What is it ? what is it worth ?

[dock]

Hello All
Have been watching this site on and off for years - spotted a van today that may be for sale. It was out in the weather and I helped a friend of the owner seal it up and make sure no more water damage.

Anyway - does anyone know what it is ? And what is a fair price for it ? It is pretty intact - interior is fantastic. Some water damage at the rear as the rear window got broken in a storm otherwise all intact including an annexe

Cheers Paul

[dock]

Another pic

[dock]

Another

[atouchofglass]

Gidday Paul
Mate it is worth what you are willing to pay for it.

[dock]

Oh i know that - but I like to be fair. I am happy to pay people a fair price for things knowing that if I fix it up and decide to move it on I am also not out of pocket.

I am from an old VW background and I find that is the best way to do business - everybody knows everybody and it soon comes around.

Cheers

[whippy]

Why not ask him what he wants for it You could meet in the middle.

[dock]

Guys
Anyone know what it is ?

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dock,

Nice to have you on board as an 'official' contributor, after watching behind the scenes for a while.

I've been trying to work out what your van may be. Unfortunately I haven't been able to identify it yet, and I presume that nobody else has either since no-one has posted any suggestions.

You've probably looked through the Down History Lane section where we've been collecting pics and info about the multitude of vans produced over the years. When that section started I don't think anyone could have guessed how many caravan builders there have been, which makes it a bit of a laborious process when trying to identify vans, but still it's somewhere to start!

The porthole window is possibly an important clue to the van's identity. Only a few manufacturers used them - Castle (NSW), Rowvan (SA but sold under various names in different states) and Roma (Vic) come to mind, although there were probably a couple of others.

The van you're looking at reminds me a bit of Groovygramps early 1950's Roma (see the Roma DHL thread), but 'your' van has aluminium windows which - based on that and its shape - would probably make it a mid to late 50's caravan. I note that the van has been re-clad in aluminium - I say re-clad because the shape of the sheets and the lines of screws suggests that the aluminium has been put over the original bondwood. In fact the bondwood (and some clues as to the van's identity) may still be under the aluminium. If it has been re-clad, then the aluminium windows may also have replaced some original wooden framed windows, but that is less likely. So my guess at this point is that the van was built sometime between 1955 and 1959, but by whom? That is the important question, isn't it?

Don Ricardo

[dock]

Thanks Don
Appreciate the informed and helpful reponse. We still have not heard if the owner wants to sell. I hope so as it is being damaged sitting out in the weather with a broken rear window.
It is interesting that you sugest it has been reclad - I will have a better look next time
Cheers Paul