Millard caravans - Nth Ryde, NSW

[Franklin1]

Millard Caravans History:

The Millard history has its origins way back in 1947, with Jim Darlington building caravans in a small factory in Mortlake, a southern suburb of Sydney. Jim had two sons, John and his younger brother Peter. John would come in and give his father a hand building the vans in the early days.

Around 1954, the business was moved to 26 Wicks Road, North Ryde [it is now a block of home units] and John became the owner, with father Jim on hand for guidance. In an interview in 1969, John Darlington said he decided to go into the caravan business after looking at a caravan and commenting: “I’ll bet I could make a better one.” Younger brother Peter also joined the business, and worked his way up the ranks, starting as a carpenter and progressing up to the Executive team.



John’s wife May was perturbed because the early Millard caravan range was limited in colour to silver and green. She became involved in the interior decorating of the vans, and introduced the homely touch, especially in her choice of colours for full-length curtains and other furnishings.

It appears the brand name Millard was first introduced by John Darlington, whose middle name was Millerd (with an ‘e’). A check of family history websites shows this Irish name to be interchangeable with the name Millard (with an ‘a’).

By the mid-1960s, the Millard business had grown so big that a new factory was set up at Smithfield, an outer western Sydney suburb. By mid-1969, the factory employed 250 people, with a monthly output of 100 units. [Comment: that equates to 1200 vans per year, which doesn't seem enough. Viscount were making 5000 in 1970, so I would have thought Millard were around 4000 or thereabouts.] Through a network of dealers, it marketed a range of 60 models, from 13ft to 40ft.

Millard chassis numbers:

Millard caravans have a chassis number starting with ‘M’ and a series of numbers after that. The following advertisement is from December 1969, and shows the chassis numbers on two stolen caravans. If we assume these vans were relatively new when stolen, then our best guess at present is that Millards prior to 1970 had chassis numbers of M14000 or less. At this stage, it is not known exactly when the Millard ‘M’ series chassis numbers started…

[HDTodd]

I found this under the aluminium cladding when my Millard got blown to pieces so they have been around for a bit longer.



This was on the front of the van under the window.



It's a shame this van got destroyed as I imagine it's one of the earliest Millards around.

[HDTodd]

Almost forgot, here is a picture of the van.

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Additional photo of front view of HDTodd's Millard added by Don Ricardo:

[boblor]

Hi. vvers
June 2007 we met the son of the chap that started the Millard co. off with a financial partner.
We have decided to meet some time and discuss putting some history together as he state he has plans and other documentation availiable. So it is hoped we can acheive this during 2008.
Cheers boblor

[Franklin1]

Early-to-mid 1960s Millard "Safari":



(source: posted by kingy, July 26, 2008 who wrote: "Have come across a castle badged van (alloy) which has safari by millard motiffs above front & back windows - what a mouthfull.
Anyone heard/seen such a beast."

...and a few days later..."Here's the photos of the van with three names i mentioned recently. So is it a castle, safari or a millard ;D( ''by Millard ''is written in smaller print to the right of safari- on the two logo's above the windows)

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reply by Franklin1: "Hi kingy, the Sydney Morning Herald archives provide some useful information on this question. The first mention of the "new model" Safari by Millard is in August 1963 (along with another new model 'Florida'). The thumbnail pictures showing from the search result are far too small to read the print clearly to see if there is a connection between Millard and Castle in that year. However, skip forward to March 1966 and the following classified advertisement appears...

'MILLARD CARAVANS
24 models to choose from, including famous Safaris, Florida, and Mobile Homes. Children's playing area provided.
CASTLE CARAVAN CO. P/L
42-44 Pacific H'way, Wahroonga [can't see rest of advert]'

I seem to remember from previous searches through the archives that Castle became an agent/outlet for Millard caravans, and the information above would seem to support that."

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Update7 Aug 2008, I've just done a more detailed search of the archives, and there is an earlier advertisement for the Safari in February 1963. Also in July 1963 (much earlier than 1966) there is an advertisement from Castle Caravan Co for the Millard range of caravans. Interestingly, the advertisement also includes a mention of Roma rescote and aluminium vans from Castle as well. So it seems that Castle had a finger in a number of pies by the early 1960s.

The Millard Safari in 1963 was advertised as
"Safari 12ft 6in Caravans. The lowest priced, top quality aluminium caravans in Australia today."

The Millard Florida in 1963 was 14ft 6ins.

The Safari model carried through to early 1966, when adverts for the 'new' Capri model start appearing. When the new Capri came to market by May 1966, it was a 15ft Deluxe model, with a 13ft basic Capri "at budget prices". So it seems the Safari was then discontinued, but the Florida continued on and gets a mention in July 1967 as a "new release Florida 15ft".

