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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 11, 2007 17:25:32 GMT 10
The following information is extracted from a caravan dealership website, and provides a tidbit of information about early Olympic caravans. (The information is NOT intended to be an advertisement/endorsement of the dealership, but gives context to the Olympic information). "In the southern suburbs of Sydney, on King Georges Road, in a very high profile location is the dealership of Betta Caravans. The dealership is quite obvious when driving by because of the large areas of shadecloth installed for customer comfort. Currently under the direction of David Davies, Betta was started by David's father John back in 1963. In mentioning how it all got started, it is interesting to reflect on the industry names that are no longer around. John Davies originally had a British Motor Corporation (BMC) dealership in the suburb of Canterbury. He traded in a caravan on a car and the caravan was barely in the yard long enough to get a wash, before it was sold. Following this unexpected start in the caravan industry, Betta have since moved twice as they have expanded and now reside on their current site at South Hurstville. David joined the business in 1973 and since then they have never looked back. Their first brand of caravan sold is of interest. It was the fibreglass Olympic brand. One of the claims of the then Olympic was that their caravans were watertight. This was proved (!) by having a caravan towed across the Parramatta River by a power boat. The mind boggles to say the least, who would be that game today, one wonders? Anyway it did make the front front cover of the then 'Pix' magazine and one assumes lifted the profile of the caravan industry! Other brands in the Betta stable of history include Hillandale, Avondale, Crusader, Travelhome, Cabana, Millard, Viscount, Traveller, Jayco, Coromal, Golf and Goldstream Camping Trailers." source: www.bettacaravans.com.au/about.html |
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 14, 2007 20:04:15 GMT 10
 Year: "Looks to be late sixties....the cast vents for the fridge on the side of the van indicate that....and the riviera logo." (source: forum member humpty2, March 3, 2006) Model: Riviera Construction materials: Fibreglass Dimensions: Unknown Weight: Unknown |
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 14, 2007 20:11:27 GMT 10
 Year: "it is an earlier one, if you can get the number off the underside of the drawbar that would be a good start....The van is early sixties at an educated guess, the swing out section in the door (later had a drop piece) and the heavy guage aluminium section at the joint (later ones had a lighter but wider piece) plus the absence of moulded vents in the bottom of the door indicate all this." (forum member humpty2, March 23, 2006) Model: Riviera Construction materials: Fibreglass Dimensions: Unknown Weight: Unknown |
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 14, 2007 20:14:36 GMT 10
 Year: 1969 Model: Unknown Dimensions: Unknown Weight: Unknown |
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 14, 2007 20:20:44 GMT 10
Forum member humpty2 wrote, Jan 5, 2007: "Came across this interesting Olympic Caravan on my holidays at the Myall Lakes over New Years.......couldn't believe it when I first saw it.  Notice the 20hp outboard with the winch to raise and lower it.........and that the ummmmm 'vessel' is driven from the bed end! I actually saw this van on the road on its way up on Boxing Day. The pontoons are carried in the van and are fitted just before "launching"...wheels and all  The pontoons ,4 of em are joined in the middle section and across the bow, they are attached to hollow square tubes welded across the van.......one at front, one in front of the wheel and another4 behind the wheel,then one at the rear. We went on "board" and had a good look and spoke to the owner. The van is in pretty good nick (but how long the chassis will last  :  " |
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 19, 2007 20:41:28 GMT 10
Undated Olympic Caravans brochure:(source: posted by hwyman Apr 16, 2007, who wrote: "Hi All; I recently purchased an Olympic Contessa and this brochure came with it ;D it has some interesting info that you may not have already. I don't know what year it is though." Front: Note the factory address: 3397 Pacific Highway, Springwood, QLD. ------------------------------------------------------------- Back:
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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 20, 2007 18:40:08 GMT 10
Olympic Riviera caravan: (source: posted by fibrelass, Sept 9, 2007, who wrote: ...had a smooth trip bringing home the Olympic Riviera from NSW to Melbourne... ... my best option was the four berth 16' Riviera.)
