Another new member

[malcolmrwall]

My friend has just acquired a Safari 13/4 Serial Number 75263, which I think means it was built in 1972. I have agreed to do some work on the van to make it uasable again so I'm sure I'll be coming to the group for advice and guidance.

[Brian M]

Welcome to the group Malcolm.

It is the first two digits that determine the year so your friend's Safari is a 1975 model.

My first bit of free advice -- it needs a wash ;D

[malcolmrwall]

I thought I'd seen a post on here somewhere that the year was encrypted, first two digits minus the last digit. Or was that a red herring?
BTW - I reckon the owners should wash it while I concentrate on getting the electrics and the gas applicances working - fair deal I thought :-)

[Brian M]

No - Safari serial numbers are nice and straightforward - first two are the model year starting in October of the year before, the last two or three are the sequential production number in that period.

A long time ago I posted the Carlight system that seemed to me to be as complicated as it could ever be, it only missed out deducting the number you first thought of!!

Are you a professional Caravan restorer? If so there could be others on here that are interested in your services. What area are you based in?

[malcolmrwall]

OK - so now we know it's a 75 model :-)

Definitely not a professional restorer, just an interested amateur. I have some knowledge of electrics and gas installations but my previous experience has been the occasional car over the years, and boats, we have had canal boats in the family for the last 30 years so I have tackled many jobs on those.
On this caravan I expect to be making the electrics safe and usable, re-plumbing the gas pipes where necessary, getting the water supply to the sink working, and maybe tackling some of the woodwork. The biggest job I think is going to be the front right hand corner, where the seam has come apart leaving a half inch gap visible, that sort of repair is not something I've tackled before so I'm inclined to find someone with experience to look at it.

On the bright side - the owners were intrigued by the idea of attending a classic caravan rally, and they also own an ancient Citroen HV horsebox, so the combination of the horsebox and the 13/4 Safari may get them along to the August meeting.

I'm based in West Berkshire by the way.

[Brian M]

Electrics and gas plumbing are not my area of expertise, but with regard to the front corner have a look at my efforts to rebuild the front of mine:

rides.webshots.com/album/550745591apQZvX

Not really too difficult if you are a reasonable carpenter.