Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[duffy2000]

Hi All,

I posted recently re: buying a caravan and asked your advice about whether I should buy a Cheltenham or a Viking Fibreline.

We plumped for a Cheltenham Sable in the end, and here are a few pics of the interior.

The interior seems to be in reasonable condition throughout, but we have found some damp on the floor and into the units at one of the doors and there are various bits of damage around the roof beads.

We are debating what we should do with the interior wood because there seems to have been lots of additions of odd handles and modernisations over the years, so may not be original enough to warrant restoration. I have been searching online but without a great deal of luck so am hoping you might be able to answer some of my questions.

If we were to try to replace any of the wood panels, does anyone know a good stockist of suitable ply?









Does anyone know if the different colours in the cupboards were part of the original design or whether there have been changes made - the back cupboards are two tone and the side cupboards are all one colour... not sure why........





Damage to ceiling around beads.... any ideas how we could fix this without making it look worse and also where we could get replacement beads?








Water damage at the door..........







We think the gas fire is the original and it is working though we are slightly worried about it's safety.... are these easy to replace? Can you point me in the direction of stockists?



The cooker has been replaced... though not sure about the hob.....Both are in full working order but its a shame about the cooker - are the original cookers available anywhere anymore?



And really sorry for this question..... but where does this cushion go? Can't work out where it lives!!!



Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Uncle Alec]

With those handles I would expect you originally to have had photoprinted plastic interior wood, not varnished wood veneered ply.
That cushion - is it not the one that goes on the extended part of the left hand settee when extended into a single bed?
More when I have sobered up.

[duffy2000]

Thanks Uncle Alec, yes that seems the case that some of the interior is not wood....we were just confused as some is. The cushion does fit on the bed extension....but where does it live the rest of the time?

[gillberry]

Congratulations, have you been on the club website as there is a lot of technical information on all models and suppliers, if I remember right there was also a post on the Cheltenham Facebook page about where you can but the wood. We have wood panels on our ceiling but I am not sure if that is because we are a 67 and have wood cupboards. There is also a blog on the owners club site you might find info there

Once again welcome to the Cheltenham lot and she does not look that bad you never saw our first one, so don't worry
_________________
1968 Volvo Amazon estate (Gracie)
1967 Cheltenham Nyala caravan

[gillberry]

Forgot to say b600 cookers come up on eBay or try the spares man might be worth joining the club for £10.00
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1968 Volvo Amazon estate (Gracie)
1967 Cheltenham Nyala caravan

[Uncle Alec]

Good point Gilberry.
Re. the Carver heater, they are extremely efficient. They can be serviced and repaired; here's a link to a cracking chap who is an expert. There is also a download of a user manual for it (or a more modern equivalent):

http://www.arcsystems.biz/

Ask for Gary - he's a great contact for all gas-related caravan repairs, including the water heaters that burst the water jacket through frost damage (for us more modern caravanners).

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[david_rachel]

It's easy enough to do your own gas checks for the heater etc. You need an in-line propane/butane gas bottle level indicator. Pressurise the gauge from the bottle with all the appliances switched off, then turn off the gas bottle and see how long the pressure remains in the system - this tells you whether you have any leaks. A simple hand held gas detector will help you find any leaks.....even very cheap ones can be highly sensitive. If there are no leaks you're half way there. All the appliances should burn with pretty much a blue flame. If you have a significant amount of yellow/orange the appliance needs servicing.
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David Rachel
1972 Triumph 2.5PI Est Royal Blue
1968 MG 1300 Sal Connaught Green
1978 Carlight Casetta
http://carlightrestoration.blogspot.co.uk
1995 Lada Riva 1.5 Est Red

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[duffy2000]

Thanks for all the information. We will do as suggested wilson294 and strip the bead to see if there is more work to be done. Fingers crossed.

With two small people I think we will get the gas checked. The fire works great and blasts out heat but my worry comes from a little bit of black on the outside near the burner....thought this was a sign of something not right. I will contact Gary and see what he suggests.

Thanks too for the directions to sources of info and stockists. My application to the owners club is completed and ready to go Gillberry and now that I know what the cooker is have found one online already! Amazing!!!

Still not sure where the cushion goes when not a bed!!

[ajlelectronics]

The spare cushion is to extend the short bed on the left. There should be a matching wooden panel that fits across the aisle to act as a support. The beds are then made up across the caravan. You will see where the cushion fits then.
_________________
Evans Waterless Coolants
Find this and more at http://www.classicmicrocars.com
Sat TV / Aerial systems etc: http://www.ajlelectronics.co.uk

[duffy2000]

But where does it go when not a bed??

[ajlelectronics]

Ah, that is the mystery. I remade all the upholstery and didn't have the cushion that you have, so made it in two pieces as armrests. See them at the front of the van in this thread..

http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12550&start=15

Ah, looking again at your picture, you seem to already have them, unless they are not cushions in yours and just backrests?


I still have the set of original cushions, backrests and covers in storage if anyone wants them?
_________________
Evans Waterless Coolants
Find this and more at http://www.classicmicrocars.com
Sat TV / Aerial systems etc: http://www.ajlelectronics.co.uk

[david_rachel]

[duffy2000]

Hi All,

We have been so fortunate with the advice and assistance we have received so far on the forum.....so maybe you can help again!!!!

We have done a general tidy up of the interior, replaced some of the fabrics, carpets etc and replaced the ceiling trim etc. We fixed the door and have sealed up any leaks.... we think we got them all! No major refurb but has made a really big difference.

We are delighted with our awning which we managed to get through this forum - haven't used it on tour yet but looks great with the van! Thank you for all the replies..... and the awning!! Will post some pics when away and up!

I am hoping to repaint the body and replace some of the side trim on the outside of the van. I have looked online and the on the cheltenham owners club it gives this information..... The side trims with a black stripe down the middle fitted to late Cheltenhams is from Hillman Super Imp motor cars. These are becoming rare in scrap yards, so fellow owners might consider it wise to obtain some spare lengths before it becomes extinct!
Any ideas where I could source?

The paintwork is OK, but could really do with a freshen up. We can't justify getting a professional respray and wondered about views on hand painting with coach paint.

One other thing... I am trying to minimise the light coming into the van to keep the little blighters asleep in the morning. I have put in blackout blinds and am adding heavier lining to the curtains. For the skylight do any of you have any suggestions? Could add another blackout blind but would have to screw in and wondered if there is a caravanning solution we have missed!

Thanks in advance.