sue
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Post by sue on Jun 21, 2011 0:41:24 GMT 10
Sue's GRACEMUR Reno Hi I finally worked out Photo bucket so here are my pic's Sticker above the front window " GRACEMUR" and at the back [under number plate] was "GRACEMUR Manufactured in Bunderberg" I carefully lifted what was left of the sticker's so I could get them redone My father {deceased at age 92} and myself brought the van 25 years ago and this is were it has sat in the back yard Unluckily the tyre's went flat and the bottom sub frame acquired some rust from resting in the dirt I jacked it up onto blocks but the the damage had been done. It looked so rejected with paint peeling off every where and patches of raw fiberglass showing on the roof I knew if I didn't do something soon it would deteriorate beyond repair and I now had the time to spend It wasn't until I got a computer last year and found this site did I realize how popular these van's were and how many enthusiasts there are interested in old van's . It's a great site with load's of helpful info to help with restorations I would also like to give a huge thank you to Rod and Ginnette for their kindness of bringing the new perspex windows up to Brisbane for me Saving me the freight cost I have been working on her for two years now as time and money permits , it is a slow but satisfying and enjoyable project The paint job is coming along well except I haven't been able to finish because it hasn't stopped raining since Xmas. so I started on the interior and now the axles, bearings, springs ect. ect and the list to do seems endless but fun Gracemur Sanding has begun, Nov. 2009 Paint job 1/2 finished : Have kept to original color and design New windows fitted: August 2010 "Scarey" job !!! Interior started but not finished yet Old tow hitch Replaced with new. Didn't trust bolt thru tow ball set up 9 leaf springs. Is This Standard??? Chassis chassis number? Need help What should it say
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Post by bobandjacqui on Jun 21, 2011 17:23:39 GMT 10
G'day and Welcome Sue, Good to see you getting stuck into such a great project. Seems to be a lot of ladies getting the Vintage Caravan Bug You will get a great deal of satisfaction when you've got the van on the road. Cheers and keep the piccies coming Bob and Jacqui
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Post by cobber on Jun 21, 2011 19:24:57 GMT 10
G'day Sue, Congratulations on conquering photobucket, it's a wonderful sense of achievement aye? I hate to say it Sue but I think you might have done the right thing by giving that tow coupling the flick. On our tow coupling board that particular coupling features on a few occasions and I don't think anybody has elected to retain it, the bolt sticking up the top just looks too fragile aye ? Keep the pictures coming and you'll get plenty of help from the fibreglass freaks on the forum Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 21, 2011 20:15:23 GMT 10
G'day Sue,
Good to hear from you on the forum again. Great to see you're making progress with your van. Congratulations on what you've achieved so far - it's looking terrific.
Really interesting to see the colour scheme for your van. From what I've seen, Gracemur were really into earthy tones, and two colours (or three as in your case). In contrast, Sunliner seemed to stick to white or cream. I think I'm correct in saying that???
Anyway - while not in any way impugning those who have chosen to do things differently - it's nice for historical reasons to have at least some vans sporting their original livery.
Don Ricardo
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Post by surferh on Jun 21, 2011 23:05:01 GMT 10
how and what paint did you use to paint it? roller or spray?? thanks looking good, i finaly might get some time to work on my sunliner now work has slowed down =]
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Post by finkvanfc on Jun 22, 2011 9:55:48 GMT 10
LUV YOUR WORK.AS MUCH AS I LUV MY OLYMPIC.I THINK THESE VANS ARE AWSOME'IT'S THE CURVES & THE LENGTH.I MAY GET ONE IN MY NEXT LIFE.HA! I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE MAKERS 9/10 USED WOODGRAIN PANELLING ON THE INTERIOR.THE LAMINEX USED ON THE TABLES,COULD BE USED ON DOORS,CUPBOARDS ETC.EVEN MIX COLOURS UP.ANYWAY YOU GUYS HAVE DONE YOURSELF PROUD.GOOD LUCK.
