bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
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Post by bobt on Jan 17, 2009 22:40:43 GMT 10
Finally I have my very own vintage thingie me bob…. ;D I stumbled upon this in May last year while out playing with my toy cars. The owner offered it to me and in my wisdom I thought I best talk to my dear be loved wife first. So after relaying thoughts about how nice it would be to be able to camp out in comfort with the car club crew and perhaps hang out with the vintage caravan forum and the kids could use it too. She said “You will do what ever you want to do regardless of what I say, you always do Remember When I Said……………….YOU DID IT ANYWAY” ;D ;D Good so I had her approval!!! Well being prepared for this moment I had the owners contact details, I had some friends ready to help, the retrieval gear was ready and the trailer was sporting new tyres just for this trip. I rang the owner to arrange a time and day to collect it. No answer on the telephone. I rang and I rang and I rang… for months and months… no answer. Getting a little frustrated by this time. I had everything in place, approval from the boss, tools ready and willing helpers. I thought I could be in a spot of trouble here. So I called on a car club friend who lived in the area. Some more time goes by and finally he gets hold of them. So a time is agreed. Today was the day, so off I go to collect it. Most excited…………. We had to dismantle a fence move tree branches and dig its wheels out , finally we freed it. The donors did not want to be in the photos…… and loaded it on to the trailer… Looks okay in the photo hey………………….. So after tying it down securely I buy the conscripted labours lunch. After this we head off down the Calder Freeway. Beautiful sunny day, talking about what I was going to do to it, fittings fixtures colour schemes, it is almost light enough to tow behind A7, heaven help the other road users…. Woooof (no not a dog barking) I look in the mirror to see that the front aluminium roof panel has just torn off. Guess it was not secured enough to handle 100 kph down the highway…... So we stopped, walked back and collect the now loose roof panel. Used every last length of rope in the car and tied the roof down so the remaining bits wouldn’t come off. Even used a roll of duct tape (loverly stuff). From then on it was 80k all the the way home…. Sorry to those who got caught behind me… Finally got it home and unloaded it…. The missing roof panel…. The front aluminium didn’t fair too well either… Yep I can stand up inside… wife’s first criteria…. My daughter said “OOOH MY GAWD WHAT THE H%$#LL” Good thing the wife is away….. Well it is 10’6” long, overall the body is 8’ long and it is 5’6” wide. The lift up roof is framed with metal electrical conduit and clad in textured aluminium, no lining. The main body is masonite with the most minimal of a frame I have ever seen. Inside it has 2 single bunks toward the front running down the length of it with a cupboard each side at the rear. The cupboard on the near side appears to be where the stove once was. There is an ice chest at the front between the two bunks. The donor owned it from new. He told me it was a prototype, couldn’t remember when or where he brought it. His wife told me he had it when they got together in 1970…. I am thinking it could be late 60’s. Has anyone ever seen one of these before??? When I have recharged the camera batteries I will take some more happy snaps… Bobt Oooh SH#T daughters talking to wife…….. gotta go………………
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Post by DC3Td on Jan 18, 2009 0:02:55 GMT 10
Hi Bobt. One can see why it was a prototype (cough,groan) But hey,it is what it is & obviously you`re going to replicate the design.I don`t envy the work ahead of you but when done it will be the only one of its kind.That`s got to be good. Does the roof section swing open? Hope you don`t have to spend many nights in there c/o the wife.Good luck with your project. cheers gordon
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Post by JBJ on Jan 18, 2009 8:00:21 GMT 10
hi Bobt,
That reminds me of several "caravanettes' I've seen.
They have been hinged at the front, which makes for a pretty simple "pop up " camping arrangement.
It appears pretty simple. Once you get the mechanism working right, it should be easy enough to re skin the external panels. You could probably get a sheet metal shop to roll the curved bits without too much problem. You could use zinc anneal sheet (possibly) as a cheaper alternative to aluminium. It should be less likely to denting (if used in similar thickness to the aluminium sheets)
Fitting out the interior should be able to be resourced from the old caravan building books, because I've seen a few plans of caravanettes in them.
