anglia46 new van

[JBJ]

Hi All,

I'm posting these for Lyn & OB. They picked up this van recently, & it has nothing identifying on it.
On the drawbar is welded N1055. At the rear appears to be 3 holes in the middle below the window, that could have held a badge.
Diamond embossed caluminium clad, held on by screws, to a timber frame.
Kitchen at front, seating on RHS in middle, fold down divan at rear. Very large wind up hatch. Holden 13" wheels.

Pix as follows


















Any thoughts on what it could be?? Looks pretty well made, so I think its possibly a commercially produced van as against home built, & we are guessing late 50's early 60's, based on shape & materials.

Another one saved

JBJ

[Deleted]

Its a Viscount,early sixties I would say.Interior has been altered but looking good.
Cheers
hughdeani

[Franklin1]

G'day JBJ,

Yes I think possibly one of the 1963 model Viscounts.

The advert for the 1962 model shows a narrower stripe along the bottom of the side windows...




I have a Nov 1961 archive advert for two stolen Viscounts, chassis numbers N522 and N526. If we assume these were fairly new at the time they were stolen, then Lyn & OB's number of N1055 is another 500 after that. I'm not sure at all how many Viscounts were being built each year back then, but my gut feel is that they weren't up at 500 at that time.

I think the "N" prefix in the chassis number means the van was built in the NSW factory (Sydney). I have photos of N326 and N353 in my collection, along with the advert for the stolen vans above. Bluetangjo(?) has a Viscount with V314 which suggests it was built in a Victorian factory. (No evidence of any of that. Just a hunch. )

The wider paint band along the windows of Lyn&OB's van suggests it was the next model after 1962. In early 1963, Viscount were offering the choice of the old "figured" aluminium cladding, or the new American-style ribbed aluminium. In late 1963, Viscount started offering the choice of aluminium framing, or the old timber frames.

If N1055 looks like it might've had badges on it, I would think they'd be the Viscount "crown" badges...



...but I'd expect to see them on the front above the windows; on the rear either above or below the window; and on the nearside under the front window just next to the door. Something like this example...




Like hughdeani, I tend to think some modifications have been done to the layout inside, in the front half. Whether it was a special order from Viscount, or whether somebody's done it in the years since, is open to speculation. The oven seems to fit nicely in its opening, and it doesn't look like a 1963 oven, so it kinda looks like somebody custom-made the kitchen after the initial purchase.

Whatever its history, it's another great ol' Viscount saved for future enjoyment! ;D ;D

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi All,
I think the kitchen has been moved from the side(where the small window is over the dinette)to the front and visa versa.
Enjoy!
hughdeani

[retro64]

Hi Lyn and Ob,

Congratulations on the newest member of your vv collection.
Its has an interesting layout doesnt it, the little oven is a cutie, and the hatch looks huge in the photo, lots of ventilation.
Hope it brings you lots of joy and good times away,

cheers retro64

[donnarobb11]

Apr 4, 2011 13:51:44 GMT 10 JBJ said:

Hi All,

I'm posting these for Lyn & OB. They picked up this van recently, & it has nothing identifying on it.
On the drawbar is welded N1055. At the rear appears to be 3 holes in the middle below the window, that could have held a badge.
Diamond embossed caluminium clad, held on by screws, to a timber frame.
Kitchen at front, seating on RHS in middle, fold down divan at rear. Very large wind up hatch. Holden 13" wheels.

Pix as follows


















Any thoughts on what it could be?? Looks pretty well made, so I think its possibly a commercially produced van as against home built, & we are guessing late 50's early 60's, based on shape & materials.

Another one saved

JBJ

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Donnarobb11,

Great to see you’ve joined the forum, and that you are the new owner of the Viscount previously belonging to Anglia46, I hope you’ll have some great journeys in the van.

Don Ricardo