[Franklin1]

Millard caravan:



Description: MILLARD 14FT. CARAVAN, 2 phase power, fridge, gas stove, 2 single beds, 1 double bed, very clean & tidy. Reg. 4/09, IPSWICH

(source: Trading Post advert, Nov 2008.)

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Editorial note - August 2017: Based on the evidence we have accumulated since Franklin1 posted this photo, this van is not a Millard. However, it's origin is unknown at this point. Don Ricardo

[boblor]

Hi VVers
I am spending the afternoon with a Millard owner. Don is the second owner of this original 1966 16' Princess De Luxe, Chassis No. M8079, please add this to your records. This van will be attending Wadeville next w/e.
Cheers boblor

[JBJ]

Hi all,

I took these pix at our recent Tallabudgera run of Dons Van. Its in great condition.











JBJ

[Don Ricardo]

Millard Florida being used as a 'Driver Reviver' station at Braidwood, NSW in January 2010:

[Don Ricardo]

1962/63 Millard Safari offered for sale on Ebay, July 2010:

[vanderkampin]

G'day

I am now the owner of the blue Millard Safari (oh and the Vauxhall Cresta tow vehicle) and was wonder if anyone has any original pictures or information on of one of these vans for my reference so I can tidy it up a bit and keep it as original as posible.

Regards

[Don Ricardo]

Newspaper cutting posted by Franklin1 on 27 May 2010, showing the first Millard caravan:


(Source: Unknown)

[Franklin1]

G'day DonR,

That photo/article appeared in the newspaper in June 1979, and related to the story about the pending closure of the Millard business, and the takeover of building the Millard Series 80 vans by Viscount.

The photo itself was taken from the newspaper's own archives, and first appeared around the time of the launch of that whopping 57-footer mobile home in early 1970. The little bondwood had been discovered not long before that, found abandoned in a paddock, and had been restored by the Millard team. It was on display at the Sydney Caravan Show in 1970, from memory, which is where I think the photo was taken.

You would have to think that little bondwood is still out there somewhere, ay?!

cheers,
Al.

[Don Ricardo]

1967 Millard 33 ft caravan with verandah:


(Source: Extracts from report on Sydney Caravan Show, Australian Motor Monthly, December 1967, p 61)

[zepher750]

I am after some information on an old aluminium Millard caravan I own. I feel it was built in the early 1960's and still has the original lino and features. It does not have a bed in it. It has been well used in the goldfields around Dunnolly and would have been quite luxurious with its gas hot water and shower with porthole window. It is in okay condition but needs work. I have it stored at a friends place but do not want to outstay my welcome so I am looking to selling it but am unsure of it's worth. Regards Sharon

[isambard]

Howdy all you (one? two?) fellow Millardians! As a brand spanking new Millardian myself, I'd like to see if we can't boost this thread along a little bit. I'll get some decent pics of my van in the coming week and post 'em here, with as much info as I can get my hands on. Given Millards are so popular amongst the VV types, I expect this thread will remain at the head of the queue indefinitely!

In the meantime, I've consulted the board of directors with the proposition that we run with Millard Appreciation Disorder Society. meetings to be held the first tuesday of the month, 7 for 7.30pm. Tumbleweeds and crickets welcome

[Don Ricardo]

On 11 June 2012, Isambard posted a photo of her recently acquired Millard (reported in the post immediately above):

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A discussion about the age of the van - reputed by the seller to be 1964 or 1965 - ensued, with Franklin1 providing the following information on 12 June 2012:

G'day isambard,

@ Franklin, previous owner says 65 but I suspect 64. will get that # off drawbar on weekend

...I suspect you won't find a chassis number welded on the drawbar, or if you do, it will be a very low number below M1000. We'll wait to see what you find.

Now that your van and humpty2's Millard have appeared on the forum, it's time we tried to get a better handle on the age of these vans...

Trawling through my computer records, I've come up with this advertisement from August 1960:



"New wraparound windows...embossed aluminium exterior...13ft 9ins". It's worth you measuring the length of your van to see if it's the same length. I'd be thinking that you measure the length acccording to these positions (ie. ignoring the section above the front window)...



These Millard vans were referred to as "De Luxe" models, and in January 1961, an advertisement shows they were available in 13ft 9ins, 16ft, and 19ft...



The De Luxe models seem to have carried on until a "Special Announcement" in August 1962 about the new Florida, Oriental, and Tania models (as well as the Safari model not mentioned in this advertisement)...



So, in late 1962, Millard caravans are being built with "new American airflow hopper windows and ribbed aluminium". But the De Luxe model continues to be available, in sizes from 13ft 9ins to 21ft, as this advert from December 1962 shows...



In August 1963, De Luxe models are still available "to order"...



...and then in May 1964 we finally get a drawing of a Millard Florida van showing the hopper front windows and the ribbed cladding...