Best of luck with a unique project.
JBJ
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 18, 2009 9:18:02 GMT 10
Hey Bobt
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!1 What a top project ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mate you're going to have miles of fun with this one.... It's got everything, Prototype, mechanical workings, Timber work, metal sheeting, a need to find out were, when and by who it was made, the list goes on.
It may take some time but when you're finished...... It'll look a million bucks ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Great to see another vintage van rescued.... and a prototype as well... (think I mentioned that already)
Post your progress not only for us but for yourself as well, It helps you see just how far you will have come as the project moves forward...
Puff out the chest, pick up the tools and into it...
All the best Atog
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Post by Cruz on Jan 18, 2009 11:48:05 GMT 10
HiBobt, Very cool and intresting little van looking forward to seeing progress. Keep at it, will be a great Van when finished. Cruz
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
Posts: 455
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Post by bobt on Jan 18, 2009 21:10:27 GMT 10
Gidday all. Ain't it loverly to be alive.. …. Thanks Gordon…. It’s a prototype that didn’t go anywhere I suspect… I looked closely at some of its construction, I am amazed it survived. It was used quite extensively by its previous owner. ;D ;D I am safe from the wife at the moment…another week… she is down the beach and I have her car… heh heh.. ;D ;D This is what it looks like from the side…. The roof rests on the rear wall which folds out from the inside.. A canvas panel is used to fill the gap between the side wall and the rear wall. The curves in the aluminum roof are fairly simple, I am confident that we will not have any trouble replicating them. Didn’t give the zinc sheeting a thought, I am going to put some sort of lining in the roof, once I work out what then I will decide what to use, thanks for the suggestion. … The hinging mechanism will be a little modified, I don’t thinking keeping the existing one is the way to go. One of my conscripted labourers rang today to tell me he had dug out some books on folding caravans. So I bolted over to his place and collected them. It will give me some fodder to add to the confusion currently running around in my head. Notice how bright and airy it is inside… ;D Must have something to do with the missing roof panel … Think I will keep the majority of the Ice chest. ….. another item to retain The second item that the dear beloved wife had on her list of must haves. 240v power.. Think we might modify this one a little. I thought when you had a flat it was only ever on the bottom. This one breaks those rules. ::)This one has 6 studs. Can anyone tell me from what era this comes from? Atog… I cannot wait to get into it. Yep looking forward to the wood, metal and mechanical bits…. It is going to be challenging as I don’t have a free week end till the end of April… least I can tinker with it after work.. bobt
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2009 6:39:47 GMT 10
Hi Bobt You certainly will have your work cut out with the resto of that van.
There is an identical van in a back shed in Blanchetown S.A
Van is owned by the same bloke that owns the fargo truck which tows "Highway Princess" a big vintage 5th wheeler van built by Grace bros.
Took me a day or so after seeing your first photos to remember where i had seen it. Once i seen the photos with the stand up back door ... the location came back to me.
So yeah.. there was a couple made. Someone might correct me on this. Cobber?? what do you reckon??. There was a stack of us went to the blokes place.. he had some good gear there.
Reddo
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Post by cobber on Jan 19, 2009 9:16:37 GMT 10
G'day Reddo, I remember the visit to that place well..... it was the day I won the trophy for “best reversing effort” The 'van your thinking of did have that weird door arrangement but it looks different otherwise...this is the one we saw. So you can still claim yours to be a one of a kind Bobt..... I wonder if it was a prototype “Propert” . It should be an interesting project, good luck with it. Cobber. Cobber.
