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Post by Franklin1 on Jan 18, 2008 16:54:46 GMT 10
PHOENIX CARAVANSProprietor: J W Chrisfield 183-189 Grange Road, Fairfield, Vic
1957 Phoenix caravan: (source: posted by had708, Dec 30, 2007, who wrote: [the van] has been on this forum previously, i bought the van off a good friend who also frequents this site. It will need a bit of work but i am looking forward to giving a new lease of life. It is all complete but will need a strip of the paint, structural repairs, new paint inside and out and etc etc. I have posted a few photos for those that are interested. does anyone know of any other phoenix caravans? The van has all the gear with it the stove is alll their and complete the original ice box is concealed behind two of the cupboards and the original tap is getting re threaded. The port hole is out for sanding and stripping and is complete and undamaged. The caravan was home assembled with all chassis and materials bought through the maker Phoenix Caravans and accesssories 183-189 Grange Road Fairfield VIC. it was assembled in Balwyn and then taken back to phoenix and skined at there factory. I have all the paperwork etc so if you are keen i can send it too you as i have a CD Rom of it all. PM me if you are keen. It was previously on the forum in november 2006 in the for sale section. Thread no 115756787. Aparently their is an add in 1953 motor manual trailer book.) --------------------------------------------------- reply by exocet: ...in the '56 edition of the Keith Winser book they do list the Phoenix caravan, they had 4 models that year and they made a 10ft, 11ft,12ft and a 14ft model. Their motto was ''Remember ... If it's used in caravans we have it''
ADDENDUM - April 2022 (Don Ricardo): The 1957 Phoenix caravan shown in this post was restored by HAD708 and photos posted in September 2009:   Without tail lights:  With tail lights:       
 The story of the van's restoration and more photos can be found here.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 29, 2008 19:04:00 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 16, 2009 21:34:16 GMT 10
Phoenix caravan nameplate from a dilapidated van sighted in the Southport, Qld area by Samson and posted by him on 13 April 2009: 
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Post by cobber on May 1, 2009 18:07:48 GMT 10
From the 1962 Caravan and Touring Manual....two advertisements for "Phoenix" Caravans showing that they also had two Tasmanian Agents.   And this showing you could choose to have aluminium siding ( not sure why anybody would do that  ) Cobber. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 16, 2009 22:54:51 GMT 10
Phoenix caravan of uncertain age advertised on Ebay, June 2009:      
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 16, 2009 22:56:29 GMT 10
Phoenix caravan brochure advertised on Ebay, May 2009:
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Post by winterwood on Jun 26, 2012 22:33:35 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 21, 2013 18:51:20 GMT 10
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Post by shesgotthelook on Dec 21, 2013 19:49:02 GMT 10
Thanks Richard, I was hoping you were going to do all the hard work with the photos  i might have some more Phoenix info for you in the future  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2013 20:12:04 GMT 10
Hi Richard,
I think you may be right,looks later than 57,judging by the tail lights and painted (not woodgrain) cupboard doors.
possibly 1962 onwards maybe?
SGTL might be able to find out more,judging by her reply!
cheers
hughdeani
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Post by shesgotthelook on Dec 26, 2013 16:25:41 GMT 10
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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 27, 2013 10:21:21 GMT 10
It's worth putting a note in this thread to say that Phoenix did not build all the caravans that were badged as "Phoenix", if they indeed built any at all. The thread about Huntsman caravans shows they were a supplier to the Phoenix sale yards. Some of the caravans in the line-up in the advertisement posted above, (21 Dec) by Don Ricardo, look a lot like early Franklin caravans, which look a lot like Huntsman caravans. When you read the early history of Franklin, Coronet, and Huntsman caravans - who worked for who - you realise how "small" a place Ballarat was in the old days. We could almost make a generalised statement and say a lot of these caravans are the "Ballarat design", because they look so much like each other. cheers, Al. |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Dec 27, 2013 15:18:25 GMT 10
I think there is strong evidence that Phoenix Industries not only built their own caravans but supplied kits for build your own too. Perhaps there was a yard in Ballarat named Phoenix? But the Fairfiled Vic mob certainly appear to be a specific caravan manufacturing business. Information below taken from Keith Winser's Australia Caravans & Touring, Book 7, 1955.   |
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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 27, 2013 16:00:19 GMT 10
sgtl, the van in your photo looks very similar to the Atlantic caravans that were built in St Peters, in Sydney. No wonder people have trouble pinning down the actual brand of van they have, when different brands have very similar appearances. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2013 17:47:04 GMT 10
Somebody I know (non member) has passed on some info about a Phoenix van that they inspected today. Possibly an early 60's model around 12ft.
