NOW SOLD Early 60's Capricorn: Brisbane

[halps]

THE SAD SALE OF OUR CAPRICORN $8999.00 O "nearish" O



Tragically for our family we are undertaking the process of selling our early 60’s Capricorn Caravan. I am taking long service leave in 2013 and we have found a great 1970’s classic van that will suit our family needs for up to 12 weeks. As we live on a very small block in Brisbane, we can’t keep two.
Below: We spent a small fortune on the professional skills Canvas Concepts to develop a snug-fitting annex that has extension pieces for comfortable dining.






It also comes with the original annexe and small awnings.
The van has been totally rewired by my wife’s uncle (a professional electrician) that includes a safety switch. This has allowed us to install the microwave under the sink, a new fridge and a small box-type A/C unit under one of the front seats (available for additional $250.00).




Below: I did put a small bunk over the rear bed (new innerspring mattress on bottom bed) for our extended holidays. This can be simply removed by the purchaser. I did not screw it to the body of the van.

Specifications: about 13f long and 6.5f wide: registered in QLD with no gas cert (not connected we did all our cooking outside), hydraulic override breaks/new bearings and tyres (professionally fitted and recently maintained), professionally resealed too. No leaks or cracks in windows. Weight approx. 750kg and the Capricorn has bondwood sides with aluminum roof. All screened, paint 3 years old and in good condition. No water tank, mains pressure tap fitted. New fridge and annex with original full annex. Obviously all poles, ropes and pegs included, with original large cushions for rear bed (bed linen and accessories not included). We do need it sold as we would like to purchase the classic van and take it on some serious road tests before heading off for 15-plus weeks of L/S leave.
Contact via PM or HALPS on 0457834748. I will not respond to text messages…just have a chat…like we did in the old days when people had social skills, resilience and every kid didn’t win an award for being completely “average”.
Warm Regards, HALPS Brisbane

[cobber]

G'day Halps,

Sad for you to see this van leave the family I bet..... but good news for anybody in the Brisbane area looking for a great little van

Enjoy the long service leave trip, and thanks for giving members of the forum first opportunity to grab this beautiful van, it should be sold by Monday I reckon.

Cobber

[Miss Molly]

Stop looking!
Nothing to see here folks....
;D
MM x

[Miss Molly]

Drum roll pleeeeeeese....
The worst kept secret on the forum is now 'done and dusted'!
After zillions of dollars in interstate airfares, hire cars and two years of looking, I found it in Bris Vegas!
Thanks to Halps for delivering her to me. Thanks to Clyde (sutcac) and Bob (Boblor) for allowing me to pick their brains and harrassing them to find me a van! Also to Reddo for getting it up here in the first place. It's 1955 on the rego (I look forward to more debate as to what she REALLY is!) MMx

[Miss Molly]

P.S. Know nothing about Capricorns....history/ info/ examples welcome!

[Franklin1]

G'day Miss Molly,

Congratulations on finding a caravan in your own back yard, after circling the globe twice while searching. ;D

Funny how that happens, ay?!

This Capricorn is one of the very few we've actually seen on the forum. I've just done a search and apart from this van, there was one seen in a caravan park by somebody touring, and another member said he'd had one, but no photos were available. That's about the full story at this point.

When you say, "It's 1955 on the rego", was that a typo and did you mean to say 1965?

I've got a caravan and camping magazine from 1975, which lists some of the major caravan manufacturers that were operating in the mid-'70s. The entry for Capricorn caravans says:

"CAPRICORN: 57 Plateau Rd., Reservoir, Vic.
Custom built units that have gained popularity during the ten years the company has operated. Thick aluminium cladding and full frame construction are special points."

Note the words "during the ten years...", which would mean Capricorn started in 1965. The ribbed aluminium cladding on the front and rear of your van was introduced in 1963, and the combination of flat cladding and ribbed cladding around the van would normally suggest to me that a van was built around 1963/64. I would have thought by 1965 that Capricorn would have used ribbed cladding on the sides of the van as well (the majority of others were doing this by '65), but Capricorn might have been a bit slower than the others. OR...your van might actually be from 1964 or 1963, and the "during the ten years..." comment is a bit of a generalisation. Bottom line summary is probably a '64 or '65 van.


Halps was never shy in entertaining us with stories about his and his families experiences with the Capricorn. He's a great storyteller, as you can gather from reading these old threads about this Capricorn van:

July 2009 : Our VW Kombi fun

August 2009: The Next Chapter in the Capricorn

May 2010: The Capricorn Micro Tour 1

Dec 2011: building bed and bunks

Jun 2011: Capricorn Gets a New Full Annex


I've always thought this Capricorn van was quite eyecatching, ever since it first appeared on the forum. The halpsies have obviously looked after it well in the time they've owned and enjoyed it. I reckon you've made a good decision in grabbing hold of it. ;D

cheers,
Al.

[Miss Molly]

Hi Al,
thank you so much for your sage words and knowledge. It does say 1955 on the rego, no typo, but there's a long story about that! I think you are spot on with your estimate, as was Clyde (sutcac) and Reddo when it was discussed with Halps over a few beers and a campfire (allegedly!) Thank you for the links, I actually did a lot of 'homework' before today, I wish I had asked you first!
Cheers,
Mandy

[halps]

Many thanks to the 4 members that expressed interest in the van (and two outside interests). We hope that our soon to be classic van will give us as much enjoyment . I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of "the VV non club". Reddo, Dosse, JBJ and others have given us great advice and company. It was much appreciated by novices...

...campfire, beers...the story continues to morph

[retro64]

Hi there Miss Molly,

Congratulations on finding and purchasing the perfect van for you.

This really is a gorgeous van and a credit to the previous owners.
The annexe they had made was really well done from the pictures we saw, and the extra little bits of pink trim just made it picture perfect.

We wish you many years of joy touring round in your very own piece of Vintage Van history.

Cheers,
retro64.

[Miss Molly]

Many thanks Retro64,
It really is a lovely little van and thanks to Halps and family for their care and 'renos' which were done to a very high level.
No doubt we'll be seeing you around the campfire!
Cheers,
Mandy

[1954homemade]

Hi Mandy,

Congratulations on your purchase of a lovely van.

Glad that your news is now out in the open. ;D

Luv Di

[lohas2014]

I am looking for a fully restored 10 foot vintage caravan for my elderly parents. Does anyone in your club have one for sale in Queensland or NSW:) Thankyou Kym Oconnell

[halps]

This van has SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! (About 3 years ago),

HALPS: Brisbane