New Member

[Deleted]

Hi Everyone,

I've just bought a Safari - and I think I'm going to keep you all busy with questions for a while! Hopefully I've got the attachment working and you can see the photo ok. As a family we've been on the lookout for our first van for a while, and our main criteria was that we didn't want just another modern box like nearly everyone else has. That led us to our Safari, and while we're happy and excited we realise that our budget has meant we're in for a bit of work before it looks like our dream caravan. In no particular order here's my first batch of questions...
Firstly, as it's parked in the dark drive right now and I can't go and look, where is the serial number plate usually fixed? The van itself is pretty sound, but there is some damp which has come in in two corners level with the manouvering handles on the outside. It looks like where the handles have been pulled and pushed over the years they have broken the seal with the side of the van and the water has got in there. Whilst I could easily seal these areas and make good the inside, does anyone have any advice regarding "beefing up" the repair so the handles can be fixed to a solid body again? (Hope that makes sense) Also, there is no key and the handle on the inside of the door has broken. How easy is it to source a replacement? Lastly (for now), you can see the caravan has been painted. I'm guessing it would have been white originally, but what about the colour of the stripe?

Thanks in advance for your time in helping us bring our Safari up to scratch...and sorry if I should really have posted this in the restoration section.....

Paul

I look forward to all your help,

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[Brian M]

Welcome to the group Paul.

To answer your questions.

The serial number is on the lower sticker that is just in front of the main door. I can see it is there in your pic.

To refix the handles you may well need to strip the front bodywork and replace some of the frame timbers. I did this to mine a few years ago.

Full details and links to photographs are in this thread

classicsafaris.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=tech&action=display&thread=38

I know of several other owners who have only repaired the inside and now remember not to use the handles for moving the Safari!

I have a couple of door locks in my stock of spares so if you can post a photo of yours I can see if I have one that matches. They changed the type of lock several times.

The bottom half of your Safari was originally white, but you could order the stripe in any colour you wanted. Often to match the colour of your car! If the Safari was supplied to a dealer it came with a browny/green or maroonish stripe. So the choice is yours, and the pale blue could be the original colour.

Please keep the questions coming - we are all here to help.

[Deleted]

Thanks Brian,

I've done some digging today and don't feel too daunted at the work I need to do. The electrics work so I can pop out in th evenings to do a bit after the kids are asleep! It's good to know I can ask for friendly advice on here too... I'll photograph the door lock tomorrow and make a note of the serial number and post it in the right place on the forum for your records - probably come up with another bunch of questions too.

Thanks again,

Paul

[Deleted]

This is the door handle / lock that's broken / has no key. Rectangular section measures 11cm x 5cm approx, with the outside pull handle being 14cm x 7.5cm.

Paul

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