The good: it's free to a good home!
The bad: it's rotten! It's not towable! It needs to be wrapped and roped and loaded onto a trailer or flatbed truck.
The scant: I don't have all the details yet. It's somewhere in Melb SE bayside area. I believe it has an aluminium roof, ply sides, a fridge, a stove, a sink, and ali windows. I may be given contact details, pics, and more info shortly.
The sensitive: Owned by a very senior lady since late 1960's that values her privacy and doesn't want tyre kickers and dreamers upsetting her. She's very sentimental about it and would like to see it put to a good use. It's free to someone with tact, a vehicle trailer, and a few hours to spare, who can just rock up, load up, and take it away. If you're interested, and can meet that criteria, whim me and I'll try to arrange something.
Cheers, Helen
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Post by kaybee on Dec 27, 2013 18:38:11 GMT 10
PM sent
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Post by akeepsake on Dec 27, 2013 21:19:17 GMT 10
This is my Phoenix that I picked up recently it was brought new in Tassie from a distributer in Launceston I suspect it is around the 1964 mark ,single skin bondwood with Aluminium roof ,front and back There is no badge but I suspect it is a Phoenix but am happy to be proven wrong It's 12' long and was originally cream with a blue stripe Needs new sides but inside is good so will be worthwhile Thought I'd add it to the thread !    |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 30, 2013 22:28:54 GMT 10
Hi SGTL and Franklin1,
SGTL - That's an interesting extract from a Winser you posted showing a smaller model Phoenix than we've seen on the forum before. I'm wondering if it is the 11 ft or 10 ft model. Are you able to tell us what year the Winser is? I'm presuming it's later than the 1956 edition, an extract from which was posted higher up the thread?
(I also note the typo in the list of models - I think '182' should read '102', ie 10 ft, 2 berth.)
Franklin1 - I don't think there's any doubt that Phoenix was a reasonably significant player in the Victorian industry in the 50's and 60's, nor that they built their own vans - which is not to say that they might not have "bought in" some vans from other buiders at some point. Bill (father) and Jeff (one of Bill's sons) who were the proprietors of Phoenix were very active in the Victorian industry for a number of decades. This is reflected in the fact that both were inducted into the Victorian Caravan Industry Association's Hall of Fame at their annual dinner in 2013.
I met Don (another of Bill's sons) and had a bit of a chat at the dinner. Sounds like I better follow up our chat!
Don Ricardo
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HAD708
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Post by HAD708 on Dec 30, 2013 23:11:47 GMT 10
hi
Re the Phoenix discussion I have some old brochures and some copies of the paperwork relating to the purchase and build of my 1957 plywood Phoenix Caravan that I restored a few years ago if interested?
Brett
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jan 1, 2014 9:29:02 GMT 10
Post amended to include publication info. Was from 1955. Am trying to pin down year of the 10ft white one I posted pics of above. My guess is 1958-61.
Did have an ice chest & porthole window, but table has metal leg & laminex is more modern.
Any idea anyone?
