German Caravans (Wohnwagens)

[gertie]

Having recently purchased a circa 1959 Jomi Wohnwagen I would be interested in finding out if there are any others in Australia. Mine is obviously an import as the door is on the wrong side. It is in quite a bad state having been in a flood, and its bondwood cladding quite rotten. So I have plenty of work to do! Complete with Mercedes wheels, original kero fridge (we think), and varnish ply interior (still in fairly good condition)....any information would be appreciated!

[shesgotthelook]

I have never heard of them but someone on here may have. Sounds interesting & would love to see some photos

[gertie]

Thank you for your post. We haul her home today on a car trailer....and I am just hoping that she holds together! She is pretty rotten on the exterior but the interior looks in rather good condition. I will put up some pics once we have her home.

[aquamum]

Gertie
Well done on finding a "one-of-a-kind" vintage van.
Are you in Australia?
I look forward to your photos.

[gertie]

Yes, Gertie resides in South Australia. I will definately get the camera out this weekend and post some photos. She has the cutest little split "barn" style door.

[gertie]

Interestingly enough, as we started to peel back the layers, we find that Gertie is actually clad in masonite!! Can't believe it!

[Roehm3108]

There is nothing I can find on the internet to suggest these vans go back as far as 1959. Early 70's was all I could find. Interesting though that you found masonite underneath, which would certainly potentially date it into the 50's. They still seem to readily available in Germany, so could it be they aren't that old a company?

[gertie]

And here is Gertie

[viking]

There is a completed listing on ebay germany for a similar (if not identical) van www.ebay.de/itm/110868572957?nma=true&si=ET2u1UmLUjxRQGb2JZzPFpFJqSo%3D&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2557&orig_cvip=true#ht_1111wt_1397
text translates as

You are bidding on a rare

Jomi 4 caravans

by the firm of Joseph Middendorf

Built in 1958 in Cologne-Vingst

the caravan was previously lender used as a prop

and this car has appeared in movies such as Rudi Russel.

The car is good to go with 600 Kg very easy to tow and so even small timersvehicles (can tow it).

All trims and fittings are still in the original.

The nameplate is also in the original it

Unfortunately, the car is in very poor condition but wiederaufbaubarenrebuilldable. Holzlatzen wood panelling? and some parts of the lower outer lining and the soilfloor must be renewed

The car has been in a flood about 10 cm above the inner bottom full of water.

The carvehicle is not ready to drive and must be loaded.

This caravan is only for knowledge of the subject and must complete. Be restored. But then it has a piece of German caravan history

Caravan this size and Cologne fahrzeugbauvehicle build history are very rare and hard to find it, so the effort worthwhile allemale always.

[gertie]

Great spotting! Gertie is very similar, although slightly bigger. However it was good to see the interior as I can say that I have some original fixtures in mine, ie. the lights and catches. I think I also have the original sink (not the one shown in the ebay caravan) which appears to be made of something similar to bakerlite. The cupboards are also pretty much the same, but I am thankful to say that Gertie's interior is in better condition.
Thanks for your post

[Franklin1]

G'day gertie,

The following is a google translation of a post in a German caravan forum :


RE: restoring Camp Liner, 19 Oct. 2010 19:42

Hi,

about JOMI I can maybe following help: Joseph Middendorf from Overath near Cologne, made especially in the 1960s under the brand name "Yomi" caravan of the upper price range, after a collaboration with Blessing (now Eura) was 1972, the full integration of the then under the Middendorf KG Yomi names operating under the name of the company's facilities in the HYMER composite KG. The new Yomi - since models were established in the lower price segment. (Source: "The caravan and motorhome industry in Germany, where Dr. A. Hammer, CDS Verlag, 1997).

Until model year 1976, I have brochures from Yomi caravans, manufactured by the company Yomi Group Eriba-Hymer, Eriba-vehicles, caravans Dept. Yomi, 7967 Bad Waldsee. Then at least dipped the model name "Yomi" is no longer on.

Furthermore, restoring happy wishes

Hajo

Camping-Club eV oldies since 1988



Please Notice: This is an automatically translated article! (Original version of this article)


cheers,
Al.

[aquamum]

Hey Gerti

Don't you love this site!!

Lots of fellow vanners with the internet at their fingertips finding out info on obscure German caravans ;D

I just love that door ;D

[cobber]

Well done Al...... I did go looking but could find nothing of much use

I have some links on my desk top (which is still RS) to many European sites so you did well finding that one .... how long did it take you

Cobber.

[Franklin1]

G'day cobber,

After searching for "Jomi" and looking through the results, I became aware of people referring to the name as Yomi for some reason. So I did another search for Yomi Wohnwagens (and gertie, can you change the original heading of this thread to show the correct spelling of Wohnwagens, please? It will help for future searches in the years to come. )

cheers,
Al.

[gertie]

One word....WOW! Thank you so much Al for your dogged determination in sourcing some info on Jomi/Yomi. I too had done a search on Yomi (although Gertie's logo states Jomi) but to no avail. The info you have provided will certainly give me more to go on.
I realised after initiating this thread, that I had spelt wohnwagen incorrectly, but I can't for the life of me see how to correct it. So any tips appreciated!
And Aquamum.......you are right, that door is pretty cute. Just one of her endearing features!
I am hoping to start replacing the rotten framework this weekend, so watch this space!

[Franklin1]

Back again, gertie

Obviously the history book referred to in the German caravan forum post would be useful for more information. I've done a little bit more sleuthing about that book. Not a lot of results showing in a search for it. It's listed as entry number 338 in the Catalogue of the German National Library .

