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Post by cobber on Dec 31, 2009 15:14:37 GMT 10
G'day Don, In the building instructions Mr Winser doesn't explain why he thinks it's a good idea to fit "Stay Wires".... he just explains how to fit them to the roof and points out that it also makes a convenient point to attach a hammock     Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Apr 21, 2011 15:35:34 GMT 10
I've been scratching around through my collection of "Wheels Magazines" and come across a couple of caravan items. This one from March 1956.... some very innovative ideas these blokes had.   For easier reading click on the attachments Page 1 Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Apr 21, 2011 15:36:59 GMT 10
Page 2.
Cobber.
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Post by cobber on Sept 29, 2011 16:45:16 GMT 10
This 'van certainly qualifies as a “Home made caravan”. Built by a Mr Wally Ward who was an engineer and yacht designer back in the 1930's and 40's. You can see more of this van if you click HERE.   Cobber. |
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Post by acjeff on Mar 23, 2012 14:35:29 GMT 10
Hello everyone, We purchased this caravan in 1975. I only know it was home made by a Mr Ted White in 1952 and was exceptionally well constructed. Perhaps someone may recognise it as a kit from that era? We changed a few things (gas stove with oven, added bath under bunk, lenghened another bunk from 6' to 6'3" etc). In 1984 we repaired woodrot in front and back lower framing and replaced de-laminating bondwood sheet on left back quarter. In 1989 wheels and axle were replaced to include over-ride braking and kero fridge converted to gas, now dysfunctional unfortunately. The van has been shedded for most of the 36 years since we bought it and, as you see is still in use as overflow accommodation, although still licensed. (Only needs the wheels put on).         |
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Post by cobber on Apr 19, 2012 9:03:05 GMT 10
G'day acjeff, For such an interesting old plywood caravan this post hasn't attracted much notice....aye? Don't be offended mate.... some posts often get overlooked on this forum... particularly on a busy day. You say it was built by a Mr. Ted White.... we have some information about a Mr. Roy White who built only three vans one of which doesn't look all that different to yours. Have a look at the information we have and tell us what you think. Go back to page one of this thread and have a look at the van shown in reply #6... "1956 Home made caravan". Interesting to contemplate.... were there two Mr. Whites (maybe related) who built a caravan using the same kit plans, one in 1950 the other in 1956. Does the rear of your van have a similar light arrangement to the one in the "Caravan and Motorhome" Magazine ? Anyway....... your van is a treasure having been under cover so long. If you ever want to sell it put an add on this forum and I'm sure it will find a loving home......... alternatively, why don't you dust her off ..hook her up ... and come on a couple of vintagecaravan.com outings  ..... blimey they're good fun Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Jul 10, 2012 13:45:19 GMT 10
A series of articles appeared in the Perth “Western Mail” in January/ February 1946 (I think it was a re-print of a 1940 article) showing how to build this caravan. It was named the “Rover” caravan and if you click HERE you can find the list of articles regarding the build.  Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Apr 22, 2013 10:33:53 GMT 10
From the October 1954 Australian Motor Manual Could this be the ultimate Australian Vintage Home-made caravan  The don't say how long it is ...have to be over 20ft ... very attractive paintwork design.  |
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Post by cobber on Dec 13, 2014 15:29:11 GMT 10
A couple of photos I have extracted (with great difficulty  ) from a DVD I have been given of a four wheel home made caravan built about 1945. Not clearly visible are the two front wheels that are part of the caravan.... sort of like a built in dolly wheel. Parked outside number 1 First Ave. Five Dock  On the corner of First ave and Henley Marine Drive Five Dock.  You can see one of the front wheels in this shot.  In a little bit of strife here, they borrowed the van from a friend ….. once only  An interesting tow coupling.  The video shows the operator pulling on this handle with great gusto in order to tighten the coupling.  Hope to have a second DVD of the actual construction and a few more details about the van soon. Cobber |
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franni
Junior Member
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Post by franni on Jan 20, 2015 15:31:05 GMT 10