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Post by Franklin1 on Jan 13, 2014 20:30:28 GMT 10
I happened to come across an article in a Caravan World magazine from October 1977, which I'll reproduce here:
Personality of the Month - Jeff Chrisfield
Jeff Chrisfield has been involved in the caravan industry for just about his entire life, as his father Bill started Phoenix caravans over 30 years ago. Jeff would have been about 13 years of age at the time and as soon as Jeff began work he moved into the caravan industry.
Over this period Jeff has always been involved with the CTIA of Victoria and he, in fact, attended the inaugural meeting on the 6th March, 1952.
Eventually Jeff was to go on to become the CTIA of Victoria President from 1971-1973, and National President from 1974-1975.
Jeff's father decided after a trip to Caloundra, on the Queensland coast, that he would retire to this region and he left the business to the two sons.
All the while Jeff had a love of snow skiing and he tried to get up to the snow at every opportunity, during the season.
Jeff married and he and his wife now have four children. He and his brother have now sold up the original Phoenix caravan yards and both have branched off into their own fields.
Don has started a business called Phoenix Leisure in Jackson court in Doncaster, and Jeff has moved into the ski equipment sales and hire at the new business in Whitehorse Road, Balwyn.
Don's business is still in the sales and hiring of caravans while Jeff's hobby and become his profession. While Jeff is quite involved in the snow skiing business these days, he is still actively involved in selling caravan accessories through his shop, and he is also still quite involved in the hiring of caravans.
Jeff worked with his father and his brother Don, and gradually the business became bigger and better. Eventually the family business became so strong that they opened a second yard and both sites were involved in the sale, hire and service of caravans.
Jeff feels that he will probably always be involved in the caravan industry to a certain extent, as after so many years it is hard to get it out of your blood.
Jeff is considering selling more camping gear through his shop and would also like to get into bushwalking equipment in the near future.
Jeff feels that he will probably always dabble in caravan hire as when the original Phoenix caravans yard was at it peak, the family had a huge hire fleet.
Jeff said that he was proud to have been awarded a life membership to the CTIA and he hoped to be able to serve the organisation in years to come.
source: AUSTRALIAN CARAVAN WORLD, OCTOBER 1977, Page 117.
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Post by jc330925 on Nov 23, 2014 15:01:09 GMT 10
Hi SGTL and Franklin1, SGTL - That's an interesting extract from a Winser you posted showing a smaller model Phoenix than we've seen on the forum before. I'm wondering if it is the 11 ft or 10 ft model. Are you able to tell us what year the Winser is? I'm presuming it's later than the 1956 edition, an extract from which was posted higher up the thread? (I also note the typo in the list of models - I think '182' should read '102', ie 10 ft, 2 berth.) Franklin1 - I don't think there's any doubt that Phoenix was a reasonably significant player in the Victorian industry in the 50's and 60's, nor that they built their own vans - which is not to say that they might not have "bought in" some vans from other buiders at some point. Bill (father) and Jeff (one of Bill's sons) who were the proprietors of Phoenix were very active in the Victorian industry for a number of decades. This is reflected in the fact that both were inducted into the Victorian Caravan Industry Association's Hall of Fame at their annual dinner in 2013. I met Don (another of Bill's sons) and had a bit of a chat at the dinner. Sounds like I better follow up our chat! Don Ricardo |
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Post by jc330925 on Nov 23, 2014 15:07:12 GMT 10
Hi Don, I am Jeff Chrisfield & have just discovered this site, very interesting I am however very green in the operation of the technology, will have to catch up face to face sometime along with brother Don to follow up with the chat??
Jeff.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 23, 2014 15:50:18 GMT 10
Hi Jeff,
Welcome to the forum. It's great to have you on board.
You're right, we must have that chat! I've spoken to you and Don very briefly at a couple of CIAV events, but would love to sit down with you and have a proper conversation. I'll contact you and see what we can arrange.
Regards,
Don Ricardo
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Post by jen333 on Jan 18, 2015 12:36:07 GMT 10
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i might have some more Phoenix info for you in the future 
