Is this a Rowvan?

[Don Ricardo]

Hi ho everybody,

The more I look at this van on Ebay, the more it reminds me of a Rowvan:

cgi.ebay.com.au/12-foot-Classic_W0QQitemZ150366718455QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Caravans_RVs?hash=item23028e09f7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

The general shape of the van, the layout of the kitchen, the alcove for the stove (what's left of it), and the wardrobe...

What do others think?

Don Ricardo

[Franklin1]

Hi DonR, I haven't been able to determine the brand of this van, and so I don't know whether there's a connection between it and Rowvans.

Assuming the exterior of the van is still in its original condition, what I can say about the van is that it is from late 1973 to late 1974. The van has wind-out windows which were introduced during 1973. The little 'brackets' on the window exteriors (see first photo arrowed) are the indication of wind-out windows when looking at the outside. This is confirmed by the interior photo showing the winder handles (photo 2). Secondly, the hatch is the old box lid type, used up until the Starlight four seasons hatch was introduced in late 1974 (see photo 3)...



So the van qualifies nicely for our sister Classic Caravans forum, as far as I can determine.

Do we know how long Rowvan were around for? I didn't think they lasted into the 1960s.(?) Can't say I've seen a Rowvan that looks like it's from the '60s, but then my eyesight is suffering from the usual effects of old age

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi all,looks like a rowvan that was "modernised"in the seventies with wind out windws and aly added,with a bit of a more modern shape thrown in!shame.
Cheers
Hughdeani

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Al and Hughdeani,

Re Rowvans lasting to the 60's - According to a post from Cobber on the DHL Rowvan thread, Rowvans were still being produced in 1962 although not in the style of this van. And the workvan shown on the DHL thread is also clearly post 1960, maybe even post 1970?

This one reminds me more of Ditzy's Rowvan click here, although it is still very different. It is the kitchen and stove alcove which seem to be soooo Rowvan to me (even though the stove alcove has been pulled apart to fit the fridge in). The van seems to have been modified to some extent (the internal panelling etc), so perhaps it has been heavily modified with new windows, etc, etc.

Maybe just one of those maddening cases of a van which reminds you of something but you just can't nail it. How many times does that happen on this forum...

Don Ricardo