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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 1, 2007 12:56:33 GMT 10
GREYTHORNE HISTORY: to be compiled
Oct 20, 2005, Roehm3108: My reference book shows a 18ft Greythorne (built Whitehorse Rd Balwyn Vic) with exactly the same roof-line. They were also made in 14 and 15 ft models.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 13, 2007 17:51:28 GMT 10
Greythorne caravan advertised on Ebay 7 December 2007 Information provided by seller: Greythorne "Tempest" Vintage Caravan - * 1962/63 model * 4 berth with front table folded down & 2 single beds at the rear * original Morphy-Richards Astral fridge * original 2 jet burner * also still has original rims and tyres * Measures 14' long x 6'10" wide x 7'10" high. The interior of this vintage caravan is in excellent original condition and has been sitting under a shed for 30+ years and comes with the original sales brochure for the caravan, fridge and gas burner. It has never had brakes...
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 20, 2008 23:01:29 GMT 10
At the V V Nationals at Mount Gambier this week, Firefighter and I chatted with forum member Lazza, who with his father have been proprietors of Roadmaster Caravans since 1969. Lazza told us that in the 1960's Roadmaster Caravans in Adelaide supplied caravans to Greythorne Caravans in Melbourne which were re-badged and sold as Greythornes.
Winser 'Caravan and Touring Manuals' of the early 1960's contain advertisements for the 'Greythorne Roadmaster' caravan, which are clearly Roadmaster vans.
It is unknown at this stage how long this arrangement was in place, or whether all caravans sold by Greythorne throughout their history were re-badged vans built by other manufacturers (Roadmaster or someone else). The 1962/63 Greythorne Tempest shown in the post above does not appear to be a Roadmaster van.
The comment made by Roehm quoted in the first post on this thread refers to a discussion on another thread where a similarity was noted between Greythornes and Adventurer, Hawthorn and Playtime caravans.
Don Ricardo
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Post by exocet on Mar 23, 2008 16:43:00 GMT 10
Hi Don R, in the 56' KW Touring manual there is a full page advert for Greythorne. It is completely plywood and very Playtime, Roadmaster looking, in fact the add headlines with the name Greythorne, then further down the name Roadmaster appears. They had a 12ft and a 15ft model and they were at 731 Whitehorse Rd, Mont Albert.
Exocet
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 20, 2008 22:19:34 GMT 10
Lazza wrote on 18 April 2008:
"Roadmaster Caravans have been built in SA since 1946. My father owned a 1963 Roadmaster caravan ( 19' bunk bed model) and a 1968 Roadmaster caravan. This van was the last one that the original owners built. Dad then bought the company from them. He moved manufacturing from South Road Edwardstown to Furness Ave Edwardstown. We built caravans there until 1983 when I moved the business down to Lonsdale , a southern suburbs Industrial area about 20 kms further south of Adelaide. Adelma caravans were started approx 1967 by Jan Capolla and his brothers. They were former employees of Roadmaster caravans.They continued building until around 1980 when they eventually closed shop. Roadmaster used to build the Greythorne brand that were sold in Victoria.Adelma then continued to build them for some time ( not sure how long)...Cheers Larry W"
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 20, 2008 22:27:14 GMT 10
Following is the Greythorne advertisment and additional information referred to by Exocet in Reply #3 above. Note the reference to 'Roadmaster'. Does this indicate that this particular model was known as the Greythorne 'Roadmaster'? Note also what appears to be an FJ Holden rear tail light/number plate light assembly on the back of the van - matches the tow vehicle! (Source: Keith Winser, Australian Caravan & Touring Manual for 1956, pp 109 & 82)
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 30, 2008 22:09:10 GMT 10
1964 Greythorne advertisement posted on behalf of LazzaThis advertisement lists two addresses for Greythorne - its Victorian (Mont Albert) address and 800 South Road, St Marys in South Australia, which was the address of Roadmaster Caravans at that time.
