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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 24, 2020 19:46:13 GMT 10
Hi all, A few years ago Boblor provided me with some photos of an Olympic Riviera that he rescued and had restored. For various reasons the photos weren't posted at the time. The van in question has several claims to fame: - It was one of the relatively early Olympic fibreglass caravans with serial number 35.
- It was one of the few Olympic fibreglasses to be produced by the factory in a colour other than 'Olympic white'.
- It is reputed to have been used by Senator Don Chipp as a mobile campaign office in his time as founder and leader of the Australian Democrats.
- - There was a bit of discussion about No 35 here after I happened to come across it in 2008 at the back of a factory in Corowa, NSW, before Boblor picked it up. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 24, 2020 19:15:06 GMT 10
Hi Roehm,
Are we talking Australia's second largest island?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 24, 2020 14:35:03 GMT 10
Hey, I've just inherited a Rambler Deluxe Preston. Does anyone have a rough idea of the weight of these caravans? Cheers! Hi Reobug, Just letting you know I've moved your post and the replies regarding the weight of your caravan to a new thread so it'll hopefully receive more attention. You can find it by clicking here.Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 24, 2020 14:30:50 GMT 10
Hi Reobug, It's fantastic to hear that you've inherited a vintage or classic Rambler caravan. That sounds great. We will possibly be able to help you with more info or ideas if you can show us some photos of the van and tell us how long it is (just measure the length of the cabin excluding the drawbar). There is info on how to post photos if you click here. Just one thing to note about photos - I see that you are posting via your mobile phone (nothing wrong with that), but that means that if you want to post photos from your phone using the 'Add Attachment' button, there's one more step to take in the instructions you need to follow (it's all explained there). By the way, you'll see I've moved your original post asking for info about your van (and the replies) to this new thread in the General section where it will get more notice. Hope that's ok. I've sent you a PM (Personal Message via the forum) and an email to let you know, so I hope you won't feel too confused. Don Ricardo for the Admin Team
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 22, 2020 22:32:33 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 22, 2020 21:39:19 GMT 10
Hi Roehm and Cobber, Sorry to disappoint you Cobber, but there was nothing particularly remarkable about the water tank, except for where it was located.
And Roehm, you're spot on! But then that's not entirely surprising...I seem to remember meeting another passenger on the trip who looked exactly like you, and who spoke exactly like you... That was a memorable day wasn't it? Stopping at Marla Bore just before sunrise to see the sun come up over the horizon while we ate breakfast. Your turn Roehm. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 21, 2020 21:55:15 GMT 10
Hi Geoff & Jude,
Yes, it is where the Ghan stops, but not to talk about the water tank. It is one of the regularly scheduled stops.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 21, 2020 16:19:20 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, That’s true, but you need to give me more than that. : D Where did the Ghan stop? Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 21, 2020 13:44:47 GMT 10
OK Gypsy 10 and all, Here's one to get you going... Where's this? (That's not a caravan by the way. Just thought I should clarify! ) Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 21, 2020 11:30:53 GMT 10
On 26 August 2020, Lindsaysmith1 posted here:Hi folks, I am the son of Keith Smith (dec) who along with Doug Russell (dec) formed and co-owned the Filam Manufacturing Company in Papermills Rd. Fyanford, Geelong I vividly recall there being two older caravan moulds at that factory in Fyansford. There was one without fins which was stored inside (as pictured previously) which did nothing but gather dust for many years but in 2016 I ran into Scott Russell (son of Doug) and he then told me he had recently sold it to an older gentleman in Point Lonsdale who had plans to somehow make more compact version vans from it. As far as I am aware Scott still works doing fibreglass from the same building in Fyansford, so he might know more about the who bought it. Then there was one with fins which was stored out the back with about 50 or so other superseded moulds. I'm pretty sure our finned mould did not have the fine horizontal ribs running along the whole lower sides but was more like the van in the photos with the panels painted dark green. The boot lid on this also looks more familiar to me. When Franklin Caravans / Freighter Trucks purchased Filam in late 1972 they took some of the moulds to Ballarat (which included anther flat sided caravan mould Filam made exclusively for Franklin) Keith then set up and ran their truck body manufacturing section where they began to make the long single panel semi trailer freezer panels that are still common on the roads these days. As far as I am aware, Doug and Keith as part of there dissolving Filam, had all the unwanted and superseded old moulds outside crushed and sent to landfill so I'm pretty sure that was how the old finned mould would have met its demise. Also, we need to keep in mind that in those days it was very common to "flop" other people's products and reproduce them without expecting much more than a nasty letter from the original designer/builder and therefore its quite possible there were several moulds and slight adaptations of the same that could have been made anywhere. Filam were about very first Fibreglass manufacturers to make anything in Australia and they made a large variety of items for a large variety of customers, most of which were fitted out by whoever placed the order. As an example, their most successful line the SKI SPORT, (which was flopped and adapted from a Lewis timber hull) can be found all over Australia with at least 10 different brand names on them and no serial numbers. Mass production of shells was what they did best and they would make anything for anybody so its hard to figure exactly what came from them. Lastly, regarding the orange antartic versions in the photos, I don't recall Filam making these but I only went there on weekends so its quite possible they may have made the shells. In 1974 after Keith left franklin/freighters he built 2 or 3 orange fibreglass accommodation sled vans for ANARE but there were a totally different less wind catching design from a mould supplied by ANARE. We heard recantly that they are still in use as mobile storage rooms. I hope this helps. Cheers, Lindsay Smith.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 16, 2020 13:07:09 GMT 10
Hi Roehm, Maybe one day it will... Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 14, 2020 18:57:16 GMT 10
Hi Geomac,
Welcome to the forum.
