Cobber's 1936 ( actually built 1933/34 ) PLYWOOD Caravan

[kingy]

CCC........Cool Colours Cobber ;D
Kingy

[cruisindoug]

Cobber spotted this 3 stud axle and wheels on ebay wouldn't know if they are the same pattern but might be worth checking out .... how many 3 stud wheels can there be?

Thought it might be worth your while for spares ...

Cheers
DougCheers
Doug

[cobber]

G'day Doug,

Fanks for finking of us mate over the years other mates have found a couple of three stud “easy clean” wheels, as they were know back in the '30s, for me..... although that one you linked to looks to be the easiest to clean.

Funny thing about the four wheels I now have.......... they all have the hub cap studs in different places, other than that they all look identical

Lots of English and European cars had three stud wheels, Citroen, Renault, Austin, Morris, Bedford..... even Hillmans I've been told

Cobber.

[cobber]

The search continues for where the inspiration came from for Ol '36s design.

This is a 1936 "Airlite" caravan that is due for restoration in the UK. TURNS OUT THIS VAN IS A FAKE---NOT AN AIRLITE AT ALL !!
The style is the same as when they started building them in 1935 except that the early ones had independent suspension ( leaf springs on each side of the wheels )

I still see similarities with the exterior look but in my unbiased opinion I think Ol '36 is a vast improvement both outside and inside, although the inside of the Airlite looks too rough to be original



Airlite interior.


Ol '36 when I bought her.


Frustrated Cobber.

[Surf Tragic]

G'day Cobber

Apart from the door being hinged on the wrong side, (I'm only talking about looks, not practicality, it would look much better swung around the other way), also the inside doesn't have a very good finish, well, I can't see a lot to compare it to your refined piece of furniture........maybe the front window setup is similar...

Not in the same street sorry, keep looking

ST

[cobber]

G'day ST

What I'm trying to do is find where somebody in Oz got the inspiration to build Ol '36, and maybe the caravan in the Birdwood museum which is a similar shape and also built in 1936.

What keeps bringing me back to the Airlite is the general shape and things like the windows and the bumper bar they skite about in this add. for the 1936 model.... Ol '36 has a bumper bar too



The bloke who built Ol '36 did away with the rear window and put a cupboard with the table come door arrangement on that back wall instead.

Apart from that the layout of the two vans is similar..... single beds each side at the rear, a double bunk at the front, and kitchen area opposite the main entry doorway.
Due to the placement of the near side window on the Airlite there wouldn't be room for the wardrobe that Ol '36 has, the Airlite wardrobe was actually on the back of the door.
The way the door swings on Ol '36 is much better too..... the Airlites door would not be compatible with an awning or annex aye?

All in all I reckon the Aussie builder came up with a better arrangement..... I wish somebody knew who he was

Cobber.

[Surf Tragic]

Right.................I see what you're getting at now. ;D ;D especially with the advertisement of the Airlite , the similarities are clear there.
Whoever the builder of your'36 was, he handcrafted many well conceived innovations, & as you point out, the shape & hand of the door works well with an annexe.

ST

[cobber]

At last Ol '36 is starting to earn her keep 


Last week, on the 26th Feb. she was engaged to help Baz Lurhmann launch
The new 'Absolut Oz' vodka at the Bucket List at Bondi Beach.



Full house.


Absolutely Strictly Voddy Sweety Darling

By Nell Schofield. (That's Nell on the left in the above photo )

My old buddy Baz Luhrmann got in touch the other day to ask if I could be MC Big Nelly at the launch of his new vodka, Absolut Oz. The do was at the Bondi Pavilion where Baz and I launched our own theatrical careers back in 1982. We’d both starred in movies the year before (me in ‘Puberty Blues’ and him in ‘Winter Of Our Dreams’) and had tried to get into NIDA to hone what had until then been an instinctive craft but we were unceremoniously rejected. So we decided to put on our own play in which we obviously starred. It was Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘American Days’ and, as Baz reminded me last night, the opening was attended by the awesome Aussie actor Jack Thompson and the legendary agent Harry M Miller. The critics were also there and they hated it.
Undeterred, we pursued our dream and finally got into NIDA where we worked up a little play called ‘Strictly Ballroom’ which Baz is now about to unleash on Sydney audiences as a characteristically camp and overblown musical, 30 years on. But last night it was strictly vodka.
After the mandatory papping that one must undergo as the date of the maestro, we settled into the cocktails, each one named in honour of an Aussie beach – Hells Bells, Tama Glama, South Avoca Elevator and Stairway to the Moon (Cable Beach).
[i]Uber Creative Director Tony Assness did the decor which included performing muscle Marys, gigantic bowls of kaffir limes and a 1939 wooden caravan to which I retreated after the speeches. It was the most adorable unit I’d ever experienced with yellow bakelite handles on the tiny kitchen drawers and triangular pop out windows with delightful fitted curtains. Our Lady of the Caravans was there to greet me in her sexy negligee with a cocktail in hand. I immediately wanted to hitch the whole thing to my tow bar and drive off into the tequila sunset.
A friend had just given me a copy of the inaugural edition of a new magazine called ‘Time to Roam Australia’ – Australia’s new favourite caravan and camping magazine – the cover of which features a fab photo of The Don, one of Australia’s first popular trade-built caravans currently celebrating its 80th birthday. Caravan Love was definitely in the air.
I grabbed Baz and the managing director of Pernod-Ricard Julien Hemard and we all cosied up together on the crocheted nana blankets and pillows away from the madding crowd. This adorable little roadshow is about to hit a beach near you so stay tuned for updates and remember to always drink responsibly. [/i][/u]





