mikeoz22
Full Member
Back from hiatus. Looking to finish the Valiant now step son has finished with it.
Posts: 107
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Post by mikeoz22 on Sept 19, 2013 12:23:46 GMT 10
Hi Matt ,nice van you have there - defintly a 60s Valiant. would you have pics of the interior as well? as I'm restoring one exactly the same and would like some hints on interiors please.
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Post by mattvdv1 on Sept 19, 2013 13:10:37 GMT 10
Thanks, Its been a real joy. Here are some interior pics. I havnt done a lot to it except 2 extra cupboards    |
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Post by billyb on Sept 24, 2014 14:19:10 GMT 10
I have ayaliant viscount serial 2785 could you tell me what year it is thanks
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 24, 2014 15:01:45 GMT 10
Hi Billyb,
Good to hear about your Valiant.
As you can see I've moved your post to the Valiant thread in the Down History Lane section of the forum. There's a bit of information on this thread about Valiant serial/chassis numbers, and also you're more likely to get a response here than on the index thread you originally posted on. Hope that's OK?
If you look on this thread, you'll see a number of photos of Valiant caravans with their serial number, but you'll also see we haven't got as far with linking serial numbers to the build dates of Valiants as we have with some other brands (including the 'sister' Ambassador brand). Often in the case of Valiants and Ambassadors, dating a van depends not only on the serial number, but also on matching the flashes on the side, as well as the design of the windows and other features.
Reading through the posts on this thread, it appears that your serial number should have a letter at the beginning, 'A', 'B' or 'C'. Any evidence of that on your van?
If you'd like to post some photos of your van, some of the knowledgeable people on the forum will probably be able to help you further. There are instructions on how to post photos in the 'Forum Guidelines & Helpful Hints' section of the forum, but you'll also need to register on the forum to post photos (or re-register if you've already been a member). We'll certainly help you if we can.
Don Ricardo
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Post by billyb on Sept 24, 2014 16:26:12 GMT 10
sorry got all excited about getting on its b2785 not very good on computer have to get sons help
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 24, 2014 20:11:27 GMT 10
Hi Billyb, It's all good. Don't worry about not being good on the computer. That has applied to a lot of us when we first came on the forum, but it's amazing what you learn when you've got a reason to!  If your son can help with posting some photos of your van, that's great. However, if you have any difficulties, you can always email some photos of your van to one of us, and we can do it for you. If you press on my forum name in blue in the left hand panel, you'll see my email address, and I'm very happy to post photos for you if you'd like me to. Regarding your Valiant, given that the serial number of your van starts with a 'B', the closest to yours on this thread are probably those belonging to Mikeoz22 (serial number B2270) and Mattvdv1 (serial number B1174). I am guessing from that, that your van has double hopper style front windows, side windows which slant forward, and a plain, un-ribbed, painted panel on the sides between the two windows. Am I correct? If I'm right, that helps narrow down the date range for your van. Viscount introduced the double hopper windows and slanting side windows on its Viscount brand vans in 1964, and it quite possibly introduced them on the Valiants around about the same time. So that tells us (again, assuming I'm right about what your van looks like) that your van is most probably no older than 1964. A bit more info is provided in one of the posts above by Boblor, who has the receipt for Valiant B1375 which is dated December 1964, so that suggests that your van may be around 1965. The Valiant 'C' series vans seem to be from around 1967, so I reckon 1965 or 1966 sounds about right for yours (but remember, that's just me trying to use my powers of deduction, at this stage we don't know for sure). Hope that helps. Don Ricardo PS To reply to this post on this thread, click your mouse on the blue heading 'Valiant (by Viscount) Caravans' at the beginning of my post. That will open up the series of posts about Valiant caravans that this post is part of. The click on 'Reply' at the top or bottom of the thread, write what you want to in the window that opens up, and click on 'Create Post'. |
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Post by billyb on Sept 25, 2014 13:37:59 GMT 10
hi don thanks for the info everything you said about windows iscorrect but i have 2 flashes down the side same as 1965 listed by franklin 1 on page 1 emblem interior shape of sink all the same but mine is 14 ft 6 ish .son is coming down next week hope to get some photos to you thanks
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 25, 2014 23:13:58 GMT 10
Hi again Billyb,
Interesting to hear a bit more about your van, and the fact that it has the two flashes on the side, which I presume means that the whole of each side is clad in ribbed aluminium sheet like the one Franklin1 posted the photos of?
