Viscount caravans - Fullarton SA, Cabramatta NSW & Dandenong

[Franklin1]

G'day chubi,

There was a thought that your side-stripe design belonged to the 1966 Viscounts, but I've always been a bit doubtful about that. Now that you've provided your chassis number, we can be more accurate and say that the stripes design belongs to 1968. It's one of the main benefits of getting chassis numbers from owners.

Keep in mind that the Viscount model changes occurred during a year, usually when the Sydney Caravan Show was held each year. So, a 1968 Viscount could have actually been made anytime between, say, May 1968 and May 1969.

cheers,
Al.

[chubi]

Thanks for the info Al, Im very happy to hear that its a 1968 model, as the late 60s are my favourite period and I want my setup to look as authentic as possible. I would have thought the same as the others too, mainly cause of the angled side windows which are the same as my 1966 Chesney.
I wonder if mine had the same interior layout as that 13ft one. Mine has been partially stripped/modified to be an onsite van, so a few bits and bobs inside need to be redone, just got to work out how it looked in '68. Stove fridge and other bits are long gone.
I am buying the full hydraulic brake set up off a neighbours rotted old Franklin and I hope to fit it all to the Alumvan to get it mobile quicker.

[frase]

Hi Chubi. Have a 2 way fridge and gas hot plate/griller from 1964 (I think - underside of kitchen drawer has handwritten "water tested by Don ?? December 1964) Alumvanan if you want them. Haven't used either but previous owner claimed both to be in working condition. Yours if you can pickup from Newport NSW. Am currently on holidays so won't be back in Sydney till after Xmas. Regards Frase.

[friendy]

G'day folks,

I've just purchased, a supposedly '73 Viscount. I'm just trying to nail it down. It seems to have features of late 60's vans which is why I've posted here.



It's a bit damaged on the front but it seems to be leak free and relatively original for 40 +/- years old.

It's a bit of a conundrum....

The blue stripes have been re-painted over an original pale green/dark green colour scheme of the same pattern.

I've scoured this thread and found that it has the same interior as some of the late 60's vans but the paint and logo configuration don't seem to match that, according to what I have read here.





It is a white Viscount Duralvan according to the painted over and very faded logos.

Front


Back



The ID number on the draw bar is missing the first 2 characters as the tow joint has been replaced at some stage. 668A is all I've got.


I know this could be on the Classic van site but I think this one seems to cross over. I'll post there as well.

Thanks in advance. Any ideas welcome.

Friendy

[bobandjacqui]

This is for Al, I've just picked up a Viscount 15 footer with a chassi number of E7596 ATM 820 and the old rego sticker states that it's a 1968 model ? We've owned two silver ali Viscounts over the years but this one has the acrylic profile sides on it ??
Also the interior is laminated ply not the as the later models that came out with vinyl covered chipboard. This van is a two single bed model with a bunk bed above the one on the right handside of the van looking towards the back. I'll post a few pics when photobucket and I get to-gether.

Cheers Bob and Jacqui.


P.S. There are no old stickers on the van as it has been painted.

[star121]

Hi, I've just joined this forum but I am unsure if I have joined the right one. My viscount van which I have just been given has chassis number E4559 which suggests it is from 66/67? It is an ambassador alumvan. Logo style Is 1970 or earlier. It is white with red stripes looking exactly like some of the ad clips on this post. I wonder if it might have been painted white as when I wipe it the white comes off, but the red stripes don't. The interior is very similar to the alumvan pictured above with the pinkish interior. My interior is blue vinyl seats and checkered floor. It has a couch seat/ double bed at one end and table at other end. I think it's about 15' long, haven't measured. It has more cupboard space than the pinkish one pictured. Anyway, just trying to work out the year. Can anyone help with that?

[star121]

How do I post a picture?

[Franklin1]

G'day star121,

Go to this other thread about Viscount Ambassadors and scroll down the separate year sections to see which year you can fit your van into [ Ambassador (by Viscount) - chassis numbers ]. I think you are correct in narrowing it down to 1966/67. You just need to match the side stripe pattern with the appropriate year. And yes, the white paint won't be original, because Viscount didn't start using white cladding until mid-1969.

To learn how to post photos, go to the Forum Guidelines and Helpful Hints section

cheers,
Al.

[star121]

Thanks, the side stripes match 1969, the interior and the chassis number look more like 66/67, and if it was painted, the logo is perfect on it, worn but looks original, not reprinted. I'm thinking it is a 69, and the white panelling is original, and the chassis number is just out of sync? Either that or the stripes are out of sync.

