Surf Tragic's Don 120

[smiles]

Dear Ron

A rainy Saturday morning has given me a chance to read this whole thread from the start of your project to now.
What can one say? Top marks for workmanship, patience, thoroughness, attention to detail. You're an inspiration to us all who plug along with a restoration doing a bit here & a bit there. Thanks & hope to see the Don 120 in the flesh sometime.

smiles

[Surf Tragic]

I'm not rapt with the tail lights, but started searching online, it said there were 24000 items to search, but after 2500 I said that's enough, & got these, at least they make it safe, & if ever something suitable comes up, it would be easy to change.



The colours were as near as we could get, I took a light bracket down to the local Wattyl centre & he matched it, looks ok to me, so did the chassis, stabilizer legs, & the "D" mould around the windows & door. One would think the drip moulds at the top of windows & door should be done too, but I have no sample to go off. The hubcaps are from "Chevs of the Fortys"



This was used on the roof, & decided to paint it down to the "D" mould on the sides. It's a tough Acrylic used mainly for repainting concrete roof tiles. I used at least 3 coats, just went on advice from the paint shop, & don't know the long term effect it will have, there's an additive for heat reflection included in the mix. The colour is "Surfmist" which is a Colorbond regular, a fair bit "Don like", the initial reaction to those who know Dons is positive so far.



Here's Wal Robinson amongst the debris in the shed, taking a photo of the finished 120. His valued opinion about painting 1/2 the side grey, is that he would have preferred it all cream, it would be easy to change !



I used a spare shank from an EzLift hitch, just made the adjustable part that bolts to it, the tongue is a bit longer too, it all helped to distance the van from the car, don't have to be quite as careful when reversing & cornering. It is purpose made for the Don Captive ball setup with a blob of weld all filed to shape to fit into the special groove which stops the ball from turning when tightening it all up.

ST

[Surf Tragic]

May as well finish this right off, just a couple of the finished project, all Registered & Insured, and a couple of short road tests.





The Registration process was painless, 1st up a weight certificate, a friend of a friend has a weighbridge, it weighed in at 700kg. Vic Roads for a road permit which I got to cover several days, do the check list they give you, make an appointment, it took all of 30mins to get the plates & be on my way.

There is one interesting piece of information I extracted from one office person at VR, if there is a Vin number welded to the chassis, they have to accept that, as long as it doesn't clash with an identical number on their records. Initially I asked could I give them a number I had invented, say like D54120935, which would be, Don, '54 year,120 Model, Serial # 784, that would be unique to that van. I was turned down flat twice by one **** assistant, 4 days later another assistant said they would accommodate my request, but it was too late this time.

Shannons were very helpful with the insurance so went with them, did a car too, & in doing so saved $150, which paid for the van



Thanks for the comments, hopefully others will be inspired to put the time in & finish their projects. There's been a lot of distraction along the way, but have never lost the enthusiasm. I took numerous photos of every detail as I restored for reference at a later date. I love the detail even down to sourcing tiny torsion springs from the States for the push button catches, so I can re-spring them, it is tedious work but rewarding. The electric brakes are magic. After it was regoed, I drove around with it & showed numerous people who had assisted in many ways to help with information. Yes, I do feel fantastic.

Cheers. ST.

[cobber]

Surf Tragic said :-

Thanks for the comments, hopefully others will be inspired to put the time in & finish their projects 

Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/posts/recent#ixzz3xO0gaTFj

For a bloke who knows you don't use sledges hammers to install slot headed screws, that comment is not very subtle Ron     But I get the message, I can feel it working already.

The Don looks lovely, another one you can be proud of, although to be thoroughly frank  I'm with Wal  .
What's next, the family Don ?

Regarding Shannon's insurance, I've been with them for many years, each year I ring 'em up and say I'd like to make my annual donation ( they call it a premium ) .... Thing is we always wonder if they will cough up when needed.
I recently got a quote to straighten and re-chrome a bent rear bumper bar on the FJ ( thanks to an unknown somebody at a shopping centre   ) 
The bloke giving the quote said " You're with Shannons ?, you won't have a problem with them."
Not big bickies I know, but it was a bit reassuring.

Cobber.

[Surf Tragic]

Jan 16, 2016 17:07:17 GMT 10 cobber said:

.
What's next, the family Don ? Cobber.

