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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 4, 2008 22:25:53 GMT 10
PIXIE CARAVANS HISTORYMathews Brown & Sons Pty Ltd, 12 Hilly Street, Mortlake, NSW
Excerpt from 1964 Gregory's Guide to Camping and Caravans, pp 30-31 Source: posted by chippydave01, 12 August 2007
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Post by fcdriver on Feb 4, 2008 23:48:40 GMT 10
Hi All Yes I did see this but I was told by the man I bought it from (Patrick at Rosedale caravans) in Victoria that he beleived our van was built by Pixie at Thomastown Victoria. Its all a mystrey to me. Who knows though our van could well have come from Mortlake MMmmm the mystrey of a Vintage Van!! If only they could talk............. ;D Well...Ive talked to our van and haven't received a answer yet. See Yah Bruce
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 5, 2008 20:38:43 GMT 10
fcdriver's Pixie caravan referred to in above post: Source: posted by Mark T, 13 October 2006 For more information about this caravan click here
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Post by DC3Td on Dec 26, 2008 23:17:00 GMT 10
Re: Pixie Caravans Mortlake. Street name should read - Hilly. cheers gordon
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 27, 2008 20:31:54 GMT 10
Thanks Gordon - correction made. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 30, 2013 13:31:27 GMT 10
Photo of the rear of a Pixie caravan taken by Sutcac at the 2009 NSW Christmas in July get together and posted on 5 July 2009: Photos of a Pixie caravan owned by Kyles and posted on 8 December 2012. Note the Pixie logo in the second pic:
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 28, 2017 10:39:13 GMT 10
Photos of Don257's Pixie 7 taken at the recent Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Show, and the 2014 V V Nationals in Broken Hill:Don257's van seems to be identical to the other Pixie 7's shown on this thread, except for the different shape of the wheel arch, and the rounded bottom corners of the rear window. Don Ricardo
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Post by rhynos77 on Sept 20, 2018 20:54:49 GMT 10
Hi there My grandfather, Milton Matthews built these caravans from his Mortlake factory in the late 1960s. He manufactured the chassis for Viscount and Millard vans until he spotted an gap in the market for a smaller, lighter van "that could be towed by a mini cooper". He put it to the owner of Viscount and Millard to make a 12ft van, but he didn't agree. So my Pop made them himself. The owners of Viscount and Millard thought my Pop just wanted one for himself, but when they discovered he was selling them, they gave him an ultimatum: "you can't build our frames and build your own caravans, so take your pick." My grandfather built and sold 50 Pixies, you are very lucky to have one of the only surviving vans. I would love to know if you still have it and see some pics. I can put you in touch with my Pop for more information on the history of these iconic vans. Ryan Watson ryan@omaroo.com.au Hi All Yes I did see this but I was told by the man I bought it from (Patrick at Rosedale caravans) in Victoria that he beleived our van was built by Pixie at Thomastown Victoria. Its all a mystrey to me. Who knows though our van could well have come from Mortlake MMmmm the mystrey of a Vintage Van!! If only they could talk............. ;D Well...Ive talked to our van and haven't received a answer yet. See Yah Bruce
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Post by rhynos77 on Sept 20, 2018 21:04:15 GMT 10
Hi there My grandfather, Milton Matthews built these caravans from his Mortlake factory in the late 1960s. He manufactured the chassis for Viscount and Millard vans until he spotted an gap in the market for a smaller, lighter van "that could be towed by a mini cooper". He put it to the owner of Viscount and Millard to make a 10ft van, but he didn't agree. So my Pop made them himself. The owners of Viscount and Millard thought my Pop just wanted one for himself, but when they discovered he was selling them, they gave him an ultimatum: "you can't build our frames and build your own caravans, so take your pick." My grandfather built and sold 50 Pixies, you are very lucky to have one of the only surviving vans. I would love to know if you still have it and see some pics. I can put you in touch with my Pop for more information on the history of these iconic vans. Ryan Watson ryan@omaroo.com.au Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/2073/pixie-caravans-mortlake-nsw?page=1#ixzz5RdfsDAXdPhotos of Don257's Pixie 7 taken at the recent Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Show, and the 2014 V V Nationals in Broken Hill:Don257's van seems to be identical to the other Pixie 7's shown on this thread, except for the different shape of the wheel arch, and the rounded bottom corners of the rear window. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 22, 2018 13:03:31 GMT 10
Hi Rhynos77,
Great to have you posting on the forum. It is always appreciated when we hear from the family members of the people involved in the caravan industry in the vintage era, such as your grandfather. We'd love to hear more about his involvement and memories if you'd like to tell us more.
In the meantime, I've contacted Don257 who own the Pixie you referred to, to make sure they know about your post. I expect they'll be in touch with you soon.
Don Ricardo
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Post by don257 on Sept 23, 2018 7:33:00 GMT 10
Hi Rhynos77, have sent you a personal message with our contact details, happy to talk to you about the Pixi. Doug
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jtomo
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by jtomo on Jul 14, 2022 21:31:26 GMT 10
I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on a Pixie 7. I have read this thread but would love to know more about these caravans.
Don't know how to add photos.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jul 14, 2022 21:55:28 GMT 10
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jtomo
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by jtomo on Jul 26, 2022 18:24:36 GMT 10
I have been lucky enough to get my hands on a Pixie 7. I habe read the info on this forum and found it very interesting. Would love to know more. Is it known how many are still on the road?
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jtomo
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by jtomo on Jul 26, 2022 18:33:53 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 6, 2022 22:26:03 GMT 10
Hi Jtomo,
Welcome to the forum and thanks for telling us about your Pixie 7. As you can see I used my admin powers to enable your photos to be displayed directly in your post so that people can see them more easily. I hope that's OK?
In answer to your question, based on the vans shown in this thread, there are at least five around (including yours). According to the manufacturer's grandson who posted above, his grandfather built about 50 vans, so that means we've seen about 10% of them!
With a total build of 50 there's never going to be a huge number around, but who knows how many there are still are? I'm guessing there may be no more than double the number we've seen on the forum? But that's just speculation.
Have you found a serial number anywhere in or on the van, for example on the drawbar or inside the van. If you did find a number it might tell us where it fits in the overall production of 50.
I note that the Pixie signage on the front of your van is a different font style to what is on the front of Kyles' van, which is an interesting little detail.
Don Ricardo
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