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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 12, 2009 10:02:33 GMT 10
EDITORIAL NOTE: Franklin1provided the following useful guide to Franklin chassis numbers on 6 February 2018, which I have copied and inserted into this post for reference. Don Ricardo...Just for future use, the Franklin chassis numbering system over the years is as follows: From early 1960s up to 1965: Three numbers followed by the letter A, B, C, D, E, or F. The numbers recorded so far have ranged between 1 and 999. From 1965 to 1972 inclusive: Format is 'numbers, hyphen, one number'. The one number after the hyphen is the year of build, from 5 being 1965 up to 2 being 1972. 1973: This is the unknown year. Not sure yet whether the previous system from '65 to '72 was used, or whether the new system from 1974 was used. 1974 to 1977 inclusive: One letter immediately followed by numbers. The letter V is 1974, W=1975, X=1976, and Y=1977. 1978 to 1981 (Franklin closed in March 1981): Haven't yet determined what system was used, due to no vans from this period appearing on the Classic forum. cheers, Al. The following is Franklin1's original post:
This Register lists all Franklin caravans with a confirmed chassis number. The intention of the Register is to help provide a more accurate means of identifying and dating vintage Franklin caravans. As more Franklins are discovered, this Register will be updated. 195? to 196?There is only one example so far from the early part of Franklin history. It appears that the chassis numbering system was based on an increasing digit numbering system...  ------------------------------------------------- 196? to 1964There are five examples from the early to mid 1960s. One of these has 3-numbers with an 'A' suffix, one has 3-numbers with a 'C' suffix, two have 3-numbers with a 'D' suffix, and one has an 'E' suffix...       -------------------------------------------------- 1965 to the end of 1969It appears a new chassis numbering system was started in 1965, where the first chassis built in each of the years 1965 to 1969 was given the number '1'. Counting then continued up to the end of the year, with the actual year number being added after the chassis number, eg. '-6' for 1966. Based on a "guesstimate" of approximately 2500 Franklins being built each year in the latter part of the 1960s, the chassis numbers would range in each year from 1 to 2500... 1965 --------------------------------------------------- 1966   -------------------------------------------- 1967    ------------------------------------------- 1968------------------------------------------- 1969
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Post by sportsman 1 on Jan 19, 2010 11:47:45 GMT 10
Sorry I dont have a picture yet but my brother just bought a 1968 Franklin Caravelle.
14' 6"
Chassis number is 2196 - 8
Looks the same as Frankiedownunder's one.
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val
New Member
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Post by val on Aug 13, 2010 18:24:29 GMT 10
I have just purchase a Franklin Safari - 4.3m long. She's in great condition with the no. 1178-6 welded on the A-frame. Does this mean she is a 1966 model? I will post a photo soon- she is a bit unusual in the fact that she has a rear side entry door. (Must stop sayin she as I have decided to call HIM Frank!)
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nomad
New Member
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Post by nomad on Feb 8, 2012 17:49:56 GMT 10
Sorry, make that ten years older!
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 8, 2012 18:23:55 GMT 10
G'day nomad,
The crucial number is the last number, usually after a hyphen. That's the number that indicates the year-of-build from 1965 up to and including 1972. The other numbers before the hyphen are the consecutive numbers of chassis built during that year. Those numbers will give you an indication of when during the year the chassis was built.
cheers,
Al.
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margra
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by margra on Feb 22, 2012 18:48:35 GMT 10
I have a Franklin that I believe was made in 1957. The number on the right front chassis rail is 984 and I have been told that the van was built in '57 and that is was when Franklin made the changover from bondwood to aluminium as the van is all bondwood and no frame. The aluminium sheeting is screwed on
A very similar van was sold in Shepperton a couple of years ago by the original owner from new and I cotacted him and he described his van exactly the same as I have but Franklin1 will know more. The badges on the rear and front say "CLASSIC"and the bloke in Shep said his had the same. I will try to put a pic on the site.
Graham
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margra
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by margra on Feb 22, 2012 19:15:45 GMT 10
Further to my previous post my van is just like the 'Little Nipper' only it is a 10'6 van length.
Graham
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Post by safari55 on Mar 2, 2012 16:03:05 GMT 10
Hi, I have an early Franklin Safari caravan. My parents took delivery of the van in January 1962 from local dealer, Mr Neville Strauss from Jeparit. It was their second safari van the first being very poorly design interior layout and build quality. Their second van was build to their design and according to them is much better quality. The Chassis number is 55. It is created with weld on the inner angle of the right hand chassis rail. It's interior is in very good original condition and complete down to original lights and clock. The colour scheme is basic white with speckle coated grey and white over pink base on the cupboard doors. Despite being always shedded the exterior bond wood sides and a small panel front and rear are in need of a repaint. The paint scheme was white with a burgandy stripe with 1/2" gold tape edging the stripe. It has an aluminium roof and an aluminium section on the lower front and likewise on the rear. It has no brakes and a dangerously short drawbar with a 2 1/2" coupling. Originally it had a Bartlett annex which unfortunately my parents gave to my sister.