not quite sure if this is the best thread for these few photos of my father-in-law's vans [sadly no longer in existence] the first was made in 1953/4. unusual shape. i don't know how well it towed or if it was a bit tippy when loaded with a family of five. i later married the little fella in the glasses. at 3 years of age he put every screw in the floor of this caravan and his dad only had to tighten them a bit.  |
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franni
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Post by franni on Jan 20, 2015 15:41:14 GMT 10
c 1962-3. jack's second van, 'JBee' again it was Bruce who helped his dad build it at Curramulka. S.A.    |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 16, 2017 10:00:11 GMT 10
Photos of a home built caravan sighted at a car show in Ipswich by Sutcac in 2009:    It is unclear whether the unusual roofline and bulkheads over the front and rear windows were original or a later modification. The suggestion at the time was that they might have provided ventilation. Sometime after these photos were taken, the van was painted pink and cream and sighted by Rodnet. According to Santa28a here, "it was built by one of the original owners of a big mitre 10 store at mount gravatt". Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 27, 2020 22:24:12 GMT 10
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Post by shesgotthelook on Aug 28, 2020 9:07:27 GMT 10
Sadly, that caravan was pulled to pieces & I guess remodelled? I have the etched glass door (well, half of it) in my shed. From memory, I think nearly everything out of it was for sale. The beautiful Mel was travelling up near there in QLD at the time & brought the door home for me.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 28, 2020 10:49:14 GMT 10
Hi SGTL, That is very sad to hear. The van seemed to be in great condition, apart from the cupboard doors having warped a bit, because it looks as if they had insufficient framing. I reckon even I could have fixed that - and that is saying something, given my lack of practical skills! Glad you've got the etched glass though. It's a nice piece. Now you just need a suitable caravan to put it back into. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 28, 2020 21:51:18 GMT 10
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 29, 2020 7:22:40 GMT 10
Where's tubbygra51 hiding when you need him? |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 29, 2020 15:37:48 GMT 10
Are you thinking in terms of the Flynn bay window and possibly identifying a Flynn, Roehm?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 7, 2020 13:44:03 GMT 10
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Post by shesgotthelook on Sept 7, 2020 15:29:54 GMT 10
'Jeanne' reminds me a lot of Nicky J's Pasadena 'Pearl'
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 7, 2020 16:16:18 GMT 10
Hi SGTL, That's interesting. I can't see a whole lot of similarity, but you may be right. For anyone wondering what we're talking about, here's the thread about the Pasadena van. The thoughts of others are welcome. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Sept 11, 2020 12:08:00 GMT 10
Are you thinking in terms of the Flynn bay window and possibly identifying a Flynn, Roehm? Don Ricardo Yes I was thinking along those lines DonR. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 20, 2021 21:16:25 GMT 10
Hi all, The peak period of home built caravans was probably the 30’s through to the 50’s, but people continued to build their own vans into the 60’s and beyond, often showing a high degree of skill. The following caravan was advertised for sale on the Vintage Caravan Renovations and Sales, Australia Facebook page in May 2021. According to the vendor, the van was built by his grandfather in 1965 and had been retained in the family until now. The caravan was named ‘Starlight’ but this does not relate to any other similar commercial brand name.         Quite an interesting layout with the dinette table apparently attached to a side wall and making up a single bed. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 21, 2021 7:27:09 GMT 10
The design seems to have created some squeezy corners.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 21, 2021 11:58:00 GMT 10
Hi Roehm,
Yes, I agree. It’s certainly a creative approach at the layout, but squeezing the dinette, two beds (maybe 2 1/2 beds?) and a chest of drawers into the back half seems to be quite ambitious. However, based on the seller’s comments, the van has provided regular holidays for two or three generations of the family since it was built and looks to be still be in good nick. You can’t ask much more of a caravan than that, eh?
Don Ricardo
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..... blimey they're good fun 
) from a DVD I have been given of a four wheel home made caravan built about 1945.
