Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 13, 2022 23:54:58 GMT 10
Evening all,
Following the post a few days ago here about a 1920's English Eccles caravan being used for touring in south-east Australia in 1930, Andrew Woodmansey (Woody99) - author of Recreational Vehicles: A World History 1872-1939 - has sent me another item about an English caravan that was imported into Australia.
This one is a Shadow Collapsible caravan shown in an advert published in the Melbourne Herald on Thursday, 23 October 1930 (page 26):
_Thurs_23Oct1930_p26_article242934541.png?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242934541 )
Having trouble reading the text? Then try this handy 'translation':
"CARAVANNING DE-LUXE
Have you ever thought of the joys of caravanning? Do you realise that a happy, carefree holiday may be yours without the expense of hotel or boarding (?) bills? The owner of any car -- no matter how small -- can enjoy camping de-luxe (this?) summer, and many summers to come at a very low capital outlay.
This collapsible "Shadow" caravan (made In England) is built on a pressed steel frame, panelled in steel armored ply-wood and is designed for four adults. Mounted on steel wheels, balloon tyres, and "safety" type brake control.
Exclusive Features
Caravan top winds down to 4 ft. 6 in. from ground, giving low centre of gravity. It is thief proof, draught proof and weather proof. Three curtained windows, ventilators, chimney, etc. Wash Bowl in cupboard with hinged lid and mirror. Zinc lined recess fitted with 2 burer stove and large cupboard.
Linoleum and carpet on floor.
Electric lighting.
Four convertible beds.
Four cupboards.
Chest of drawers, swinging mirror.
Sliding Table.
Crockery and cooking utensil for 4 persons.
Two large lockers.
In appearance most attractive -- light in weight -- extremely rigid -- ideal for Australian conditions. A child can wind it up or down in a moment!
Property of Capt. Gordon Chirnside, "Caranballac," who used it once only. Cost £300. Special Price, £225. Call and Inspect today.
Autocar Industries
PTY. LTD.
104-112 Russell St., Melbourne, C.l."
The van seems to have been quite well set up, and one wonders why Capt Chirnside decided to sell the van after having used it only once?
It is unknown whether the caravan was imported to Australia by, or for Capt Chirnside, but as far as we know the importation seems to have been a one-off. However, collapsible caravans of this type, where the top half of the van winds down over the bottom half for towing, were not unknown in Australia at that time, and there are a couple of examples recorded on the forum. As it happens Cobber posted a photo of an Australian collapsible caravan here in 2009 and speculated that the design may have been based on an English Shadow Collapsible van. Reading the above advert it seems like the Shadows were probably more...'fully featured', shall we say...than the little van Cobber showed us.
Don Ricardo
Following the post a few days ago here about a 1920's English Eccles caravan being used for touring in south-east Australia in 1930, Andrew Woodmansey (Woody99) - author of Recreational Vehicles: A World History 1872-1939 - has sent me another item about an English caravan that was imported into Australia.
This one is a Shadow Collapsible caravan shown in an advert published in the Melbourne Herald on Thursday, 23 October 1930 (page 26):
(Source: National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242934541 )
Having trouble reading the text? Then try this handy 'translation':
"CARAVANNING DE-LUXE
Have you ever thought of the joys of caravanning? Do you realise that a happy, carefree holiday may be yours without the expense of hotel or boarding (?) bills? The owner of any car -- no matter how small -- can enjoy camping de-luxe (this?) summer, and many summers to come at a very low capital outlay.
This collapsible "Shadow" caravan (made In England) is built on a pressed steel frame, panelled in steel armored ply-wood and is designed for four adults. Mounted on steel wheels, balloon tyres, and "safety" type brake control.
Exclusive Features
Caravan top winds down to 4 ft. 6 in. from ground, giving low centre of gravity. It is thief proof, draught proof and weather proof. Three curtained windows, ventilators, chimney, etc. Wash Bowl in cupboard with hinged lid and mirror. Zinc lined recess fitted with 2 burer stove and large cupboard.
Linoleum and carpet on floor.
Electric lighting.
Four convertible beds.
Four cupboards.
Chest of drawers, swinging mirror.
Sliding Table.
Crockery and cooking utensil for 4 persons.
Two large lockers.
In appearance most attractive -- light in weight -- extremely rigid -- ideal for Australian conditions. A child can wind it up or down in a moment!
Property of Capt. Gordon Chirnside, "Caranballac," who used it once only. Cost £300. Special Price, £225. Call and Inspect today.
Autocar Industries
PTY. LTD.
104-112 Russell St., Melbourne, C.l."
Phone Cent. 9200
Just for completeness, the text under the three photos reads:
1. Showing caravan wound up and ready for occupation.
2. Ready for the road (Note the low centre of gravity.
3. View of the cosy interior showing cupboard and portion of two of the beds.
2. Ready for the road (Note the low centre of gravity.
3. View of the cosy interior showing cupboard and portion of two of the beds.
The van seems to have been quite well set up, and one wonders why Capt Chirnside decided to sell the van after having used it only once?
It is unknown whether the caravan was imported to Australia by, or for Capt Chirnside, but as far as we know the importation seems to have been a one-off. However, collapsible caravans of this type, where the top half of the van winds down over the bottom half for towing, were not unknown in Australia at that time, and there are a couple of examples recorded on the forum. As it happens Cobber posted a photo of an Australian collapsible caravan here in 2009 and speculated that the design may have been based on an English Shadow Collapsible van. Reading the above advert it seems like the Shadows were probably more...'fully featured', shall we say...than the little van Cobber showed us.
Don Ricardo