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Subject Topic: Sprite 400 Post Reply Post New Topic
Personenglishlaptop
26/5/2012 at 10:31pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Hi just bought a Sprite 400, in pretty good condition but has some work to do, will be in progress as cant wait to use her. Still has the glass windows and most original fixtures. Still in original colours would like to keep her that way and not repaint her but she has a few bumps and dents as can be expected for 40 year old van. Any help or advice on what to do, and does anyone know which awning would fit, its the 10 foot model. thanks


Personjeff juke
26/5/2012 at 11:14pm
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 Outfit:  View jeff juke's Profile View Profile   Reply to jeff juke Reply   Quote jeff juke Quote  
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This might help with an awning Click

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Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


Personenglishlaptop
27/5/2012 at 5:51pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Thankyou Jeff :) might have to wait for buying the awning, a few little problems have come to light whilst cleaning, Will probably need a new skylight, this one isnt cracked but darent try raising it as very rusty :( n need to fix one of the handles on back of van, tho doesnt look like any damp has got in, yet. Have been given a battery n lights work, just got to find out why the fridge isnt on battery, hopefully will be able to get gas serviced to use next year, but need front box ( friend will make me one) or there is no where to store bottle. But have upgraded from tent with nothing so this is luxury and she has such character. Just love the rounded wardrobe with 2 lil indented shelves on the outside :)


Personenglishlaptop
30/5/2012 at 8:48pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Any idea where I can get a replacement sky light. It is not letting in water, but am scared to open it as original arms have slightly rusted and knobs are crumbling away. Actual plastic part isnt letting water in, but would be handy to be able to raise it. Found out fridge just works on gas :( I have a long way to go lol but fun learning. Dont want to spoil her by modernising her but some things need to be useable.
Away next weekend, just as she is to see how we go, kids are so excited. Then will start on a few repairs, taking off surface rust and hopefully painting chasis. Kids are laughing at my lack of DIY skills, still trying to work out how to fit new number plate. But hopefully they will improve and the kids will learn something.
Greased corner steadies today and managed to move her around our drive by hand ( with battery moved to above axle in caravan).


Personpippa10
31/5/2012 at 8:46am
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Avondale Sandmartin & Mondeo Estate View pippa10's Profile View Profile   Reply to pippa10 Reply   Quote pippa10 Quote  
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No help for you but it has certainly brought back memories as the first caravan we owned was a Sprite 400 back in the 1970s. We towed it with a Vauxhall Viva Estate and had
many weekends and holidays in it with 2 children, a foster son and a dog. We did have an awning and three small pup tents but were often joined by friends of the girls. Happy days!!!

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Margaret.


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Personenglishlaptop
31/5/2012 at 5:15pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Thankyou Margaret, although only 10` long, there is actually alot of room in her ,can sit 6 for a meal comfortably. Just booked another weekend away, going to enjoy her a few times, whilst I try to find all the parts needed . We dont need gas for a weekend, n will never have electric but have a battery for lights previous owner had added and work :)Going to have some fun trips away in her :)tho will add a pup tent n toilet tent when we are away for a week whilst i sort out an awning :)


Personenglishlaptop
20/6/2012 at 11:16am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Weekend away was great :) Need to add bed slats to make up table, teenage daughter not careful enough of original formica table lol, and practice my reversing. Was too windy to put up toilet tent, but there was room enough to keep that inside. Plenty of room for the 4 of us and dog to sleep. fridge kept milk cool over night even not working. Just got 1973 manual, close to 1974 and has loads of great information. Need to keep the windows in first setting at night to avoid condensation running in the caravan from glass windows.
Still looking for new stays n knobs for roof vent as that would be handy to be able to open, but it doesnt leak.
Tows like a dream behind my fiesta 1.6 tdci, tho have now got extending mirrors for car.
Set up time 10 minutes, and 10 minutes before we leave, tho does pull better when I remember to release handbrake. kids have voted it a hit, much less stressful than our much larger tent and more comfortable.


PersonDee OD
20/6/2012 at 10:51pm
 Location: Cork Ireland
 Outfit: quechua base seconds 4.2 Dandy Disc View Dee OD's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dee OD Reply   Quote Dee OD Quote  
Joined: 16/6/2011

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check out vintage caravans on ebay you will get gr8 ideas for doing her up  (im addicted now) also might find parts your looking for on there, best of luck

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lifes too short.... lets enjoy it while we can


Personenglishlaptop
21/6/2012 at 7:53am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Sprite 400 caravan 1974 View englishlaptop's Profile View Profile   Reply to englishlaptop Reply   Quote englishlaptop Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2007

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Thanks Dee, look on there everyday, thats also where I bought her from :) She still has origninal coloured wall board, cushions and even oringinal paper on the wardrobe, which I am leaving , even tho could do with touching up here n there. Think new curtains have been added and 3 lights run from a battery and a radio, other than that, in original condition. Wont be taking out mantle light n gas bar fire, but wont be using them lol.
She is homely and kids love her as she is. Not going to be giving her a modern feel, or would have bought a freedom.


Personplasticnut
26/6/2012 at 2:36pm
 Location: St Helens Merseyside
 Outfit: Freedom Microlite Sport View plasticnut's Profile View Profile   Reply to plasticnut Reply   Quote plasticnut Quote  
Joined: 03/1/2011

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Re: the awning.Look out for a small Apache combi/ porch awning. Once you have measured the caravan you may be able to pick one up for about £50-£70. Ask whoever is selling to measure it for you.
The Apache awnings are quite deep so will give you lots of room.Look on preloved,gumtree etc. If it's a long way to pick up then use parcelmonkey to pick up and use a paypal account to pay for it . I just had a awning picked up and it cost me less than £11.
Hope this helps


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Persontimtheenchanter
26/6/2012 at 2:57pm
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW View timtheenchanter's Profile View Profile   Reply to timtheenchanter Reply   Quote timtheenchanter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

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do the bed boxes have solid tops? if so, I found drilling some 10mm holes in them helped with condensation under the cushions at night, in winter they got noticeably damp overnight, same with making some slats instead of using the table.
any pics of the roof light? on my 77 monza I had to adapt some household hardware to suit.


Personlucycatski
02/7/2012 at 8:40pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View lucycatski's Profile View Profile   Reply to lucycatski Reply   Quote lucycatski Quote  
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Hi English Laptop, how are your repairs going? I've bought a Sprite 400 a few weeks ago from ebay and am just starting the repairs - I'm a bit daunted by the whole thing, but looking forward to it :) Any advice for me?



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