Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[reddo]

Hello everyone
Yet another Aussie logging on .
I have a close association with cobber, kaybee, and kingy via the Australian vintage caravan site "www.vintagecaravans.com"
I see Cobber has already alerted you to this site
Thought i would post some pctures of the three vans i have at the moment.

first up is my 1953 Fairway van that we have christened matilda.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0981.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0980.jpg

gets hot over here in Oz so little blinds to cut down heat and light where an aftermarket accessory available to the new van owners of '53
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0970.jpg
When we found the van someone had painted the entire outside brilliant white. Way too bright in full sunlight so we repainted the exterior in its original colours which where "birdseed" cream and "eu de Nil" which is similar to Palmolive soap colour.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0972.jpg

After which i employed the skills of my brother jeff. signwriter now retired but always keen to put a few pinstripes on 'vintage canvas"

here are some shots of the inside which has never been touched with a paint brush since 1953
still has original crushed velvet cushions
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0963.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0962.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_0964.jpg

Original fynspray pump pulls water up from galvanised iron water tank under rear seat.

Ohhh if all "restorations" could be as simple as a lick of paint. I consider myself very lucky to have picked up a van in such good condition for Aus $1000
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_1134.jpg
Hooked up and ready to roll behind my 1961 holden utility......
and of course every family member has to be christened....
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_1136.jpg
We call her "Matilda" .

Second van is what is best described as a replica of a 1940s teardrop.
I demolished an old aluminium van that was destined for the scrap yard. I salvaged as many useable bits as possible before demolishing it and narrowing the chassis .
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_1521.jpg

I then set about designing a body that looked period. i have always liked the lantern roof designs that came out of england in the thirtys on the larger vans so i incorporated that in my design.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_1563.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/kitchen.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/rearofvan.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_1640.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/Mvc-008x-1.jpg

As you can see it is a work in progress and i am head down / bum up in the shed at the moment trying to get it finished in time for the next Ozzie vintage caravan getogether in may this year.

van number 3.
My most recent addition to the family is a circa 1948 plywood and masonite teardrop with wooden chassis and draw bar. i travelled around 450 miles to collect this van and as many miles again to get it home. I took a different route coming home via outback( western) NSW. our farmers are doing it very tough at the moment in drought conditions and would dearly love some of your dampness. The land is in very poor condition.
The van has early chevrolet hubs which have had the wheel stud pattern changed to suit Morris Oxford 15" wheels.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2085.jpg
here is a picture of it being loaded onto my trailer in 40 degree ( celcius) heat.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2086.jpg

had to sling it from the roof of my shed to unload it.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2102.jpg

Some inside shots
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2103.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2104.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/reddo71/100_2106.jpg

As you can see there is a lot of work to be done on this one.
unfortunately i was never much good at juggling so i will "mothball' the old Td and keep working on the "artificial homemade tear drop van".

thanks for looking. i will update these pictures in the future as progress is made.

Might i add i love this website. plenty of " works in progess" and some really interesting stories.

regards
reddo

[Cobber]

G’day Reddo old mate
It’s jolly nice to see you have been able to overcome your natural shyness and join this fledgling Vintage / classic caravan forum.
I joined in the hope that I may get a lead on the origins of ol’36 which, as you know, I think came from, or was built with plans that came from, the mother country.
No luck so far, but there are plenty of classic caravans over here / there so something like it may turn up one day.
Another reason for my presence here is to keep an eye on Cornish Lass and the great old caravan she is restoring......how is it going Lass ?

Cobber.