Found my van

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Found my van

Ma · Guru

Certainly is an oldie El. 1884..............

I hope she's all you have been looking for and that you have heaps of fun in your travels.

Sounds like you will as you come across as a pretty fun sort of person.

Happywanderer · The Master

You might want to edit your post Elle, I don't think they were making caravans in 1884.
Congratulations on your purchase, well done.

yeoeleven · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
G'day all
I took the plunge and have bought a ripper of a van. She's an oldie but solid and reliable and in good nick.
A 1884 Viscount, 15 ft poptop no leaks. She has a good 12v system, a new TV antenna, a fairly new awning, microwave (which I think I'll give away), good tyres, new spare, and the bearings were done recently. She belonged to a mechanic who took good care of her.
She's the perfect size, 780 tare, good layout and lots of storage. And a lot cheaper than the one I nearly bought however a comparable van as I will have to spend a bit to fit her out.
I pick her up on Friday next week from a town 200km away and then will take her to Perth and go straight off to a training weekend which will be great fun. If I can embrace my innate dyslexia then reversing and parking will be no problem at all.
This feels like a giant step closer to being on the road and I will fit her out gradually while I am still working over the next few months.

Well done Ellen,

The Viscounts were very advanced in 1884 biggrin biggrin

I hope to be able to look her over when I get there later. With all the rain I have decided to have another week in Esperance also to wait for the Pressure Cooker delivery.

John

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Maaaates

the Viscounts were real pioneers and were on the road well before cars were invented to tow them. Back in the 1880's they were designed to be towed by kangas hence their unique suspension system which is still in use today.

Hey John - get yourself a frying pan with lid as well, you won't regret it.

pauline · Guru

Great news Elle, I am sure you won"t regret it, when we bought our last van it is a 1990 Roadstar suits us, lot's of people say that's an old van, but hey I would LOVE to be 21 again....Good Luck with your purchase.

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Fantastic news Elle you'll love it. you will have many hours of fun I'm sure. I can't believe how much enjoyment I got out of having a new storage box built for the front of my van. I must admit I have a whole range of new priorities now days. I do hope to see your new purchase some day, enjoy.
Tess

Esmeralda · Guru

Elle don't get rid of the microwave just yet - I have used mine more than the stove!!!

Esmeralda · Guru

1884!!!! I thought my van was old and it's from 1989. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Vic · Guru

The Viscounts were made to last Elle, as long as you are happy with it. I would re-think giving the microwave away, can come in very handy when you do have power for those quick meals etc.

Well done !

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Elle, Viscount caravans in 1884 was a cover up for cobb+Co wagons. ENJOY. I'm sure you will.

Happywanderer · The Master

If you have room to carry the microwave, keep it. As others have said will come in handy when you have power. I would like one for that reason but not sure I have have room to store it.

RALPHRALPH · Senior Member

at least theres no plastic not like every thing else is made off .good luck ,find your self an adventure smile

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Our first van was a viscount too.
What are you going to call her?

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Thanks All

I'm compiling a list of modifications that I will have done over the next few months.... and ok I will keep the microwave at least for a while. The modifications include:

- a locked toolbox at the back but only for fairly lightweight items;
- provision for 3 gas bottles on the A frame - and am debating whether 3x9kg or 2x9 and 1x4. This is so I can have a spare for the fridge and stove plus have something for the bbq as most of the cooking will be outside.
- a rejig of the internal 12v system and will wait for advice from the knowledgeable namad autoelectrician who's here for a few months.
- provision for a solar panel - probably a fold out one, not fixed.
- fitting of a reversing camera and gps - one of those you beaut combos from ebay
- am still considering a vast system if I have a few pennies left over

For my ute I will be:

- fixing brackets for deisel and unleaded jerry cans on the roo bar;
- getting the canopy fitted and some simple shelving and storage boxes
- getting a hand held uhf and it's too expensive for the wired in type

I'm getting a magnetic 8bi antenna for mobile reception and a new lap top and an ipod so communications should be all sorted.

I will be able to store the van at a friends property and take her up to Perth for my ongoing work commitments so that will give me a fair bit of practice and sorting out glitches.

I have already scored some great ebay bargains on solar showers, 12v shower pumps and pop up shower tents. Not that I'm obsessive about bathing.....

As for a name I will have to spend a bit of time with the old gal and she what she tells me.

AmandaJayne · Guru

oh wow that takes me back... we were in a 16ft viscount after we got married, then went to a 22ft... before the house came along... those vans are realllly nice and built well :)