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Post by cornishlass on Sept 27, 2006 20:39:59 GMT 10
Well, a big HI to you all. Let me introduce myself... I was, up until a few months ago, one of those people who thought that all caravan owners should be shot at birth. What a highly controversial statement I hear you all cry... but believe me if you lived in my part of the world (Cornwall in the UK) and you saw how many vans invade my back yard in the summer with their manic driving techniques, you would perhaps understand. And then it happened. Somebody emailed some pictures of a VV, and the rest is history... love at first sight  Won't bore you with the whole story, but needless to say after a 500 mile journey I am now the new owner of a 1932 caravan. It was originally a Showman's Van built in the same style as a 'Guildford'. After trawling the net trying to find out info I came across your site. What a brilliant forum, only wish I could find something similar in the UK. Have read all your comments about whether or not it should be classified as 'a club' and can honestly say I think this is just great, as is ought to be, just a collection of personalities who all share the same common passion (or should I say obsession!!!). Will try to download some pics at the end of this, but not being a techno-wiz I am unsure if I can do it. Although my van is completely dissimilar to (from what I have found) any of yours, I thought that you may be interested. When Ratty (as she is now christened) was first delivered the first comment that came from my daughter was 'WHY', and I am sure I will ask myself that question again and again in the future... must admit after hours of sanding and priming I'm starting already. In common with the ethos of many of you, I believe that without (dare I say it) nutters like us much of our heritage will be lost, and that would be a real shame. By the way Ratty came from Wind in the Willows in that my van reminded me of the one from the book, and not (although it would be true) from the condition she is in! Anyway enough of the waffle. Keep up the good work with the site and look forward to 'seeing' you again. No, it's no good, can't download the pics. Aaaagh  |
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Post by cobber on Sept 28, 2006 17:15:29 GMT 10
G’day Cornishlass, Welcome to the Down Under forum. I have fond memories of your part of the world, we have friends who have a holiday unit at Polzeath so we were able to spend a few days there in 2004...said g’day to the Duchess  I am not familiar with the ‘Guildford’, the only ‘Showman’s van I have seen inside photos of was a 1932 Eccles, 22ft long, it looked more like the lounge carriage on the ‘Orient Express’. Is yours that large or that opulent?. Look forward to seeing your photos because I have a 1936 van based on an English design, as I suspect many of our vans at that time were. Nothing opulent about my van, in fact I have to admit she is “an ugly duckling”, photos of it @ :-. vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1149659216&page=1If you are having trouble downloading your photos have a look at “Jim’s Instructions on posting photos” @ :- vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1110436749Good luck. Cobber. |
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Post by fbmad on Sept 28, 2006 18:22:04 GMT 10
Hi Cornishlass.
I have a book here called simply "Touring Caravans" by John Pressnell and is an English publication.My copy is printed in 1991.
Don't know whether any of the info I'm about to write is still up to date in 2006 but it may help.
The book mentions a vintage van club called :-
Period and Classic Caravan Club,
Alan and Connie Perry,
44 West Drive,
Heathford Park,
Handsworth, Birmingham B20 3SU.
Also mentions these places to visit:-
C.M Booth Collection of Historic vehicles,
63-7 High Street,
Rolvenden,Cranbrook,Kent TN17 4LP Phone 0580 241234
(1930's Bampton Expanding Van)
City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery,
Queens Road,
Bristol, Avon, BS8 1RL Phone 0272 222000
Cotswold Motor Museum,
The Old Mill,
Bourton-on-the-Water,
Cheltenham,Gloucestershire, GL54 2BY Phone 0451 21255
National Motor Museum,
John Montague Building,
Beaulieu,Brockenhurst,Hampshire SO42 7ZN Phone 0590 612345.
The Touring Caravan book I have is only paperback and 32 pages but has some good old pictures and info.Printed by
C I Thomas and sons (Haverfordwest) Ltd,
Press Buildings,
Merlins Bridge,
Haverfordwest,
Dyford,
SA61 1XF
Published by
Shire Publications Limited,
Cromwell House,
Church Street,
Princes Risborough,
Buckinghamshire HP17 9AJ
ISBN Number is 0-7478-0119-3
I have a feeling that somewhere way back in this forum archives that someone mentions an English vintage van club that has a website??
Hope some or all of this helps,
Terry and Grum.
