CARAVANS YET TO BE IDENTIFIED - Help identify these orphans!

[caterpillar]

Thanks Don R for your input, I think you are correct it is of NSW's Origin, it also has a shields jetflame 3 burner stove in it, a search on this revealed its manufactured in NSW (I think late 50s and 60s) I have also started to wonder if perhaps the caravan was wood clad originally. we have had a pretty good look underneath it but not under draws ect that is a good tip, the internals are all pretty much intact which is great for its age. Thanks for all your assistance we will keep searching.

[helenwa]

Below is a previous post I have copied to this thread - not sure if I've done it right - hoping I might have more success here (but can't copy photo)

I recently purchased a 14 ft bondwood van which I think is a late 1950s Franklin - I'm hoping someone can help confirm that for me! It has a chassis number of 825, but no identifying branding except for a faint "Wanda" on the front roof line. A plate near the door reads: Supplied by Heidelberg Caravans, 66 Bell St, Heidelberg, Victoria. It is in really good condition, complete with original Falks enamel cooker/grill and tin-lined icebox.

Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/user/7088/recent#ixzz3tuCE5Obo

[Don Ricardo]

G'day Helenwa,

Have you seen my response to your earlier post about your van on the Franklin Serial Number thread? I've just put up a post with some further information on that thread. Hopefully those two posts will assist you, but feel free to keep asking questions and we'll help you if we can.

One question: Does your van have a little shelf in the galley with a single support underneath it? If so, that's a signature feature of a Franklin caravan.

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

REFERENCE NO: UC #6

Photos of an unidentified van seen by Cruisindoug and posted on 1 October 2013 here:







The van looks like a fairly typical early 1960's design but has an unusual rear end treatment (see side profile) not unlike the front of some early 60's Arrows and Gypsys (not in particular the curved hood over the rear window).

Photos of some of the van's internal features which may aid identification:









The owner of the van told Cruisindoug that the he had been informed that it was a Glendale, but Glendale didn't commence operations until 1970 with designs which were very different to this one.

If you are able to tell us anything more about this caravan please post on this thread using the reference number so that we can connect your post to the caravan concerned.

[Don Ricardo]

REFERENCE NO: UC #7

Photos of a caravan owned by former forum member Abernathy posted here in January 2008:



The rear view shows a panel which suggest that the area under the window has been repaired...









According to Abernathy, the plate on the hitch read:

“Manufactured by JONES SPRINGS Pty Ltd
60-62 Ivy Street, Chippendale NSW.
MX 2886 ph MX 1041.
Patent Pending XXXXXX” (I can’t read the patent numbers)







This photo reveals that the panel under the rear window which appeared to have been a repair job is in fact a rear hatch:

[/quote]

At the time it was suggested that the van was an Atlantic (it is about the right length).  However, it is now clear from the information we've now collected about Atlantic caravans that Abernathy's van isn't/wasn't an Atlantic, as indicated from a comparison of the above van with photos of Belinda's Atlantic below:





Atlantic was relatively consistent in its design and style from the early 50's through to the mid-60's, after which there were some changes, so Belinda's caravan is a good example of the marque.

Some of the differences that are evident between Abernathy's van and the Atlantics are as follows:

• Looking from the side, the front of Abernathy's van leans forward slightly whereas the front of Atlantics was flatter and more perpendicular.
• Again looking from the side, the rear of Abernathy's van is squarer whereas the rear of Atlantics have a forward slope.
• At floor level the front and rear of Abernathy's van curve down and around to the floor line in a continuous curve, while on Atlantics the front and rear walls end in a distinct angle where they meet the floor.
• The shape of the wheel arch is quite different on Abernathy's van (teardrop) compared to the Atlantics (rounded rectangle).
• The front windows on Abernathy's van are narrower than on the Atlantic and appear to have less space between the two windows.
• Abernathy's van has a single narrow rear window whereas Atlantics either had a single wide (almost full width) rear window or two windows (not visible from the photos of Belinda's van).
• All the windows on Abernathy's van have a quite distinct lower window sill that is absent on Atlantics.
• The gutter above the front windows on Abernathy's van is larger - and is scalloped - when compared to the Atlantics.
• Abernathy's van has a sort of flange where the roof overhangs the side walls which the Atlantics do not.
• The power inlet on the offside side wall is in a completely different location on Abernathy's van compared to the Atlantics
• And of course the Atlantics lack the rear hatch!

So...if Abernathy's van isn't/wasn't an Atlantic, what was it?  Any ideas anyone?

If you are able to tell us anything more about this caravan please post on this thread using the reference number so that we can connect your post to the caravan concerned.

[boblor]

Hi don ricardo
The 'Jones Springs' hitch featured above. I have in the last couple of days posted off to you the Patent Spec. and drawing details for this hitch. I have also sent the History of The Jones Dolly Wheel as compiled by myself after interviews and research. I hope in due course you will be able to post all on the forum.
cheers boblor

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Boblor,

That sounds really interesting reading. I look forward to receiving the material on the Jones hitches and will be happy to post it on your behalf.

Don Ricardo

[ek283]

REFERENCE NO: UC #8

Hi Guys,

I have this caravan, it was my late fathers project over 30 years ago. Can any one identify it and if so what would the price range be for something in this condition. It was partly restored with non genuine pieces like windows cupboards and some new ply inside, not period correct.
The Van is located in Sydney and at this stage will have to be moved on.