I'll look forward to seeing some photos when you get together with your son. The photos will not only tell us a few things about your van, but also will confirm some things about Valiant vans in general.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 28, 2014 23:28:20 GMT 10
Evening all, Following are some photos of Billyb's Valiant caravan he has sent me to post on his behalf:     As reported in Billyb's post above, the serial number of his Valiant is B2785, and based on Franklin1's previous research, that indicates a 1965 build date. This van has the arrow-shaped flashes on the side, the same as the 1965-dated van, photos of which were posted by Franklin1 higher up this thread. However, the photos Franklin1 posted show a van with plain, unribbed cladding between the side windows, whereas Billyb's van has ribbed cladding between the windows. That suggests to me that Billyb's van is newer than the van posted by Franklin1. This is based on my theory that the plain cladding is a hangover from the earlier Valiant vans which were decorated with a painted, unribbed panel between the windows. Another quite notable feature of Billyb's van is the Valiant sticker on the front, which I think is different to any of the other Valiant stickers we've seen on the forum I will be interested to see whether Franklin1 can shine any more light on all of this, and I am sure that Billyb will be interested as well. Thanks for sharing the photos with us Billyb. By the way, I note that some Valiants appear to have both a serial number commencing with A, B or C and three or four digits AND a five digit chassis number. Can anybody explain that for me?? Don Ricardo |
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Post by retrofan on Oct 16, 2014 8:32:18 GMT 10
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Post by mel on Jan 16, 2015 13:36:45 GMT 10
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Post by queenjustine on Jan 22, 2015 9:51:44 GMT 10
1965 Valiant caravan:  (source: sold on ebay Dec 2008. Edited description: 1962 Viscount Valiant, great original condition, 2 owners from new. Shedded all life but the last 3 yrs. Fridge 240volt and gas stove all in good working order, sink has original brass pump works great. All internals are in good condition, only the curtains have been changed. Alloy body in very good condition, just needs polish. no damage. Runs 13" holden wheels. Tare: 620kg. Towbar identification number: 32965) |
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Post by zephyr on Apr 1, 2015 10:22:54 GMT 10
I recently bought this Viscount Valiant van, build no B2501 (I think, the weld is a bit dodgy) which is 1965 I have been told (and which fits other info on this forum).          It seems to have had some water damage in the past as is evidenced by marks and warping under the seats - one is still a bit mouldy smelling so will have to do something about that - I think the seals along the top are incomplete. There is a bit of warping in the roof also but seems to be dry now. I bought it as is, with a recent paint on the inside - also all the bunting and trims were done by the previous owners, cute though. A couple of questions: Do the 1965 models also have aluminium frames? I've been told the TARE weight is 550kg - can anyone confirm? Can anyone identify the size of the rims (as I need to source a spare) - in inches (?) and I've been told either Ford, Holden or Volvo? The stud pattern is 5... Cheers all |
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Post by zephyr on Apr 1, 2015 10:40:50 GMT 10
Another quite notable feature of Billyb's van is the Valiant sticker on the front, which I think is different to any of the other Valiant stickers we've seen on the forum I will be interested to see whether Franklin1 can shine any more light on all of this, and I am sure that Billyb will be interested as well. And on that point about the stickers - why is it the other version (see my post above, and mel's, as opposed Billyb's sticker) look like they've had a bit cut off them? Hence the question, do they in fact have aluminium frames? Would love if Franklin1 could weigh in on this... |
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Post by brucenan on Apr 1, 2015 21:03:26 GMT 10
Notice that you have no reply to your questions, I am no expert by my daughter has a similar van. It has a wood frame and I understand if the exterior panels are screwed on the frame is wood if it is riveted it is alloy. 550 tare seems light, I would think it would be 700 to 800 kg, hers is a heavy van. Wheels are 13 inch Holden from FE to HR. Some Volvo have the same stud pattern but are usually 14 inch. Bruce
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Post by zephyr on Apr 2, 2015 8:42:43 GMT 10
Thanks for the reply brucenan....if it is in fact 700-800kg, and more specifically, 750kg or over it appears the seller has sold it illegally, without a RWC. Off to the weighbridge I go.
The cladding is screwed on (damn). As there is some rust in the front corners of the chassis I guess I am looking at possible frame problem underneath the cladding :/
Thanks for the info on the rims, I wonder if anyone can confirm. The tyres say 165R13C, so I am guessing Holden 13 inch rims?
