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Post by Don Ricardo on May 16, 2011 12:49:16 GMT 10
Boy DR - do you take a magnifying glass to these pics  Hi Ray, Cobber and Brock, Ray: Not quite a magnifying glass, but a reasonable size PC screen helps! In addition when you know your subject reasonably well, you tend to pick up things others might miss. In this case the location and shape of the Don badge (even though tiny in the pic) is unmistakeable. Shame about not having the pics of your Chesney. It would have been good to have seen them. Cobber & Brock: The following advert for the Chesney Featherweight is from the 1951/52 edition of Winser, indicating that Chesney was certainly building its own vans at that point:  (Source: Keith Winser, Australian Caravans & Touring - 1951/52 4th edition, p 92) There is no mention of Chesney in the 1948 or 1949 Winsers (not sure about the 1950 edition?), but there was a fairly limited range of manufacturers listed in each of those editions, so that doesn't necessarily tell us anything about Chesney. The 1951/52 edition also includes the additional photo and description of the Featherweight Cobber has posted from the 1954 Winser in Reply #5, but there is no mention of the Countryman and the Champion models which were referred to in the 1954 Winser. In addition the listing of manufacturers and models in the 1951/52 Winser only shows the Featherweight. I surmise from that, that the Featherweight model was the first caravan with the Chesney name on it, and that the model range wasn't increased until 1953 or 1954. (As an aside note that the Featherweight in the 1951/52 advert has a conventional door, while the Featherweight in the info posted by Cobber has a stable door.) Re the Chermside history website - I am not sure that it is trying to say that Chesney only started manufacturing in 1960: "This [Alex] did for about 4 or 5 years and in 1950...started Chesney Caravans Pty Ltd.
"He began the business buying and selling used caravans and adding new caravans bought from backyard manufacturers."Perhaps the first Chesney brand vans were the ones built by backyarders? Possibly to Chesney specifications? "The Chermside business was a sales and service centre employing eleven people. Mr Arthur Doherty had another caravan building business a few doors along Pilba Street where he sold Trailer Home caravans."The website refers to Doherty having another caravan building business, which implies that Alex Chesney also had a caravan building business? Having said that, I'm not sure how much we can rely on the website for precise dates, etc. It also refers to the 'Trail-a-Home' brand as 'Trailer Home'...  Re Alex and Frank Chesney - in Reply #6 above, Stevemc refers to 'Alec Chesney' being the owner of Chesney caravans. Maybe Frank and Alex/c were brothers or father and son? But then again, the Chermside history website has got photos and info from the Chesney family, so surely they didn't get the name wrong? Maybe its the Combined Caravan Clubs of Qld that's gone astray? Don Ricardo |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 13, 2011 23:29:13 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 14, 2011 21:12:57 GMT 10
I'd just like to point out there is no mention of Frank Chesney in the article and we do know that Chesney were building caravans in 1954 (see reply #4 on this thread... and probably as early as 1949) where as this article states that Neil, the son of Alex built their first Chesney caravan in 1960. Hi all, While looking for something else, I found this post by Neil Chesney on 23 April 2010. Neil is referred to in the comment by Cobber above: "My Father was the Queensland manager of Carapark. When it was started by Ron Rankin it was Caravan Park Pty Ltd. I fondly remember Ron Rankin and the shooting trips I did with him and my Dad. John Walsh was the manager of the Newcastle factory. I too grew up with "Caraparks". My favourite was the "Two Lite" a full height tear drop made of ply wood and had 2 single beds. It was unlined(single skin) and in the cold weather the condersation running off the inside would freeze into icycles and drip water on to you in the morning. My father left carapark and started his own caravan yard, ,Chesney Caravans at Gympie Rd Chermside Brisbane selling mostly second hand vans. I started manufacturing Chesney Caravans when I finished my apprentiship. During my manufacturing time I produced over 10,000 caravans. My son and I have restored (rebuilt) a Chesney Regal and I will post some photos later Neil Chesney."So, it was Neil, not his father, who started manufacturing new vans under the Chesney name. This helps to answer some of the questions raised about Chesney vans in the posts above. Unfortunately it doesn't help us sort out whether his father was Alex or Frank, and Neil is no longer a forum member. However, I am inclined to think that Neil may have been the source of the info on the Chermside history website, and that therefore the statement that Alex was his father is correct. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jul 31, 2011 23:55:51 GMT 10
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Post by albinaroberts on Jun 17, 2013 22:54:54 GMT 10
can someone help me with my new Chesney pacemaker would like to know the year of make ,it has aluminum outer and rounded inner cupboards and wardrobe ?? would post pics if I knew how to ..... |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 17, 2013 23:32:31 GMT 10
Hi Albinaroberts, Welcome to the forum. Great to hear about your Chesney, but it's a bit hard to give you much idea about your van without some photos to help us. There are instructions on how to post photos on the forum in the 'Forum Guidelines and Helpful Hints' section, which you'll find by clicking here. It does take a bit of thinking to work out how to do it, but once you've done it, it's as easy as falling off a log (well nearly  ). If you have any problems let us know and we'll try and help you. In the meantime we'll look forward to seeing some pics of your van. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 5, 2014 23:17:14 GMT 10
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2014 1:07:17 GMT 10
Hi Don,
The vent in the floor is to enable gas to drop if there is a leak.