Thanks in advance Greg

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Ek383,

Your van is a 12 ft Don 120 with the rear dinette/double bed and front bunks. You can see more information about this model caravan by clicking here.

As you indicated, your father obviously put a fair bit of effort into re-modelling the inside with the grained ply, etc, and also replacing the original leadlight windows with new windows.

All of the leadlight model Don caravans originally came with two brass serial number plates - one on the nearside external wall adjacent to the bottom left hand corner of the door, and a second on the galley wall above the stove alcove and below the upper cupboards. I would say that your father probably removed those during his renovations, but maybe he kept them and put them in one of the drawers or somewhere like that. If you can find them and tell me the serial number of the van, I can give you are reasonably accurate idea of its build date.

Don Ricardo

[kingswood308]

The hatch at the front for a vent for the bottom bunk gives it away a bit !!!

[ek283]

Thanks Don,

It is interesting to find this type of history. I wont be able to look for the plates for a couple of weeks and if I do find them I'll let you know.
I'm going to move the van in the next few months so I will have a good look at its frame axles etc and do a better report as a matter of interest.

Regards Greg

[murray]

REFERENCE NO: UC #9

Advertised on gumtree in Hobart June 2016 as a 1958 Franklin van







If you are able to tell us anything more about this caravan please post on this thread using the reference number so that we can connect your post to the caravan concerned.

[Mustang]

Come on Murray you need a bondy

[Don Ricardo]

Re UC #9:

G'day Murray,

I've been contemplating the photos of the Gumtree van you posted a couple of weeks ago higher up this thread. I don't think it's a 1958 Franklin, although I gather that's what it was advertised as.

It's a very different shape to the late 50's Franklins, or even the early 60's Franklins, as shown in the photos on the first couple of pages of this thread. In addition it's got a couple of features which don't match a 1958 date, eg the shape of the front, including the bulkhead over the front window, and the split front windows which weren't introduced until about 1963 or 1964.

Having said that, I'm not sure what it is, just pretty sure what it isn't. Nice to have these little puzzles to think about, isn't it?

Don Ricardo

[fo00se]

REFERENCE NO: UC #10

unidentified caravan 

Thanks for your help in posting photos, think I have done it right.

[firefighter]

Hi All

Could any member please help forum member fo00se (Barry) identify the above caravan

where are you Hughdeani ?

Cheers
f/f

---

Editorial note: Fo00se's Swanson caravan has now been identified - click here. Don Ricardo

[Deleted]

Hi all,
This last one looks a bit like a Supalite,with a 3 windowed front and different size Windows on the side and the coupling.
Other than that I would say home made!
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Cheers
hughdeani

[fo00se]

Thanks hughdeani, thinking of trying to restore?? it....Barry

[firefighter]

REFERENCE NO: UC #11

Hi All

Thanks to Moparman for the clue..... this photo was on e bay and I won it

The reason I wanted the photo as I have a car the same ...37 Chev sports roadster restored

The caravan any clues on what it might be ...where are you Hughdeani ?

f/f

[Deleted]

Hi F/F,
Sorry ,can't help with the van!
Cheers
hughdeani

[firefighter]

Sept 11, 2016 21:36:14 GMT 10 @hughdeani said:

Hi F/F,
Sorry ,can't help with the van!
Cheers
hughdeani

Thanks Hughdeani for looking 

Don Ricardo do you have any clues of the make of the van or do you think it might be home made  or any body else got any idea what make it might be

f/f

[shazron]

Please identify my van

[Don Ricardo]

Sept 11, 2016 17:21:33 GMT 10 firefighter said:

Hi All

Thanks to Moparman for the clue..... this photo was on e bay and I won it

The reason I wanted the photo as I have a car the same ...37 Chev sports roadster restored

The caravan any clues on what it might be ...where are you Hughdeani ?

f/f

G'day Firefighter,

Great photo, great caravan! Even the car is ok...

In answer to your question to me about this van in another post, I can't readily identify the van either, but I'll keep thinking about it. The front window layout is a little unusual with the middle section being smaller, so that might provide a clue. Of course it could be home built, but whether that is the case or not, I reckon it's most likely 30's or 40's. What do you think?

If you look at the photo are you able to tell what state the rego plate is from? If you can tell us that would give us a starting point.

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Aug 21, 2016 9:44:16 GMT 10 @hughdeani said:

Hi all,
This last one looks a bit like a Supalite,with a 3 windowed front and different size Windows on the side and the coupling.
Other than that I would say home made!
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Cheers
hughdeani

Hi Hughdeani and Fo00se,

Re UC #10: Supalite was my first thought as well. The other Supalite feature that is evident in the van is the varnished wood internal furniture.

Hughdeani mentioned the possibility of a home build. In that regard, Supalite was well known for providing rolling shells which were then finished off by the owner. So that's a possibility as well.

Have you decided whether to refurbish it Fo00se?

Don Ricardo

[firefighter]

G'day Don Ricardo

Rego on the 37 Chev....Vic D W 315
This series in Victoria run from 2-2-1939 up to ZZ-999 1953 excluding letters I & Q

Also CC-000 up to CC-999 with the VIC on top of the plate were reserved allocation for the Consular Corps

This useless info does not date the caravan ?

Thanks for trying to help date the caravan
My thoughts 1950s ?? ...but according to Gay I am wrong every time I open my mouth

Geoff