Peter & Trish new van

[dosse]

G'day All.
While on the last SE weekend away at Tallebudgera the girls went to some garage sales........and this is what Pete and Trish
found. .










Pete will tell us all about the rest.
PS Great little van mate. dosse.

[peteandtrish]

Thanks Dave for putting the photos up

The van is 11ft 6in long and 7ft wide. She is a Miami Princess, I have no idea as to the make. I think she would be about a 1964-1968 I am only guessing. Was sold out of Ipswich CaravanCentre at some point in her life. If anyone can update us we would appreciate it.
Inside all we have only given her a good clean up, what you see in the photos is really the condition she was in when we purchased her. Trish has given the van the womens touch with the old tins etc.
Outside is in good condition all she needs is a paint and a few minor cosmetic and lighting things done. When complete I am sure she will look a treat. We replaced the rims, 240volt inlet, water tank, fly screens and made some adjustments to the override system.

Regards

Pete

[Franklin1]

Hi Pete, what a great little van! ;D

There's nothing showing up in the Sydney newspaper archives for Miami caravans, so we'd be looking elsewhere for any information. I wonder if the Miami relates to that Miami place on the Gold Coast?? That's not all that far from Tallebudgera, so the van might have been a locally built brand. Forum member hughdeani might have some information about them.

If the white exterior cladding is original, it would suggest the van was built some time from 1967 onwards. The major manufacturers were variously changing from plain aluminium cladding to the white painted stuff, starting from mid-1967 through to mid-1969.

That hatch cover looks intriguing. Is it moulded fibreglass?

Quite a nice looking design you've found! And to think you were only aiming for a few trinkets from garage sales.

cheers,
Al.

[peteandtrish]

Thanks Al

Yes the hatch is glass the mechanism is very similar to that of a Franklin Arrow I had a very long time ago. I suppose the hatch and assembly could have been interchanged at some point.
We will not loose any sleep over her history, it would be nice to know a bit more about her heritage. In time I am sure more info will become available.

Thanks for your input.

Regards
Peter

[ronmcgr]

Hi Peter,

I have tried every angle I know of, in Google, and still cannot find a link to your "Miami". Surely one day some thing will come up.
I believe it would most likely be a QLD manufacturer.

Cheers,
Ron

[Deleted]

Hi all,
nice little van you found there,I recall Miami came from SA,have seen a photo on here a few years ago and I have seen a couple myself on my travels around SA,very similar to Telstar that were made in Ballarat or thereabouts.Those plastic/fibreglass were an aftermarket unit available over the counter a few years back.Hope this info is of some help.
Cheers
hughdeani

[peteandtrish]

Thanks hughdeani

I met with a guy today that has been with Ipswich Caravans since 1962. He provided me with some info but could not be sure with out seeing a photo so when I am out that way next week I will have a photo for him.

Regards
Pete