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
Posts: 455
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Post by bobt on Jan 19, 2009 22:06:11 GMT 10
Hi Guys There must have been a lot of innovative people around back in the 40's, 50's & 60's with all these different styles of caravans and campers. I don't believe that this monster I have has any relationship to the propert, big difference in the quality of workmanship. :-[The near side bunk base appears to have been made out of left overs. The frame the bunks are built on appears to have been made out of odds and ends.. Still its half wood and half that other stuff. My son will deal with the other stuff and I will have fun with the wood bits. bobt
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 31, 2009 7:51:41 GMT 10
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bobt
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Post by bobt on Jan 31, 2009 22:47:45 GMT 10
Hi atog Absolutely nothing has happened. I am sitting in the other caravan, down at Blairgowrie, watching the surf roll in... ;D ;D ;D Besides it has been tooo hot to venture outside
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
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Post by bobt on Feb 5, 2009 21:28:27 GMT 10
Aaaah finally it has cooled off.. Till Saturday. I have found an excuse to wag the weekend away with my dear beloved. ;D ;D I cracked the windscreen on her car when I poured cold water over it, while it was 40+ cannot get it fixed till Saturday… Now the purpose of me typing ‘ere. I plan on going shopping Saturday to buy the materials to renovate the timber part of the body. But what do I get? The walls look like masonite but they are smooth on the inside yet the ends are not delaminating like ply wood would. Was that how it was back then? Is ply a better option? The timber frame really is a miss match of timber types and sizes… any suggestions would be greatfully received… bobt Work keeps getting in the way of a good time……………………
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bobt
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Post by bobt on Jul 22, 2009 22:19:39 GMT 10
Folks It lives ..... well.... it will eventually... I used the original as a template to cut out the sides and start on the inside furniture. As I am somewhat short on space I decided it was time to demolish and start rebuilding in all ernest... It does seriously help the cause when you bump into VVers on Tour and your "Cheese and Kisses" falls in love with VV's Now she is asking why it is taking so long.................
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2009 17:36:10 GMT 10
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
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Post by bobt on Jul 29, 2009 22:28:28 GMT 10
Dear Reddo Have you heard about the 100 year old axe??? It has had 3 new heads and 4 handles ;D ;D I had originally hoped I could keep more of it. But I could not. The floor was rotten. To fix it I had to pull the furniture out which was made out of odds and ends and was holding the walls up. So I sat it in the Shed (No inventions occur in there just dreams and crazy creations) and copied lots of bits... ;D Finally the day came to start it really happening. The chassis was cleaned and painted. The new floor is now glued to the chassis (Super Glue loverlie stuff) and .... and I have started fitting the walls... My wife still loves JBJs Lucille and that FUGLY thing................ and yep.... I am having fun playing with wood
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Post by ronmcgr on Jul 30, 2009 7:29:25 GMT 10
Gidday all. I thought when you had a flat it was only ever on the bottom. This one breaks those rules. ::)This one has 6 studs. Can anyone tell me from what era this comes from? bobt GM, i.e. Chevrolet had a six stud pattern wheel in the 20's and 30's. Ford and Chrysler stuck mainly to five stud. Cheers, Ron
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Post by JBJ on Jul 30, 2009 8:09:01 GMT 10
Hi Ron & Bobt,
An easy check for early chev 6 stud pattern( 1937 to 1948) is pretty well most of the Japanese 4 wd 6 stud patterns, as they are same as early Chev.
I cant think of any other commonly used 6 stud patterns, except maybe some the less common small trucks , probably English based, of the 30's & 40"s
That looks a small diameter wheel. Is it 13"?
I'm also thinking it could be about 8" dia, & be a 2 piece trailer wheel held onto axle by wheel bearings. Its a bit hard to guess without a reference size. These were common on boat trailers etc. You'll be able to tell by looking on the inside of the wheel to see if both halves are held in place by bolts thru the rim.
If it is , I think you would be better with a new axle & hubs, & fit a small car wheel/tyre assembly. You can readily get the rolling diameter down by going to 10"Mini wheels, or set it at whatever you want it to be. Most older vans used Holden 13" wheels. Conventional ply 13" tyres are readily available new.