It has the catalogue number of 954307771, which can be found here . The details of that catalogue number are translated by google as follows:

Link to this record d-nb.info/954307771
Title The caravan and motorhome industry in Germany: long-term phases of development, today situation, trends for the future / Alfons Here Hammer
Person (s) Here Hammer, Alfons
Publisher New York: CDS Pub.
Release year 1997
Pages / format 554 S.: Ill. graph. Darst, 30 cm
Thesis Zugl. Regensburg University, Ph.D. thesis, 1996.
ISBN / Cover / price kart.
Tags Germany; caravan industry; History 1910-1993
Germany, RV industry, market trends, industry structure, history 1910-1993
Subject group (n) 65 Economic History, 36 energy, machinery, manufacturing technology

Frankfurt signature: 1998 B 15811
Provision in Frankfurt
Leipzig signature: 1998 B 15811
Provision in Leipzig


Looks like you're off to Germany for a trip to the Library (with a bit of sightseeing on the side, of course. Perhaps a trip to the Hymer Museum? )

cheers,
Al.

[gertie]

Well, we were only in Germany in March 2012....so I might have a bit of work convincing the other half that another trip is required so soon! Mind you he likes his German beer!
Thanks again for that information though....I will certainly follow up on it.
....Gertie

[yury]

hi Gertie, i thought i heard my name here yesterday, since the sound had to travel i just manage to log in today

congratilations with gertie, seems that i demands some love and care

although im not the german caravan expert i do recognize some style elements. also from vans from the early 60ties.

I understand the eagerness of sellers and people in general to stick a exceptional early construction date but Im a bit scared to put it in the 50ties since there were not many vans made in that time.
most brands were established from beginning 60 and later since popularitie of caravanning just started than here on the mainland. masonite is also used in the 70-ties so that is not a acurate point to mesure date.

for example: in our 6 year excistance we only found about 4 caravans that actualy were made in de 50ties, the other 250 pieces all were from beginning 60 early 70. so you see the chance is rare to find one over here, just imagine what that would mean for youon the other side of the world

the brand it self im not familiar with since you dont find it often and it never was a huge player those days as far as i know.

what you might do to put a reasonable construction date on it is check the wheels. there could/should be a year stamped in it.
since its a german van it also should have a construction plate mounted on the axle and towing triangle. if it doesnt have the both the date in the wheels should made a pretty sure date.

on my website you find a Anton Hoppe which is from 62 (for sure )
st-bvoc.nl/?page_id=2009
it seems to have the same talelights. the wheels i recognize from mid 60 westfalia's.

of course i might be wrong but due to style elements (windows etc) wheels and lights i would date it from 61 till 66.

if you whant to know what 50ties in germany looks likes: see the Sport berger (built 52, model year 53) st-bvoc.nl/?page_id=2013

[gertie]

Thank you Yury and welcome! You must have great hearing, since we were only discussing you yesterday.
So pleased to receive your information and thanks for the links....I can certainly see similarities with both makes/models compared to Gertie. Whilst I originally thought Gertie was a 60's gal, when I did a search I found this old advertisement: www.oldiecaravan.de/Hersteller_A_-_Z/Jomi/jomi.html
and noticed that the picture was titled 1959 Jomi Werbung....hence my presumption that she was 1959 afterall. But I guess one shouldn't make such presumptions! I will certainly go in search of evidence on her wheels, axle and towing gear this weekend.

[yury]

hi gerti , it might ofcourse well be. I can't tell for sure she is not either

but i know for sure info on the link above is not álways 100% accurate.

i just went on my experience and compared details on the van(s) as guideline. still she is belonging to the older catagorie (so real vintage) european caravans. as said it certainly is not easy to find one here really dating from the 50ties.

goodluck with your restoration of Gertie...

[yury]

ps. i just also looked on this link: www.ebay.de/itm/110868572957?nma=....#ht_1111wt_1397 and if i compare the whole story to other typical German brands on of the things i notice is the difference at the back windows.

the end 50/early german vans had ofter these split back window appearance. after a few years so closer to the mid 60-ties they changed this into one big rearwindow as in yours so unless i'm mistaking i'm more cofinced to date it as i did.

[bolerific]

Hello Yury I found your website wonderful. The caravans are beautiful. We are currently restoring a 1972 Tabbert here in Canada.

[gertie]

Hi Yury
Yes, I have to agree with you regarding the split window. A bit like those lovely split window Volkswagens which are quite rare now.
Thanks for all your sleuthing!

[gertie]

Just a quick update on Gertie and her restoration; I have been slowly pulling Gertie apart....it is like the "Big Reveal". Thankfully with assistance from my son and some guidance from the other half (who seems determined not to do work on her so that she remains my project), we have peeled back the layers on her front end. This weekend we hope to reinforce her underbelly and start replacing the floor. Amazing how the inside fittings are not fitted after, but during the build, ie. the exterior cladding seems to be the last piece to go on. We have laminated our own plywood and shaped it to create the framework, so that component is all ready to go. My biggest dilemna has been determining what to tackle next, but thankfully I do have support and guidance on that.
I still haven't been able to find out any further information on her history, but might contact the National Motor Museum at Birdwood to see if a search of her plate number reveals anything of interest.
In the meantime, the work continues. I will post photos soon

[Roehm3108]

Hi Gertie

My Rowvan was a South Oz registered van and has the original number plate. It is TRU-674. That van is definitely a 1957 build date. Maybe it will help date your plate.

Ray