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Post by curtis on Feb 12, 2010 8:21:34 GMT 10
Hi All. Just joined the forum as we have purchased a 1966 12'9" Franklin Freeway (Curtis) last week end. Got him home with only a few issues. Gotta love the RACV and what they have on hand in country towns.... First inspection shows very little rot, and a few leaks from the windows. Has not been registed sinf the 80's. The old Hallstrom fridge works on 240v, yet to try the gas. Stove is in good shape as are all the cuboards etc.
How many of these are still around?
Will post some photos and progress as we get into it. The hope is to start using him next spring. Dave and Sue
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 12, 2010 10:02:02 GMT 10
G'day Dave and Sue, and welcome to the forum! ;D ;D February must be the month that vintage Franklin caravans come out of the woodwork. You are the third new member in the last week or so who's come with a Franklin for "Show and Tell". It's either a feast or a famine, ay!? There are some basic requirements before we can accept you into the exclusive Franklin section of this forum... 1. Can you tell me what the chassis number is that's welded on the front drawbar just near the jockey wheel clamp? 2. Can you spell the word F..R..A..N..K..L..I..N ? That's about it, Dave and Sue. Get those two things right, and you're IN!! ;D ;D ;D Any chance you could have a go at Photobucket and post some pictures of the van as it is now? There's a few threads around that will explain it to you, but perhaps the one that might make it easier is this one, (and particularly Reply #4): POSTING PHOTOSGreat to have you with us! ;D cheers, Al.
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Post by curtis on Feb 12, 2010 10:22:23 GMT 10
Hi Al,
Thanks for the welcome.
This is our first attempt and both caravans and forums. So far so good - although I do hope to be allowed into the "inner sanctum" ;D ;D
In answer to your questions.....
1. 2168-6 2. F-R-A-N-K-L-I-N
Will have a crack at the photobucket thing over the week end.
Dave
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 12, 2010 13:38:43 GMT 10
Dave, you're IN to the inner sanctum! ;D ;D Membership No. 2168-6 has been allocated to you! It's that second question that usually separates the true-blue Franklin members from the others. We've had a couple of Viscount owners who tried to sneak their way into the exclusive section, but when they spelled out 'Frankfurterlin' and 'Frankalinga', we were on to them pretty quickly. For chassis number 2168-6, I'd be estimating that was made during October 1966. It's impossible to say how many of the Franklin Freeways are likely to still be around. I wouldn't even know where to go to find any info on how many of the different Franklin models were made each year. One of the other members who joined in the last week has a Freeway with chassis number 1661-6, and another member has a Freeway numbered 1515-7. Funnily enough, we don't have anyone with a 1968 Franklin yet, of any sort. There's more of the mid-1960s Franklins showing up than the later 1960s models. Can't explain why that is so. Anyway, you're off and running now, so good luck with the tidy-up you've got to do, and feel free to ask any questions if you need to. Plenty of people here only too happy to help you out. cheers, Al.
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Post by curtis on Feb 13, 2010 19:53:08 GMT 10
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freeway
Full Member
Make way for the Austin Freeway!
Posts: 191
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Post by freeway on Feb 14, 2010 18:57:57 GMT 10
Looks like a good purchase there Sue and Dave! And you've got a Morris too, so you're ok with us!
Andrew and Liz
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Post by curtis on Feb 18, 2010 21:02:58 GMT 10
Thanks Andrew and Liz! We are really happy with Curtis and are looking forward to new adventures however we have a bit of work to do before we can begin. We noticed some suspect water damage and upon further investigation have found some timber frame work that needs to be completely replaced. Photos below of the front - have not yet started looking at the back...... The suspect water damage..... And so it begins... And so it continues At least the other side isn't so bad - and will give us some patterns to work from. If anybody knows the thickness and type of plywood we should use to replace the corner pieces , that would be appreciated. regards Sue and Dave
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Post by philouise on Feb 19, 2010 13:02:23 GMT 10
hello Sue & Dave.
Let me be the first one to say - that bit of woodrot---nothing. Have lotsa fun in the repair work. ( i used a ply from Bunnings-pretty cheap there- but it was sort of prepainted and i had to sand all the prepaint off so i could paint my own colour) It also bent fairly well without cracking .
cheers Phil. p.s. love the franklin.