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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 25, 2007 21:18:38 GMT 10
Olympic information:
On Aug 14, 2007, boblor wrote: ...Olympic is a fibreglass van manufactured in Q'ld from mid '60's until the late '80's. The bodies are fully moulded for models called Riviera , Contessa, 16' models, Debonair 14' model, Micro Styleleader 11'6" and 19', Stardust avail.19'and 21' models. Another model called Travel Trailer not fully moulded avail. 18' to 30'.
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Post by atouchofglass on Sept 11, 2008 16:36:09 GMT 10
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Post by boblor on Sept 12, 2008 19:53:15 GMT 10
Hi ATOG
This is a 11'6" Micro Styleleader, we have three on the register, this unit is the only one with the flame moulded into the door face, --so its rare from collector point of view. See brochure above for layouts.
Cheers boblor
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 12, 2008 17:55:22 GMT 10
As most of the photos for Olympics show vans that haven't yet been restored Thought it might be worth putting a very well restored van here    If mine turns out half as good as this one I'll be one happy Olympic owner ;D ;D Cheers Atog |
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 26, 2008 8:22:43 GMT 10
Being a member of the Classic Caravans site gives you access to other photos of Olympics Hope the member that posted these doesn't mind me putting them here Apparently the owner of this van has had it from new It was built to their specs A very nice van that would do up very nice just with a polish and minor repairs   Front kitchen  Including a washing machine  Tandem wheels on a 16 foot van  Just shows what can be done with an Olympic and some imagination Cheers Atog The envious |
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Post by boblor on Oct 28, 2008 11:21:09 GMT 10
Hi ATOG
This van is owned by our friends from Sydney. They had it built and delivered in October 1986, and we understand there were only two 16' units built with tandem axles, the other is owned by the manufacturer.
Cheers boblor
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 28, 2008 15:52:38 GMT 10
Will post a few shots of my Olympic as it is close to finished This is the exterior as it currently is Still a few minor things to do  Single beds convert into a double  Rosewood kitchen  Pantry for the cook in the family The mirrors are perspex  Rosewood table that converts into another bed Stainless steel lighting   Cheers Atog |
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Post by boblor on Oct 7, 2009 14:03:49 GMT 10
Hi All
On Monday 5th Oct.2009 we had an historic day for the Olympic company at Springwood south of Brisbane.
A few Olympic van owners made their vans available, and along with past employees of Olympic and family members to celebrate the owner/builder of the Olympic John (Jack) Dimmack's 90th birthday.
What a wonderful day we all had, listening and watching stories being told of the past at Olympic factories during the '60's and '70's. These employees last met at John's 70th birthday 20 years ago, so it was a re-union for Marianne, Don, Roy, Brent and John. It was a great pleasure for Brian, Bob and Jacqui (setting up two vans) , Loretta and myself to be ivited to take part on this special occassion.
I had a number of questions answered, I now know that the Riviera we are restoring is one of the first fibreglass vans produced and the only turquoise coloured one built chassi no.35, and it was more than likely built late 1962 or early 1963. So that makes it two years older than I was expecting.
A big thanks to Brent and wife Karen for making the day happen, and I am sure John enjoyed the day as much as we did (even though he did not know the day was on - surprise).
Cheers boblor
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Post by bobandjacqui on Oct 8, 2009 5:54:43 GMT 10
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Post by atouchofglass on Jul 11, 2010 13:11:45 GMT 10
Well after much searching my sister found these photos of Dad's 21' Olympic Taken in 1973 at Yeppoon we think. Cleaned them up best as I could Believe it or not the Toyota was cream and green..... the years have taken there toll on the photos   Built to Dad's specs .... as Olympic did regularly Front of the van from door forward was a seperate room for me Back of the van was a room for the parents Would love to see this van again should it still exist Arrrr the memories  My first taste of fibreglass heaven Sadly these are the only photos of the van we have Cheers Atog |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 13, 2010 23:41:42 GMT 10
The following information about the history of Olympic caravans has been prepared by, and posted on behalf of Boblor. Thanks also to Classic Caravans forum member Ronaldjohn who originally posted this material on the Classic Caravans forum and provided access to enable it to be posted here.   1956(?) aluminium clad Olympic caravan, before and after restoration:  Later aluminium clad Olympics:   Boblor's 1962 or 1963 Olympic, the only one produced in this colour (see Reply #20 above for further details): For further photos of this van click here1969 21' Olympic Stardust: Photo of the Olympic caravan being sailed down the Swan River in Perth as described by Boblor: Olympic advertising material from the mid/late 60's:   On 7 October 2009, Boblor posted:"On Monday 5th Oct.2009 we had an historic day for the Olympic company at Springwood south of Brisbane. A few Olympic van owners made their vans available, and along with past employees of Olympic and family members to celebrate the owner/builder of the Olympic John (Jack) Dimmack's 90th birthday. What a wonderful day we all had, listening and watching stories being told of the past at Olympic factories during the '60's and '70's. These employees last met at John's 70th birthday 20 years ago, so it was a re-union for Marianne, Don, Roy, Brent and John. It was a great pleasure for Brian, Bob and Jacqui (setting up two vans) , Loretta and myself to be ivited to take part on this special occasion..." 
