Any info on Bulleen Caravans Melbourne ?

[aza]

I wondered if there has been any mention or info on Bulleen Caravans ?

Weather is so nice today I have the chance to do some work on mine and I thought
I would share some pics and see if anyone knows anything about this little 9FT van.

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[Don Ricardo]

G'day Aza,

Just how many intriguing little 9 footer bondwoods do you have hidden away there? Earlier this week it was the Aristavan, and now this one!

I can't place the make of this one off the top of my head, but Bulleen is a suburb of Melbourne (that's in Victoria, just to clarify - you wrote NSW ), and Bulleen Road is a road in Bulleen, so I think Bulleen Caravans would have been a caravan dealer in that location. I notice that the little nameplate says 'Supplied by', so my guess is that Bulleen Caravans may have been an agent for the manufacturer concerned, or perhaps more likely, a dealer in second hand caravans to which he attached his nameplate.

I reckon Hughdeani might be able to tell us more.

Don Ricardo

[aza]

Woops, it clearly says Melbourne on the nameplate but I had a few things going at once and was thinking
of NSW at the time Thanks for the correction Don

This little van was also picked up locally. The only history I have is that it belonged to the grandparents
of the guy I bought it from and that it has been in WA for many years.

So you are saying Don that R.G Smith could be the builder and perhaps he has done a deal with selling
his van/s via Bulleen Caravans ?? So Bulleen caravans may not have any connection to the build of this van. Interesting

and probably makes sense.

So I then wonder if it was a 'one off' or maybe a limited build ?

Would be great to see if there are more out there.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Aza,

I think R G Smith was probably the proprietor of Bulleen Caravans, but my guess is that neither R G Smith nor Bulleen Caravans were the builders. I also wouldn't think that the caravan is a one-off.

Doing a check I discovered a comment from Hughdeani that Roma may have been based in Bulleen Road, Bulleen at one point, and funnily enough your van has a very similar flash to this Roma. However, I am not suggesting that your van is a Roma.

The sharp edge to the bulkhead above the front window is fairly unusual, so that plus the shape of the wheel arches may help to identify it.

Don Ricardo

[Deleted]

Hi Don and aza,
Sorry can't help with this one,maybe you could show us an interior pic or two?
Very unusual aly profile too,never seen that before.
Roma was in Bulleen rd later than this,I think it was when white aly was around.
Cheers
hughdeani

[DC3Td]

Speaking of wheel arches as you did Don Ricardo - to me it looks like that originally they could`ve had more of a downsweep (slope) but now appear to have been modified/squared off at the rear to allow for larger wheels to be fitted/removed. gordon

[aza]

Don, looking at the pictures of the Roma there are some very clear similarities.
You cant see in the pictures of mine but the tow hitch is very similar and the design
of the draw bar and the gas bottle mount are also very much the same. Coincidence ?

Gordon, I don't know for sure but I actually believe your right about the wheel arches and
had always assumed the same myself. I think they have been made wider/larger, perhaps as
you said, to make wheel change easier. I put those mags on myself but im still not set
that they are the mags I will stay with because they look a little small in the arch.

hughdeani, here a few interior pictures. It still has the original ice chest, first door
on the left as you enter.
Cheers

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[Deleted]

Hi aza,
Doesn't look like a Roma to me,but who knows who built what back then!
Great little van though.
Cheers
hughdeani

[aza]

Thanks hughdeani.
I don't believe its a Roma either but like you say it does make you wonder
who built what or who copied who back then !

[DC3Td]

Geez Aza given the size of the clock you wouldn`t want to hear the alarm go off after a few ales.Beaut interior though. gordon

[aza]

Sept 13, 2014 22:03:13 GMT 10 DC3Td said:

Geez Aza given the size of the clock you wouldn`t want to hear the alarm go off after a few ales.Beaut interior though. gordon

Yes that alarm guarantees I wake up !