Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 1, 2015 18:12:36 GMT 10
WHIBLEY LIGHTWEIGHT CARAVAN
Manufactured by A G Whibley (TBC)
Whibley's Service Station, Torrens Road, Cheltenham, South Australia
Late in 1939, the Adelaide Advertiser published an article and an advertisement for the Whibley Lightweight Caravan. The following article was published on 21 November 1939 (page 11):
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48851121 )
This was followed by an advertisement on 5 December 1939 (page 13):
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35652845 )
With WW II commencing a couple of months earlier, late 1939 was probably not an auspicious time to try and launch a new caravan concept, even if it was designed for a small car. The same editions of the Advertiser included advertisements for petrol saving devices, a hint of the shortages to come.
There is no more information available about the Whibley Lightweight Caravan. However, a death notice for Anthony George Whibley who died on 30 November 1947 was published in the Advertiser 1 December of that year. I am guessing that A G Whibley was the manufacturer of the Lightweight Caravan, or at least related to the manufacturer, because (according to the funeral notice) he lived at 50 Torrens Road, Cheltenham and was involved with the Cheltenham Race Course. Whibley's Service Station was also located on Torrens Road and must have been a well known landmark because it is referred to in other unrelated advertisements that state that it was near the Cheltenham Race Course.
Regrettably the photos of the Whibley caravan in the article and advertisement are very blurred and indistinct. But as far as can be seen from the images, the shape of the caravan is similar to the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van folding caravans that were built in South Australia in the late 40's and early 50's, and the written description of the Whibley in the article also fits the description of the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van caravans. Perhaps - and this is sheer speculation - the Whibley design was revived after the War and used to build the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van?
Don Ricardo
Manufactured by A G Whibley (TBC)
Whibley's Service Station, Torrens Road, Cheltenham, South Australia
Late in 1939, the Adelaide Advertiser published an article and an advertisement for the Whibley Lightweight Caravan. The following article was published on 21 November 1939 (page 11):
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48851121 )
This was followed by an advertisement on 5 December 1939 (page 13):
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35652845 )
With WW II commencing a couple of months earlier, late 1939 was probably not an auspicious time to try and launch a new caravan concept, even if it was designed for a small car. The same editions of the Advertiser included advertisements for petrol saving devices, a hint of the shortages to come.
There is no more information available about the Whibley Lightweight Caravan. However, a death notice for Anthony George Whibley who died on 30 November 1947 was published in the Advertiser 1 December of that year. I am guessing that A G Whibley was the manufacturer of the Lightweight Caravan, or at least related to the manufacturer, because (according to the funeral notice) he lived at 50 Torrens Road, Cheltenham and was involved with the Cheltenham Race Course. Whibley's Service Station was also located on Torrens Road and must have been a well known landmark because it is referred to in other unrelated advertisements that state that it was near the Cheltenham Race Course.
Regrettably the photos of the Whibley caravan in the article and advertisement are very blurred and indistinct. But as far as can be seen from the images, the shape of the caravan is similar to the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van folding caravans that were built in South Australia in the late 40's and early 50's, and the written description of the Whibley in the article also fits the description of the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van caravans. Perhaps - and this is sheer speculation - the Whibley design was revived after the War and used to build the Mayfare and Smal-A-Van?
Don Ricardo