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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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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 11:51:16 GMT 10
Tubby Graham is Coming 😚😘😋😀 G'day Tubbygra51, Great to hear you're coming. Where would we be without you to stimulate the bidding at the charity auction? Have you both booked a site at the caravan park AND completed your registration/entry form? Click HERE to find the form for registration. Looking forward to seeing you and Linda. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 11:40:45 GMT 10
Hi MJ,
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your background with CrestaCraft caravans in New Zealand.
This is just to let you know that I've moved your post from its previous location to this thread to which it refers.
Hope that's helpful.
Don Ricardo for the admin team
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 9, 2024 19:58:40 GMT 10
Hi all, We have had a series of very off topic, non-vintage caravan related messages on this thread recently from a 'guest' - presumably a bot. I have deleted all of the posts and banned the IP address of the originator, except the last one. I've left the last post up (but banned the IP address) because of Surf Tragic's very witty reply. I thought it was good enough to leave up for a while to give people a chuckle. Good riposte Surf Tragic. Don Ricardo for the admin team
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 4, 2024 21:45:20 GMT 10
Hi Cocktailsready, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us what happened to the Newlands Sundowner van. I think you can find the posts about the van you are looking for if you click on this link. We'd love to see how it looks now, so please do post the photos. The easiest way to post photos is using the 'Add Attachment' button - there is information how to do that if you click on this link. But please note that because you are posting from your mobile, there is an extra step you have to take to make the button appear. The info in the link explains how to do that. It's not hard to do. Let us know if you have any trouble and we'll help you out. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 2, 2024 15:59:08 GMT 10
The 2024 Nationals are only 12 weeks away! More than 100 Vintage and Classic Caravanners from all over Australia have already registered for the event. If you haven't REGISTERED to attend or BOOKED a site, now is the time to do it.
More information about the itinerary, events and memorabilia will be posted soon, so keep an eye on the Forum and the 2024 Nationals website for further details
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 2, 2024 10:02:23 GMT 10
Hi Mitch95, In addition to the info provided by other Forum members above, you may find the following post on the new VIN processes helpful: Click hereThe important thing to note is that there is a category for caravans 25 years old or more, and a special process for those vans. It is probably worth reading through the information before talking to the rego authorities because it may help you to understand what they will ask you to do. However, a few people who I have been in contact with and are going through the process of obtaining a VIN and registration for their van, say that the state rego authorities still seem a bit confused themselves, so you may have to persevere and be prepared to keep asking questions. Good luck with it all. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 1, 2024 16:22:48 GMT 10
Advert for Hawthorn and Burwood Caravans published in the Melbourne Age on Saturday, 31 October 1953 (page 44):(Source: Newspapers.com www.newspapers.com/image/123080388/?match=1&clipping_id=140012173 ) The caravan in the photo is one of the Hawthorn caravans with leadlight windows, of which there are several examples on this thread. However note the very short distance between the left hand side of the door frame and the front edge of the caravan. This appears to be an example of a 2-berth Hawthorn which we haven't seen an example of up until now. The advert states that Hawthorn produced 2, 3 and 4-berth caravans. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 31, 2024 13:35:59 GMT 10
Hi Harris4me, Welcome to the Forum. It's great to hear about your Harris Van. We'll look forward to seeing some photos of it, and hearing more about your plans for doing it up. There's info on how to post photos on the Forum if you click on this link. Yell out if you have any trouble and one of us will be very happy to help you. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 29, 2024 11:31:01 GMT 10
Hi Chappers, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your van. Have you registered and booked a site for the Vintage Caravan Nationals? There's info on registration and booking if you click on this link. It will be great to meet you and check our your van at Stanthorpe. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 27, 2024 18:13:27 GMT 10
Hi Mjordan328, Welcome to the Forum. I've checked Twocutekelpie's Viscount register, and E10109 would be a 1969 Viscount Ambassador. Hope that helps. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 23, 2024 21:36:52 GMT 10
Hi Oges, Thanks for showing us the photos of your Wayfarer. That's a fascinating caravan for reasons which will become apparent below. Wayfarer was a really interesting manufacturer, and I have been trying to piece together a bit of a history of their activities for quite while. But what makes that quite a difficult exercise is that they produced such a big range of different models over the 14 years or so they were operating, and the owner of the company, Eric Chapman, liked to experiment with different cladding and construction materials, and manufacturing techniques. In addition, Wayfarer also did a bit of 'badge engineering' - sourcing caravans from other manufacturers and selling them branded as Wayfarers. As part of my project over a few years, I have been collecting photos of different Wayfarers, and now have quite a large folder of photos of the various models. However, every time I think I may have exhausted the possibilities, someone shows me photos of a model that I haven't seen before. That's where you come in, because I have never seen your model Wayfarer before! That means I can't precisely date it, but I can give you a few suggestions: - The cladding on your caravan started to be used on Australian caravans in 1963.
- Several other manufacturers - Franklin and Hilandale - introduced models with the same shape as yours around the mid 60's. Franklin's model was the Caravelle which was introduced in 1964.
On the basis of those two points I am going to guess that your Wayfarer van was built in 1964 or 1965. In fact, I am wondering if your van is actually an example of Wayfarer's badge engineering and was built by either Franklin or Hilandale and then sold by Wayfarer with its cast badges on it? The person who may be able to tell us whether he thinks the van was built by Franklin or Hilandale is Hughdeany, who I hope will see this post. In the meantime, it might help if you could tell us (1) if there is a serial number made out of raised numbers on one of the arms of the drawbar, and if so what it is, and (2) some photos of the cupboards, etc, inside, while understanding its internal condition is poor. I'll look forward to hearing anything Hughdeany or you can tell us regarding the above. (Sorry, this doesn't help you with the van's value, but hopefully will help with question of it's age.) Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 20, 2024 14:13:50 GMT 10
Hi Coronet,
We're still working out some of the details regarding the program for the Nats because of a couple of hitches along the way, but hope to announce the program soon.