G'day Cobber.
Thanks for the input about the colour, it could be changed in 30 mins if you buy it Part of the reason I ran it down the sides is that I had 4L of it, & I also want to see how it weathers on the sides compared to the other ordinary SolarGuard.

In regards to the next project, I have chosen to restore the 133 from Mornington, thinking it would be quick & out of the way,.... finished,...... but like all projects of this type, there was far more rot than anticipated. But the resto is already 1/3rd the way done, have replaced all rotten beams & taken off every piece of attachment outside, stripped & almost ready to paint, so it's well on the way & will be fitting it all together soon. Maybe I could post the progress here? it's a bit like De ja vue of the last one though.

I better go check on your project & see how inspired you got

There's been a couple of conversations with CarolynG, hope it was helpful Carolyn.

Later.................Ron

[cobber]

G'day Ron,

Yes Carolyng has done a great job on that Don caravan of hers too, maybe it's having a Don to restore that generates the inspiration and motivation......... hang on, I had one of them and didn't get inspired enough, maybe ability has something to do with ? I'd rather say old age might be slowing me down 

Anyway, things have been progressing on the War Surplus van, I just haven't posted photos 

Cobber.

[Surf Tragic]

I keep these prints tacked to the wall in my shed, Don Ricardos' inspirational Don 140 & a calendar my son bought for me.



To finish this thread, Firstly I want to say thanks to Don Ricardo for answering my very 1st post on this forum asking about Don Caravans, then, thanks Mark Taylor for finding this van for me & many other contacts you supplied for further restorations, Thanks to Cobber & Evonne, Geoff & Jude for the offer of the 140 before I found our own family 140 (& lots of other help). Often chats with Humpyboy, & Everyone else who is listed in the posts while I was working on this one, it always gave me a helpful boost to read your comments.

This old Surf loving bloke almost had a Tragic end this past year body surfing at Burleigh when I got caught in a rip, suddenly separated from everyone else & swept out, the strength I thought I had wasn't there, probably due to 3 years of reconstructive surgery, & I had to raise the arm for the 1st time in my life & wait for help. A Lifesaver on a board & another with a floater tried to tow me in but the rip was too strong, so 2 boats came out, one lot hauled me aboard, it was a relief to touch the sandy beach again. How many people have I told not to panic?? It wasn't fun, just a wake-up call, thankfully I always stay between the flags & never swim on my own.. More than usual, I count every day a blessing, & hope to restore more VV's. Maybe I will have to change the "Surf Tragic" title.

Cheers.

ST.

[Surf Tragic]

I can't help but post this. My Son organized this on-line & presented it to me yesterday, it's a Mouse Pad with this van printed on it.

I think this means my hobby is becoming engrained in others minds, those who have to listen to the details of the latest discovery, & have the methodology of the Don factory's way of construction explained to them. Poor people. But my Daughter & her Hubby show interest too which pleases me, hopefully I'll be able to leave her one.

Now Cobber, what do you think of this mouse pad?? does it come anywhere close on the ladder of fame to Cufflinks ?

Ron

[cobber]

G'day Ron,

From little things big things grow, but you've started off big. Now for some cuff links, egg cups, Christmas cards, etc etc.

You may have to start a separate thread for 'Don 120 merchandise' but don't forget to copyright the image so you can pick up some royalty payments, and get a good agent 

Poor old Driftwood has never featured on a mouse pad 

Cobber

[Surf Tragic]

These seem to be breeding.



The Badge on the van is an original. I should have just enough to "Badge out" all the Vans.

Surf Tragic

[Don Ricardo]

Fantastic reproductions Surf Tragic! Definitely enough to keep you going for a while.

Don Ricardo

[retrogal]

Surf Tragic,
What a work of art and restoration. I loved reading your restoration journey and your detailed photos for novice like us to learn from. Don't stop sharing your amazing skills, so the next generation of van restores can continue the great work.
What's next ?

[Surf Tragic]

Hi retrogal
Glad the restoration photos helped, working with ply on Boatbuilding has helped me a lot and I still enjoy so many things relating to these old vans, & always Classic Cars.
What's next?  I have made a start on the 1948 Family Don 140, ......... but a 1953 Ford Customline has just turned up & is parked in the garage, it needs total restoration, so we will see which project gets the most attention, one thing is for sure, I will never get bored. It doesn't matter if neither ever get finished, I've done it all before, but still enjoy it all.

Cheers............Surf Tragic