[star121]

It's pretty much identical to tge one don Ricardo posted pics of above. Interior and stripes which looks to have chassis number E6483. Mine is a couple of feet longer and is white with same red stripes. And is E4559. If they painted it they did a very tidy job. Not flaking at all but does come of with wiping.

[chubi]

Dec 14, 2011 19:57:22 GMT 10 frase said:

Hi Chubi. Have a 2 way fridge and gas hot plate/griller from 1964 (I think - underside of kitchen drawer has handwritten "water tested by Don ?? December 1964) Alumvanan if you want them. Haven't used either but previous owner claimed both to be in working condition. Yours if you can pickup from Newport NSW. Am currently on holidays so won't be back in Sydney till after Xmas. Regards Frase.

Sorry mate, never knew you replied lol! Have you still got them? PM me if you do.

[chubi]

Nov 26, 2010 19:03:56 GMT 10 cruisindoug said:

This is a photo of my families' Viscount Ambassador - it was purchased in 1974 and I am sure it wasn't anywhere new at the time (we were pretty broke). I believe it would be late 60's. (Note the old valiant Safari wagon in the background .... purchased in 1970 when it was 18 months old)


We (Mum, Dad, 4 boys, a dog and two cats) lived in this van and annex for about 3 years in friends of the families cow paddock - told you we were broke!

All I know as a young kid I loved it - the adventures of the farm and adjoining national park were great!

Cheers, Doug.
P.S. Last seen in Port Maquarie late 70s when my brother who ended up with it sold it - if anyone happens accross it ... after seeing some of the stories here you never know!

What colour was the lightning stripe mate? My pink one was found on a property about an hour south of PM where it had been for quite some time.

[Don Ricardo]

Afternoon all,

Amazing what you find in your own neighbourhood when you're not looking:



The rego sticker says 1967 Viscount, which seems about right looking at the other vans on this thread. However this one doesn't precisely match the style of any of the other Viscounts on the thread. Maybe it reflects the differences between the vans built by the NSW and South Australian factories?


The cladding and flash look as new from a distance, but both have been repainted - the cladding in silver paint which looks so good that you've got to look closely at to see that it's actually paint. The remains of the original Viscount sticker has also been painted over, but I think probably says 'Viscount Alumvan'.



And the serial number? Yep, I did look this time. It's E585.

Don Ricardo

[Franklin1]

G'day DonR,

Well done to you for getting the chassis number.

If you look at the 1965 Ambassador painted design in this DHL thread , you'll see it matches the van you've discovered.

I presume you have the Moderator powers to modify anyone's post on the forum, so it would be great if you could insert your photo and the chassis number details into the 1965 section of that thread. It would save me having to copy your photo and doing it myself.

cheers,
Al.

[Don Ricardo]

May 19, 2013 19:46:08 GMT 10 Franklin1 said:

Well done to you for getting the chassis number.

G'day F1 (that's a faster way of saying Franklin1 ;D ;D ;D),

Yes, well you've been training me long enough. It had to happen one day!

So it's a Viscount Ambassador! Just didn't look far enough did I?

As requested, I've added the photo to the post on the Ambassador thread (and added an extra photo showing part of the near side).

Don Ricardo

[caboodle69]

HI - I have am the excited owner of a recently purchased Viscount Valiant van, there doesn't seem to be anything about that particular model on this thread? The forum moderator on the classic caravan forum has identified it as the second half of 1969 (because of the colour, the zig zag paint pattern and the chassis number c1234. I can't see the link to post a photo....?

[shesgotthelook]

1963 Viscount 13ft? Drawbar welding N1257 The N possibly stands for NSW built. This van was originally sold in Coffs Harbour .




1962/63? Viscount 16ft? Drawbar weld V738 Day nighter bed at front, long single beds that are also seats at back.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[shesgotthelook]

[mikeoz22]

On holiday here in Bargara Qld and came across two Viscounts, one aptly named 'Big Birtha', a lovely family allowd me to have a look around - interior re-fitted, and new undercarriage as well since th eold one had been badly damaged. They picked this one up for $500, and the chassis no is A2056 - an A has been added by the Qld Dept of Transport as they didn't have records going back that far. the old girl has been a family favourite and travelled far and wide including Sydney and Mt Isa.

[mikeoz22]

Another Viscount that has been really nicely restored by the owners: Chassis No: E1874



OUtside has been repainted in 2-pack white, with an annex. Owners would like to know what the apprx date of manufacture is if anyone can help please:

[Franklin1]

G'day mike,

The first van you've posted has got the 1968 pattern painted on the side.