Used to be Qld gas regs,doors now hove lower vents in them instead.
Cheers
'hughdeani
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aza
Junior Member
Posts: 64
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Post by aza on Aug 11, 2014 19:27:05 GMT 10
Thought I would take and add this picture while it is still good enough to see Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 13, 2014 20:48:42 GMT 10
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Post by austo63 on Apr 1, 2015 20:48:27 GMT 10
Hi All, A flow on to the post below is my Chesney Kampa, I'm unsure of the year but it appears in the 1970's. I've recently done some work to her to improve the image based upon years of neglect before I acquired her, anyhow I hope you enjoy seeing my Chesney Kampa Van.
The last picture was when I got her home after acquiring her. You can see some nice changes with new canvas and Checker plate added front and back. The small picture (second last) shows my annex for her, however I am yet to take a decent picture of the upgrades with the annex set up. The old gal is looking better and I'm about $12.5k into changes. In the third picture you can see the solar panel on the roof and the van is now capable of free camping, no power required with the solar system and Deep Cycle Battery in place with LED light globes all round. Below the gas bottle on the front draw bar is a 12 volt electric winch that raises the van with ease, much easier than the original hand winder that they came with. Well if you enjoy my old gal or you can tell me what year she was built then drop me a line at RayAustin976@hotmail.com keep on Kampin"
Links to pictures
Enjoy,
Ray An old ad for Chesney Kampa Van. We had one of these, purchased in 1973 and would you believe that it was our 'home' for a short period after cyclone Tracy (1974) blew away our Darwin abode. Cheers Graem  |
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 16, 2015 21:50:58 GMT 10
1958 Chesney Pacemaker sighted by Bobandjacqui and Dosse at an SEQ Vintage Caravan event at Nanango in October 2010:  
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 23, 2015 8:13:10 GMT 10
Chesney caravan listed on Ebuy, October 2011:  
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Post by geff82 on Jun 11, 2016 20:27:16 GMT 10
Hi all. I have just put a deposit on a caravan. I think it a 1974 ches it's just under 22 foot long and 8 foot wide
It has 2 doors on the left hand side. There's nothing inside the van as it has been stripped. But that allows me to know it has an alloy frame strange for an older van. I also see they shut down in 79. I think it's a vagabond as the wiring positions match the van I have. I don't know how to put a photo on here. So if any one could tell me that would be grate. Thanks heaps for any info.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 13, 2016 22:38:59 GMT 10
Hi Geff82,
Welcome to the forum.
To post photos on the forum, you need to do it via an online photo storage website such as Photobucket or Flickr. Unfortunately, you can't use the 'Add Attachment' button, it doesn't operate.
There are instructions on how to post photos in the 'Forum Guidelines & Helpful Hints' section of the forum. Let us know if you run into problems with the process.
Once we've seen some photos of your van, we'll do our best to confirm its identity and/or age. However, this forum is focused on caravans built up to the end of 1969, so we may not be able to give you much help. You might also like to post photos of your van on our sister Classic Caravans forum that deals with caravans built from 1970 to 1979. (You will need to use Photobucket or similar to post photos on that forum as well.)
We'll look forward to hearing more about your van.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 14, 2017 11:36:36 GMT 10
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Post by geff82 on Jan 24, 2017 21:04:35 GMT 10
Hello all. Im the proud owner of a chesney van. 1976! Pacemaker ll shes 22foot long and while not original inside. Very much original out side. I fully fitted the unside for my family of 6. Queen east west bed at the front with storage under it. A 3.6 meter long lounge along the rite side for a few kids also has storage under it. And full size kitchen bench on the left with white 2 pack cupboards and a clear coated 25mm thick ply wood top. Timber look floor. At the rear of the van i have built a wall that gives structure to the van and is a deviding wall for the bathroom. Caset toilet and walk in Shower. Tinted all the windows and re sealed the capping on the roof. We have used it a few times now and love the old girl. Despite the refit it only weighs 1.3 ton empty. Towes very well for the size.
