Newbie after more info on my new van

[steve11]

Hi all,

I recently bought the below caravan with little supplied info or markings. It was described as 1950's (but I'm guessing 60's as it has all aluminum sides, top and windows) and I have compared to the 'Green's' Atlantic but would like to confirm and date it too. I have had a good look on the chassis but found no numbers and the icebox still appears to be original. I want to restore and paint but will like to see/learn more first before choosing combos and color (leaning towards teal/white). any clues or similar caravans in Sydney I could see?
(Sorry about the upside down galley, I tried to flip and reload a few times but failed)...

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[Roehm3108]

This could be one for hughdeani to wrap his brain around. Looks a little like the Franklin Regent, but there are differences and your van looks smaller. Have you checked beneath the cladding? It looks like it has been re-clad with the aluminium.

[Don Ricardo]

G'day Steve11,

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for showing us your neat little van.

You are correct in identifying it as an Atlantic, as is the Green's van. However, dating it is a little more tricky, although we can give you a broad range.

Atlantic caravans were produced from some time in the 50's until at least 1969, and possibly later. We know that because Atlantic vans were being advertised in Keith Winser's annual caravan manuals for that entire period. In 1961, Atlantic was advertising vans that were clad in plywood or rescote (plastic coated ply). You can see part of the 1961 advert with a photo of one of these vans in the Atlantic thread in the Down History Lane section of the forum, which I think you've already found. In contrast the Atlantics advertised in 1967 and 1969 were clad in aluminium, like yours. However, compared to yours the 1967 vans had wider front windows. In addition, the 1967 and 1969 vans had ribbed cladding all the way up the sides, rather than having the plain panel in the middle at window height. What I think that means is that your van is earlier than 1967, so somewhere later than 1961 but earlier than 1967.

The other interesting thing to note is that all the aluminium Atlantics I've found photos of are clad in bare unpainted cladding. I think that may mean that your van and the Green's has been painted at some stage, although that is purely a guess. On the other hand, at one point in the 60's, using a plain panel of cladding at window height with ribbed cladding above and below was quite a common style followed by a number of manufacturers, and the plain panel was often painted a pastel colour, so it is possible that that's how your van was produced by Atlantic.

Hope that helps a bit. Others may be able to provide additional information.

Don Ricardo

[steve11]

Thanks Don,

That's a great starting point, I'm going to start into it soon so I hopefully will have more info and details over the next few weeks.

Steve.