1950's van manufacturers in Sydney

[belinda]

Here is some information on vans made in Sydney during the 50's. It came from Col Paterson of TG Paterson who made components.

Millard Caravans - Jim Darlington
North Ryde - Gladesville - Smithfield

Carapark Sydney
Paramatta Road Petersham

Superlight Caravans
Victoria Road Gladesville

Propert Caravans - Tom Propert

Atlantic Caravans - Edward (Ted) Gordon
Princes Highway St Peters, then Princes Highway Tempe

Bass Caravans - Bill and Neill Shaw
Hurstville

Viscount Caravans
Hollywood Drive Landsvale, later Liverpool

Jennison Pathfinder - Richard (Dick) Pyme
Pacific Highway Artarmon
Later Pathfinder Boats, North Strathfield

[Jim]

Belinda

I believe Viscount moved from Adelaide to Sydney in the mid to late 50's, just to add to their history prior to Sydney.
I was told a rule of thumb is chassis numbers before 500 are Adelaide build.

And I have a feeling Golf started in Sydney before moving up north.
Although I'm not 100% on that and it may have been somtime later

[John]

Hi Belinda,
Just wanted to add to your list...

Gypsy Caravan Company
Herbert St, St Leonards, N.S.W.

If anyone has any info on this company, I'd love to hear from you as I believe that my van is a Gypsy Gem but have found it hard to find any info on the company. Have got photo's from 1953 "Caravans and Touring" by Kieth Winser, but that's about it.
Cheers, John

[belinda]

From Keith Winser's "Plans for Australian Caravans" 9th edition 1963 p.152

AGE OF CARAVANS

"There are six ways to guess the age of a caravan, the only reliable one being to check the chassis number with the maker. Other clues are, of course, in knowing the trend of styling. Many vans were made of masonite prior to 1949. Larger windows, with wooden frames, came in about that time. The Bosse rounded corner window became popular from 1953 to 1957 when the Alfab andodised aluminium windows came in. Pressed steel chassis were prevalent in many makes from 1953. Solid side walls were introduced by many makers in 1958."