Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[tizzy47]

Hi ,
I have just equired a 2 berth abbey york caravan , 1977, it has the original very orange and flowery carpets and strippy seating. I am considering re-upholstering the interior, would this loose its appeal or not, do people really want to buy a van with the original seating material etc?
Van has been owned by the same family since new and servised yearly, in good condition for age with original windows and fixtures, even the old gas mantle light which is cute and working! even the original gas fridge still works like new. just the inside orange decor is so , well, you've been tango'd is all I can say ha ha.
I cant seem to find anyone else who owns one of these,are they rare or did they just wear out quick and Ive got a good one?
sorry for all the questions, just trying to find out as much as I can about caravan
many thanks Tizz

[Robin]

Hi Tizz, sounds like you got a decent caravan there. OK I guess it's nice to see everything original but only if it pleases you personally. You have bought the caravan for your own pleasure and to use I assume.
If you are not happy with the soft furnishings I say change them so that you love it.
regards
Robin

[tizzy47]

Hi Thanks for reply
I just wanted to make sure I wasnt going to devalue it, I do upholstery and have a vision of the van made over and will put on some before and after pictures once all done.
cheers Tiz

[Tehomet]

I'd say the same as Robin, but if you're concerned that you might sell the van in the future and the changed upholstery and carpetting might put buyers off, you can always remove them carefully and store them.

I have to say, it wouldn't worry me too much if I were looking for a van. I figure that fabrics are like tyres, they're a consumable.

[alan 869]

I think that you should keep it as original as pos

If you want to -renovate- it to your liking then I would take pics of the interior prior to doing anything with it. Then take all the things you don´t want in it and store them properly. Be carefull no to damage anything.

The thing is that in a few years you might change your mind and want it original again. Or, when you want to sell it, an enthusiast would only really be interested if the the original things were present.

When I did up my Volvo PV 444 from 1956, I did the interior the way I wanted it. Green whole leather interior. But, in a box in the cellar there is a complete oringinal cloth interior incase the original interior needs to be put back in. Should not that the cloth/plastic in it when I bought it was really shabby but kept it till I could source a spotless interior from the same model.

Abby weren´t the most exclusive/wellmade vans. Not exactly like a Carlight or a Safari. More like an Eccles or Bluebird... Sprite. This means that most of them have disappeared long ago. Like my Volvos. Most people had the notion of saving the PV 444/544 range or the Amazon, but a 144 in mint condition. Very hard to find as they weren´t thought of as a future classic. I´ve got the first model from 1967 which has done 40 thou and is in really good nick. The inside is spotless original. It draws just as much, if not more, attention as the PV

[Scarlet Snail]

That's not the one that was for sale outside Highpoint Prison is it?
I agree with the others, keep the interior stored somewhere and do it as you want it. Then in 20 years time put it back and you have a much sought-after classic!
That's what I'm doing with the Cavalier, anyway.
And paint it red.