Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

rsjmum · Joined: 09 Sep 2013 Posts: 13

Having bought an old van, in the hope that it was car cruiser, and finding it is not - What do people think about doing up these vans or would it be better to wait for a well respected make?

christine lowery · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject:

it depends on the van
many vans were sold as diy you got the out side and finished it of,
if you are waiting for the Right van you may as well pratice on this one then you will have made the mistakes and be wiser for it and have a van in the meantime
and a van to sell on th finance your purchace
its a mater of love
chris Smile

christine lowery · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:11 pm Post subject:

it depends on the van
many vans were sold as diy you got the out side and finished it of,
if you are waiting for the Right van you may as well pratice on this one then you will have made the mistakes and be wiser for it and have a van in the meantime
and a van to sell on to finance your purchace
its a mater of love
chris Smile

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

I am afraid I have to show my ignorance, what does 'non-prop van' mean, and what is a 'car-cruiser'?
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

Dalek63 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 490 Location: North Cornwall

Some home made caravans were made better than a lot of proprietary ones and are well worth restoring. After all they are unique and one offs! Others were a bit like chicken sheds on wheels, so its debatable if they are worth anything. Also as with all vintage caravans, it also depends on the condition they are in.
You also can get some very small firms just after the war trying making caravans and having a short run before deciding its not for them, our two Hemleys were really prototypes as the company only ever made four caravans before giving up.
So all in all yes a nonprop is usually worth restoring as it is unique and is the result of a huge amount of work and enthusiasm from a person now long gone and I feel in part we owe it to them to see that their creation is preserved.
_________________
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/

rsjmum · Joined: 09 Sep 2013 Posts: 13

Thank you for those ideas. The external body work is good - no seams split but damp has got in through broken window and roof - hardboard and canvas. Needs all the inside to come out and to be relined. It would be interesting to know when it was built and so help my decision!

christine lowery · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:07 pm Post subject:

post pictures or a link and somebody might know
christine Smile

Peter_L · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject:

christine lowery · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject:

love a phot
christine