So, whaddya reckon about yours??

Did Millard start using the ribbed cladding on the De Luxe model in late 1962 when the Safari and Florida models were launched, or did they keep using the "embossed cladding"? I'd be inclined to think they switched over to the ribbed cladding. The De Luxe model was the "premium" model in their range. The Safari and Florida models were introduced for the "Price Conscious Caravanner" (Read: tight asses who wouldn't pay the De Luxe price ), so De Luxe buyers would want their van to look every bit as spiffy as these American-influenced upstarts.


All of which makes me think your van (and humpty2's van) is most likely from between August 1960, and September 1962.

...and that's all I know about that...

cheers,
Al.

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On 17 June 2012, Don Ricardo observed:

Franklin1 has produced some very interesting info about the development of the Millard range. The thing that I have noticed is that the two Millards shown in Reply #4 and Reply #9 [on this thread] appear to be very similar (even identical?) to Isambard's van except that the two vans on the DHL thread don't have the wrap around windows. That suggests that they are earlier than Isambard's (and Humpty2's) van OR that the Millard produced non-Deluxe models which didn't have the wrap around windows.

The van in Reply #9 was identified by the seller as being 1962/3. Maybe they were guessing on the date or, if correct, it may add some weight to the suggestion that the Deluxe had the wrap arounds. Both have diamond embossed aluminium cladding like Isambard's and Humpty2's.

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More information about Isambard's Millard and the discussion about it's age can be found here.

[isambard]

Hi DR. it is very interesting, innit

and now that I've uncovered the original stickers on my van, I have yet another clue. mind you, I haven't seen the same sticker on any of the vans here :/

but wait .... just checked out stickers on the van currently listed on ebay, and my stickers are same. sort of a leaning "Millard" with a cursive underscore - black on white.

[vanderkampin]

G'day all I'm the owner of the van which graces reply #9. I bought it of the seller who listed it as being a 1962/63 and I purchased it as such though it doesn't really matter to me as all I know is that it is old. He had a new draw bar fitted not long prior to my purchase and did mention to me that nowhere on the original draw bar (or anywhere else on the van) had a chassis stamped on it and that this van was made before Millard started numbering their chassis. I have no idea how accurate this statement is but I have no reason to doubt him.

By the way I have no clue at all what the finish of the exterior cladding so can anyone tell by looking at the pics if it is embossed or ribbed.

Thanks

[Roehm3108]

Hi johno

Great chatting with you the other day. I am taking the liberty of posting pics of your van in this section as I think you may have one of the earliest known Millards. Perhaps someone else can help you once they see the pics.







Original logo before restoration:



The van must have been built after 1954 (which is when they moved to Wicks Rd North Ryde) and I reckon personally that it's earlier than the 1958 van that HDTodd posted in 2007. I say this because the upper bullnose style is "newer" and his van doesn't have a porthole window. So you're within a 4 year variance age range, which may well be as close as you might get. Does your van have a chassis number by chance?

Even if this forum can't exactly date the van for you, you have a unique van there and I encourage you to bring it back to its former glory.

Good luck

Ray

[henley]

Hi all

Where is the Millard factory located today ??
I know there is a Millard factory at Ingleburn Sydney as I work just a few streets away and drive past it every day ! But its so small ! I popped in the other week for a stickybeak! I saw only 3 vans on site at varous stages of construction or repair and about 5 workers !! The little Asian looking guy that greated me at the workshop door spoke little English and couldnt answer any of my courious questions!
Ingleburn must be some kind of service centre I suspect!! I just looks too small !
There must be a factory somewhere where they spit em out like hotdogs ?

[akeepsake]

Another little piece of info for Millard safari fans!
Anybody got an article on an early Florida??

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Editorial comment - October 2023: The article posted by Akeepsake was published in June 1966, but according to information recorded elsewhere on this thread, the Safari model was discontinued in that year and replaced by the Capri. Don Ricardo

[isambard]

@ Andrew. as mentioned in the other thread, our dear M'lady had a gorgeous interior. little extra touches which went with its 'deluxe' moniker. wraparound perspex corner windows to front, diamond shaped ventilation holes backed by pegboard around bulkhead cabinets, further pegboard to wardrobe housing, that sort of thing. we were the third owners - the elderly chap we bought it from had it for 30 years. he'd maintained it beautifully, always keeping it registered and roadworthy. he'd buffed all the handles and replaced all the hinges with new matching ones, replaced wraparounds when the originals clouded, kept her paint fresh with sky blue cabinetry, built new and very good insect screens, etc etc. further, it had never been left outdoors in its 50+ years, so structurally almost as good as new. no water inside, ever. quite amazing really. still miss that lovely van a little bit :/

[akeepsake]

63 Florida 14'6" long

[isambard]

noice Milly, Andrew!!

that interior is fab