For further information about 1970+ Olympic caravans click here
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 16, 2010 23:18:44 GMT 10
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Post by boblor on Aug 19, 2010 18:19:19 GMT 10
Hi Don Ricardo A nice find ,we do not have this design on our files, keep up the good work. I agree with you about the windows. Is it for sale ?. This is worth restoring for history of olympic vans. I have my fill for now . Cheers boblor |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 1, 2010 21:21:31 GMT 10
Hi all,
On a trip to Brisbane last week, I proved Taylor's Law of Vintage Caravans #5 yet again. This law states that:
"If a never before seen brand or model of caravan is discovered and posted on the forum, then within two weeks another example of the same caravan will be found."
While I was in Canowindra I photographed an Olympic aluminium van with an acutely angled bulkhead above the front windows (see Reply #27). Boblor commented:
"Hi Don Ricardo
A nice find ,we do not have this design on our files, keep up the good work...
Cheers boblor"
Travelling through the southern suburbs of Brisbane I saw another example of the same caravan or a very similar model. The shape was the same, as was the colour of the stripe on the side. The van had the original front windows, consisting of two large, almost square, awning style windows. The back window was smaller and sealed with rubber, so possibly also more original than the rear window on the Canowindra Olympic.
The other interesting feature was that the Brisbane van had two small rear windows, one above the other, at the rear of the off side. This suggests that the van layout included two rear bunks.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a pic, but if anyone on the forum lives or travels near Loganlea I can tell you exactly where the van is for a photo.
...and Taylor's Laws of Vintage Caravans #1 - 4? I'm still working on those, but I am sure that Mark T after whom they are named could come up with some. ;D ;D ;D
Don Ricardo
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Post by boblor on Oct 3, 2010 20:33:43 GMT 10
Hi All VVers
Another great Olympic find today, fibreglass Riviera chassis no. 4, the oldest on our register.
It was interesting to see where the manufacturer started from in so far as design. This being the early days does not have a full chassis and the entry door closes on the external of the wall (not into a recess) and the fibreglass is almost double the thickness of later vans.
I will keep the forum posted on this van, as we are working on having it restored and placed in a museum, and this museum may become in part a caravan museum,-- lets hope so, as we are planning to place no. 35 here.
Cheers boblor
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Post by bobandjacqui on Oct 6, 2010 19:00:52 GMT 10
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Post by atouchofglass on Oct 7, 2010 6:34:40 GMT 10
Hey Bob Thanks for the photos Definitely worth saving. Looks like they have taken the original towel rack off the front and put it inside as a divider. Very much like the no30 we found in Cairns in April  Same door  The recessed power inlet may have been added later (on #30) Or someone may have covered it over on #4 Cheers Atog |
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Post by boblor on Oct 8, 2010 12:36:23 GMT 10
Hi Atog
The power inlet on #4 is as per original design, and was later moved to the position on #30.
Can you check this van again if it is close by , as it appears to have alumimium frames and sashes to all windows as with #4, where as #35 only has these type windows in the front. I also would like a set of photos if possible of ext.and int.
By the way the entry door on #30 closes into a recess, where #4 closes on the face of the wall and therefore is proud of the wall surface.
Cheers boblor
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