Hi Don
I went and had a look at the little van the other arvo.
Timber chassis with steel spring assemblys - leaf springs coachbolted to the timber rails. angle iron draw bar.
It has a front kitchen and a 3/4 bed down the back.
No rear window with a very "Don-ish" shape about the back end. Has a square timber window either side towards the back and a small sqaure window centre front.
The table hinges down off the right side wall and you sit on the bed to eat at the table.
It runs on 14" Austin or morris wheels and it has overide brakes.
Unusual for a van this small to have brakes at all.
It has a Newcsatle safety hitch coupling which makes me think the van may be local produce. Not a Don.
Possible an "Esrom" which where made here in Newcastle by the Morse family .. hence "Esrom .. Morse spelt backwards"
.The quality of the fitout inside also indicates it is not a Don. Although it is well laid out. just not up to the quality finish that i would suspect a Don would be.
It has suffered from being left exposed to the weather but its ainly just flaking lead based paint inside and out and a small amount of rot down low at the front to deal with.
Total length from extreme front of the van to the rear is 3 metres.
not including draw bar. It is reasonably light and is less than 2.4 metres tall so there is a good chance it will fit in "The shed of restoration"
The current owner dragged it out of a local blokes yard a few weeks ago and has no interest in it . He knows i am "Into this old stuff" and i suspect he is gunna try and milk me for all he can.
I made him an offer as i was leaving , then he mentioned the bloke he got it from mentioned something about an annexe..... i said i may consider upping my offer if he comes up with a usable annexe.
There is a stack of old "turnbuckle clips" mounted along the left side J mould indicating that there was an annnexe fitted to her at some stage of its chequered career.
Meanwhile the owners is considering my offer and ... i am considering wether i need another project. It would fit in nicely between the full sized Fairway 12 footer ( fairly large and slightly heavy) and the TD replica ( cant stand up inside to get dressed but very light and easy to tow).
Biggest plus it has going for it is its
MADE OF WOOD
and everyone knows just how much i love timber vans.
Pictures soon .
Reddo... "President of the Royal Society for the Preservation of Bondwood Caravans" ;D