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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 12, 2008 23:48:20 GMT 10
G'day everyone, Earlier in the week I passed through Corowa on the NSW/Vic border, and happened to see the following at the back of a factory:  An Olympic needing a bit of care and attention. The writing on the side of the van says "Vote for Don". If I decide to run for election one of these days (Council dog catcher, President of the USA, Australian idol, that sort of thing), at least I'll know where to get my campaign caravan. ;D ;D ;D Also in the yard was a little fibreglass Expandavan and what I think is a late 60's Franklin, both deserving of a little love and restoration:  Around the front of the factory was a nice Olympic Riviera:  This van is currently registered, and in use. Around the other side was a posh looking fold up chair and a large BBQ. Couldn't find anyone around so I don't know any more. Do you know this one by any chance Boblor? Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Sept 13, 2008 8:52:19 GMT 10
And here's another one Bob. During the week I was out at Brocklehurst and stumbled across this Olympic, I could not find anybody to talk to about it so there she sits. A bit rough on the inside but all there I think. If anybody is interested I can get more details. Olympic       Cobber. |
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Post by atouchofglass on Sept 13, 2008 18:18:32 GMT 10
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Post by boblor on Sept 13, 2008 20:51:09 GMT 10
Hi All
Just to confirm a few details of the first two vans at Corowa, I own 'the vote for Don' chassis no 35 (1965) and is a rare coloured van built during early production run. The van was used by Don Chipps as a campaign van. It is planned to take delivery in a few months time, -- so all hands off unless you wish to give me a hand to restore it to its original beauty. Fabuglass is class.
The second van was owned by our daughter until recently, chassis no.215 (1966).
We have no record of the van at Brocklehurst ( where ever this place is located- have to have a look on the map) as ATOG says it looks to be all there including extra ventilation on the corners. So if someone is passing grab a chassis no and contact details for our register.
Cheers boblor
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Post by cobber on Sept 14, 2008 8:10:52 GMT 10
G'day Bob, I did crawl around under & over the “A” frame looking for a chassis number but couldn't find one, that is where you would espect to find it isn't it  . Brocklehurst is just before Mogriguy on the way to Eumungerie  . Cobber. |
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Post by boblor on Sept 14, 2008 19:43:34 GMT 10
hi cobber
It is normally welded on the underside of the 'A' frame mid way along the right side, however if it is an older van it may be welded on front chassis member between the 'A' trame. ( centre)
This generally only applies to vans that have a channel iron 'A' frame.
Cheers boblor
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2008 21:28:45 GMT 10
Hi all,
that late sixties Franklin is a fibreglass Regent about 18.6 long.
Very few and far between.Anyone have any info on them at all
Cheers
Hughdeani
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Post by boblor on Dec 1, 2008 0:43:15 GMT 10
Hi V Vers
Just to bring you up to date about these vans in the compound at Corowa.
The blue Olympic is received some TLC and is registed again after a little over 20yrs and now is part way home to northern NSW (currently in the Hunter Valley). We plan to get it home in the New Year, we currently travelling inthe Melbourne area.
The other 18'6" van in the yard is a Styleline Executive, a fully moulded external skin, I know nothing of these vans, which is a pity because two weeks before we inspected it we were in Canberra carrying out caravan research in the National library for three full days and could have looked up this marque. So if any of you have any details /knowledge please post it so that we may all gain so info on these vans. I understandthis van is going to the Melb. area in due course.
The Expandavan has already been purchased and is in the Melb. area
I will keep you all posted on the restoration of the Olympic chassis no. 35 as we progress.
Did you notice in the photographs posted above that all the vans shown are class because they are all of glass, so this chap knew he was onto a good product when he collected these.
Cheers boblor
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2008 7:34:36 GMT 10
 Hi Bob You wrote "two weeks before we inspected it we were in Canberra carrying out caravan research in the National library for three full days and could have looked up this marque" 3 days in a library researching caravans ... and i suspect that would be only on one sort of construction material....   ..... NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL ADDICTION.....  Although i suspect your time may have been wasted....  ... I doubt if the national archives would have too much info on 'Fabuglass".... Now if you had used the correct spelling.. i.e: "FOBBERGROSS" ;D .. you would have come away from canberra with a ute load of info  Good luck with the resto of No : 35.. ;D All creatures great and small Regards Reddo.. Newcastle,,,,"Bondwood centre of the universe"..., No where near Brocklehurst which is just before Mogriguy on the way to Eumungerie
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Post by boblor on Dec 1, 2008 8:55:45 GMT 10
Hi Reddo
The National library also has info on caravans built using that other strange mat
erial called timber/bondwood. You could spend many days going through the material avaliable at the library, a great source for info on caravanning and many other areas of interest.
So if you require some info on caravans built using that material that faids away after some years of exposure, atrip to the National Library is highly recommended.