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Post by curtis on Mar 2, 2010 18:39:17 GMT 10
Hi All, Here is an update on the progress with re-building the frame. I have completed the front end and I will put the paneling back this week end but here is how it looks now. I am amazed at how simple and light the frame really is. Also impressed at how strong it is once the paneling is on.... Next is the back section which also has patches and feels kinda lose. After seeing Foxy's photos though, I can see that most things are repairable.... Dave
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 2, 2010 23:17:54 GMT 10
Hi Dave, some very, very clever repair work done there! ;D The coating of paint will give it a "lifetime guarantee"!!
Before you put the internal panelling on, have a little think about whether you can do something with the 12V wiring. It is 'typical' of the manufacturers to run the earth lead to the first light only, and then rely on the aluminium cladding to provide the earth for the rest of the van tail/clearance lights. If that's the case with your van, you might like to see if there is an opportunity to run a dedicated earth lead to both your clearance lights, while you've got the cavity exposed.
I presume you've already bought the plywood to reskin the inside. You only need ordinary 3mm ply with one decent face on it for bending and painting. No need for any of the marine or exterior grades.
The van's starting to shape up nicely! Keep us posted on progress.
cheers, Al.
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Post by curtis on Mar 3, 2010 7:42:37 GMT 10
Good tip - thanks Al. I have plans of replacing the clearance lights anyway as one is cracked and the other is held together with a roofing screw...... Only the side panels are ply, the curved end panels are thin masonite, Bunnings has 3.2mm redicote that I was planning on using as it seems closest to the original. Dave
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Post by curtis on Apr 12, 2010 22:44:43 GMT 10
Hi All, I have been reading through some of the restoration posts on the forum and I find them all very inspiring, so I thought it high time I posted an update of my own. Even though we have not posted for a while we have been slowly working away on the wood rot in our little Freeway. I have completed the front framing and fitted new 3mm ply to the walls and new Masonite to the front. There is a new sill under the window and I am very pleased with the strength in the front of the van now. Next it was time to pull the rear of the van apart. I took the old beds out as there is a plan for new couches that convert to a bed... The off came the paneling to reveal the rot...... Note the lack of pillar next to the window....... Anyway to the repairs. New corners made from 2 layers of 15mm exterior ply screwed together to get the 30mm wall thickness. New studs and a new window pillar. New window sill in the rear as well. And now there is something holding up the roof!! So now I am up to renewing the wiring for the rear lights and we will also add some 12 volt wiring for the sealed batteries. Then paneling and we can start on the roof repairs.... Just a small area, but my experience so far is that small areas on the surface often mean big problems below..... Will keep you posted. Off to find new Perspex corner windows tomorrow. Regards Dave
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Post by sportsman 1 on Apr 13, 2010 10:31:22 GMT 10
Looking good Dave, at least there is some progress happening.
I managed a few hours over Easter and put the front and sides on Hilda. Nothing since though.
I found the two wire shelves out of the fridge you got off me. PM me if you want them.
Cheers, Leigh.
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Post by curtis on May 16, 2010 21:07:48 GMT 10
Hi All, The idea of getting to the Vintage Van Nats next time has inspired me to get back in and continue the work on little Curtis. Thankfully the problem in the roof was mostly confined to the ply ceiling and so with a little love, a small amount of wood filler and a piece of ply we now have the area ready for some paint. ;D ;D ;D Also I have finally finished repairs to the frame at the rear of the van along with new wiring for the tail lights and some insulation for those cold nights and hot days!! After reading through ATOG's restoration and obvious love for fiberglass, I thought I should at least include some somewhere, even in our aluminium clad van. A previous owner had drilled 3 holes in the back of the van in random positions - who knows why, so a small patch on the back to support the metal filler on the outside. Then on with the paneling.... Looks like progress to me and Mrs. Curtis is well pleased with it. ;D ;D ;D Some of the electrics have even gone in. A couple of sealed lead acid batteries to run the 12 volt lights. There is a total of 50 Ah there so should run for a bit without having to be plugged into anything. ;D ;D ;D Anyway, now on to some new framing for the beds. The plan is to be a bit different to the original with a couch that turns into a double bed at night rather than 2 single beds. Well that is the update for now. Hope all those who did make the Nats this year had a great time, and we hope to be at them next time. Regards Dave
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Post by humpyboy on May 16, 2010 21:29:53 GMT 10
Making good progress there Dave, keep the pictures coming.
