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Post by Damon and Louise on Jun 15, 2006 13:06:36 GMT 10
Hello all. First message posted for us but have a great old van to show you. Not sure of age or make but think it is pre 70s maybe early 50s. If someone can provide info on this van it would be much appreciated. Picked it up cheap and wife and I are looking foward to restoring it to original colors etc as inside seems pretty much all original and all there bar the cupboard doors. So here goes, hope the photos appear etc and I have resized them enough... First a photo of the side profile  The front tow bar assembly :  the old fridge :  the sitting area :  The amazing gas lights :  kitchen :  keyhole entry into bedroom :  the tail light :  the wheel rim :  Any help from anyone would be most appreciated |
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HDTodd
Junior Member
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Post by HDTodd on Jun 15, 2006 15:06:34 GMT 10
That is a great looking van and very unique too.
I'm not sure of the age but the wheels look like HD/ HR Holden (they're different to earlier model Holden wheels) so if they're original I would say it's from the mid sixties.
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Post by trodler on Jun 15, 2006 16:29:56 GMT 10
Hi Damon The van looks very similar to the Furnace caravans, made in SA. Although I dont think they had a curve across the roof line on the front and back ot the van. Your van has the same gas light (havnt seen another till now )and waterpump that my van has and the aluminium windows which would date it towards the end of the 50s or early 60s. Love the fridge.  Does it work? Cheers. Trodler. |
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Post by hwyman on Jun 15, 2006 20:24:46 GMT 10
Hi Damon & Louise I was at the local timber yard house wreckers today getting some timber for my van and as I walked through the gate I see to my left a stove exactly the same as yours and complete and in good nik I wondered if it might be Lpg . Also the tail lights on your van are Austin A55 cambridge 57-59 I went to the austin cambridge club site and doubble checked. I have a gas light the same as yours it came out of my commer highwayman motor home 1961 .I've had 2 commer highwaymen restored 1  and stripped 1. :'(Anyway great size van enjoy! Brian |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2006 8:08:13 GMT 10
Hi D&L Welcome to www.vintagecaravans.com. Great van. Like a breath of fresh air on this site. There is a lot of bondwood vans out there which are similar to each other. Your van is a bit "out of the ordinary"with its keyhole entry to the bedroom, roof and rear shape, side storage door, etc. The side opening storage door is a great idea for gaining access to annexe, poles etc. saves pulling the seat cushions or bed apart tp get to everything when you arrive at your campsite. First i have seen with gaslights. Also appears to be at least 14' possibly 16' long. Vacumn brakes suggests it weighs a fair bit??? I am wandering what the little bracket on the left side of the draw bar is . It has four small holes and one large hole?? You will probably find it does not have rear wind down legs. My guess is that your van has a lot of weight on the towball so even when unhitched you could probably walk down the back of the van without the jockey wheel coming off the ground.!! Sorry i cant give you a manufacturers name but as JBJ and others have stated it has 13" Holden wheels so it is at least '56 onwards . Also with electric fridge not an ice box suggests around 1960. Good luck with the refurbishment. keep us posted on any "cupboard finds" you may discover when cleaning her up. Reddo |
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Post by cobber on Jun 16, 2006 9:15:01 GMT 10
G’day Damon & Louise, That is one lovely unique Plywood you have found, it would be interesting to know it’s history. I would venture to say it was built, or fitted out, by somebody who was a bit of an eccentric (and he can take that as a compliment). The shape of the body, inside and outside, and some of the fittings shout late 1940’s to me but then other things, like the aluminium windows and tail lights date it later. Does the fridge look like it belongs Damon, or do you think it could be replacing something (like an ice box) that was in that space before? Is that an air conditioner above the dinning table up front? Two taps over the sink, one mains pressure ? To me she looks like an old van modified so somebody could live in it. Vans like this have to be rescued now and restored because there won’t be any left in ten years.....they are rare now. That thing on the draw bar Reddo is to hold four toothbrushes and a glass with which to wash your mouth out  Cobber. |
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Post by Damon Louise on Jun 16, 2006 9:33:31 GMT 10
Wow. What a wealth of information. Many thanks to you all.
