My 1963 Harris Van

[pcw]

Bought brand new by my late Grandfather in 1963. And been in our family ever since.

Was used for many holidays to the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula and trips to Adelaide for the Royal Show.

Sat in our farm shed for about 20 years unused, but have cleaned it up and now being used by my family of 6 for holidays.

Everything is original, including canvas awnings, full size annex, electrolux gas fridge ( lit using metho ! ), will post some internal pics at some stage.

[pcw]

[pcw]

Photo taken at Port Rickaby Caravan Park,
January this year 2013.

[Deleted]

Very nice Peter!
I especially love the fact it's been in your family so long.
Makes it extra special.
Can't wait to we some interior pics.
I like the way the stripes are done at the front too.
Cheers
Brian

[mpower]

There would be very few vintage van forum members with a caravan in the family from new. How good is that?! Fantastic to have those memories to relive when you are out touring.

Mark and Maureen
Bendigo

[Roehm3108]

You took the words right out of my mouth mpower That's a good looking van you have there pcw and really glad to hear you're actually using it with your family and building up a whole new generation of memories.

Perhaps DonRicardo (a fellow family heirloom v/vanner) has actually kept tabs on the members who still have/use a van that's been in the one family all its life.

[cobber]

G'day PCW ,

Thanks for posting photos of the family caravan.... we love hearing about vans that have been in the same family since new, and kept in their original condition, must feel very special for you too.
Like your wooden annex poles too

Do you any have photos from the time your grandparents were using the van, they would be very special, look forward to seeing inside photos as well

There is a thread on Harris vans in DHL if you click here

It doesn't show up in the index.... But I bet Don R will fix that tonight

Cobber.

[Roehm3108]

Is that ipad playing up again, cobber. Harris is shown on the index that I see

[jenniewren]

Beautiful van.....stunning! So glad you are using such a family icon!

[cobber]

Ray,

It's in the index but....... Did you click on it ?

My ipad says..... The thread does not exist

I love my iPad .

Cobber.

[Roehm3108]

You're right again cobber!!! Far be it for me to cast nasturtions at your LOVELY ipad ;D ;D ;D

[Don Ricardo]

Mar 4, 2013 19:32:57 GMT 10 cobber said:

But I bet Don R will fix that tonight

Cobber.

Yep, all fixed. Thanks for letting me know - I'm always happy to correct the index if errors are found. I'm a bit puzzled though because I've accessed that thread through the index many times...!

But back on the topic at hand - PCW, that's a beautiful van you've got there, and fantastic to have it still in the family. When people talk to me about our caravan which my parents bought new in 1949 (before they even had me), I explain that the van is like a member of the family, and that's the way it feels. It's always just been there!

There are a handful of caravans on the forum that are still in the same family after two or three generations, and one or two others which have been rediscovered and re-purchased by the children of the original owners. I did compile a list at one point. I'll try and find it (or put it together again) so that we can add you and your van to it. In the meantime, just keep on enjoying your Harris with your children. In my experience holidays don't get much better than that!

Don Ricardo

[harrislover2013]

Awesome, ours has had to be taken back to chasis was rotten throughout sadly, but000000000
she will rise again... 0

[pcw]

Some interior pics of the Harris van.

Thankyou for the comments above.

Yes Don, the van does feel like its part of the family. Had a good chat to my 95 year old grandma and she told me the van was a wedding anniversay present for her and my grandfather from their parents in 1963.

[pcw]

Curtains arent original. Grandma said she didnt like the ones that came with the van, so she put these in. So the curtains are about 48 years old and not 50 !

Can see the original electrolux metho lit fridge.

[Surf Tragic]

Hi pcw

that's pretty special having the original Family van, quite a good

looking old timer too . The ceiling is very shiny, is it lined with a

laminex type sheeting, or is that just a very good glossy paint

job?

ST

[pcw]

Thanks ST,

The ceiling is shiny paint.

Regards Peter.

[relmhayd]

Hi pcw,
Great looking van, have sent you a personal message. Hope to meet up with you sometime.
Bob

[King Fisher]

The colours inside look familiar (Green/Cream) . You have a great original van there, love it.

[willow5075]

How lovely to have it in the family all this time!

[stevem]

Hi I’ve just joined the forum suggested by a guy in tassie.
we recently purchased a 1964 Harris van.  It was found on a deceased estate in a shed.  It’s in original condition besides a couple of small dents in the outer skin & a few rub marks it’s truely remarkable.  We are currently getting the electrics all checked 12/240.  It even has the fridge instruction leaflet, a little discoloured but. 

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