Cheers boblor
On this trip we photocopied 200-300 pages of info, this is about our third trip in 6yrs.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2008 9:51:26 GMT 10
"On this trip we photocopied 200-300 pages of info, this is about our third trip in 6yrs. "... As i said before Bob.... adiction .. with a capital "A" I enjoy a bit of light reading about our vans ( no matter what construction material they are made of)... I sort of categorise things into 2 groups "Nice to know" and "Need to Know" but i would go crazy if i had to spend as much time as you have done in the past compiling van history....... Put it down to a short span of attention on my behalf, I appreciate what you are doing and it needs to be done i suppose. Will you be forwarding this information to anyone/ institution for archiving / public access...or is this just for your own personal reference. In the meantime i will do my bit for the vintage van movement by getting out and using my vans as much as i can and logging my "Research and observations....( all be it through beer goggles) here on the forum...... Call it "field studies" if you like ;D Cheers mate Reddo
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2008 19:30:18 GMT 10
Hi Bob,
you asked for info on the "Executive Style line Deluxe".In the 70s and 80s there was a caravan dealer in Fawkner (a Melbourne suburb) who put "Doug Thorley Executive Styleline Deluxe"on EVERY caravan that came into his yard,including used vans.This one you mentioned is a Franklin Regent.I dont think Franklin made many,but I have seen a 14ft version and a few 18,6 versions .Would love to find out more about them,a great looking van.Hope this has been of some help
Hughdeani
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Post by olympicriviera on Dec 1, 2008 20:33:35 GMT 10
Good to hear it's on its way home bob........look forward to seeing it restored.........I'll keep my eyes out if it's in the area!!!! |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 2, 2008 19:33:58 GMT 10
Hi Boblor, Hughdeani's comments about 'Styleline Executive' caravans corresponds with my understanding. There are large numbers of 70's and 80's aluminium caravans around Victoria marked with this label. When we spent a week in Mulwala recently, my guess is that 25% of the on-site vans were early 80's vans with Styleline Executive labels. Each Sunday we pass an early 70's ( ) caravan parked in the street with both 'Styleline Executive' and Doug Thorley labels on it. My guess is that it is a Franklin or a Skyline or something similar. Don Ricardo |
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Post by boblor on Dec 9, 2009 12:06:59 GMT 10
Hi VVers Update with help of Banno on the "vote for Don " Olympic van from Corowa.     Cheers boblor |
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Post by sportsman 1 on Dec 9, 2009 15:46:07 GMT 10
Wow,
what a difference!
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Post by bobandjacqui on Dec 9, 2009 16:53:52 GMT 10
G'day Bob and Loretta,
What a great job you have done on this van. It has certainly come up a treat. Congatulations on a job well done to the both of you. Looks like we will all see this one at the next get together??? Shows what passion you have for the Olympic brand.
Cheers Bob and Jacqui.
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Post by Jennison on Dec 9, 2009 21:10:54 GMT 10
Tremendous job - what a nice looking paint job/colour it is indeed.
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Post by Dave&Tammy on Dec 10, 2009 12:54:10 GMT 10
Congratulations, the van looks great
Tammy & Dave
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 12, 2009 14:17:00 GMT 10
G'day Boblor, The "Don Chipp' caravan looks fantastic - what a world of difference from the sad looking van I saw sitting in long grass at Corowa! Congratulations! So what colour are you going to stencil 'Vote for Don' on the side, then? White? Navy? Hot pink, perhaps? What? You're not going to - but that caravan is part of Australian political history, and the 'Vote for Don' sign is part of the van's history... ;D ;D ;D Anyway, as I was saying - the van looks absolutely fantastic. Well done! Don Ricardo |
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Post by boblor on Dec 13, 2009 15:11:08 GMT 10
Hi VVers
Thanks for the comments, I will attempt to put on some photos of the interior in the near future ( I have remember Bano and Joeys instructions). Things will slow on this van as we have just rescued a Debonair from being cut up and taken to the dump. It is amazing what some people see as beyond and others see the protential for restoration, we have to keep them on the road, once dumped gone for ever.
Cheers boblor
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Post by lovshack on Dec 14, 2009 10:19:05 GMT 10
g'day bob great job on the resto...that paintwork looks sooo coool...i take it that the inside is still work in progress? i bet it will be just as good as the outside ;D ;D glass is CLASS loveshack |
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 23, 2010 18:19:33 GMT 10
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Post by DC3Td on May 23, 2010 19:14:37 GMT 10
Very nicely done. Huge difference. And yep, Don wouldn`t recognise it but might have a hard time since he passed on about three or four years ago. cheers gordon
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Post by boblor on May 23, 2010 21:25:30 GMT 10
Hi VVers
Thanks Don Ricardo for posting the photos for me. It demonstrates what you can do with a little time and energy plus $s. I hope it encouages others to have a go at restoration, from my experience it is probably much easier to restore fibreglass van than wood/ply or wood /alum. vans that have been left to the elements. So we have admire those who bring these vans back to life. My aim to assist anyone regardless of the van type ,is to get back on the road to be admired and used.
Thanks for the comments made.
Cheers boblor
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.
.....
... I doubt if the national archives would have too much info on 'Fabuglass".... 
