Brought the Don home

[stus57]

Some months ago we brought a 60's model Don from a add on gumtree.
It turned out to be only 8 ks from home and from people that we actually new. We finally got her home recently, so we thought we would share some photo's with you.
Our plan is to repaint in original colours, keeping her as original as possible. There have been a minor alteration with the addition of a double bed and carpet.
The model is 3060, maybe somebody can give us an the exact year of construction.

Enjoy - Stu & Elvie

[stus57]

A few more photo's, hope they attach this time

[stus57]

And more.

[willow5075]

Looks great, will you preserve the original color scheme?

[stus57]

We will be keeping it the same colour, but we will need to find out the colour and paint codes. I call it a duck egg blue colour.
It will look fantastic in the original colours.

Cheers -stu

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Stus57,

Thanks for sharing some photos of your recently acquired Don. I'm pleased to see it's gone to somebody on the forum.

Your van, serial number 3060, is a Don Special. As far as I can pinpoint it at this stage Don introduced the Don Special model in 1963. We also know that serial number 3076 was delivered to its owner in January 1964, so I would estimate that your van was probably built in the second half of 1963, maybe late 1963.

The Don Special replaced - or was built alongside - the Don Cadet, although as far as I can see, they are virtually the same in terms of overall shape and design. Having said that, it seems to be that none of the last few Dons produced were the same - and that's a significant point in relation to a manufacturer (Don Robinson) who for many decades refused to change the design and layout of his vans for anybody (including the livery and paint colours).

Your van is very interesting because (1) it has wrap around windows at the front, (2) it has a double bed placed on the side at the back of the van and the drawers in the other corner (unless it's been modified at some point?), (3) you also have the drop down hand basin from the earlier model Dons (but not the Cadets), and (4) you have overhead cupboards built right around the front of the van. So perhaps that what was special about the Don Specials - perhaps they were built to the requirements of each buyer?

And no, I haven't been looking at your van over your side fence. I saw the pics of the van when it was advertised on Ebay.

You have an unusual van there. Well worth preserving because of its unique features (for a Don that is).

Don Ricardo

[webrake4bricabrac]

Sorry to question the experts, but are you sure this model was called a Don Special? Looks like they pinched the badge from a Holden to me!

[stus57]

Thanks for the information Don.
We know from the previous owners that the first owner was the secretary of the RAVC caravan club, so he probably would have had it made to order. It was initially two single beds, which were altered by the second owner to make a double bed and the drawers were then offset to the left side. Other than carpet and a more modern sink tap being installed, it's in pretty original condition. I found the original tap rapped up in paper under the sink so we will be able to refit that. The carpet will be a challenge as it is glued to the floor.
As for the special badge and the chrome spear on the wheel covers, I would think that they were fitted by Don Caravans as a feature for the Don Special. They look like EK or FB Holden items, which were produced earlier than the date of manufacture of the caravan.
We are very pleased to own this van and knowing a bit of it's history makes it more (special ) for us.

Cheers - Stu

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Stus57 and WB4BB,

Reasonable question WB4BB, but it is correct that the Don caravan model Stus57 has was called the Don Special, and I agree with you both that the 'Special' badging was sourced from GMH, and is the same as on the FB and/or EK Holdens. It's not the only example of caravan builders borrowing car bling to decorate their vans. Other instances are Roadmaster using the central tail light from FJ Holdens for the tail light on their vans in the mid-50's, and Kennedy and Carapark using Zephyr tail lights on their early 60's vans.

Stus57 - thanks for the additional info about the double bed in your van. That explains that - it's an "aftermarket mod".

Just following up on WB4BB's comment re the Don Special, the Special was accompanied by a model named the Don Standard (another Holden reference). I'm wondering - but don't know for sure - whether the Standard model might have been the previous Cadet model renamed, and the Special picked up on a few luxury items, such as the wrap around windows, extra overhead cupboards and the wash basin. More research needed! However, one interesting fact about these models is that apart from the 12 ft and 15 ft Special and Standard models, there was also an 18 ft Special model, which was the largest van ever built by Don. Looking at the pics, I am presuming yours is the 15 ft model Stus57?

Don Ricardo

[stus57]

Hi Don

Our Don van measures 4.7m which is about 15 & 1/2 feet.

cheers -Stu