There will be a sausage sizzle on the Friday night and the Nationals Dinner will be most likely held on the Saturday this time around so that those attending just for the weekend can participate.
Anyway details soon.
Just regarding your Forum registration, 'Coronet' is still a valid sign in, and Proboards tells me that you were last signed in yesterday (Friday morning) at 8.55 am...although that might be US time! Let me know if you are still having trouble getting in.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 17:29:17 GMT 10
Hi Romathomas, Welcome to the Forum. If you can provide some photos of your van we might be able to give you a few ideas that may help you. There's info on posting photos if you click here. If it all is a bit bamboozling, feel free to email me some photos of your van, and I'll be glad to post them for you. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 17:26:12 GMT 10
Hi Killawatt,
Yes, it's a bit of pain. You should have no trouble on a PC or laptop or even a tablet. But on a mobile you need to scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tick 'Desktop' after which the 'Add Attachment' button appears, or at least it does on an iPhone! If you try that and find it doesn't work can you please let me know and tell me what type of phone you are using? Thanks, it would be useful to know what works and what doesn't.
Anyway, if you can't get the photo thing to work, feel free to email me some photos and I'll post them for you. My email is caravanhistory@gmail.com
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 16:06:49 GMT 10
G'day Frances, Thanks for letting us know about The Shepparton Motor Museum..... Sorry for the slow responce It opened on the 18th December 2011 and they are having their official opening in February 2012, according to their new web site. I have contacted them and they tell me they don't have a vintage caravan yet... but it is on their list of "things to do". Looks like a good spot to visit...... have a look at their web site and Facebook page, HERE and HERE. Cobber. Hi Cobber, This museum is now known as the 'Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE'. It's website is: www.moveshepparton.com.au/Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 15:58:34 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, One more for your Caravan Museum directory. The Queensland Museum includes a home built caravan constructed by Duncan (Len) Macpherson in about 1945: blog.qm.qld.gov.au/2021/05/26/caravanning-in-queensland/It is quite interesting to note that although the caravan was built post-War, it is definitely a pre-War design. The commentary on the Macpherson van, written by Jeff Powell in 2021, states: "Caravans were not completely unknown in the late 1930s, but were generally considered an American phenomenon, yet to have much impact in Depression era Australia." In fact there was a thriving caravan industry in Australia prior to World War II, but it seems most people are unaware of what was happening, including in Queensland! Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 15:12:36 GMT 10
Hi Killawatt, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your Franklin. You are correct that the 'Y' in the serial number indicates that your van was built in 1977. Unfortunately that's the only information that Franklin coded into the serial number; it doesn't tell us what model it is. However, the '914' in the serial number does tell us it was the 914th caravan built by Franklin in that year. At that stage Franklin was building maybe 8,000+ caravans per year, so my guess is that number 914 would have been built in the first couple of months of 1977, possibly February or March, depending on how constant their production was, and how long the Christmas/New Year lay off. Regarding the model, if you can show us some photos of your van, someone on the forum will be able to tell you what it is I'm sure. There's info on how to post photos if you click here. We'll certainly help you if we can. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 14:58:19 GMT 10
Hi Awd, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for posting about your grandfather's Belvedere Caravans. We'd love to hear more, as well as to see photos of the vans. It's always fascinating to hear from the descendants of the people who were involved in the Australian caravan industry in the Vintage era (ie up to 1969). It's also very important in documenting the history of the Australian caravanning heritage to include the low volume manufacturers whose names and caravans are rarely spoken of these days. There is information on how to post photos on the Forum if you click here. If you use the 'Add Attachment' button it's fairly easy to post photos, but note there's an extra step to take to get the button to appear if you're using a mobile. If you have any issues with the photos, you're welcome to email them to me to post on your behalf: caravanhistory@gmail.com But please don't give up because we'd like to hear about your grandfather's activities. It's a long while since I read Franklin1's original post, and I note that we haven't set up a thread on Belvedere Caravans in the Down History Lane (DHL) section. I've now done that and included it in the DHL index. You can find the thread here. You're welcome to post on the new thread or on this one. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 14:44:17 GMT 10
BELVEDERE CARAVANSManufactured by James Donald 10 Hames Crescent, Ballarat Vic On 6 June 2010 Franklin1 posted the following here:Don Ricardo, during the hours I spent scrolling through microfilms in the Ballarat library, I came across two other names of caravans that I can't recall hearing about before... 1. A 1956 classified advert for Belvedere caravans... (...two mentions on the forum in the last 1000 days are for Plymouth Belvederes.)
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 15, 2024 13:45:54 GMT 10
Here is another happy camper, this time back in 1956 (Ack SLQ catalogue). Regards kenny Hi all, In discussing this van when Kenny posted the photo in 2021, I suggested it was an Orford. Hughdeany agreed… Turns out we were wrong! The caravan was apparently a home build. The information about the photo from the State Library of Queensland tells us: ” The caravan is thirty feet long and was built by the owner, Mr J. J. Holmes, of Warnambool in Victoria. The caravan has three rooms which include a bed-sitting room, a shower recess and toilet and a kitchen-dining room, which has two extra bunks. At the t…” (Source: rosettagw.slq.qld.gov.au/recordLink/99183506563302061 Note that the text is cut off on the Library’s online entry for the photo.) The photo is dated by the Library as 1956. That’s a decent size van for a home builder for that era, and pretty stylish to go with it. It seems the owner and his family were visiting Queensland, given the house behind the caravan. Don Ricardo
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