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Post by firefighter on Jan 25, 2017 7:48:08 GMT 10
Hello all. Im the proud owner of a chesney van. 1976! Pacemaker ll shes 22foot long and while not original inside. Very much original out side. I fully fitted the unside for my family of 6. Queen east west bed at the front with storage under it. A 3.6 meter long lounge along the rite side for a few kids also has storage under it. And full size kitchen bench on the left with white 2 pack cupboards and a clear coated 25mm thick ply wood top. Timber look floor. At the rear of the van i have built a wall that gives structure to the van and is a deviding wall for the bathroom. Caset toilet and walk in Shower. Tinted all the windows and re sealed the capping on the roof. We have used it a few times now and love the old girl. Despite the refit it only weighs 1.3 ton empty. Towes very well for the size. G'day geff82
With your 70s caravan you might be better over on our sister forum classic caravans
Forum mods Bobt or Mustang will look after you link to classic caravans ditzygypsy.proboards.com/
Geoff
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 23, 2017 7:10:22 GMT 10
While doing a bit of free camping a few days ago, I espied this caravan. It's a 1962 Chesney, which, according to the current owner, was especially built for a member of the Chesney family as a tandem caravan. As this van was the current owner's home, I did not take interior shots.   |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jul 25, 2017 11:02:03 GMT 10
While doing a bit of free camping a few days ago, I espied this caravan. It's a 1962 Chesney, which, according to the current owner, was especially built for a member of the Chesney family as a tandem caravan. As this van was the current owner's home, I did not take interior shots. G'day Roehm, I've just been reviewing our photos of Chesney vans, and comparing this van with some others. For what it's worth, I reckon this van is later than 1962, based on both the styling and cladding. We have photos of Neilncheryl's Chesney higher up this thread, which has been documented as 1962, and it looks very different. In addition, the multi-strand profile cladding doesn't seem to have been introduced until around 1964, so I'm thinking this van may well be from the second half of the 60's? Also interesting to see the tandem set up. Usually both sets of wheels on a tandem are under the middle of the van. In this case they appear to be towards the rear. I wonder if the forward wheels were the original, and some 'slave wheels' have been added at the back to assist with the load? If it's a living van, I imagine it's fairly well loaded. Just a couple of observations. Don Ricardo |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jul 25, 2017 11:12:00 GMT 10
On 9 November 2016, Burkeoutback posted here:...I have just brought a Chesney Pacemaker and I am unsure of the year model as it was purchased unregistered. After reading some of the posts on this site I guesstimate that it is a 1964 model. The number welded to the A frame is 4651090. The outside looks to be In original condition and the front and rear window awnings had been removed for transportation but are inside and I will put them back on during the reno...  
On 11 November 2016, Don Ricardo responded:...Unfortunately we do not know a whole lot about Chesney caravans on the forum at this point, but what we do know is set out on the Chesney thread in the 'Down History Lane' section [this tread]... You will see a post by Stevemc...stating that the first three digits in a Chesney serial number tells us the date of manufacture. Based on that information, that indicates that your van was built in April 1965 (ie 465). I think that the '1090' would then tell us that your van was the 1,090th built either (a) in 1965 (but that's a lot of vans to be built by the fourth month or the year), or (b) since some date in the past (maybe when Chesney started that numbering system?), or (c) possibly that it's the 1,090th Pacemaker model caravan built...
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Post by melcon55 on Mar 3, 2018 14:24:28 GMT 10
An old ad for Chesney Kampa Van. We had one of these, purchased in 1973 and would you believe that it was our 'home' for a short period after cyclone Tracy (1974) blew away our Darwin abode. Cheers Graem  |
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Post by melcon55 on Mar 3, 2018 14:27:38 GMT 10
Hi we have just bought a 1973/4 Chesney Kampa very similar to the poster above. I was wondering if anyone knew where I can get a replacement canvas and roughly how much they cost?
Thanks Loads
P.S love seeing the pictures of the older caravans.
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kenny
Full Member
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Post by kenny on Jul 5, 2021 22:04:09 GMT 10
A while back we were invited to a 21st birthday party being held in a park in suburban Melbourne. Adjacent to the park was a caravan sitting in a backyard but visible from the roadway. Now here's the thing - the van is most likely of South Australian origin as indicated by the double cambered fibreglass roof, and the profile of the front wall. Looks like a Roadmaster or an Adelma, maybe. BUT the van has a Chesney nameplate on it... Does anybody know if Chesney sold vans made by other manufacturers, such as Roadmaster??  Don Ricardo
Addendum - August 2017: Knowledge accumulated since this was posted, suggests that the van in question may have been manufactured by Adventurer. Adventurer caravans were badge-engineered and sold as Ravans, Classics, Hawthorns and Castles in different states. However, the 'Chesney' brandname might perhaps also have been applied to this van when it was sold second-hand. Here is a very square looking Chesney, roof line is different though..  |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jul 7, 2021 11:33:27 GMT 10
Hi Kenny, That's an interesting photo... The Chesney van shown doesn't look like any Chesney I can think of, but I'm wondering if it is actually a Chesney Kampa camper trailer with the roof erected and something placed in front of it to protect it? I note that it has a dingy on top of the roof, and whether you'd want to put that much weight on the roof of a camper trailer when it is erected, I'd doubt. But I've got no other explanation at this point.  Don Ricardo |
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