The second van with chassis number E8174 (did you notice you switched the first two numbers around?) is an Ambassador from the late 1960s. If you go to the Ambassador chassis thread you'll see that E8135 had the date of Feb 1969 written inside some panelling.

cheers,
Al.

[imagesoneyre]

???We are looking to purchase a Viscount Ambassador Caravan for around $2000.00 I had a look at it yesterday is located 100km form my house

But we would like your advice info from the members may have that can help us make a decision – we feel that its right for us but need to make sure we are paying a reasonable price.

Original owners now in their 80 Plus age range – has been looked after

Problems that I know about that will need repairing are

1.Fridge not connected to gas but they have assured me it works – it works fine on 240v ice box was freezing after being on for just over an hour
2. 2 cracks in windows not major
3. One window rubber needs replacing
5. I will need to add reg and insure.

The last time it was used was in 2009 and has been undercover ever since, I am guessing the wheel bearings will need an overhaul as well.

They have had it over 20 years and upon investigation on the history of them we think it’s a 1974 ish type

Also I cant find a listing of models even going by the chassis number. This van has the twin bunk set up be that can be converted to 2 beds they have never bothered as they always had the kids . All original no modifications immaculate inside.

I have attached some photos

Chassis Number on Draw Bar reads E4220

I am putting the pressure on the members to assist as I need to make a decision before the weekend it out.

Many thanks Max

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Imagesoneyre,

I'm not sure whether you're still looking for answers to your questions about the Viscount Ambassador, but seeing no-one else has responded, I will...

1. Regarding price, we have a policy on the forum that we don't discuss prices. That's for various reasons, one of which is that there are no price guides for vintage caravans. The price a van sells for depends on how much someone is willing to pay, and that depends on whether the van in question meets the buyer's needs/desires/passions/interest area. You've said that this van would meet your needs, so if the asking price seems reasonable to you, go for it. $2,000 is probably not a lot to spend on a van in good condition (but see '3' below).

2. As you may have seen from the response given to your queries on the Classic Caravan forum by the forum moderator (who is Franklin1 on this forum), the serial number indicates a build date of 1966 or 1967. The good news is that makes the van a 'vintage caravan'.

3. I note your comments about the van being in excellent condition, and needing only minor repairs. That may well be the case, but just be aware that many vintage van buyers have discovered that their newly purchased vans have 'hidden' problems when they get them home which require some work - eg rot in part of the frame, hidden water damage, or leaks which appear when the van is out in the open. That can apply even when the van has been under cover, due to leaks in the shed roof, etc. Hopefully this Ambassador doesn't have any hidden problems, but if so, it will be fairly unusual in that regard. Just be prepared that some issues might be there.

Hope these comments are of some assistance, and don't forget to come back and let us know what you decide to do - buy or not. Good luck.

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

May 2, 2009 11:10:34 GMT 10 Franklin1 said:

Cobber, the description in the advertisement states "wrap around front window" but the photo is not showing that version. Is the photo really representative of this new Cuniform aluminium, do you think?

Hi Franklin1 and Cobber,

I'm sure you remember this discussion...? It only happened five years ago (on this thread here)!

The comment from Franklin1 is in reference to a 1959 advertisement for Viscount which refers to 'Cuniform', a form of aluminium cladding. I've been trying to work out what 'cuniform' was, but can't find any references to it in relation to aluminium sheet. The only references to 'cuniform' (sometimes 'cuneiform') are in relation to Babylonian wrtiting, etc, as in 'cuniform tablets'. In some respects the stippled surface of aluminium cladding looks not unlike the surface of cuniform writing on Babylonian clay tablets, so I'm wondering if Viscount were using 'cuniform' to refer to stippled aluminium sheeting? Have either of you - or anyone else who reads this - worked out what 'cuniform aluminium' was or seen other references to it?

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Hi all,

To the best of our knowledge, Viscount commenced caravan production in 1955. However, to date the earliest Viscount vans we have seen (as shown on this thread) have had full aluminium cladding with late 50's/early 60's styling. While Viscount may have possibly been style leaders and/or innovators in terms of the materials they used, it seems unlikely that these aluminium clad vans represent Viscount's earliest vans.

On our way back from the 2014 Nationals, Dona Ricardo and I passed by a farm near Charlton where there were four vintage caravans in a shed. One of the vans was this Viscount:



The owner has conveniently cleaned the area where the Viscount logo can be seen to the left of the door:



Note that this van is clad in bondwood, the styling is typical of the mid-50's, and that the windows have Bosse & Eunson style wooden frames not aluminium. On this basis this may be the earliest Viscount we have seen, and may quite conceivably be from around 1955.

Don Ricardo