Viscount Grand Tourer

expanda

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Dec 22, 2009
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Well its been a while but as most people know the expanda clan has been out of a van for a little while now.

We have been spreading our wings overseas and a few trips here and there in a tent.

Well we were looking for a camper trailer as travelling with the roof topper boat and gear was becoming a nightmare game of tetris.

After looking at some bog standard camper trailers we were hesitant in setup as we have been there done that and I can't be stuffed.

We also didn't want to spend a huge chunk of change on something that was going to sit around and used minimally so a new Jayco was out of the question.

Well after a few weeks looking around we stumbled on a bunk van which suited us to a tea in layout.

It's an early 80's series Viscount Grand Tourer for a very respectable price in good condition with a tonne of stuff they chucked in.

Also came with a dometic roll out awning and anti flap bars and a full annexe which was the deal breaker as most old vans don't come with a roll out awning. There is a small hole in the awning but I'll just patch it for now.

So purchase was made and van collected yesterday she is in great condition and tows beautifully.

We have already stripped the van of any old fabric or foam , cleaned, patched and sanded all walls and are primering the laminate today.

So we plan on renovating it over time so updates will be slow but for now we are painting it and freshning it up for Sumner holidays.

The complete list of things to do as of now which will change.

1) Fresh cost of paint, wood grain be gone!

2) New door handles

3) All cupboard doors will have a wallpaper insert

4) New lino floor

5) Hot water

6) Double bed slats replaced and new mattress

7) New upholstery

8) New blinds / curtains

9) TBC

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Materials Used So Far

Painting:

1) 120 Grit Sand Paper (Prepaint sand)
2) Selleys spam filla one blue tub
3) Two rolls of 14 day blue tape
3) 3.78l Zinsser Cover Stain
4) Micro Fibre rollers 10 pack 100ml and roller
5) Multi brush pack general
6) Turps
7) TOP COAT TBC
8) DOOR WALLPAPER TBC
9) DOOR HANDLES TBC
10) DOOR CATCHES TBC
11) 240 Grit Sand paper (Between coats)


Flooring:

1) TBC

General Repairs:

1) Pine to strengthen lounge frame
2) BED SLATS TBC
 
Last edited:

expanda

Site Founder
Staff member
Dec 22, 2009
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Western, Sydney....
www.expandasdownunder.com
Here's were we are at today.

We stripped the van bare, removed all foam and have filled any holes and sanded it back and sugar soap washed the entire van.

Keep in mind we picked the van up yesterday atfternoon.

We want to get it primered today so it can dry for the week.

imag0838_noexif-resized-800.jpg imag0839_noexif-resized-800.jpg imag0840_noexif-resized-800.jpg imag0841_noexif-resized-800.jpg

Just need to get down to masters and get some micro fibre rollers and zinsser cover stain for the primer.

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expanda

Site Founder
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Dec 22, 2009
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www.expandasdownunder.com
Gotta love that woodgrain and the striped fabric! Can't wait to see it evolve.

Yep gotta love to hate it :)

Nice work,
Geeze you got to love the decor of the old vans (NOT) :D
Don't forget the RVD at the main electrical junction.

And come on you have to keep that fantastic lino.

Lol yes excellent decor!

Luckily the electrical gas Bern redone and it has a brand new rcd etc :)

Looking forward to following this build up. Congrats @expanda!!!

Cheers!
 

Dobbie

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2014
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Looks like fun!

I'm looking forward to seeing the unveiling of the masterpiece.

Lots of experience with mr jayco will give you lots of lists of things to check and then fix.
 
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expanda

Site Founder
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Dec 22, 2009
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www.expandasdownunder.com
Geez. You sure don't mess around!!!

Not many weekends till Xmas need to get my back side into gear!

Looks like fun!

I'm looking forward to seeing the unveiling of the masterpiece.

Lots of experience with mr jayco will give you lots of lists of things to check and then fix.

Lol my skill level unfortunately is not up to Jayos prestige lol!

Great work @expanda, looking forward to watching this Reno and seeing the journeys you will enjoy.

Me to.

Enjoy the ride!

Fantastic @expanda looks like a great family project.

And its the GT of caravans too :rockon:

Lol no seat warmers unfortunately!

Maybe you could do a swap @cruza driver ?

His would be more used than mine lol!
 
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expanda

Site Founder
Staff member
Dec 22, 2009
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Ok day 1.5 of ownership is over.

Thought for the day "I hate oil based paint'.

Primer is on, few drops on the floor but don't mind as I am replacing the floor anyway.

But good bye wood grain!

Haven't started the doors yet but this alone was a pain in the backside. The difficulty is getting the coverage inside the cupboards.

A lot of people don't do the insides but I am going to do the insides.

Next steps I might buy a spray can of zinsser and use it to -

1) Give a few areas inside the cupboards a spray

2) Spray the doors

Whilst the zinsser is rapid set I'll give it 24 hours and then give it a light sand with some 240 grit.

I had all intentions of doing a dual coat of the primer but there us not enough left.

Will go two coats of the top coat to balance this.

Any way here are some pics.

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Meanderthals

Aka PhilD
Mar 16, 2012
837
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Near Darwin
Here's were we are at today.

We stripped the van bare, removed all foam and have filled any holes and sanded it back and sugar soap washed the entire van.

Keep in mind we picked the van up yesterday atfternoon.

We want to get it primered today so it can dry for the week.

View attachment 37235 View attachment 37236 View attachment 37237 View attachment 37238

Just need to get down to masters and get some micro fibre rollers and zinsser cover stain for the primer.

View attachment 37239

View attachment 37240
Damn quick work and/or well planned ahead for.
 
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expanda

Site Founder
Staff member
Dec 22, 2009
3,892
1,961
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Western, Sydney....
www.expandasdownunder.com
I'm impressed already!

What a difference.

Me to very therapudic remove wood grain with each brush stroke.

Damn quick work and/or well planned ahead for.

Lol no planning other than needing to know the prep paint to use.


Yep last time we spoke it was a camper trailer but the thought of setting it up scared me :) and @Mrsexpsnda

We were just lucy to find a bunk model lol.

We literally got it yesterday after a week of looking.

We were lucky to even get it there was some much interest.
 
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