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Post by finkvanfc on Jun 22, 2011 15:11:07 GMT 10
THOUSAND APOLOGIES ROD.I STARTED WELDING AT 16,I'M NOW 55.MY EYESIGHT IS NOT THE BEST.THE LARGER LETTERS MAKE EVERYTHING MUCH EASIER & LESS STRAIN ON THEM.I'VE TRIED A NUMBER OF GLASSES BUT TO NO AVAIL.ANYWAY YOUR PROBABLY BIGGER THAN ME,SO IF YOUR GUNNA BE PICKY,PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE.IF IT'S A PROBLEM WITH ANYBODY ELSE PLEEZ LET ME KNOW,I'LL TURN OFF THE BEER FRIDGE & GO JUMP OFF THE WESTGATE-BRIDGE. ON A LIGHTER NOTE.SUE WHAT DO YOU THINK OF A PIN-STRIPE DIVIDER BETWEEN THE COLOURS,IT'S JUST AN IDEA.GAZ.[I'LL TRY & KEEP MY VOICE DOWN]
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Post by JBJ on Jun 22, 2011 16:02:18 GMT 10
Hi Gaz,
I dont think printing in capitals is a big concern. It helps me when you shout, because me being an old fart I'm nearly DEAF.
Just do whatever makes you happy, & stuff the rules
And Sue, your Gracemur is a beauty.
Lots of minor differences with the Sunliner I had the same age, noticeably interior, aluminium side windows instead of fibreglass framed, door hinges seem different.
Keep it up & you will be very happy with it when you start using it. They are a great van to use, which really is why we all love vintage caravanning. Nothing beats the feel of travelling in an old van on a long trip.
JBJ
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Post by humpyboy on Jun 22, 2011 17:44:48 GMT 10
HEY GAZ !!!!!! I DON'T MIND YOUR TYPING MATE, I'LL JUST TURN DOWN MY VOLUME, there you go much better now ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by humpty2 on Jun 22, 2011 19:47:49 GMT 10
Now back to the van...........The colour scheme is a replica of the first Sunliners produced back in "58.......I don't know if they were going to continue with that scheme as I have only seen 1 done in it. The chassis numbers on Gracemurs were different to the numbering system on Sunliners inasmuch as I can decipher a Sunliner number ie YYMM // progressive number. The more you look at other Sunliners/Gracemurs the more differences you will find.
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 22, 2011 20:57:12 GMT 10
Sue.....it's a beauty! What a wonderful job you have done....go gal....I'm sure Dad would be proud of your effort! Bet you can't wait till you hit the road!!!!! ? J
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sue
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Post by sue on Jun 24, 2011 10:08:36 GMT 10
Thanks to every one for your input and comments Hi Surferh, in answer to your question about the paint I used. I am a bit embarrassed to admit I have used wattyl epoxy white spray can's as I can't move the van yet and was close to neighbor's house but I was surprised by the results as this paint takes a few hour's to dry and you can't tell it was done with can's. Too much over spray in air with a compressor and a BIG FINE $$ in a suburban back yard if you get caught , Can always re-paint when van's mobile. Hi Finkvanfe, Yes I will be pin-striping when I finish paint job, [Bottom grey of van is still under coat ] but I will paint line on by hand. Hi JBJ Yes the hinges on the door were rusted so I had to improvise and make some but I followed pattern of the old hinge's. Thank's Humpty for advise on chassis no. but are they stamped letter's or written in a weld and how big in height? Also do you think my van is 1958 because of color scheme? Yes Jenni Wren I can't wait to hit the road but Caring for 93 y/old mum but this is giving me plenty of time to finish van and it make's it extra special that I brought it with my dad many years ago Thanks' every one Sue
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Post by humpty2 on Jun 24, 2011 19:54:45 GMT 10
Your body is a 59 or 59. The removable spats were from that era.........and I think some found their way into 1960 As I said before...... the more you look the more differences there are. Chassis number should be about 8 to 12 inches back from the tow coupling....but have been found right beside it on some Gracemurs
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Post by brucenan on Jun 24, 2011 20:49:08 GMT 10
Gracemur were using removable spats until 1965, from the look of the interior and other features it appears the same as other 65's I know of. Bruce
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Post by trevorusa1 on Oct 8, 2011 23:24:07 GMT 10
Sue Looking at your pics you are doing a great job. You say you have copied the front and rear decals for a Gracemur. As we have one that we have been restoring for 3 years and is nearly finished i have been researching to find the correct ones to get made and fit . Would it be possible to see a photo of the back and front stickers. Thanks Trevor trevorusa1 my email is usa-1@bigpond.com
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taj64
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Post by taj64 on Oct 18, 2016 20:05:06 GMT 10
Hi Trevor or Sue Are you able to post pic's of Gracemur decal? Or send to snake82@live.com.au I can't find any image on this site! Would be appreciated, I am getting close to finishing my resto after nearly 3 years, hope to post some pic's one day when I stop spending any spare time on the van! Cheers Jake
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