My Dad's Van

[cobber]

Great photos Paul,
The challenge is to name all the Caravans pictured.
As for your Dad’s van I would guess it might be a “Jennison Pathfinder”. I say that
only because of the diamond shape of the name plate on the front of the van.
Did your Dad buy it new?
Cobber.

[paulw]

Thanks Cobber,

Not sure about the origins of the van but I remember us going to The Entrance for a couple of years for holidays when I was about 5 or 6.

I have a slide (now on CD Rom) of my mum and I sitting outside the annex and can see a sign that says Hawthorne Caravans on the front. Does that help?

regards

Paul

[cobber]

Paul,
According to the 1960 “Australian Motor Manual” Current Caravans price list I am
looking at there was a “Hawthorn” Caravan, made in Victoria. The Jennison was made
in Artarmon, NSW.
We have some very knowledgeable blokes on this site, somebody will come up with
the answer for sure.

Cobber.

[Roehm3108]

My reference book shows a 18ft Greythorne (built Whitehorse Rd Balwyn Vic) with exactly the same roof-line. They were also made in 14 and 15 ft models.
Ray

[ditzygypsy]

I will go along with eveyone......... the photos are brill.......

I don't recall seeing anything like them before. Love the vans and old cars.... I second the challenge of naming them all.

Mark and I are putting the money on you Dad's van being a "Playtime". Check out the van on the Website. click on the playtime "button" on the left of the home page.

Again I commend you Paul on the photos

Absolutley Bloody Brilliant ;D ;D ;D ;D

[cobber]

Ditzy,

Without a doubt I think your right, it does look like the “Playtime”
shown on the home page
Two piece windows on the front of Paul’s van, I suppose that was
a later improvement to let more water in?
As for the rest of the vans pictured, I haven’t
got a clue.

Cobber.

[feute]

G'day Paul

Great photos ...thanks for sharing

Here is a pic of an "ADVENTURER" Caravan made in Adelaide. This one was bought new in 1959
It is very similar to your dads, however it has not got a builders plate on the front.
Maybe one builder made the shells and sold them to the caravan companies to fit out and plate it as their own......
Anyhow this fella did a lot of caravaning and his combination would have fitted right into your photo

[Jennison]

Hi, just read your old thread. the diamond shaped logo is a jennison it had an aboriginal tribesman standing in the centre(just took photos today! of gordons new aquisition and a closeup of that logo-see 14' with shower on members photos).When John A Jennison was alive they were made in mosman. Some time after the Pym family bought the business they moved to larger premises in Artarmon . Still gathering family photos and info together but will hopefully be able to give a more comprehensive story of jennison caravans on the history page soon.