46744457one. Or PM.
Warm regards, HALPS
(Keith)
PS: 8 year old failed guide dog, does not come with the van.
It has been some time since I have visited this forum.
Sadly, it has come time for my family to part ways with this beautiful little Purdon Van. Price $10500.00
I had plans to use the van for short getaways to coastal caravan parks, but life got in the way. We have had a major cancer scare, I lost my sister to cancer, my father-in-law is battling cancer, my children have commenced the process of obtaining licences, cars etc, we all know the COVID theme and how that has impacted travel and while I realise that we could keep the van and just sell the children...something inside me thinks 'that's just not right.'
I will be as honest as I can possibly be so that when you read this, you can be fully informed. Particularly, those that may be new to the Vintage Van scene.
History: The Purdon story is outlined on this forum. It is a remarkable story of one person's resilience during WW2 and their ability to reload their life after this horrific conflict. What an amazing generation of people during that era.
The Purdon: We purchased the van off Reddo in 2014 and he obtained the van from another loyal vintage forum member. In that time the van was painted/restored to suit our tastes. As I am a school teacher and tend to work with the student's that may resonate with more trade-based subjects, the van was often used as a resource in the classroom. That enabled the roof to be replaced (under demonstration from a student's grandfather who was a former QLD Railways employee). He reinstalled a ply with canvas overlay. It is as tight as a drum. The tyres were replaced including the spare and they have done less than 200km. Bearings were checked and repacked, override breaks work well. The hitch is slightly smaller than the standard 50mm, but it will be sold with the appropriate tow-ball. I am 6'2, so I needed a full sized double bed. Under supervision of a cabinetmaker the internal cupboards were modified to suit a full sized double mattress. Originally the Purdon Van had a "fixed" rear window. This was replaced with an opening window (to allow me to store my 9'8 longboard in the van). There is no gas connected to the van and the electricity has been disconnected (we used rechargeable LED lamps/and a portable 15amp safety switch when we were in caravan parks). I added the green annex which is in excellent condition. It has new poles and ropes. It does not have a draught skirt. The lights on the van are LED break/indicator with a flat 7pin connection. There was no fridge in the van. We used a small 240v bar fridge. We added the white "spats". These can be easily removed. There were some small signs of dry rot in the bottom corners of the van, which were either cut out/treated/patch fixed. New "J" moulds were added. The old water tank remains, but a new cold water tap and connection point were installed. Tin splash-back was added, table and front dinette were completely rebuilt. Original floor was strong and structurally sound, but has been overlaid with bamboo laminate planks. New front cushions. Chassis has some surface rust, but is completely structurally sound. I was going to paint this, but one of my automotive teachers said that a potential purchaser would want to see how good the condition is...rather than just painting it as if I was attempting to hide something.
There are no screens or curtains, but fixings remain. No leaks around hatch. Although the van was used as a resource to compliment my professional connection with students at risk...I paid for all work on the van (when retired professionals were engaged).
Specifics:
PURDON SIZE: 1900mm WIDE/ 2270 HIGH (includes the top of the hatch) 3000mm LONG + the 750mm Drawbar (3750mm). The Purdon Van fits very comfortably in my standard 2 car garage.
Things to consider: If you are considering purchasing the van, it is made of wood. The wood is approximately 65 years old. The van should be kept undercover. Much has been written on this forum about how quickly these wooden vans will break down if they are left for month(s) outside. Wrapping it in a tarp can cause a lot of "sweating". This too will cause the van to loose it's integrity. The van is currently not registered in QLD. The van is very light and I can move it around by hand on the concrete into tight spaces. I have comfortably towed the van in my standard 1.8L, 4 speed 1975 VW Kombi Microbus (this too has been meticulously mechanically maintained (just in case you have a clapped-out VW kombi and think this could be an option). Obviously, the van could be used as a food/coffee van. I would consider this a shame. The van looks amazing in these photos. Anyone with experience in exploring a car/van/boat "online" first, will understand that the pictures will not show up small blemishes in the paint or small oil stains around 65 year old hinges. It is best viewed in person.
Location: The Purdon Van is located in Graceville, QLD. Graceville is 7km from the Brisbane CBD in the western suburbs: bordered by Tennyson, Chelmer and Sherwood. As my eldest daughter is on the way to purchasing a car, weekend school sport commitments...we do need the space...I would prefer to see the van being used, enjoyed and admired. It brings a lot of attention. I am not just "testing the waters"...genuine reason for sale.
I can be contacted on Mob: Zero46744457one. Or PM.
Warm regards, HALPS
(Keith)
PS: 8 year old failed guide dog, does not come with the van.
