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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 28, 2024 20:35:22 GMT 10
To book for the 2024 Vintage Caravan Nationals Dinner and other Nationals activities, please go to the dedicated 2024 Vintage Caravan Nationals website HERE
As indicated above BOOKINGS are essential.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 18, 2024 19:50:17 GMT 10
Hi John (Sunny 62),
That sounds great. Thanks for offering that assistance.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 15, 2024 13:54:16 GMT 10
Hi Leaeschy, It's great to hear about your van, and it would be excellent to see some photos. There's information on how to do that if you click on this link. The easiest way is to use the 'Add Attachment' button in the posting window, but let me know if you have any trouble. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 13, 2024 17:39:36 GMT 10
Hi Clipper1957,
That sounds correct.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 13, 2024 10:41:33 GMT 10
Hi Mike and Lyn,
Bookings for the Nationals Dinner and other activities will be through the Vintage Caravan Nationals website, but the page is not quite ready to go live yet. We'll let you know when it is.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 12, 2024 22:08:46 GMT 10
Hi Koala,
I think that the Park hasn't done a final allocation of sites yet because people have been able to nominate being part of a group so that they can be located close by. The Park has had to wait until all the sites are booked and they can then start grouping people together where they've nominated a group (given that not all group members booked at the same time). I think they're almost at the point of allocating sites. At least that's what I understand is happening.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 14:50:32 GMT 10
JUST A REMINDER! If you're planning to attend the 2024 Vintage Caravan Nationals in Stanthorpe, you need to REGISTER at the Nationals website HERE, even if you have already booked a site with the Top of the Town Tourist Park. We need to know you're coming and receive your registration fee of $15, just so that we are prepared to welcome you.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 10:08:24 GMT 10
Hi Skitsobunny, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for showing us some photos of your new project. I can't help you regarding the doors and windows, but I've checked the Viscount register compiled by Forum member Twocutekelpies and V7271 would have been produced in December 1982 or January 1983. Hope that helps. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:51:35 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:46:33 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:45:53 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:45:16 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:22:02 GMT 10
Just letting you all know that the Program for the Nationals is now available HERE
All the sites in the Top of the Town Tourist Park are now booked, although you may still be able to go on the waiting list - check with the Park. Meanwhile space is still available at the adjacent Showground for the period from Friday, 26 April to Tuesday, 30 April only. Bookings for the Showground via the Vintage Caravan Nationals website.
It's going to be a great time with 150+ vintage and classic caravans booked for the event.
Further updates about the Nationals will be posted on this thread.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:11:48 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:09:46 GMT 10
Hi Jennison and all, The Program for the 2024 Vintage Caravan Nationals is up - click hereFurther information about particular events will be uploaded in the next few days. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 10, 2024 22:26:39 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 8, 2024 13:43:53 GMT 10
Hi Pooj,
Welcome to the Forum.
The serial number of your van probably indicates that it was built in 1973, but usually the number indicating the year follows the production number. So for a 1973 van it would normally be '8374-3' with the '3' after the hyphen indicating the year 1973 and '8374' indicating that it was the 8,374th Franklin built that year.
It could be that the person who wrote the serial number on this van didn't follow the normal format? But you may want to just double check the number to make sure the number is as the seller says. Franklin changed the format for their serial numbers in 1974 to a leading letter indicating the year, followed by the production number. Thus if the van you are looking at was built in 1976 the serial number would begin with 'X' followed by the production number.
Hope that helps?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 3, 2024 13:35:26 GMT 10
1950's Smiths Caravan & Joinery Works van listed for sale by Ian P on the Vintage Caravan Renovations and Sales, Australia Facebook page in January 2024:
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 2, 2024 10:23:42 GMT 10
Hi Kathyak,
Welcome to the Forum.
The build date of your Valiant is 1967, and the 'C' indicates that it has an aluminium frame.
Hope that helps?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 2, 2024 10:20:59 GMT 10
HI Boltthecolt, Here are the photos from Hughdeany: The first photo is of a later model Palace than yours - 1965 I think, but according to Hughdeany the layout may be similar? The second and third photos are from 1961/2. The 21ft Mobile Home is a tandem and has the two doors like yours. It seems that the length of the Palace model varied a bit over time. The 1965 model above was 25ft long, but the 1963 Palace referred to in the list here was 23ft long. I would be interested to hear if that's the length of yours (measuring just the length of the cabin, 30 cm up from the floorline). In terms of livery, with the painted panels, your van would have looked the same as this van, except with out the 'V' shape at the front below the windows (that was a Victorian factory decoration). Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:36:31 GMT 10
Hi Boltthecolt,
Just adding to Hughdeany's information, the serial number on your van is actually 'N1289', but the 'N' is partially covered under the safety chain.
I've checked the number against Twocutekelpies' Viscount register and N1289 would have been built in 1963. That matches up with the side decoration panels, which would once have been painted in a colour.
The 'N' indicates that the van was built in the Viscount Sydney factory (N=NSW).
I've received the photos from Hughdeany and will post them for you tomorrow (Friday) when I get a chance. Sorry for the delay.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:24:23 GMT 10
Hi Hendrie1992,
That's an interesting one with a couple of features that are a little bit unusual. First is it doesn't have wrap around front windows. Second is the 'knife edge' styling below the front windows, rather than a curve.
Hughdeany has suggested the van is similar to a Vacation, but most of those (but not all) had wrap around front and rear windows, and I don't think any of them had the knife edge styling.
As Hughdeany said, if you can post some more photos, external and internal, it may help us work out what it is.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:15:52 GMT 10
Hi Mjordan328,
Checking Twocutekelpies' Viscount register, E2222 is a 1966 Viscount Ambassador. The 'E' normally indicates the van has an aluminium frame.
Hope that helps.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:11:48 GMT 10
Hi Darryn,
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us that your father was 'K James', the proprietor of Shiralee Caravans. It is always wonderful to make contact with the descendants of people who were involved in the caravan industry in the 'vintage era'.
As you can tell from this thread, we don't know a lot about Shiralee vans, but have been gradually putting together little bits of info here and there. Unfortunately none of the Shiralee owners who've posted have shown us any photos of their vans, so the only photos we have at this stage are from the leaflet held by the Gold Museum.
Although you say you were very young when the vans were in production, it would be fascinating to hear a bit more about your father, and how he got into the caravan industry. And obviously if you have any photos that would be fascinating too. As a 'caravan historian' I'd love to have a chat to you if your willing. If you would be happy to do that perhaps you could PM (Personal Message) me via the Forum - see the 'Messages' button on the menu ribbon above. Alternatively you can contact me by email: caravahistory@gmail.com
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 21:11:11 GMT 10
Hi Robbernard, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your little Litecraft. It looks like one of the 11ft models from around 1962. Is that correct? We have an advert for that model in the Down History Lane thread on Litecraft, but no photos of an actual van in original condition. I'd love to post the photos of your van on the Litecraft history thread if you're willing to email me the photos? My email address is caravanhistory@gmail.com I'm not sure if you've seen the history thread I'm referring to or not, but you can find it by clicking HERE if you're interested. Don Ricardo
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