Sad story of vans at the tip...

[Don Ricardo]

Hi all,

I had an email just before New Year from new forum member Lollyvan with a story of the sad fate of two vintage caravans at a tip in Far North Queensland. Unfortunately I had some issues with getting the photos she provided uploaded to Photobucket, so I haven't been able to post them until now. Apologies to Lollyvan for the delay.

Lollyvan wrote:

"Gday Don,

"Sorry to bother, but I just wanted to forward these photos that may be of interest. This is some photos of one of the vans currently at the...tip, to be destroyed I would say anyday now.... They are both in pretty bad knick, and I was not supposed to be down there takin pics, but hey i did. I will send another email of the other van which is worse that this one. The chassis still looks good on this one from the tow bar end anyways. Just bought an old van myself but will send pics to forum in the near future. These i wanted to get off to you asap. It saddens me that they will just get destroyed as im sure there are things on them that could be re-used. Maybe not also!"

The first van is a Furness:























I'm not sure of the identity of the second van. Given the way the tail kicks out at the back, I wonder if if might be a Carapark Hunter Junior like the one at McFeeter's Motor Museum in Forbes. It is a bit hard to tell from what is left, but I think it may be too long for that:













Thanks to Lollyvan for sharing the pics with us.

I have not revealed the location of the tip. I figured that as the vans were Lollyvan's discovery, she can tell people where they are if she chooses. She was hoping to get back there to salvage some bits and pieces, so it will be interesting to hear how she got on.

We can look forward to seeing some photos of her own van as well. I have had a sneak preview!

Don Ricardo

[Deleted]

If only they could talk....
Bet there would be some great holiday stories.
Brian

[DC3Td]

Looks like they were caught up in one or more of the cyclones. Few cabinet hinges/knobs/a pigeon hole cabinet/end cupboard brackets/outside flash trims. Not to mention Cobbers penchant for jockey wheel/hitches. gordon

[hilldweller]

What a shame That Furness must have been a beautiful van in her day. Those sliding windows look fab

[aquamum]

If only we could save them

[gman]

How many times over the years have we all seen GOOD stuff taken to the tip? And of course, once it's there, it's hard (especially these days) to get it out.
We went to our local tip quite a few years ago, and someone had brought in THREE mid 50s Mopars, I think it was a De Soto and two Plymouths. One of them looked like it just needed a battery and some fuel to drive it down to the registration office, it was sensational. Factory tinted glass, original radio, wheelcaps etc.

We had a quick look over all three cars, raced home to get some tools, and by the time we got back the tip "contractor" had smashed anything that was any good and easily removeable. Don't ask me why, I have no idea.

If someone could have intercepted those cars before they went in the front gate, they would have got themselves a really nice car.

Graeme