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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2010 18:48:04 GMT 10
Hi All Just had an eventfull weekend away "Vintage wood"hunting  Those of you that picked up on the beginings of this story on this thread.. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=5751will be aware of a lead i got on a 1920s caravan...  Over the past few weeks there has been several phone calls to the informant "Norman"from Eglington which is Nor west of Bathurst. Norm came into possession of this old van a few years back and at the request of the Bathurst Historical society he displayed it at a local event. He then took the van out to his bros property approx 20K south of Bathurst on the Blayney rd. To his credit he stored the van in a waterproof feed shed on approx 1500 acres. After a brief discussion the other week we agreed on a rescue mission this weekend. I set off from Barnsley around 6.00am saturday and met up with Nornam near the Bathurst Golf club. we motored on out to the property. From the moment we drove in passed the house sheds i knew that the family where "collectors"..  and one for JBJ..  4 paddocks and 5 gates later we arrive at the feed shed..  Rabbit holes everywhere...  We wheeled the old van out as the ground collapsed under our feet. A quick look around it revealed that she was last registered April 1955  . All up it took about 1 1/2 hours to head down the paddocks.. load up and get back to the farmhouse. we said our goodbyes and i headed back to Clarendon swapmeet to stay the night with ChippyDave.. and MRFJ55. Had a great night. downed a few beers .. done some shopping this morning for bits needed to repair the panelvan and then headed home. I will send this message and then post another with photos of the van erected at home. I'm excited... ;D Reddo |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2010 19:02:20 GMT 10
Okay. Computer seems to be behaving. here is the rest of the photos.. Home in the backyard.  door latch / locking mechs..  Roof latch /lockdown mechs[  It has 4 drop down stabiliser legs  T model ford hubs have had the bush mechanics metal plate mod. Now running Prefect wheels.  A photo of the coupling... just for Cobber. ;D  T model axle...timber draw bar and thick tongue and groove flooring    Managed to get the roof up with the help of the missus and Joel. View from the back... canvas was originally light green but has faded to beige.  Has canvas blinds on the two side windows ( fixed glass) and the centre window ( brass gauze). View from the door looking to the front with table set up.   Has a dry cell "Breville"radio in the small front cupboard.  beds are on either side and form the walls when the van is closed up.  These triangle frames fit into brackets bolted to the van and support the beds. Nothing much has changed in pop top design in the past 80 years..    Here is the front view..  The whole top section at the front and back hinge down and fit under the roof when the van is closed up. Rear step hangs on 2 hooks that are bolted under the rear edge of the van. The timber step folds flat when stowing in the van...  and last but not least.. The history as i know it..  So there ya have it... ;DA 80 or so year old van. In much need of TLC in the canvas and all timber section from the waste up. Roof is done in some form of vinyl/ leather and is padded. not sure what with but the whole roof feels "spongey " migt be cappock ( spelling) or horse hair under the covering. Lots to do but all just basic cabinetary work. Reddo |
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Post by kingy on Feb 21, 2010 19:51:26 GMT 10
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 21, 2010 19:57:36 GMT 10
wow !!!!!!!!!
that 's a real old piece of aussie history - and with the original story told by the second owners.
you said you were excited and so you should be.
what about kingy's question - restore or not - tough one to answer.
either way, you;ve got youself a treasure reddo.
geoff
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halps
Full Member
Get out and enjoy your van man!
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Post by halps on Feb 21, 2010 19:58:18 GMT 10
Reddo, another great story and find. Well done. I have a mate that has a "Camprite" or "Campright" camper trailer that looks just like this design. He bought it last year for 28 thousand...to do a trip around Australia.
One day you will have to tell me how a "dry cell" radio works
HALPS
Brisbane
(please don't start the discussion with "have you every used a crystal set or you will sound like my old Science teacher).