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Post by cornishlass on Sept 29, 2006 0:17:34 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, Terry and Grum and all. Firstly I would like to say a big thank you for your welcome. ;D Cobber, followed your link and looked at the pics of your 1936 van, looks really good. And, as for her being an ugly duckling, no such thing. She is a wonderful piece of Art Deco history, fantastic shape and lines. I would be very proud to own her. Mind you, after seeing what you've called yours, I feel slightly anxious about even trying to load pictures of mine.  When I brought her she had been totally gutted (and I don't mean just the inside). The window frames have mostly been affected by rot and so now on quite a few, there aren't any!! A substantial amount of work had been done to replace much of the ply, but not all. However, structurally now she is quite sound (apart from the windows). As for the Eccles you mention, Ratty is neither that large, coming in at a mere 14' 6" long by 6' 6" wide, and at present by no means oppulent, although that is my plan with lots of velvets, silks etc. I guess the best way to describe the look is for you to have a look at the pic here which is also an Eccles:- www.period-classic-caravan-club.co.uk/Ian%20Rogers%20shows%20big%20is%20beautiful%20with%20his%201930s%20Eccles.jpgNot the same, but quite similar. Oh, and by the way, have looked at Jim's instructions, but still seem to be having problems... obviously having a blonde girlie moment. Thanks Terry and Grum for all the info. Wow, what a wealth of knowledge you have. Have seen the classic club you mentioned first, but any club that starts with the home page of its official website as "Happy new year everyone. A new events calender for 2006 is now available" somehow doesn't do much to inspire confidence in me! Their membership form is dated August 2004!! with a cost of £12 (about 30 Aussie Dollars), but it might be worth ringing them. Will ring the rest of the numbers and see if I can obtain any info there. Must re-iterate what I said earlier though that the reason this forum is brilliant is that you can just 'drop-in' whenever you want, no officialdom to contend with, no club to join, and it's open to everyone. To my mind a club that 'must be joined' is, by virtue, for the purists, something to be taken very seriously. OK if that's what you want, but not for everyone. Just stay as you are. Anyway, enough of the waffle thanks to you all and keep up the good work. Cornish lass |
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Post by cobber on Sept 29, 2006 11:27:04 GMT 10
Cornishlass, Yes it does appear as though many of the web sites in the UK are not being kept up to date, I don’t know if the actual clubs are defunct though. The most comprehensive UK Caravan and camping site I have found, and it may be the one you are thinking of Terry & Grum is this one - www.caravanninglinks.co.uk/index.htm lots of irrelevant stuff for we vintage fans but also some useful links if you sift through it (our very own www.vintagecaravans.com even gets a mention, bet you can’t find it ) Another active club that you might find inspirational Cornishlass is :- www.hcclub.co.uk/ most likely you already know of it  True, they don’t have forums or democratically minded moderators such as we are blessed with  . Cobber. |
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Post by cornishlass on Sept 29, 2006 22:27:36 GMT 10
Wotcha Cobber What is this - initiation test for pommies  ;D ...... I maybe a girlie (ie percieved as having little brain cells) but managed that one OK, found vv site within the first couple of keystrokes. You'll have to try better than that. Very informative site, just not about VVs. RE Historic CC... you're right, I know about that one, just waiting until the end of September to join and pay-up, that way I get the rest of this year and next year, join before and I will have to pay again in December... no contest really. Cheers to you Cornish lass Coledale looks really brill .... maybe next year I'll get out there and attend - but until then  |
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Post by ukbrian on Sept 30, 2006 17:00:13 GMT 10
Welcome Cornish Lass from another UK classic caravan enthusiast - but mine is a lot newer (1978 Safari), I run a group for Safari owners that you can find at groups.msn.com/ClassicSafariCaravanEnthusiastsYou are right about the Period and Classic Caravan Club. Their website is only updated once a year, and talking to some of their members, it is not even used by their own members. The Historic Caravan Club is the one for you, as they have a lot of pre-war caravans among their membership. But as you say this site is full of enthusiastic personalities that seem to be totally absent in the UK classic caravan scene. Brian |
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Post by cobber on Sept 30, 2006 19:13:20 GMT 10
G’day Brian, I was hoping you would pick up on this thread, sounds like an interesting van Cornishlass has got hold of eh? All we have to do now is teach her how to master ‘Photobucket’ so we can have a look at it ;D ;D Cobber. |
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Post by will and lyn on Sept 30, 2006 19:30:46 GMT 10
 ;D Hey there cornish lass Western Australia is the short way to oz if you decide to come your welcome to stay at our house and we can arrange some W.A runs to coincide with your trip as long as you are not an axe murderer or a sycophant the only thing we are stringant about is you wash smile and have a good time in the company of other unusual type people we accept all kinds races and short people too  welcome to our great site Will and Lyn
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Post by apple on Feb 14, 2007 1:10:25 GMT 10
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Won't bore you with the whole story, but needless to say after a 500 mile journey I am now the new owner of a 1932 caravan. It was originally a Showman's Van built in the same style as a 'Guildford'.
.