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Post by cobber on Aug 6, 2008 11:27:13 GMT 10
Greythorne Caravans---- Roadmaster by Greythorne According to the “Caravan & Trade Directory” and the “Specifications” pages in these “Caravan & Touring” magazines “Greythorne” was the name of the company (located @ Mont Albert Vic ) and the model name of their caravans was “Roadmaster”. I realise this contradicts what "Lazza" has told us so clarification is needed . In 1957 there were 3 Models available in the “Roadmaster” range..the “Roadmaster 3-4 berth, a 12ft @£525....... the 4 berth, 12ft @ £535.. and the 4 berth 15ft model @£685 Cobber PS Lazza's photos refered to in the first post of this thread have done a bunk
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 6, 2008 18:00:23 GMT 10
Hi Cobber,
I don't think the info you have contradicts what Lazza has said. As I understand it, Roadmaster in SA supplied its caravans to Greythorne in Victoria, which sold them as Greythorne 'Roadmasters'. So Greythorne was the company, and Roadmaster the model in the Victorian context... But then maybe I'm missing the point you were making?
A couple of other interesting things though:
1. From the ads you've posted, Greythorne was still producing its own small vans in 1957 as well as selling Roadmasters.
2. The ads show Greythorne as having an office in SA, which in fact was the Roadmaster address. Does this mean that Roadmaster sold the small Greythornes in SA? Whether that is the case or not, it appears that the two companies had at the very least a very close working relationship in the mid 50's. I wonder how long that continued and where the early 60's Greythorne Tempest fits in?
By the way Cobber, you mentioned Lazza's missing photos. I tried to follow the thread you were pointing to but couldn't. Can you give me any more info about which thread it is, please, so that I can see if I can fix it? Thanks.
Don Ricardo
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Post by cobber on Aug 6, 2008 19:47:12 GMT 10
G'day Don, That link is the one referred to in your response #2 above, I just copied and pasted it... if you click on it up there it works, don't know why it doesn't work where I have copied it to However this is it, I suspect the photos have been removed from "Photobucket". vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=14&page=1 The “Caravan & Touring Trade Directory” of 1957 Shows “Roadmaster” of S.A. As being nothing more than a sales office whereas “Greythorne” Vic. Are shown as Manufacturers...Trade – ins....Repairs and servicing. The 1959 manual shows both “Roadmaster” S.A. And “Greythorne” Vic. As Manufacturers..Agents..Trade-ins..and Repairs and servicing. Also on the “Roadmaster” thread @ vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=2032In reply # 4 that 1948 Add. Indicates they were at East Brunswick, Vic. In replys # 5 & 6 there are adds. Indicating that the S.A address with the UM1909 phone number is the “Sales and service division” for “Greythorne” Vic. SO.... it would appear that things changed between 1957 and 1959...I think Cobber.
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willow5075
Full Member
Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Jan 30, 2014 20:33:32 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 1, 2014 21:20:48 GMT 10
Hi Willow5075,
Thanks for the posting the photo of the Greythorne caravan you spotted, which looks as if it has been beautifully restored.
The interesting thing about that van, is that it doesn't look like any of the Roadmaster caravans we've seen on the forum - most Greythornes from the mid-50's on at least are re-badged Roadmasters. This van looks early 50's or perhaps even very late 40's. That makes me wonder if at that stage Greythorne built it's own caravans and that this is one of them? You didn't happen to get any more info about it did you?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 21, 2014 22:00:27 GMT 10
Late 50's Greythorne caravan leaflet advertised on Ebay, February 2014:
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 21, 2015 14:09:51 GMT 10
Hi all, A photo of this Greythorne caravan was posted by Willow5075 in January 2014 (see higher up this thread), and there was some discussion about the build date. The photo below was taken at the SA Caravan and Camping Show this weekend and indicates that the van was built in 1946, although we don't know the evidence for that date. It appears to have been prior to Greythorne in Victoria acting as an agent for Roadmaster caravans because the shape is unlike any Roadmaster vans we have seen. Don Ricardo
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Post by colin61 on Mar 17, 2019 17:56:29 GMT 10
Hello , I have a 1967 Greythorne Roadstar in excellent condition.Im the second owner .Thinking of selling it but have no idea what it is worth
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 9, 2021 20:35:24 GMT 10
1960’s Greythorne leaflet posted with thanks to Hughdeany:
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 11, 2021 19:05:16 GMT 10
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