bugsy
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by bugsy on Feb 27, 2010 12:51:16 GMT 10
hi all, Have owned a Crusader for approx 5 years. Like a few others on this forum my van is an add on to my passion for old cars. Has anyone know any information on these vans. Made in NZ. Thanks Buggsy
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freeway
Full Member
Make way for the Austin Freeway!
Posts: 191
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Post by freeway on Feb 27, 2010 14:18:27 GMT 10
Can't help you with any info sorry, but gotta say the pick up and van are freakin' sweet!
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 27, 2010 15:30:21 GMT 10
Hi Bugsy, Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting the pics of your Crusader, which looks fantastic behind your truck. Do you know what year it is? (The Crusader that is.) There are a few Crusaders around in Oz. They pop up every now and then. I saw one in fairly original condition on the road in Bairnsdale (Vic) in January - pics to come. There is a book available on New Zealand vintage caravans called Vantastic by Chris Hunter. When I saw your post I thought "Wonder what's in Vantastic?". The answer is 'Nuffin' - by which I mean Crusader isn't in the alphabetical list of van brands/manufacturers in the book. It may be listed under another name or brand, but I haven't had time to go right through the list yet. I'll keep you posted if I find anything... I'm thinking that it must be in there somewhere, unless Crusader was established after whatever date Hunter set as the cut-off for his book. There are probably enough Crusaders around in Australia that we should start a thread in the Down History Lane section. I'll work on that too! Don Ricardo
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Post by JBJ on Feb 27, 2010 15:34:01 GMT 10
Hi Bugsy, Theres been a few postings about Crusader vans over the years. Dont know where they have ended up. I had one probably 10 years or so ago, unsure of its age, but it was similar to yours & I remember it had 13" 4 stud wheels, from memory Ford Cortina type or similar. Its a while back & my memory not as good as it could be, but I thought it was early to mid 60's. from memory Humpty knows a bit about these also. JBJ
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 27, 2010 18:13:57 GMT 10
Ok Bugsy - got it!
Crusader caravans were one of the model ranges produced by the Munro Brothers, based in Otorohanga, NZ. The Munros started building caravans in 1948. In 1972 the company was taken over by Caravans International, a UK company, and became Caravans International Munro, or more simply CI Munro. Munro and CI Munro also produced caravans under the Pixie, Sprite and Oxford brands. (Source: C Hunter, Vantastic, 2005. pp 117 & 125)
If I remember correctly Rollydog's caravan is a Munro Pixie.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 27, 2010 18:51:33 GMT 10
G'day bugsy, there is a smattering of references to Crusader vans throughout this forum, and in our sister Classic Caravans forum. Click on each of these links to take you to the thread: 1965 Crusader in BallaratNew member in TassieTefney crusader 22ftSome ebay photos from January 2010: photosFrom the Classic forum: Crusader info - anyone?kiwijim's CrusaderVans spotted on our NZ tripMy gut feel is that your van looks like it might be from the 1970s. I think the moulded recesses for the handles at the front might be a bit too "modern" for the 1960s. No evidence to back up my thoughts, just a feeling. That door lock was being used by Millard in the mid-1970s, but again that doesn't prove anything. The overall styling of your van suggests it was made when the industry was a bit more advanced than they were in the 60s. (But I'm not betting my house on it, mind. ) cheers, Al.
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Post by kingy on Feb 28, 2010 10:55:36 GMT 10
G'day Bugsy, Good to see that you've joined up, leanne (cruz) told me about your van some time ago and i've since been curious as to what you had, now we know......and the combo look great, (got any interior shots) lets hope you can get to one of our gatherings at some stage, good to see the membership no's in gods country rising too Kingy
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 28, 2010 16:03:30 GMT 10
G'day Al,
Can you give me the publication details for that newspaper article you posted on the 'Teffney Crusader' thread please? Newspaper/magazine title and date would be helpful if you have them to hand...
Thanks,
Don Ricardo
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2010 20:38:55 GMT 10
G'Day crusader.. Love your truck... ,,, and the van looks cool A sweet combination.... Reddo ;D
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