Australian Mercedes Caravan holidays

[craigb]

I came across this website via a Mercedes forum (being a collector and restorer of them). Great period pics and recollections - thought it might have been of interest to others.

www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-kids-jeff-dorman-with-finnie-and-other-mercedes-trailer-haulers/

[shesgotthelook]

Thanks for that Craig. I wonder what model the bondwood is? Looks very like a Phoenix.

[gertie]

Well Craig, you would love my Gertie then! She is a 1960 German van complete with Mercedes wheels! Bit unique

[craigb]

I am very much in kindergarten when it comes to identifying vans! It will be interesting - from a young age my dad taught me the sometimes minor features that could identify one Australian bodied vintage car from another and expect these vans are similar, looking for that hint.

Gertie sounds interesting, do you know how she came to be in Australia? I have all these records of a 1969 Mercedes i have that was bought by an Australian Army Captain who was stationed with the 'British Army on the Rhine' - was on the letterhead of the paper used for the receipt to sell to an Adelaide man. Almost exactly a year after purchase the car was put on a boat from Naples to Freemantle and i have the shipping documents that include disclaimers for damage because it was to be 'on deck or in hold' - not in a container i guess. I can't remember the price but for the day it seemed reasonable. So my reason for mentioning is that i guess you could have also had a caravan transported that way.

[gertie]

That is interesting. I know little of Gertie's background except that she was from Blanchetown and then got caught up in a flood...hence the damage she now has. She is dated from 1960 and is a Jomi Wohnwagon. Her door is on the wrong side, so definately an import. With the German heritage here in the Barossa it wouldn't surprise me if she originally came to the Barossa before ending up in Blanchetown (just an hour's drive up the road).
Having said all that, I haven't found another one in Australia, so likely she was a loved part of a German family who moved out here.