Strange PopTop?

[solwarra]

Hi can anyone shed some light as to the make and history of this van?
Never seen one before and at first glance I thought it was a gooseneck, seems like sensible use of the space above the drawbar but I wonder how close it comes to the towing vehicle during turns on hills?
Cheers Jim

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bluewater/caravan/pop-top-14-caravan/1016390607

[seeshell]

Hi Solwarra

Is it possible that this used to fit on the back of a ute (with the sleeping quarters above the cab) and someone has put it on a frame for towing?

Or maybe it operates like this:



Cheers
Seeshell

[Roehm3108]

Seen these "over-boot" vans before, but not in a poptop. Reckon it might be a Franklin. Going by the split windows, which they seem to have started in the mid-sixties, there's every chance it would be post 1970's, even early 80's. Check their Penthouse here
vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=2045&page=3

[Deleted]

Hi solwara and others,
That is a bambino pop top made by a.c.t campers in the mid70s.
They made 2 models,one with an over drawbar lip,and 1without.Not many have survived the ravages of time.
Hope this is of some help.
Cheers
Hughdeani

[Roehm3108]

How DOES he do it?? ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Franklin1]

How DOES he do it??

He CHEATS!! [ Models and Toys ...and NOTE the bookshelf and filing cabinet full of information! ;D ;D ]

[Deleted]

Sorry, I meant bambi pop top!

[solwarra]

Thanks for the input folks.
I have been onto the owner and he tells me that the name has faded but it is a Leisure. built in 1970 Geelong Victoria and it has a serial number 782688.
Would this tie in with your thoughts on the bambi hughdeani?

I like the idea it might be a survivor and to boast a poptop with a Penthouse well that's rare!

[Roehm3108]

Mar 25, 2013 12:50:19 GMT 10 solwarra said:

I wonder how close it comes to the towing vehicle during turns on hills?

That would be worth checking out before towing with anything other than a sedan style vehicle.

[Deleted]

Hi solwara,
1970 sounds about right,was built with the overhang,not added at a later date.
Will tow fine due to extra long A frame and enough height to clear a tow car.
Leisure? Could be a dealer sticker ,as the brand was ACT campers,which at one stage were built in Wangaratta,just can't remember when!
Cheers
Hughdeani

[solwarra]

Hi Hughdeani,
when I googled Leisure caravans Geelong all I got was a dealership so you hit the nail on the head with that one.
The owner Tows with a sedan and claims to have no clearance issues.
Being a 1970 I might take this over to the classic caravan site where I found you have written about A.C.T vans before.
Cheers Jim