Can you help identify this vintage caravan?

[don82]

Hi all!

So happy to find this board!!

I have recently inherited a beautiful 1940s wooden caravan and been down a subsequent rabbit hole. Great fun.

My research tells me it may be a Don, but I can't find a chassis number or other markings to verify. Am I on the right track? What year might it be? How do I measure its size (14ft etc)?

My plan is to renovate and take it out on the road. The world needs more beauty and I hate the thought of it rotting away. There can't be too many of them left.

Any tips for a novice are much appreciated.

Thank you!!

Attachments:

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Don82,

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for showing us some photos of your van.

Your caravan is actually a Globetrotter, and based on the window construction, built in the second half of the 50's.

There should be a serial number created out of weld somewhere on an arm of the drawbar.

There's info about Globe and Globetrotter if you click here. You'll see a few examples of vans the same model as yours on that thread.

We love reno stories on the Forum, so please do tell us all about it, and if you need advice, just ask. Forum member Shesgotthelook restored a slightly newer version of your Globetrotter (late 50's) and documented the story here. She's always helpful with advice too (she's done quite a few restorations).

Don Ricardo

[don82]

Don Ricardo, you are a legend. I really appreciate your response. It's such a big help.

I've noticed you replying to similar posts on this board and I genuinely admire the way you conduct yourself. It's people like you who keep these forums alive.

I will be sure to keep you up to date as I progress. Getting started is the hard part, I think. I'll to check out shesgotthelook's efforts. No point reinventing the wheel!

[redmr2red]

Hi Don82, it looks the same as my Wayfarer, which is a rebadged Globe. There should be a small oval plaque on the inside top cupboard above the table area.
I had trouble locating my build / serial number as there were no welded numbers visible. I was told it was stamped on the Globe cast draw bar coupling, but I couldn't see it anywhere until I was shown exactly where it was on another Globe. Wire brush clean found it. A very small thin number punched into the casting.

Hope this helps. I'm happy to send you pics by email of my restoration also. PM me. Cheers, Kevin

[don82]

You were right! It says:

GLOBE


603

5
7
1

[don82]

Oct 13, 2023 11:15:37 GMT 10 redmr2red said:

Hi Don82, it looks the same as my Wayfarer, which is a rebadged Globe. There should be a small oval plaque on the inside top cupboard above the table area.
I had trouble locating my build / serial number as there were no welded numbers visible. I was told it was stamped on the Globe cast draw bar coupling, but I couldn't see it anywhere until I was shown exactly where it was on another Globe. Wire brush clean found it. A very small thin number punched into the casting.

Hope this helps. I'm happy to send you pics by email of my restoration also. PM me. Cheers, Kevin

Thanks Kevin! Very helpful.

I love what you've done with yours (is that it in your avatar pic?). I'll definitely reach out when I start the renovation. Thank you!

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Don82,

Thanks for your kind comments.

I've got an idea that '603' may refer to the model and 571 may be your serial number, but Kevin may be able to add to that (or correct me!).

Don Ricardo

[shesgotthelook]

Hello & welcome Don82. Thanks for your kind message re my retired builder man. Re your chassis number, mine is 713. I think all the couplings were stamped 'Globe 603' then the serial number adjacent to that making yours earlier than mine & judging by the windows & styling of yours I would concur with that.

Photo on page 3 of my thread which you have read.

regards,

SGTL

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/17511/globe-caravan-rescue-restoration

[don82]

Hi all,

Thanks for your time and support with this. It's been a very interesting rabbit hole and I'm very glad to have found this community.

Don Ricardo, I've sent you a DM. I'd appreciate your thoughts on potential next steps.

Don82