Johns Caravans (West Heidelberg, Vic)

[Don Ricardo]

JOHNS CARAVANS

Johns Caravans Pty Ltd
Between Percy & Vernon Streets, West Heidelberg, Vic

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The late 60's editions of the Winser caravan manuals contained adverts for vans sold by Johns Caravans.  Below is an example from the 1968 Winser:


(Source:  K Winser, Caravan Manual & Tourist Park Guide, 1968 edition, p 251)

The wording of the advert implies that the vans were built by Johns Caravans on their own premises.  Except that the van in the photo for Johns appears to be almost identical to a van shown in an advert for Vacation caravans in the Winser manual from the previous year.  'Almost identical' is possibly an understatement.  It's the same photo!


(Source:  K Winser, Caravan Manual & Tourist Park Guide, 1967 edition, p 184)

It would appear from this that Johns Caravans may have been agent for Vacation, rather than an independent manufacturer as such.

Hughdeani may be able to provide some further information perhaps?

Don Ricardo

[Mustang]

Both advertise as members of C.T.I.A., must have been an honorable institution??

[Deleted]

Hi Don,
Looks to me like Johns sold the basic " non wrap around window" model,while Vacation included the upmarket version?
Maybe??
Cheers
hughdeani

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Hughdeani,

You may be right. However, an interesting twist to the story is that according to the 1968 Winser, Vacation ceased production 'this year' (1967 or 1968?) but Johns continued to advertise their caravans at least into 1969 using the photo of the (apparent) Vacation. So I wonder what was going on there and who was selling what?

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Johns Caravans 6 berth van advertised on Facebook Marketplace, March 2020:























The caravan was listed for sale as a Phoenix, but Hughdeany identified it as being built by Vacation.

Don Ricardo