Help locating VIN on vintage Millard

[kimrcrawford]

Hi,

I'm a new member and really impressed by the Board.

I have recently taken possession of a vintage Millard that is completely gutted and ready for renovation.

In order to transport it, I need a permit. In order to get a permit, I need the VIN or Chassis number of the van.

I cannot for the life of me find the number. There is nothing welded on the draw bar that I can see. The ONLY number I can find anywhere is written in marker a couple of times on the aluminium structure within the van. The number is “178. 7 05”.

I have included pics of the van. I spent hours searching Google Images for a similar one, the only Millard I could find with a matching window pattern was a 1977 dual axle model – mine is a single axle.

Are you able to assist me in identifying this model and hopefully, locating the VIN or Chassis number?

[hughdeany]

Hi Kim,
Vin numbers didn’t come about until 1989 and were 17 digits and numbers.
The chassis number should be on the side of the A frame unless it has been replaced at some stage.
If you are in VIC you will have to be issued with a vin number that you stamp on the A frame,if in another state you will have to ring your rego office to find their requirements.The number written on the inside is model 17x8 built in the 7 th month of 1975,just a production number.
Cheers
hughdeany

[kimrcrawford]

Many thanks for the swift and informative reply hughdeany, When you say "side of the A frame" I presume you mean this thing buried in the grass -

I have cleaned it and used a wire brush to remove the surface rust, there is no number anyway (sides or tops).

Kim

[hughdeany]

Hi Kim,
Yes,somewhere near the jockey wheel but on the outside of the frame,it will start with M then 5 digits and is raised welds.It could also have a metal plate riveted on further towards the body.
If you put up a pic of the 2 sides of your van I can tell you what model it is.
Vans have been known to have the chassis number ground off and been rebirthed,as in stolen,or something else welded over the top or a new A frame,although yours looks original.
Cheers
hughdeany

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Kimcrawford,

Just adding to Hughdeany's replies, Millard put the serial number of their vans on the drawbar in two different ways. The first, which was used on earlier vans and which Hughdeany mentioned, had the letter 'M' and up to four numbers "written" in weld on the drawbar, like this example:



Later vans had a little plate with the serial number on it riveted to the drawbar like this one:



Your van looks to be one of the later ones, and when I look at the photo of the drawbar I think I can see where the little plate was riveted before being taken off, which is a shame.

Some people have found their Millard serial number written in pencil on the internal lining in the van like this:



However I read that your van has been stripped inside, so that very likely rules that possibility out. I'm not sure whether the rego people would accept a bit of ply with a pencil scribble on it as evidence for a serial number anyway. So that means you will probably have to apply to the rego authority in your state for a VIN number which you can then inscribe on the drawbar.

Don Ricardo

[kimrcrawford]

Thanks Don,

Yes, if you look at the pic of the interior in my first post, it's down to bare aluminium.

The van is really a write-off but I have 2 good friends who are setting up a Refuge on their property for single women who have been kicked out of their rentals. It will have cabin style accommodation with the view to giving these ladies somewhere safe to stay whilst they sort their situation out. A mate of mine had the van in his yard and I grabbed it. The plan is to transport it (64km from my farm to my friend's place), permanently install it and set it up as a self contained cabin..

So, all I need is an Unregistered Vehicle Permit from QLD Transport for 1 day at a cost of $36.40 per day. Here are the rules -

• Your journey must start in Queensland, but can end in Queensland or interstate.

• If a vehicle is being moved to Queensland from interstate, a permit must be purchased from the state or territory where the journey starts.
  
• Your must take the most direct route to your destination and not stop anywhere else on your journey.
• The permit is valid from 12.01am of the first day of the journey and expires at midnight on the last day of the journey.

What I need to apply

• Your customer details (driver licence number / customer reference number)
• A credit card to pay the permit fee and CTP insurance
• The VIN or chassis number of the vehicle
• Details about the vehicle and journey (to answer questions)

It seems to be a lot of trouble to get a VIN assigned and then stamp it somewhere on the van only to park the van permanently at the end of the journey.

I could always take a risk and stick to the back-roads......

[hughdeany]

Hi Kim,
If you’re only getting a permit and not registering it why not truck it to the destination,much cheaper than brakes,bearings,springs,axles,coupling problems you will encounter if towing.Not to mention the rusty chassis that hasn’t moved for a few years!
Cheers
hughdeany

[kimrcrawford]

I didn't think of trucking it, I must admit. I don't have access to a truck big enough or a crane at either end. i think the cost would be more than the petrol etc.

I have spent hours strengthening it for the trip. I made L-shapes brackets to secure the sides to the roof on the outside. Ran braces from the rafters diagonally to the walls inside. Put an inner tube in one of the tyres that looked a little dodgy, pumped half a canister of grease into the override brake. i even ran steel straps diagonally across the interior to ensure the whole thing doesn't collapse like a deck of cards.

The main sub-frame has surface rust but appears to be structurally OK. I think it will travel without bother. With the entire insides gone, it weight next to nothing. I drive a diesel D-Max ute that will pull it without effort and it's only an hour's drive.

I might pop into Gympie Transport tomorrow. If i explain the situation, they may issue a VIN just for the Permit.

[kimrcrawford]

I'm looking for the funny side of this....

I called QLD Transport this morning.

In order to tow the van 64km I have to - 

• go to a registry and apply and pay for a VIN and a plate
• fix the plate to the van
• take the van back and have it inspected by Transport to ensure it is safe and the plate is fitted
• fix any issues that are found with the van to make it safe
  
• Apply and pay for a permit to tow an unregistered van
  

• Pay a Compulsory 3rd Party Insurance fee

Then the Call Centre operator said "you know, it would probably be easier and cheaper to put it on a truck".

[kimrcrawford]

Thanks everyone for your guidance. The van is now safely settled in it's new home, to be settled on stumps and fitted out as a bunk-house.

I ended up applying for the Permit online and used the number that was written in marker pen as the Chassis number - M17875. Seemed like a fair enough thing to do.....