Rob
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 2, 2012 18:49:59 GMT 10
G'day Rob, and welcome to the forum! ;D The chassis number of 55 would be the earliest number we've heard of, so I'd be very interested in seeing some photos of your van. You can add ONE photo per post as an Attachment, or you can put multiple photos into the one post by using a photo hosting website such as Photobucket. I can't find the "Posting Photos" thread on the forum, so I don't know where it's gone to.  cheers, Al. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2012 18:52:21 GMT 10
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Trish_M
Full Member
1950's Home Made Bondwood "Bettie Moonya"
Posts: 275
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Post by Trish_M on Oct 29, 2012 9:14:34 GMT 10
Chassis number: 915-5 Franklin Freeway 12 ft  |
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Post by grandad on Mar 10, 2013 16:24:08 GMT 10
This Register lists all Franklin caravans with a confirmed chassis number. The intention of the Register is to help provide a more accurate means of identifying and dating vintage Franklin caravans. As more Franklins are discovered, this Register will be updated. May I offer up one more example. Chassis number has been confirmed as 197/9. The number 197 also appears a few times written in pencil inside or behind the cabinets. I'm assumimg 197 would equate to January. Anyway, here she is fresh out of the paddock. Haven't even washed her yet in this pic. .JPG) The cleaning and stripping process has begun. In years to come, this little 10'6" van will be my permanent home as we do the grey nomad thing around this great country. Cheers Jim |
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Post by normanmint on Apr 24, 2013 17:25:49 GMT 10
hi i have just bought a Franklin caravan is 10ft 8in x 7ft there are numbers welded on the draw bar the numbers are 4772-1 it also has a very faded sticker saying regent on the back, can anyone let me know what year it was made.
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Post by lexand on Apr 28, 2014 19:09:56 GMT 10
Hi, I have recently been given a Franklin Hunter caravan, single axle with hydraulic brakes, the chassis number is C3224. The RMS thinks its a 1988 vintage.
There is no VIN plate that I can find in or the van.
Can anyone shed some light on details, pictures and tech data on this van please?
Thanks.
Will
Wagga
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dayno
New Member
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Post by dayno on Aug 25, 2014 20:16:19 GMT 10
Hi I would like to add Betty to the register. 2051-6, what do you need to confirm this? My dymwood tow coupling has been added to the "old tow coupling" thread which has a photo of the chassis number. So from what I have learnt so far I have a 1966 14' Franklin Caravelle. Hopefully I have many years of vanning  Thanks dayno |
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M&M
New Member
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Post by M&M on Jun 21, 2015 13:25:42 GMT 10
Hello there hoping someone can help us. We have just bought a 13ft Franklin Freeway with the year of manufacture in the rego of 1978. However reading these forums I think it may be a 1968? The chassis number is 1425-8. There is no letter. She is a beauty although the back window has been blocked in which is a shame. However she is in good condition for her age and we have started to renovate her. She needs all her internal electrics redone but she is roadworthy and tows beautifully. Could someone confirm if she is a 1968 or 1978??
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Post by atefooterz on Jun 23, 2015 1:51:08 GMT 10
Hello there hoping someone can help us. We have just bought a 13ft Franklin Freeway with the year of manufacture in the rego of 1978. However reading these forums I think it may be a 1968? The chassis number is 1425-8. There is no letter. She is a beauty although the back window has been blocked in which is a shame. However she is in good condition for her age and we have started to renovate her. She needs all her internal electrics redone but she is roadworthy and tows beautifully. Could someone confirm if she is a 1968 or 1978?? Does this van fill the gap in the 1968 space above? |
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M&M
New Member
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Post by M&M on Jun 23, 2015 16:22:56 GMT 10
I hope so. Hoping someone can confirm?
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 23, 2015 17:47:10 GMT 10
Hi M&M, Yes, the serial number indicates that your van was built in 1968. The number indicates that your van was the 1,425th built by Franklin in that year. You can find out a bit more information about the 1968 Franklin Freeway model if you click on this link. It's great to hear that you are refurbishing the van. We look forward to hearing about some of your outings with it. The photo beside the sea suggests that you are already enjoying the caravanning life! Good on you.  Don Ricardo |
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M&M
New Member
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Post by M&M on Jun 23, 2015 18:08:57 GMT 10
Hi Don, thank you so much for the information. Now to convince the authorities when I re register her in Quernsland that she is a 1968 model We still have lots of work to do on the van but we couldn't resist taking her away for a weekend to magical Hervey Bay. Mark & Mary-Anne |
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aza
Junior Member
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Post by aza on Aug 11, 2015 14:01:59 GMT 10
I have just purchased a mini 10FT Franklin caravan that is still registered as a 1965.
The number on the drawbar is 76-5 so this seems to verify the year on the licence papers.
My question is does the 76 represent the consecutive build number just for the year they where built ?
Cheers
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 11, 2015 17:29:17 GMT 10
G'day aza,
I'm not 100% sure that I'm answering your question, but in each year from 1975 1965 to 1972 inclusive, there would have been a 76th chassis produced. So you would (in theory) be able to find the following Franklins:
76-5; 76-6; 76-7; etc etc
cheers,
Al.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 11, 2015 17:35:24 GMT 10
... each year from 1975 to 1972... I presume you meant "from 1965 to 1972", Franklin1? So to answer, Aza's question - his van is the 76th built in 1965, which I think is what he was asking. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Franklin1 on Aug 11, 2015 17:49:47 GMT 10
Crikey, DonR!...I proofread that post a few times and STILL didn't pick up the error!! Off to Specsavers for me.   |
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aza
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by aza on Aug 11, 2015 18:36:50 GMT 10
Thanks for the reply. So number 76 for 1965 :-)
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