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Post by curtis on Jun 26, 2010 18:40:12 GMT 10
I can't believe that it has been more than a month since I updated this post, still at least there is some progress to show so here goes. Now that the frame has all been repaired it is was time to get into building the new sitting area. This will be a couch by day and a queen size bed by night. The height of the seats was set by the port-a-poty. It was a bit of a balance as I am 6'3" tall and still need to fit under the cuboard when I sit down.... ;D ;D ;D Nice big opening lids..... And there you have it. So once this was done - off I goes to Munich for a conference and a bit of butched Airstream spotting ;D ;D ;D... But when I come back - golly has Mrs Curtis been busy!! All the inside is painted and looking fantastic!! Hey Olfarts - there are the lights you sent me - they are perfect!! Thanks so much!! So today - in an effort to catch up to Mrs Curtis' great work, I assembeld the dining area - now she has a bit more to paint ;D ;D ;D A while back I bought a buffing wheel for my bench grinder and gave the original hinges and handles a once over, followed by a coat of "Incralac" Not too bad at all I'd say - amd much cheaper than replacing them all!! They have gone from gold to chrome - lucky they were chromed under what ever the gold coating was!! Still more to do - lots more. So until next time happy V Vanning!! Dave and Sue.
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Post by firefighter on Jun 26, 2010 21:10:44 GMT 10
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Post by Surf Tragic on Jun 27, 2010 11:35:11 GMT 10
G'day Curtis good work you are doing there, very satisfying stuff isn't it I have taken note of the buffing & then coating with Incralac on the chrome hardware , there is a special book I write all that info in for my own 'Technical info' reference. You're nearly there, well done ST
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Post by DC3Td on Jun 27, 2010 12:10:49 GMT 10
Hi Curtis. Nice job you`re doing there. Looks really smart. Do you flip a coin to see who DOESN`T sit/sleep near the porta potty? cheers gordon
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Post by curtis on Jun 27, 2010 21:29:13 GMT 10
Thanks everyone for your encouragement. after being bogged down for a while with the frame rebuild it is great to be progressing the project more visually now.
The windows are the next task on the list -I have finally tracked down all of the seals I need and will start to re-fit them next week end. Fire Fighter - what was the sealant you used for the perspex windows on your??
The lights are just perfect actually - we are so pleased to be able to keep them original!!
Gordon - the porta potty should be outside when in use (or used) the cupboard is just for transit. I had considered lead lining for the cupboard, but I was concerned about the weight of the lead that far behind the wheels... ;D ;D ;D
Dave
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Post by firefighter on Jun 29, 2010 11:27:55 GMT 10
:: ) G,Day Dave I used....Selleys Butyl Mastic......Butyl rubber caulking compound off-white....forms a tough skin while remaining soft beneath paintable.....cleans up with turps Was this the right one to use ....don,t know Its up to every body to check out whats suitable for their own job f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by curtis on Aug 1, 2010 12:55:31 GMT 10
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Post by curtis on Aug 12, 2010 23:21:52 GMT 10
Now I have an industrial sewing machine and lots of deep blue vinyl....Hopefully a productive week end making cushion covers. Wish me luck. Will post photos of progress.... HOT TIP - Mrs c's electric knife cuts foam mattress into cushions REALLY well. (Don't tell Mrs C)
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halps
Full Member
Get out and enjoy your van man!
Posts: 229
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Post by halps on Aug 14, 2010 17:47:14 GMT 10
Curtis, Thanks for taking the time to post the photos. Great work! I really like the small touches like the speakers and the polished hinges...keep the pics coming as they might just motivate me to do something. HALPS
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Post by curtis on Aug 14, 2010 17:59:59 GMT 10
Some progress today despite the Melbourne weather...
Have now laid the lino floor, fitted a new water tank, and a trailer plug!!
Will try to post some photos tomorrow - after I put it out in the rain to see if it leaks.
Gotta run now - have a child free night out with Mrs C - to make up for using her electric knife to cut the foam for the cushions. ;D ;D ;D
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