And........ she also features in an article in the Feb/March issue of the Southern Highlands magazine 'Highlife'
There are three caravans in the article but..... only one of us is vintage 
Vintagecaravans.com gets a mention in the text as the driving force behind the hobby.



Cobber.[/font]

[hilldweller]

Ol' 36 looks superb Cobber. Bet you had to field an endless stream of questions.

[shesgotthelook]

Absolutely charming. (I think charming best describes her) What a terrific looking little van & so great you get to show her off in public.

[cobber]

.Thanks hilldweller & SGTL,

Only 'invited celebrity guests' were admitted to this bash, so they missed out on our scintillating narration of Ol '36s history and features, on top of that.... the PR company wanted Driftwood but...., Baz said "I WANT OL '36", so now she thinks she's a bigger star than poor old Driftwood.
Not easy living with celebrities I can tell you

Cobber

[akeepsake]

On ya cobber! Great to see old 36 in the limelight where she belongs!!!
A credit to you!

[cobber]

Ol '36 had a fun day yesterday posing with the 'House of Quirky' and a group of happy young professionals doing a photo shoot for their 'Quirky Circus' fashion range that is exclusive to Myers Department Stores

Good thing was..... they came out to our place to do the shoot so we didn't have to go anywhere.

Not real sure how much of the caravan will feature in their photos  but I got my priorities right aye ?







Cobber.

[akeepsake]

Gosh Cobber . At this rate you'll need to employ a manager to look after all ol'36s bookings!!!!!
Tough day at the office ah!

[seeshell]

Hi All

Could this be Ol' 36?



Cheers
Seeshell

[DC3Td]

You calling Cobber camp Seeshell? (that was a joke joyce).

[cobber]

Sept 9, 2014 17:47:12 GMT 10 DC3Td said:

You calling Cobber camp Seeshell? (that was a joke joyce).

 ..Gordon, even Joyce knew that was a joke.....I hope 

Thanks Carley    don't know how you come across these things, without even trying I'm sure.

Easy to see how somebody (who didn't know better) might assume the quarter window might extend behind the open barn door, I'm pleased the builder didn't think it was a good idea.... that's where the wardrobe lives



Keep looking.... poor Ol '36 needs all the help she can get 

Cobber.

[Don Ricardo]

G'day Cobber and Seeshell,

That illustration has to be the closest likeness to Ol '36 we've seen yet, surely?

If you can just track down the source of the illustration, and the photo it is probably based on, you might actually be getting closer to Ol '36's roots, Cobber. Unless, of course...Ol '36 is actually the inspiration for the illustration. Quite possible since the photos of Driftwood seem to have been the inspiration for all sorts of designs around the world...

Note also the Morris Minor towing the van. Reminds me of the lyrics from a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta (Trial by Jury) which go like this:

"She may very well pass
For forty-three
In the dusk,
With a light behind her!"

Well, a Morris Minor may very well pass for an FJ Holden, in the dusk, with the light behind her (and maybe one eye shut)! What do you reckon Cobber?

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

G'day Don R,

Funny you should suggest tracking down the source of the photo used in the illustration 'Keep Calm and Camp On' (it's a great way to meet people from other lands) 

Usually it's pretty straight forward, they confess straight up but.....this time they are saying it is a composite illustration made up from a couple of 'trailers' they saw at a car show in the USofA.

They say ..... "This has certainly piqued our curiosity. We will keep our eyes pealed and check around, as occasionally the retro trailer crowd gather for outings in our area"

Time may shine a new light on the Ol '36 conundrum, aye ? 

Cobber.

[jessieansons]

Cobber, your mint green caravan is adorable! I used your photos as inspiration for a short story competition in the Newcastle Herald and guess what... My story got published! I had to share the link since it's your gorgeous girl who gave me the setting I needed. Here's the link to the online version:

www.theherald.com.au/story/2805977/short-story-comp-yellow-wool/

www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2805977/short-story-comp-yellow-wool/  

[cobber]

G'day Jessie,

Thank you for the link to 'Yellow wool' and congratulations on your win.

