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Post by sutcac on Jul 6, 2006 20:23:48 GMT 10
Found this old English Van in Caloundra Caravan Dealers yard, Sunshine Coast, QLD. Also, an old disintergrating Bondy and a Propert Folding van number 149 (not for sale). Cheers.
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Post by earlee on Jul 6, 2006 21:12:38 GMT 10
Hi Sutcat, that old english van looks great - looks like fibreglass body and aluminium windows - sort of a lantern shape body - my guess is an early 60's model. Is it recoverable with lots of TLC? I am told TLC means Time and Lots of Cash. Where abouts in caloundra is it? Might be worth a drive eh? Does the old Bondy have one of those worthless portholes? Did you see our bondy at Dicky beach where it has been having a holiday this week? regards earlee
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Post by cobber on Jul 6, 2006 21:37:05 GMT 10
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Post by sutcac3 on Jul 7, 2006 19:15:36 GMT 10
Hi Earlee, the van is at Caravan Repair Centre Ph 54912560, but the owner is Merv at Caravan World, Woombye Ph 54421600 Not sure if the van would be recoverable. the door was off it and it was pretty messy inside. The bondy (no portholes) looks homemade and is absolutely shot. Could recover chassis , axle and wheels for T Drop project a la Reddo!!! Merv offered it to me at the right price (zero dollars)!!!! But I declined! Missed your bondy at Dicky(sounds rude eh!!) Reckon you should buy several more V V's so ya haf ta sell YOUR bondy soI can buy IT!!!!!!!!
Dennis , can just see the Safari van behind your rod in matching metallic green/silver!!!!!!!!
Cobber ,great site! Good to beable to see safaris as they were meant to be!
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Post by ukbrian on Jul 10, 2006 23:19:00 GMT 10
Hi all I have been watching your activities for the last year, waiting for one of you to find a Safari Caravan, and now you have. I am the founder of the enthusiast's group in Cobber's post. From the photo I think this is a 15ft 4 berth made between 1968 and 1976. It is all aluminium over a wood frame - even the roof, not fibreglass as you suggested. If anyone goes to see it again, check a small silver sticker by the door and there should be a serial number, the first two digits will date it precisely. If anyone does take it on - I have stocks of the two windows that appear to be broken and a "square topped" door that it should have, as well as the grab handles that are missing from the front. To encourage you to rebuild it to its former glory, check out my photo albums at community.webshots.com/user/eastwoodmanI knew there was at least one out there, as I recently purchased a Safari Owners Club lapel badge on Ebay Australia. All the best from the UK Brian
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Post by cobber on Jul 11, 2006 8:51:43 GMT 10
G’day Brian, Welcome back to the forum. Is anybody in Qld able to get to Caloundra to have a look for the sticker on this van, if not I have friends holidaying in Caloundra at the moment who would have a look for us. Interesting to speculate why somebody would go to the trouble and expense of bringing a van over from the UK in the late sixties, or Brian...do you think the Safari company had a go at exporting them to Australia, any idea how many may have come over?
I hope you are Enjoying your summer, been on a caravan run or two maybe?
Cobber.
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Post by mytriumphcar on Jul 11, 2006 9:29:22 GMT 10
Hi all I'm trying to find out the date of the van As soon as I find out how old it is will let you know Cheers Kathryn
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Post by will and Lyn on Jul 11, 2006 20:05:26 GMT 10
;D thanks for the posting Brian I have searched some of the English sites and some of the workmanship is fantastic as well as the shapes I had a wellton coachcraft and the design for its vintage was unbelievably modern thanks again for the interest in our site Will
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Post by ukbrian on Jul 12, 2006 7:53:41 GMT 10
Thanks Cobber and others for trying to find the serial number. I don't think that Safari Caravans ever had official export sales. Our group has one member in California who knows the English expat who brought the Safari over with him, and another in Canada who is searching for previous owners. There was a rumour of one other in South Africa but so far no real info. I think UK owners were prepared to pay the shipping costs when emigrating as the Safari was an expensive Caravan in its day. The Classic Caravan market seems to be very different over here. Owing to our wet climate rot is a major problem and as old caravans have a low resale value, restoration is totally uneconomic. Today I was given a 17ft Safari that had sat on a farm for 8 years. The whole front and one rear corner was totally rotten so I stripped out the plastic windows, most of the internal doors, all the small items that could be unscrewed and took the remains to the crusher. In perfect condition it would only be worth approx AUD1500 over here. Pictures of this Safari and its destruction are at community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=552154193&security=oDZhnYAnd yes Cobber I've been away three weekends in the last five. This week we had our first Safari Group rally but only managed six Safaris from a membership of 140. Still it is a start and hopefully we will get a few more next time. Regards Brian
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Post by mytriumphcar on Jul 12, 2006 9:53:34 GMT 10
I found out there was an Aussie Safari Caravan Club of SA but it seems the club maybe winding down with members leaving. Not sure why Regards Kathryn
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Post by ukbrian on Jul 12, 2006 16:31:32 GMT 10
Kathryn
Any chance of more details of the Safari Owners Club? - Postal address, email.
The name Safari has been used by quite a few caravan manufacturers over the years
There is still a company in Denmark called Safari.
The US Airstream has a range called Safari.
The big UK manufacturer Abbey has had a Safari in their range for over 20 years.
And I am sure there have been others, so the Club you have found may be for one of these, but I would still like to find out.
Regards
Brian
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Post by mytriumphcar on Jul 12, 2006 16:50:10 GMT 10
Hi Brian I spoke to the lady who was the Secretary and found out Its just called Aussie Safari Caravan club which has nothing to do with Safari Caravans as such! I thought this maybe the case as Im sure you would have heard of an Australian Safari club before Cheers Kathryn
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Post by ukbrian on Jul 13, 2006 19:06:31 GMT 10
Thanks Kathryn
I had typed a letter to the lady, so you have saved me the stamp.
On one hand I am pleased that my initial thoughts were correct, but on the other hand it would have been great to have a whole new population of Safari Caravans on the other side of the world. But would have made group meetings a bit expensive!
Regards Brian
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