Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[old van man]

just got these in for spring the box van is a 1920s Eccles replica , and the big blue beast is the Berlingham van that was built for coco the clown both vans booked in for a steam rally in June ! best pull my finger out


[img]http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu60/oldvanman/triumphplusvan026_zps720e8f8f.jpg[img]

[gresham flyer]

So have you purchased the Cocoa van after your previous write up about it prior to the auction or are you carrying out some work for the new owner.?

I understand it sold for £5250.00.


Gresham Flyer

[old van man]

HI i am the new owner, this van and me have sort got unfinished business, having tried to buy it 10 years ago, was just to much money then ! with the benefit of working on several showman's vans since then i now more about the van and the changes that its had through time
But the first job was to strip the interior and treat the van for woodworm !
will give a run down on the Restoration as gos on if your interested
ovm

[gresham flyer]

I and others will look forward to a progress report on this one.

At least you will not be going the Kath Kidston,Ikea or Seaside Beach Look on this one.!!!

If I remember rightly Cocoa The Clown lived nr Peterborough.
Was it Oundle.?

If I remember rightly there were articles in the local paper about him when I was a child.

Gresham Flyer

[old van man]

HI your right no café kitsonie makeover for this one more a Edwardian Parlor look
coco grave is at Woodnewton northhants so not to far from peterbough
Its surprising how many people still remember coco
I forgotten how popular Circus where, coco had a long a successful career and appeared on this is your life ,



OVM

[Dalek63]

Is much of the interior original, I seem to remember that there was some doubt as to what if any was.
_________________
I can resist anything except temptation ! ( Oscar Wilde)
"Don't try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." ( Mark Twain)
http://www.period-classic-caravan-club.co.uk/

[old van man]

HI its looking pretty good when i posted my comments on the original thread i was going back ten years but like i said was just my opinion
with the benefit of time and experience i now see the van in a different light, heres my evaluation so far
Body, purpose built for a showman " why" super heavy plank floor and roof, walls 2 inch thick all external metal work, window frames , caps , funnel drains, pull bars , are all chrome plated brass , the body is on a pre-war lesson chassis with 6x25 split rim wheels 1 3/4 hitch, 22 cut glass windows and mirrors all with matching design, the boot at the rear of the van is for placing poles the full length of the van ( this now blocked by the later addition of a kitchen) all the windows have internal mahogany frames , with red roller blinds , all the furniture is hardwood framed and including the later kitchen and toilet ,
now the mystery stuff the center of the van the fire surround ,China cupboards, and wardrobe seem to be in the original position
both ends inside the van have been altered on the ceiling near the front about two feet from the end is evidence of a fixed partition, the furniture at this end has been moved about and altered to make the twin bed
There is a gap on the left side and looking at the shadow on the wall there would appearer to a chest of draws missing
going to the other end theres a large gap from the china Cabernet to the later kitchen area ( sorry i had forgot all about this ) i think that the originally this area was seating ,while the front of the van would have had a raised pull out showman's bed i am going to stick with the present layout as it is nice and practical and shows how the van has been modified over the years ....OVM