Interesting photos+info

[kb3]

I found this liked off another site, looks very well done, is it anyone on here that does the site
www.ourtouringpast.com/photos.html
cheers Dale

[cobber]

While the moderators are away, the mice will play

Don't be naughty Dale....

Cobber.

[madmick]

I thought it was pretty good

[Deleted]

Its interesting to note the "objective" of the new website:

Overtime I hope to develop this website to be used as a reference for restoration, advise, sharing of ideas, photos and information with others who also have a passion for restoring.

and compare it to the objective of vintagecaravans.com

The purpose of this site is to communicate with other early caravan enthusiasts, view the projects of others, identify the manufactures and features of the various makes of caravans, and to gather information on the whereabouts of pre 1970 caravans to assist interested people in locating them for a prospective purchase.

It goes without saying that vintagecaravans.com has been ultra successful in achieving its objective over the past 6 years......and now we have the introduction of what is predominately a "restorers" website, but also includes alot of reference material (all copied & pasted from old caravanning mags), and also includes a section on "caravan maintenance" with some very good tips.

The discussion forum of vc.com has some excellent technical info contributed by many members over a no of years, but the info is not well formatted and requires alot of searching to find a particular technical subject. On the other hand, the vc.com "down history lane" section not only copies material of a particular make of caravan from a magazine, but also includes pics of a surviving caravan of the same brand. This sort of info can only be collated over years, as vintagecaravans.com has done.

The hobby of vintage caravans is an excellent hobby, and growing all the time, its certainly no "fad". The hobby can certainly support a new website as we now have, particularly a website that's been as well thought out and constructed as "ourtouringpast.com". An "amateurish" attempt at a new website on the subject would've been detrimental to our hobby, but after thorough investigation of the new website, it certainly has my stamp of approval .

Its also interesting to note that the writer of the new website recognises what vintagecaravans.com has defined as a "vintage caravan" ....his website is about caravans from the 1920’s to the 1960’s, and he users the words "vintage caravans' to describe such ......all the more reason for the two websites to work together .....could've been disaterous if the new website attempted to redefine what is a "vintage caravan".

The sooner the two websites are linked, the better

Mark

[cobber]

Spot on Mark,

I have spoken to Richard a few times before... and since... his web site got up and going and I feel sure his intentions are honourable and his restoration qualifications, as we all know, are professional.

His intentions are to share his knowledge with people who require help with their restorations.

To do that via this highly democratic and multi functional forum of ours is not always the best way to do it.... there is an alternative way and I hope Richard goes down that track with his site which will then enable him to specialise in the area that interests him most.

As time goes by... and the hobby grows, I would not be surprised if brand specific sites appear for those that have an interest in a particular make of caravan.... “The Olympic Caravanners” ...... “The Sunliner Set”...... “The Don Coterie”... etc.etc. The problem in this big country of ours is to get enough of the one brand concentrated close enough for owners to meet up occasionally, “The Furness Fraternity” would be a lonely turn out at this point in time eh?.

All good stuff, it happens in other countries, and when it happens in Australia history will show that it started with www.vintagecaravans.com ;D

Cobber.

[atouchofglass]

Greetings All

I too agree that a well presented and maintained website that runs along side of this site will broaden the interest that Mark and Ditzy have started

Being a fibreglass convert it would be of interest to see a site or section of a site dedicated to fibreglass vans and the repair/restoration techniques that others have used

It would be a shame to see van enthusiasts polarized by the various types of construction materials or van types

Having said that Cobber is right in thinking if this interest grew large enough there probably will be various sites dedicated to a specific brand or construction material.
Ford/Holden sites are plentiful why not caravan sites?

My opinion is that the van scene is a fair way away from that yet

Perhaps those that have Aluminium or Fibreglass or Bondwood getting together to swap ideas would be good
So long as all are welcome
Otherwise it would feel too much like elitism or a "us and them" mentality.....
Personally I would welcome anyone that encourages enthusiasm about restoring and collecting vintage vans as do the vast majority on the vintagecaravans site ....

We all need to play together and all will benefit

Seeing how others put their vans together is very informative and interesting, it would be a shame to lose that

That is why vintagecaravans.com is so important
Not only has it started this interest on the web in Australia
But it crosses all boundaries instead of creating new ones.

Yes we all know about the digs that various members have at each other about their preferred vans/materials.
But it is in good humour most of the times and only gets out of hand when we become a little too passionate about our preferences.

All the best to Richard and when the site is a little older and more informative I for one will use it

Currently the lack of ability to post information with speed hobbles it a bit.

Cheers
Atog

^{PS There is no intent to put others opinions down by this post}