LF Info 1965 Commer camper van built/owned by Ted Palmer

[ausage]

Hi all,
New member here. Joined up to seek out any info people may have on a 1965 Commer camper van.
The van was owned and built by Ted Palmer (I’m not fully researched on this bloke yet. Appearing to be a bit of a van pioneer so far)
He travelled around Australia in it on a 20,000 mile journey through Cape Town, Arnhem Land, Alice spring etc. (not sure what year?)

the van was used in a Olympic tyres advert in a newspaper.

I was told he made a split screen kombi camper at the same time with very similar camper sections and hinge roof
It had all the bells and whistles. Powered by a Holden 161ci six cylinder 4 spd. Fridge, stove, airchief radio. Fan. Lighting. Dual 12v battery’s. Sink. Water tank, hinge top etc. It was pastel baby blue and had the factory Commer cab and a bondwood caravan grafted on to rear.

Any information or literature on the Commer and Ted Palmer would be greatly appreciated.
I will upload some photos once I work out how
Regards
Adrian

[burnsy]

Hi Adrian is that the one at Newcastle foreshore last weekend i was in the Splitty ute beside you if it was you

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Ausage,

Welcome to the forum, and great to read the info about Ted Palmer’s Commer camper.

From your post I’m gathering that you must have the Commer, or know where it is? Is that correct?

We know a bit about Ted Palmer’s caravan building activities and you’ll find it in the ‘Down History Lane’ section here. There’s a bit about a VW Kombi splitty that Ted Palmer converted in one of the articles reproduced in one of the posts you’ll see there. I’m not sure if that’s the splitty you were referring to, or if it’s another. Perhaps you can tell us?

I vaguely recalling seeing a photo of the Commer, or maybe i’m confusing it with something else. I’ll have a look and see if I can dig anything up about it.

It would be great to see the photos you have. There are instructions on how to post photos on the forum in a separate area in the ‘Forum Guidelines & Helpful Hints’ section of the forum here. If you need any help working out how to do it, just let me know and I’ll assist you. Or alternatively you can email me the photos at [e-mail] and I’ll post them for you.

Don Ricardo

[ausage]

Jun 23, 2019 18:08:27 GMT 10 burnsy said:

Hi Adrian is that the one at Newcastle foreshore last weekend i was in the Splitty ute beside you if it was you

No mate it wasn’t. Do you have any pics of that one?

[Don Ricardo]

Photos of Ted Palmer’s Commer campervan posted on behalf of Ausage:





According to Ausage’s email: ”The hinge top was removed in the 80’s and replaced with some turret.”

Thanks for showing us the photos Ausage. It will be great to hear more about the vehicle. Are you restoring it?

Don Ricardo

[burnsy]

Jun 27, 2019 22:14:12 GMT 10 ausage said:

Jun 23, 2019 18:08:27 GMT 10 burnsy said:

Hi Adrian is that the one at Newcastle foreshore last weekend i was in the Splitty ute beside you if it was you

No mate it wasn’t. Do you have any pics of that one?

Yes Adrian i have some pics whats your mobile ill send you some

[ausage]

Jul 1, 2019 19:55:11 GMT 10 burnsy said:

Jun 27, 2019 22:14:12 GMT 10 ausage said:

No mate it wasn’t. Do you have any pics of that one?

Yes Adrian i have some pics whats your mobile ill send you some

Pm sent 👍