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Post by mel on Apr 6, 2015 17:16:34 GMT 10
Hi zephyr, we took our 1965 14" valiant on the weigh bridge and it is 740kg. Ours is timber frame and the cladding is screwed on. I haven't solved the sticker mystery yet. On page 1 of this thread you will find the original paperwork that was found in one of the vans. The weight listed for the 14" van is 14.5 cwt which is 736 kgs.
We haven't pulled off the cladding yet but plan to soon. We have been told that it is like opening pandora's box!!
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Post by zephyr on Apr 7, 2015 14:49:39 GMT 10
Hi Mel, thanks! That'd be right - just under the 750kg limit for RWC in QLD! I thought that paperwork was for the Royale's, but it is the same floorplan and length so yes it wouldn't be far off. I've pulled up the ply in the front left corner, there is a fair bit of mould but you still can't get to the frame, so yes I guess it would take removing exterior cladding. Not sure if I have the stomach for that! let me know how you go |
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Post by Rattles on Apr 7, 2015 16:24:03 GMT 10
If the outside cladding is held on with Self Tapping Screws and the inside ply with Staples then the frame will be Wood If there is Pop Rivets holding the outside and inside cladding then the frame will be Aluminium, I had a 1965 Viscount Ambassador and it had a wooden Frame, Caneite roof Laminate doors and painted Cupboards it also had the Angled Side Windows and no Front bay window and a Fixed Rear Window.
Hope this helps.
Rattles
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Post by fenwood on Apr 21, 2015 6:56:14 GMT 10
G'day all.
I have recently rescued a van from my parents place where its been under cover since I left home in 88. We have had it in the family since around 1985, when my brother and I were using it as our bed room.
I am trying to nail down a date for this beast, I though it was around a 68, but it has a wooden frame, and from what I have been reading that possibly dates it to earlier than 68?
The frame number is A379.
The front and rear labels are for a Valliant Royal.
looks like A127 ( above) with the same diamond embossed sheeting .
I will post some pictures as soon as I have downloaded them from my phone.
If anyone is able to shed a little light on age, or where I can go to get more info, I would appreciate it .
Thanks again,
Dave.
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Post by murray on Apr 21, 2015 8:22:11 GMT 10
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Post by fenwood on Apr 23, 2015 9:47:11 GMT 10
Thanks for that Info Murray. I have some pics, and am in the middle of sorting out how to upload them. ( oh to be a 12 YO and instinctively know how to use technology ) |
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Post by fenwood on Apr 23, 2015 10:19:07 GMT 10
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Post by Franklin1 on Apr 23, 2015 21:05:55 GMT 10
G'day fenwood,
If you study the first page of this thread, you'll see the historical information I've posted from the newspaper archives. It tells us that in Nov 1963, the Valiant model was now available with "sloping windows, just like Viscounts". Your van has the former square-shaped windows on the sides, so we'd be pretty confident it was built prior to Nov '63. The other clue is the profile of the side cladding. That cladding with the widely spaced ribs is what I personally call the "2nd generation cladding" that was used in the caravan industry. The first generation was the flat diamond pattern cladding, as shown in the first caravan at the start of this thread. Then we see your cladding in the next series of vans, followed by another change to the cladding profile ("3rd generation") in late 1963 or early 1964. (See the first three vans on Page 1 of this thread).
The interesting point about your van is the chassis number of A379. We know that the Viscount "Duralvans" in the early 1960s were given 'A-series' chassis numbers, but we've really only seen 'B-series' and 'C-series' numbers given to the Valiants. It's quite possible in the very early days of starting to use factory chassis numbers that Viscount didn't foresee a need to differentiate between the models, and just gave each chassis the next consecutive number, irrespective of whether it was going to be a Viscount or a Valiant. So, A378 could have been a Viscount Duralvan, and the next one A379 (yours) is a Valiant. Perhaps around late 1963 they had a change of mind and decided to actually separate the numbering system out into two distinct classes.
When the Ambassador model was introduced in 1964, it was given a 'D-series' number, which eventually evolved into an 'E-series' number, so the Viscount chassis number history looks something like this:
A-series: usually Viscount Duralvans (notwithstanding your Valiant)
B-series: Valiant model
C-series: Valiant model
D-series: Ambassador model
E-series: Ambassador model
I think the estimate of your van being a 1962 or '63 model is a pretty good estimate.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by fenwood on Apr 24, 2015 7:36:17 GMT 10
Al, Thanks for the info. This forum is a godsend for those of us without the skills and patience to do the detailed research some of you guys ( and gals ) have done. I am not the only one who appreciates the assistance and knowledge freely shared .
Thanks again.
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