Our 1961 Harris Caravan Project progress

[Don Ricardo]

G'day Jamesandbel,

I'm still enjoying watching you work! ;D ;D ;D

You're doing a great job, and the van is really coming together. Anybody looking at it now would have trouble believing where you started with it. Just goes to show what can be achieved!

I'm sure you're thread is an inspiration to many.

Don Ricardo

[jamesandbel]

Here is a pic of the bunks I built over the weekend.

[Geoff & Jude]

hi jamesandbel

it is an amazing transformation you guys are doing.

it's difficult to believe that it's the same van.

as an aside, our neighbor's daughter is married to fulcher's son.

i'm sure the fulchers will be interested to see how it turns out.

i've been giving the neighbor some updates on your progress.

keep up the good work.

geoff 'n jude

[humpyboy]

The occupants of the bunks look pleased with the finished product don't they,the van looks better with every new post.

[hilldweller]

That's cool! Love the ladder

[jamesandbel]

Hi everyone,

As you can see in the photos, we are getting there.

Today I built the boxes (seats) at the rear of van. We will mostly eat outside, but if the weather is bad we need to be able to eat inside. But the boxes are mainly used for storage.

I will be making a table and getting foam made for them as well.

You will see in the outside shot a small red square on the rear of van which is what Colour we are considering painting the van, although we have changed our minds a few times. We are looking at red on bottom and cream or white in top.

Anyway, just thought we would share some more pics.

[hilldweller]

Looking good! Red will look very flash with the aluminium trim There's something about the shape of that van that would make me paint it one colour without a top/bottom split - but perhaps I'm just being unimaginative because that's the way it is now under all the signwriting LOL. I'm certainly no expert. Looking forward to the next installment

[Roehm3108]

Hi guys!

Getting so used to to seeing the signwriting on that van, perhaps you should consider getting a caravan dealer to sponsor the repaint and include their name across/over it ;D ;D ;D ;D

Just maintain the happy feel on the outside as you did on the inside.

Ray

[aquamum]

jamesandbel

I am pleased that you have kept the Fulchers signwriting - it's look great !!

The interior looks fab & I just love you bunting too.

[jamesandbel]

New mattresses for the bunks

The mother in law coming this weekend to see covers on the foam I had cut to size today for the seats and our bed.

[jamesandbel]

Hi All,

We have had a pretty productive weekend. With the mother in law over for the weekend we had all of our cushions covered.

So this weekend we managed to make the door from one I bought off eBay. It was too big so we had to modify it, as well as put some thin ply inserts but once painted all will be good.

Seats have been made and covered, I just need to finish table.

All in all a good weekend and more progress made.

Here are some pics.

[Roehm3108]

I'm sure there's a few guys on here who want to know your secret for getting M-I-L involved in your reno project ;D ;D ;D

All looking good

[hilldweller]

Good to see more progress - now you can sleep in it - a big step forward

[jamesandbel]

Hi Everyone,

Here is some progress from today.

New brake shoes, new bearings, new coupling and new brake cable, as well as tidying up wheel drums and hubs etc.





Painted rims today, will hopefully be getting new tyres through the week.



First coat of preparation underway. Hopefully all will be ready to roll in a few weeks.



I still cannot believe after never doing this before, we are almost there, and to remember it all began with this

[jamesandbel]

Soooo,

I asked the wife, what colour do you want to paint the van, we have changed our mind a few times, originally was yellow, and that's where we went.

I sent the wife off to choose the colour, as she has done with the rest of the van, and this is the outcome.

I am happy

Still needs 2nd coat, but that's next weekend.

very successful weekend.

[retro64]

Hi jamesand bell,

What a gorgeous happy sunny colour, makes you smile just looking at it ;D

Thanks for posting,
retro64

[Roehm3108]

Rubik's Kube has finally been out-coloured ;D ;D ;D

Love it guys - a cheeky colour for a cheeky van. You won't be missed on the highway

Ray

[jamesandbel]

Have to do another coat of paint over weekend, but my dress rims came today

[jamesandbel]

Once we take off the tape and sort it all out, if we feel the yellow needs breaking up a bit we will. But see how we go once curtains etc go in.

[jamesandbel]

2nd coat finished. Will get some black infill rubber from work. The wardrobe system we sell has rubber that fits perfectly in the moulding.

[hilldweller]

Wow you've been busy! Looks great. Love the wheels

[greedy53]

the sister of your little van is near me in a caravan yard this one is under covere

[humpyboy]

You certainly wont be missed travelling down the road in that one now

[jamesandbel]

Off to get weigh bridge ticket tomorrow. Have mate coming through the week to weld on safety chains, then should be able to get blue slip this week or next then hopefully registered within the next 2 weeks.

[jamesandbel]

Hi All,

off to weigh bridge this morning, it came in at 660kg.

got a few looks on the way, thought I would go before it got too bright and I blinded anyone.