No one is ever going to know what the van was designed with, so no one will be able to say you've butchered it by changing the wheel size.
JBJ
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Post by woddabugger on Jul 30, 2009 17:18:24 GMT 10
It almost looks like an 8" high speed trailor tyre.
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
Posts: 455
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Post by bobt on Aug 3, 2009 22:13:58 GMT 10
Hi JBJ It is a 9" single piece wheel. I have a couple of those "#$@@@#$" alloy wheels where the bearing has to be removed to remove the wheel. Took em off the boat trailer. Melbourne Trailers sell 9" wheels and suitable tyres. Unlike you I do not have a lot of room to be able to increase the wheel diameter without impacting on the Bunks. I tried a number of different wheels in the cavity, wire wheels is what I had in mind, but they would require mods to the chassis and the heights of the bunks. I opted out........... prize goes to centra-quest bobt
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bobt
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Post by bobt on Sept 8, 2009 21:38:32 GMT 10
Hello all you fellow caravan crazies There has been a spot of progress around my place. Went from the total demolition to this in a space of weeks… Then to this… Now I am here……… Currently all my focus is on the ice chest and the bits around it securing it to the floor. And all the other things I want to do before the front wall goes on.. After looking at JBJ’s latest effort I thought it would be a real good idea to put an access hatch in the side of mine.. This has resulted in some changes being done to some of what I had already finished. Now the challenge is to cut the hatch while the wall is upright and attached. I aint looking forward to that bit… Bobt
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Post by JBJ on Sept 9, 2009 7:30:03 GMT 10
Hi Bobt,
You started you're rebuild a bit closer to the ground then I did.
As I'm a metal oriented person rather than timber, I do a lot of things on my vans differently than others.
To cut a door opening in a vertical surface, I would mark out the shape with texta or pencil. Then I would screw a straightedge to the timber giving clearance for the cut. Corners are best cut first with a holesaw, so your straight cut comes into the side of the hole nicely. Then I would put a new metal or stone cut off blade in the 100 or 125mm angle grinder, take of the cutting shield, then cut along the straight edge. KEEP FINGERS AWAY FROM BLADE. Make one cut, then move straightedge to suit next line, & repeat until you have hole cut. If you are better than I am, you can cut with a jigsaw, but I cant get anything like a straight line with mine. Then put the guard back on the grinder before it gets lost.
Making a door is simple enough. Keep in mind when you start finishing your door that small ply panels warp when painted, & wont come straight again. I ran a couple of ribs inside my door, but it still twisted a bit. By using thick ply for your door the distortion should be less, & I always orbital sand the outer surface as flat as I can get it after a couple of coats of primer have dried on all faces of the door. You can make the door to fit in the opening, with an outer thin skin to overlap & seal, or just make a thin overlapping door. Theres no set way to do anything.
If you use piano hinge from your local hardware shop as hinge. put a bit of upholstery vinyl or canvas over the hinge before you screw it to the door & body. That will waterproof the hinge.
Its all fun
JBJ
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Post by sutcac on Sept 9, 2009 19:21:08 GMT 10
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bobt
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"Ugly as Sin"
Posts: 455
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Post by bobt on Sept 9, 2009 22:22:49 GMT 10
Hey JBJ You are an absolute star. I was thinking of using the jigsaw. But I would have one hell of a time getting a half straight cut. Didn't give using a straight edge a thought. Bit strange since I use one often when I am cutting large sheets of ply. I have been pondering over this challenge for awhile now. Most greatful for you suggestion. Well aware that If I 'muck it up' I cannot weld or glass a new bit back on. Yep like all good wood workers I have an angle grinder for every occassion (not sundays) and absolutely no lack of new metal cutting discs. Hate running out when I am half way throu a job... The metal work bit is still to come. sutcas thanks for the tip ;D ;D ;D Workplace Health and Safety I like all my fingers and thumbs just the way they are......... ;D ;D
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