M S McLeod Pty Ltd (Adelaide, SA)
Aug 27, 2021 15:45:43 GMT 10
cobber, Surf Tragic, and 1 more like this
Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 27, 2021 15:45:43 GMT 10
Photos of a 1951 caravan supplied by M S McLeod Pty Ltd, posted by Peter John on the Vintage Caravans Facebook page in February 2021:
According to the poster, the caravan was supplied in 1951 through M S McLeod Pty Ltd, which was based in Adelaide although they had outlets throughout Australia. The story goes that the van was used only once or twice before being stored away in a shed and left there until recently. The paintwork is said to be original. The caravan came with the original purchase receipts, etc.
The design of the caravan reflects a number of typical South Australian design cues, and presumably was built by someone who acted as a supplier to the McLeod firm. The van looks somewhat like some of the early Globes, but an unusual feature is the louvre windows on each side.
The firm of M S McLeod has an interesting history in its own right. It was founded by Murdoch Stanley McLeod who was born in South Australia in 1893. Growing up, McLeod had a fascination with motorcycles and began work in a motorcycle shop at the age of 20. Several years later he was employed to work in a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop in Jamestown, South Australia, which he purchased shortly afterwards. There he repaired and sold bicycle tyres, became an agent for Goodyear tyres, sold Ford vehicle parts and began to re-tread tyres. In 1930 McLeod opened a branch in Peterborough, then a store in Adelaide and subsequently took over a competitor’s business.
After the War, McLeod diversified his business, selling homewares, offering mail order, and manufacturing prefab sheds. In the 1950’s McLeod’s company expanded its core business of selling tyres, batteries and motor accessories by opening outlets interstate.
The above brief history has been summarised from a biography of M S McLeod in the Australian Dictionary of Biography here. What it suggests to me is that McLeod was a canny businessman who was able to foresee and capitalise on technological trends and innovations in retailing. My guess is that at some point in the late 40’s or early 50’s, he saw the growing interest in caravans, and saw the opportunity to supply caravans to the public, perhaps sourced from small backyard builders or possibly commercial manufacturers.
Don Ricardo
According to the poster, the caravan was supplied in 1951 through M S McLeod Pty Ltd, which was based in Adelaide although they had outlets throughout Australia. The story goes that the van was used only once or twice before being stored away in a shed and left there until recently. The paintwork is said to be original. The caravan came with the original purchase receipts, etc.
The design of the caravan reflects a number of typical South Australian design cues, and presumably was built by someone who acted as a supplier to the McLeod firm. The van looks somewhat like some of the early Globes, but an unusual feature is the louvre windows on each side.
The firm of M S McLeod has an interesting history in its own right. It was founded by Murdoch Stanley McLeod who was born in South Australia in 1893. Growing up, McLeod had a fascination with motorcycles and began work in a motorcycle shop at the age of 20. Several years later he was employed to work in a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop in Jamestown, South Australia, which he purchased shortly afterwards. There he repaired and sold bicycle tyres, became an agent for Goodyear tyres, sold Ford vehicle parts and began to re-tread tyres. In 1930 McLeod opened a branch in Peterborough, then a store in Adelaide and subsequently took over a competitor’s business.
After the War, McLeod diversified his business, selling homewares, offering mail order, and manufacturing prefab sheds. In the 1950’s McLeod’s company expanded its core business of selling tyres, batteries and motor accessories by opening outlets interstate.
The above brief history has been summarised from a biography of M S McLeod in the Australian Dictionary of Biography here. What it suggests to me is that McLeod was a canny businessman who was able to foresee and capitalise on technological trends and innovations in retailing. My guess is that at some point in the late 40’s or early 50’s, he saw the growing interest in caravans, and saw the opportunity to supply caravans to the public, perhaps sourced from small backyard builders or possibly commercial manufacturers.
Don Ricardo