It's a loverly story, but I'm not real sure which of my two pale green caravans can claim credit for giving you the inspiration to write such nice thoughts.

With reference in the story to broken windows, jacaranda trees and windows that follow the roof line I'm thinking you were looking at my most recent acquisition, the one in this link HERE

If not that one maybe the van we call 'Driftwood' might have inspired you, if not I can tell you she is going to have her nose out of joint photos of Driftwood HERE

Either way you have done us proud, most vintage caravans have had a life similar to the one you have described in 'Yellow Wool' and could easily inspire somebody with your talent to write a short novel on the subject

Best wishes to you Jessie,

Cobber.

[jessieansons]

Thanks for writing back Cobber! I'm thrilled I was able to do you all proud and get the descriptions right.

The colour was certainly inspired by Driftwood - I loved the idea of a green pastel paint as it fit the mood just perfectly. But the shape of the van was from the very first post of this thread, where you almost didn't even buy her. I love the fact that you were going to have to let her go but you 'rescued' her in the end anyway... it's the love and dedication you had for the van that made me realise there's a lot of history, told and untold, sitting within those rounded walls.

Keep doing what your doing. The world needs more beautiful caravans such as these!!

[cobber]

G'day Jessie,

I thought it was amusing, in your 'Yellow Wool' story, when the wife instinctively knew how to open the stuck door, and then the memories came flooding back as she sat in the caravan
I suspect you may have looked at a few threads on the forum for inspiration but I wonder if you saw THIS ONE, it gave many of us goose bumps back in 2009 when Surf Tragic first told the story.

And THIS THREAD tells the story of the bloke who has never let the caravan he grew up with out of his sight, still holidays in it, imagine the memories he must enjoy.

When one comes to think about it there are some great stories on this forum and it's wonderful to think that people outside the actual hobby, like yourself, stumble across them and appreciate them

And you keep doing what you're doing ...the world needs more great stories inspired by the romance of vintage caravans.

Cobber.

[cobber]

 
          BREAKING NEWS !!

At long last, after 13 years in my possession the pioneering craftsman who built Ol '36 has been identified 😀😀
Due entirely to the dedication and skill of Detective chief inspector Don Ricardo of the 'Anything to do with vintage caravans squad' who noticed a post on the "Australia Remember When" Facebook site and recognised the photos likeness to Ol'36.
He contacted the author and much has been learned.
Thank you Don Ricardo 😘👍👌😎

This is the post DCI Ricardo noticed on the 'Australia remember when' Facebook site

Karen xxxxxxxx
This is one my grandfather built in 1930 down the side of the house in Lidcombe NSW, they went everywhere in it most weekends and holidays and towed with the trusty Model A Ford and then upgraded to the Standard Ford. My mum grew up with enjoying this with her younger brother and talked about it constantly, all good memories and holidays are spent in caravans
[/URL

Karen

After contacting Karen, who was very excited to hear her grandfathers caravan was still alive, here is some of what we have learned.

The van was built by Ernest (Ern) Walter Barlow (b.4/08/1899 d.31/01/1971 ) at Lidcombe NSW during the early 1930s and Karen's mother Jean definitely remembered first holidaying in the van when she was 10 or 11 years of age i.e. 1933/34 ( she was born in 1923 and died at the age of 94 in 2017 )


An enlargement of that photo, it is not know when the original photo was taken 😟


The holidays they enjoyed in those early days were not extensive, remember these were the Great Depression years, they traveled mostly on weekends to places like Fitzroy Falls, COLEDALE BEACH ! Richmond and Penrith where they free camped beside the river. Ern, who was a skilled professional furniture maker had also made a canoe that was carried on top of the A model Ford.
They also spent many school holidays on the Coxs River between Katoomba and Oberon and travelled and free camped along the Bells Line of road.
Ern served in the AIF during the later years of WW I after he turned 18, at the time he was doing his Joiners apprenticeship.
During and after WWII the caravan did not get a lot of use due to petrol price and rationing.
This is Ern and Karen's uncle Bruce on the Coxs River.


Here we have Ern, Karen's mother Jean and the younger brother Bruce, not real sure where or when the photo was taken.


The van was sold to the Lidcombe Bowling Club about 1968 ( the latest rego label on the van is 1961 ) where it went after that is not known, I tend to think it was not re-registered before I bought it in 2006.

We recently enjoyed a visit from Karen her husband Ross and brother Geoff who were thrilled to see the caravan they had heard so much about over the years, inside it was exactly as it had been described to them, including the slide out cooker cabinet 😎
They brought with them the only other photo showing the caravan they can find at the moment, note the awning and the A model ford.



A very happy Cobber 👌




[/a]

[humpyboy]

What a story, the family must have been lost for words upon hearing of it's existence and more so the fact that she is still being used, well done to Mr Don Ricarado on his brilliant detective work also, not everyone is this lucky to find info on their old van.