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Post by cobber on Feb 21, 2010 19:59:25 GMT 10
Well done Reddo... you old scrounger you, Now.......... you will get rid of those wheels won't you... AND NOTHING ELSE ! I can imagine you are tickled pink. Cobber. |
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Post by kaybee on Feb 21, 2010 20:59:49 GMT 10
Well done Reddo... you old scrounger you, Now.......... you will get rid of those wheels won't you... AND NOTHING ELSE ! I can imagine you are tickled pink. Cobber. I vote to keep the wheels,being that they are part of the van as it stands ( and also 'coz they are '36 Ford items and so must be good ;D).....but seriously,good work Reddo,a real treasure....... |
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Post by kazandadam on Feb 21, 2010 21:05:59 GMT 10
Congratulations Reddo........and what a historical find, hidden away and unregistered for 55 years too  It WOULD look good restored......but who cares, it's still alive Cheers Adam |
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Post by firefighter on Feb 21, 2010 21:09:04 GMT 10
G,day Reddo
what a ripper of a pick up ......what a ripper of a talking point .... I think we would all like to find some thing like this outfit NO DON"T RESTORE IT ...leave it original
F/F
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Post by DC3Td on Feb 21, 2010 21:15:27 GMT 10
Seems that you have the Midas touch Reddo when it comes to finding vin van stuff. And each item you stumble upon is better than the last. Fantastic find. cheers gordo
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John
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Post by John on Feb 21, 2010 21:50:05 GMT 10
Congratulations Reddo  Ripper van mate! Welcome to the "pop-top" club ;D Cheers, John |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 21, 2010 22:34:42 GMT 10
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Post by JBJ on Feb 22, 2010 6:50:35 GMT 10
Hi Reddo,
Pretty unique old camper. It should be wearing the original T steel wire wheels, which wouldnt be that hard to find. The wheels it has are possibly 36 to 39 Ford, or the Ford Pilot as you said.
That one needs to stay original, but to be used will need a few running repairs. Tow vehicle should be a 20,s car I reckon, & its going to be impractical for anything other than a slow trip. Just like old time caravanning/camping was about.
A great discovery, just the sort of thing we all expect the great caravan detective to find.
JBJ
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Post by curtis on Feb 22, 2010 7:47:12 GMT 10
Now that is cool, Reddo.
All you need now is a nice Morris Cowley (or even an Oxford if you want to be posh) to tow it (not that I am biased in any way).... ;D
Congratulations on your find!! It is amazing what can be found on a farm, and the Australian climate is great for preserving these old pieces.
Dave
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Post by Cruz on Feb 22, 2010 8:40:26 GMT 10
MATE What can i say She's a beauty. Would be great to see her being used. Your van your choice. Cruz
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Post by Jennison on Feb 22, 2010 9:14:29 GMT 10
Musn't forget that Kazanadam are members of the very exclusive BTW club/clique as well!!
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Post by 1954homemade on Feb 22, 2010 9:48:40 GMT 10
Congrats Reddo, What a great find, you must be real chuffed. Di |
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 22, 2010 10:18:40 GMT 10
G'day reddo, I have to hand it to you for your amazing bloodhound skills. There must surely be many an English fox-hunting club that would 'kill' to have your genes introduced into the breeding program! As we so often read on this forum...your van, your call. But if it were me, at the very least I'd put a microwave oven in it. You've probably noticed on the forum that I don't mind delving into the historical side of stuff. Love anything old with a history attached. To come across something like this is getting pretty close to the Holy Grail, if not already there. Priceless bit of Australian history! No pressure on you now, eh?!! What to do...keep as is, or restore?? Got some sleeping tablets if ya need 'em. Also still got 88 of those D-buckle thingies if you decide to go down the resto road. Good luck with it, and congratulations on an amazing discovery! ;D ;D (Keep in mind that at the very least, you could donate a collection of photographs of the van as it is now (plus its known history) to the National Library of Australia. Would then be on record for all future generations. ) cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2010 16:41:40 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2010 18:23:40 GMT 10
