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Post by philby on Dec 11, 2014 11:30:02 GMT 10
Hi All, My first post on this great site. I've been observing for a few months and enjoy watching the discussions unfold. I bought our first caravan about a month ago having been looking for a couple of years. A great family who's grandfather made this in about 1959. Great year as its tow car is a 1959 Holden FC sedan. I'll get more pictures as I progress with it's refresh. I'm not fully restoring it as it's in such amazing condition. I can't find any rot, surface rust only on the frame/draw bar and wheels and the build was very solid. I'm pretty sure it's a Supalight, happy to hear any thoughts on that. As it was found Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedThen it arrived in Canberra Attachment DeletedCheers for now. Phil |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Dec 11, 2014 21:04:31 GMT 10
What a beauty Phil. Welcome to the forum & the nutty world of vintage vanning. Look forward to seeing some more pics. SGTL  |
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Post by philby on Dec 14, 2014 21:06:23 GMT 10
Thanks SGTL. One of my first challenges is getting the caravan into the garage (enclosed carport). The caravan is 27cm too tall and I'd prefer not to modify the carport at the moment as there are plans for a whole new shed.  Having investigated different methods of lowering, nothing really met my needs. After seeing a brief reference to a home made car dolly on a car form I'm on, I figured a big dolly would do the trick. Removed the axle & leaf springs.  Measured up the frame an load baring points and removed any low-lying addons (water tank and water pump parts).  Added enough castor wheels to take the weight plus a bit. Most of the castors are directional to assist with ease of pushing in/out during the refresh.  I'll let you know how it goes Cheers for now. Phil |
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Post by philby on Dec 14, 2014 21:17:08 GMT 10
And it's definitely a Superlite. I found a few markings.  I presume the kit had components marked. A few internal shots as well.   Cheers, Phil |
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Post by akeepsake on Dec 14, 2014 23:22:39 GMT 10
Hi Phil That's a lovely little van you've got yourself there! It'll do up a treat! Interesting way to get it in the shed....but it'll work till you build a bigger one!  Looking forward to seeing your progress! Cheers Andrew |
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Post by philby on Feb 5, 2016 23:14:42 GMT 10
Time to get priming the inside of the caravan. Full of support from the rest of the family. These pics show some of the sanding and painting we've done.
Kids helping out 
After the prep priming and masking, the neutral colour goes on with some grey. 
Cheers,
Phil |
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Post by philby on Feb 6, 2016 7:08:36 GMT 10
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Post by scootman on Feb 6, 2016 14:17:15 GMT 10
Great Van, Love the woodys
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Post by philby on Feb 13, 2016 21:12:12 GMT 10
Can anyone assist with the correct ID for this caravan? I've read s few posts here and although there is a wheel arch marked "Superlite" it looks very much like the "Supalites"posted in this forum and other locations in the net. There was mention in a post about the Superlight which was similar but not the same. I have the van booked in for rego soon and I'm keen to make sure the details I give are accurate. Cheers, Phil And it's definitely a Superlite. I found a few markings. I presume the kit had components marked. A few internal shots as well. Cheers, Phil |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 13, 2016 22:39:22 GMT 10
Hi Philby, Great to look back over your posts and see the work you've been doing on your van with the help of your assistants - not to mention your supervisor who I can see in one of the photos.  Your van is 100%, definitely a Supalite built in Leichardt or Rozelle (depending on when it was built). There's more info on Supalite available on the Down History Lane thread which you've probably already seen - click here. I'm thinking that your van is either an Atlas or Cadet model, but you should be able to identify which model it is by measuring the length of your van and then checking the length of the various models listed on the DHL thread. Superlite caravans were built by an entirely different and unrelated company in Victoria, and after a short time were re-named Aerolite. The Superlites were a very different shape to the Supalites. As far as I have been able to discover there's no actual 'Superlight' caravan. I'm not sure why someone has written 'Superlite' on top of your wheel well cover - perhaps they couldn't spell or maybe they just had a brain fade and spelled 'supa' as 'super'. In any case there's no doubt that your van is a Supalite and not a Superlite. Hope that helps? Don Ricardo |
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Post by philby on Feb 14, 2016 8:15:45 GMT 10
Thanks Don, very informative!
I'll measure it up and see what model it actually is.
cheers,
Phil
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Post by philby on Feb 19, 2016 9:22:27 GMT 10
After plenty of research, I'm at the conclusion that this is a Supalite 'Atlas'. It's just a touch wider and longer than the Cadet and ticks the boxes for the Atlas according to the Supalite specs.
BTW - passed ACT rego yesterday:)
I'll get more pictures up when I get a chance.
Cheers.
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Post by morgan865 on Mar 12, 2016 19:32:56 GMT 10
Great job your doing.
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