How much moulding do you need? I am wondering how we might be able to arrange to ship it to you.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 14, 2020 18:52:27 GMT 10
Hi Konkiep, That sounds like a great find, and so good to hear you've started traveling with your van. We'd love to see some photos of your van as well as your camp at Kruger National Park. We always enjoy hearing from vintage vanners from other parts of the world. There are instructions on how to post photos if you click here. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 13, 2020 22:09:53 GMT 10
Hi Surf Tragic,
It's great to see your posts and read about some of your recent activities. The trip to the USA sounds wonderful, and I'm so glad you were able to undertake it when you did. Sadly the pandemic means that trips like that are likely to be off the agenda for a little while to come.
Also good to read about your meeting with Gary when Wal was also present. Hopefully your meeting will lead to something positive eventually.
I am glad to see that Don no 1108 has been rescued and is now in your shed for safekeeping. At least it will be well looked after while it is there. You mentioned that it was the most difficult rescue you have undertaken, and when I think about some of your other rescue excursions, the rescue of 1108 must have required some effort!
I find it amazing that previously unknown Don caravans keep popping up out of the wood work. There is no doubt that they were built to last. I hope that someone will buy 1108 and do a great restoration on it. It looks as if it 'has good bones' as some people say.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress on your family van too.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 13, 2020 20:47:47 GMT 10
G’day Karavaninkallista,
You’re making fantastic progress. Great work. It’s fascinating to watch how you are going about things.
Given that we are all sure that, whatever else it is, your van isn’t a 1967 Franklin, you might like to consider changing the title for your thread. If you decide to do that, just go to the first post on the thread, click on ‘Edit’ and then amend the subject line to whatever you want it to be. That will then change the title of the thread for everyone who has posted on the thread.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 8, 2020 19:56:34 GMT 10
Hi Margra, That’s an interesting person to have met. There’s information about Sunshine caravans here. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 7, 2020 22:12:01 GMT 10
Hi Sarah96, Welcome to the forum. That's disappointing to hear you've discovered a problem with your Globetrotter. I'm sure somebody will be able to make some suggestions but it would be helpful if you could post some photos so that we can get a clearer idea of the problem. There's instructions on how to post photos on the forum here. If you have any trouble, just let us know and we'll be happy to assist you with the pics. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 7, 2020 14:03:38 GMT 10
Hi Colcol, That's excellent you've found the serial number for your van. Yes, R66950 definitely confirms that it is a 1976 Viscount Royal. It would be good to see some photos of it. There is info on how to post photos if you click here. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 7, 2020 14:00:30 GMT 10
Hi Olderfranklin, Just adding to Bobt's reply, the number you are looking for will be created out of weld and look a bit rough, so might be easy to overlook if the drawbar is a bit rusty or had many coats of paint on it. It won't necessarily be five numbers. The format is 'XXX-Y' where the 'Y' on the right hand side of the '-' is a number representing the year. For example '6' will tell you that the van was built in 1966. The 'XXX' is a sequential number that tells you what what number the caravan was in that year - '123' would tell you that it is the 123rd van built in that year. For this reason the number on the left hand side of the '-' could range from one digit up to four digits, ie 1 to 9999 or however many vans Franklin built in that year. As Bobt says, if the drawbar has been replaced then you won't find a number, and you will just have to go with what Hughdeany told you - the van is a Franklin Premier built around 1966. Hope that helps a bit. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 6, 2020 9:52:33 GMT 10
Hi Crystalpistol, I'm not sure if this van is still available, but I've sent a message to Marjie2 to find out for you. The van may have been sold and hence the photos removed. You can see photos of the van in question here. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 3, 2020 20:53:47 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 3, 2020 20:53:18 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 3, 2020 20:26:21 GMT 10
Hi Olderfranklin,
Just adding to Hughdeany’s post, if you can tell us the serial number on the drawbar, we can confirm the year the van was built.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 2, 2020 22:08:50 GMT 10
Notice recording the incorporation of Jennison Caravan Cruisers Pty Ltd published in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday, 24 April 1937 (page 16):(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247124090 ) According to the Jennison family, John Jennison moved his caravan building business from Adelaide to Sydney in 1936/7. It appears that the business was incorporated as Jennison Caravan Cruisers Pty Ltd in 1937 following the Jennison family's re-location. Perhaps forum member Jennison may know where W M Batten and A P Benson fitted in the picture? Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 2, 2020 9:47:49 GMT 10
Hi Hughdeany and Clivematthews1975, I thinks the Adelma caravan Hughdeany was referring to is this one which was owned by Kingswood (who also went under the forum name Olfarts at one point). Perhaps Hughdeany can confirm if I've found the right van? It does look like Clive's van at the front but the rear profile is different. Don Ricardo
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