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Post by stumpy1972uk1 on Nov 15, 2009 14:11:18 GMT
hello all , whilst on holiday in north devon i spotted a safari caravan of about 18 foot in length being used in a farmers field entrance for storage , we currently use a 1994 abi jubilee vicroy gt twin axle 24 footer 5 berth. i am currently restoring a 1972 fd vauxhall victor estate and after spotting the safari it got me thinking that once the fd is on the road i would love to totally restore a safari of the same age , but i would need a safari that would comfortably house a family of four with a dog. whats the biggest safari that was produced , id like to keep the safari period with the fd estate. thanks for looking . regards adrian
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Post by Brian M on Nov 15, 2009 18:23:47 GMT
Adrian
Welcome to the forum.
I am pleased you were impressed with the Safari you saw even if it was not being used for its rightful purpose!
What you saw, if 18ft was the body length was a Safari 17/2, or 17/4 which was the largest Safari made.
The classic design of Safari was made from 1962-1980 so it is perfectly in period with your car. (I use a 1970 Volvo Amazon to pull my 1978 Safari)
There are four berth Safaris with body lengths of 13ft, 15ft and 17ft, these have two berths at the front (two singles that convert to a double) and a single at the back or to one side above which a bunk can be erected when required.
Your problem would be the weight of a 17ft behind your Victor. To give you an idea of unladen weights:
13/4 800kg 15/4 930kg 17/4 1050kg
I hope this helps,and do not hesitate to ask any further quetions.
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Post by stumpy1972uk1 on Nov 15, 2009 19:46:46 GMT
hello Brian , thanks for the reply , the safari has a real classic look , beautifull lines. the fd i am restoring is going to have a 5.0ltr chevy v8 engine , so its kerb weight is going to be increased , also i am doing a 1971 bedford cf custom van , again with a chevy v8. i would also like to re-do the interior of the safari when i eventually get one. im 38 y/o and have just converted our abi caravan to a fixed rear bed and the difference in camping comfort is awesome. kind regards adrian
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Post by Brian M on Nov 16, 2009 7:29:26 GMT
Adrian
Just goes to show that I shouldn't form a mental picture of a new member from his first post!
I had you down as a sensible family man, caravan holidays in Devon with children and dog, restoring his classic at home.
Then your second post tells me you are a mad petrol head, fitting ridiculous engines into poor little Vauxhalls! ;D
Your classics will have no trouble pulling a 17ft, so long as the rear suspension is beefed up a bit!
Go for a 17/4 and you could even modify the back bedroom to take an island bed, and put all the mod cons you are used to in your Viceroy. Then you would have the style of a classic Safari to match your classics.
Feel free to ask any other questons you might have.
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Post by stumpy1972uk1 on Nov 17, 2009 15:40:52 GMT
hi brian , lol , yep a definate petrol head. next question is , how often do 17/4s come up for grabs? cheers ade
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Post by Brian M on Nov 17, 2009 23:03:31 GMT
In the last year there have been eight 17/4 or /2 on ebay for between £100 and £1000, so they are around.
There are a couple on the "For sale" board on here, but they may have been sold since they were posted.
I'll keep an eye out for any more and let you know.
Whereabouts in the country are you based?
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Post by stumpy1972uk1 on Nov 18, 2009 13:36:35 GMT
im birmingham based , by the nec . cheers ade
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