Hi all. Thanks for the kind words.. and yes i do believe that i was blessed to be able to rescue this old van... Just to make a point clear here. I have not mentioned at any stage in my 2 previuos posts that i am going to restore it or modify it.. or for that matter .. even keep it. It was a case ... ( again) of unearthing a van that would NEVER have been sighted from the road , nor surfaced in an advert anywhere. Its through being out amongst the public....( gawd knows we have had our share of exposure to the public over the past 5 years) and .. letting people know that we have a passion for old vans that i managed to rescue this old darling. I have read everyones thoughts and ideas on what should happen to it. I would honestly like to say there is no "wrongs"in anything any one of you have put forward. Has been said a million times.. each to thier own... your van your call... etc.. etc. Sure.. it would be nice to do it up to ones own taste .. But to tell you the truth i just havent got the fire in the belly for restos/rebuilds anymore. I simply enjoy travelling, using the old Rosie van and socialising with you guys. So.. where to from here..  why do i hear the word profiteering being mumbled in the back ground. I have recieved a Pm from forum member re this old van and the offer to buy it if i decide to pass it on. i will probably be replying later this evening. I feel this bloke would do an appluadable resto and i would be happy to see it head his way. the fact that he has a period towcar and woukld use the van also appeals to me... Truth is this bloke that has pm'd me expressing interest will get it for what i paid for it plus the cost of retrieval. ... well that is if he is willing to pay that much. I acknowledge its historical value and i honestly think it should be restored to its 1928 glory without modification . Wether it gets used ( i dearly wish this would be the case) or.. taken away for resto and presented in a museum. that is up to the next owner. Sorry Kaybee..but i feel it needs wires or wooden spoke wheels.. I am a strong believer in what has been said before here on the forum about ... "wheels dating a van" To the untrained eye the whole thing looks like it could have been built yesterday in someones backyard.. so the wheel actually detract from its true heritage. Sorry for causing any histeria amongst you guys. Just thought it would be of interest to all and be an incentive to those that live in hope of finding a nice old van to...keep.. as Cobber puts it... SCROUNGING. Reddo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 22, 2010 20:37:14 GMT 10
G'day Reddo, ...Now that you've entered the prestigious and very exclusive 'Between the wars club' - which I think consists of you, Cobber, Earlee, Kaybee and whoever bought Mark T's little Don 100 - you're gonna have to go out and get yourself a 'between the wars' tow vehicle! ...Don Ricardo Hi all, Knew I shouldn't have done it!  I pulled a list of members of the 'Between the wars club' out of my head last night, and as everyone knows, as soon as you do that you end up forgetting a few folk - which I did. The membership should also have included Kazandadam and Sportsman1, and there are probably a few others that haven't yet come to mind... Apologies to all those I have forgotten - no offence was intended, and any omission was certainly not intended as a comment on the bona fides of your V V...  Just goes to show that if you're going to start listing people you'd better have put some thought into it before hand so you don't forget anyone - as any bridegroom will tell you! And no, no-one has put a gun at my head while I type this mea culpa - well not yet!! ;D ;D ;D Don Ricardo |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2010 8:43:10 GMT 10
Hi Don Ricardo. Just recieved a reply from the person who originally expressed interest in the van. You better scrub out "Reddo "and insert........... "Firefighter" He will probably post something here in a while . He is preoccupied at the momentwith trips to and from the hospital. Wife is in there. He wont be up this way for a few weeks to pay for and collect the van. However i would imagine he will have his own rescue mission to post when he collects the van and heads home. Reddo
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Post by cobber on Feb 23, 2010 10:14:19 GMT 10
WELL !.... I'LL BE B..B...B.. BLOWED I was expecting one of two other blokes to start sniffing around for this one but not the F/F . That means that it's not going to be restored but kept original..... that's good . Congratulations Geoff  (I hope the missus is OK ? ) Cobber. |
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Post by Cruz on Feb 23, 2010 17:28:52 GMT 10
Well done Reddo
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halps
Full Member
Get out and enjoy your van man!
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Post by halps on Feb 24, 2010 17:53:38 GMT 10
Reddo,
You made a significant contribution to the life of our family with the "passing on" of the Capricorn...it is great to see you do it again for another.
HALPS
Brisbane
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It WOULD look good restored......but who cares, it's still alive 
(I hope the missus is OK ? )