Over the next few days, prob after weekend ( 2nd wedding aniversary so going away ) will reply to questions if i can and check up on some guide lines you suggested.
Re the fridge. The bench does look like it was cut to fit the fridge but then again looks kinda original as well. I don't know though for sure. Any pics you guys have of other vans with same shape or similar would be great if sent to url_engine@hotmail.com I can get to original paint and have found the colors and the line color etc.
Nothing found in cupboards of interest sorry.
Should I just do it up as it is or replace out of place items with original ?
I will collate the info on the stove and lights etc from you all so I have a complete picture in time.
Anyway, thanks again for all that and keep it coming if any more ideas spring up. I will post updated pics when work is done in stages.
For the senior admins here : I am registered as vintagerestorer but can't log in past quest despite putting correct username and password ( have checked by having it emailed to me ) into login page.. any ideas ?
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Post by Damon Louise on Jun 16, 2006 9:39:51 GMT 10
Howde again. One more thing. Frige I am almost sure is gas. that bit above with grill holds dials, controls etc for gas regulation. will check fridge properly though.
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Post by Damon Louise on Jun 25, 2006 10:31:19 GMT 10
Hey there. What caravan model do you have Trodler ? Fridge is certainly a gas one but havn't hooked it up or found out what gas yet. lol. You have any pics of your van thats similar that you could post to me at url_engine@hotmail.com ? if so that would be great thanks. Hi Damon The van looks very similar to the Furnace caravans, made in SA. Although I dont think they had a curve across the roof line on the front and back ot the van. Your van has the same gas light (havnt seen another till now )and waterpump that my van has and the aluminium windows which would date it towards the end of the 50s or early 60s. Love the fridge. Does it work? Cheers. Trodler. |
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Post by lylack on Jun 25, 2006 13:37:34 GMT 10
Hello Damon & Louise
I think you would enjoy reading:
Caravans – The Story of British Trailer Caravans and their Manufactures 1919 – 1959. Andrew Jenkinson. I’m not saying that your van is English but I think it has English influences.
Your New World Cadet Stove is English I have one myself. I also have your gas lights. Both were installed beginning of the 1960’s.
Search around for the fridge stamp they usually all were stamped. I found my stamp eventually hidden underneath it.
Cheers Leonie
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Post by trodler on Jun 25, 2006 19:00:34 GMT 10
Hi Damon
My van is a 1958 job, if you have a look in the members album
on page 5 under Trodlers vans youll see my vans.
Cheers.
Trodler.
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Post by Damon Louise on Jun 30, 2006 18:15:57 GMT 10
Hey again guys..
Leonie, many thanks, I will see if i can find that book. the lenses on the rear lights are also english. I will post all the names etc when I get a few minutes with the van soon. Your suggestion of English influences sounds reasonable as that is like 4 or so items that are english. So maybe sold in UK and constructed over here like a few others were
I will have a look at your vans mate thanks.
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Post by jenny on Apr 13, 2008 11:04:09 GMT 10
Hi great caravan.I go along with the Britsh infleance.I am at the moment restoring a 1956 Burlingham Britsh caravan.The out side has very similar lines,yet the inside is very diffrence.Love to see it when finished.Thanks Graham
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Post by cobber on Apr 13, 2008 13:17:40 GMT 10
G'day Jenny (Graham), Been patiently waiting for you folk to let us know how you are progressing with your Burlingham restoration at vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.c.cgi?action=display&board=photo&thread=1202337557&page=1How is it going ? I fear Damon & Louise (vintagerestorer) may have dropped of the radar, I don't think we have heard from them since June 2006, I hope that's wrong, they may be on here now as “members” under a different name. There are similarities between their 'van and yours, in the outside shape at least......... not much else, eh? Cobber. |
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and stripped 1. :'(Anyway great size van enjoy! Brian 
