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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 24, 2007 20:51:47 GMT 10
1958 advertisement from the RAC Vic Caravan and Camping Guide: (source: posted by gristy, May 27, 2007) The following information was posted by members in May, 2007: cobber: ...As was mentioned in another thread it appears that it was the normal thing not to supply an outside light in manufactured vans....queer eh? Can't imagine why you would want two portholes, one above the other And get a go at the dolly wheel on that Country Club van Trodler: ...The Country Club fibreglass van was Australias first full fibreglass van. cobber: Spot on Trodler young fella, The Australian Motor Manual of September 15th 1956 announced it would be the highlight of Melbourne's 1956 Caravan Show jailbarjuice: You're right Cobber, it must'nt have been much of a van, or else horribly overpriced, or marketed badly, or all of the above. Look how many of them we know of ( NONE), & look how many Sunliners are out there ( probably a very big percentage of those that were built), as well as a lot of Olympics. Sunliners & Olympics have proven that glass vans will survive, & its a shame that a few of these Country Clubs didnt survive, as they appear to be a fairly large & stylish van. I always wonder why people would sink so much money & time into developing & producing a product that failed on its marketing. gristy: JBJ,I think that sometimes people in business who have a talent (for example to design and/or build a great van) don't have the other skills (eg sales and marketing) or $$ to make it a sucess. Maybe that was the case with the Country Club. Or perhaps it was too classy and then too expensive Don: Do you reckon that the two portholes on the Country Club might provide some light to a pair of bunks located on the side wall of the van? The van looks long enough to have bunks there, and the portholes seem to be in about the right place for that. As no doubt you've seen, some modern vans (wash my mouth out with soap  ) with bunks have small sets of windows to provide light and ventilation for each bunk. Maybe the Country Club portholes were the precursor to that? cobber: About the “Country Club” caravan. JBJ, the article in Motor Manual describes the construction of the “Country Club” as ... “This 16 ft. van has a balsa corestock shell (whatever that is  )covered with fibreglass and a moulded fibreglass roof which curves at the edges to meet the walls. The fibreglass skin, before it is applied to the caravan walls, is as flexible as silk, but when the process is completed it wears forever, needs no painting, has the advantages of lightness, and will stand up to any type of weather without deteriorating”.... end of quote. In an earlier Motor Manual, April 2nd. 1956, it is said An entirely new model "Country Club" van will be shown at the Melbourne Motor Show , it goes on to say “The van will be of balsa-ply construction” etc,etc, but no mention is made of fibre glass in the construction. So from all that I get the impression they did make up a mould for the fibreglass roof but just slapped some fibre glass mat over the balsa-ply (whatever that is) walls to display it at the Caravan show later in the year. Another Motor Manual, February 1st. 1956 tells us “The Willerby Caravan Co. have built a fully fibreglass Polyester resin panelled van” Sorry folks... that was in England, so maybe Country Club were just trying to be the first to say “anything they can do we can do worse”  . Actually at that time the Poms called fibreglass GRP, (Glass Resin Plastic) Don, the bunk arrangement you suggest sounds like a reasonable theory, although it would make for an unusual layout inside the van because that April 2nd M M I quoted from above also said the van had a double bed at the centre rear. But then again, I am comparing what has been said about 1956 vans whereas Tinnie’s brochure is showing the 1958 version which may have had a completely different layout. Would like to see a “Country Club Caravan” in the flesh just the same. Cobber. Much later..... did a google on balsa corestock and balsa plywood www.oakleywoods.com/company/balsaprop.htmgood stuff
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Post by cobber on Jun 8, 2008 18:52:07 GMT 10
A bit more on "Country club" Country Club Add. From 1951 at which time they were plywood constructed as was the case in 1954...it would appear that the 16 & 18ft models changed to fibreglass sometime between 54 & 57..... they were still going strong up to 1962 and maybe beyond, does anybody have information in that respect ?  
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Post by cobber on Aug 3, 2008 11:42:46 GMT 10
Country Club From the “Caravan & Touring Magazine” 1959, the same add was still running in 1961.    Cobber
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 16, 2008 22:26:27 GMT 10
1956 Country Club advertisments and publicity:The following advertisement must come close to winning the prize for one of the most upmarket caravan advertisments ever produced by an Australian caravan manufacturer. Forget using an FJ Holden, a Chev or an Austin Devon as your tow car, just ask your chaffeur, Gerald, to hitch the Country Club onto the Roller. It would certainly set you apart at the caravan park... ;D ;D ;D  (Source: Keith Winser, Australian Caravan & Touring Manual for 1956, pp 4 & 98)Country Club apparently experimented with various caravan construction materials as reflected in some of the posts above. In 1954 they were using ply, and by 1958 were claiming that their vans were the first Australian made full fibreglass caravans. However, in 1956 they were advertising that their five model range of caravans used "Litehart" balsa cored ply. This included the Country Club Litehart range:   (Source: Keith Winser, Australian Caravan & Touring Manual for 1956, pp 146 & 81)More information on the use of balsawood as a caravan construction material can be found at Reply #11 on the following thread
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Post by cobber on Oct 5, 2009 11:40:59 GMT 10
Country Club caravans from the 1961 Caravan & Touring Manual.  This page 2 add. also ran in 1962 with the additional information that "People Prefer Country Club caravans and House Boats.  Cobber.
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Post by JBJ on Jan 3, 2010 20:33:36 GMT 10
Hi All, I pulled into the BP servo at Goondiwindi near the NSW /Qld Border the other day, just behind this. I waved to the owner, but he disappeared into the complex, obviously not interested in discussing old vans at the time.     Its registered in Mexico as a " C Club" so obviously a Country Club. Its in fantastic condition, & is full fibreglass, with an aluminum roof as described in the brochures. Amazing that something like this appears out of left space, still being used, & no one that I know of on the forum has ever seen one on the road. Simply amazing. JBJ
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Post by boblor on Jan 12, 2010 21:31:21 GMT 10
Hi VVers Just been having a look thru Keith Winser's 'Plans for Aust. Caravans" 1958 Enlarged Edition and on page 47 there is an article by G.F.Stapley of Country Club Caravans gives his comments of fibreglass as a shell covering. One paragraph reads "We are not infavour of the fully moulded caravan such as is made in England because of fatigue problems involed, but feel that the moulded ends and roof with a fibreglass skinned solid plywood wallis a more desirable method for caravan construction. this is because of the necessity for clean fixing inside the van at any place with custom building and heat insulation must be considered also." There four or five paragraphs together with a photograph of moulded fibreglass components. This article confirms how they used the fibreglass and this was in 1958 or earlier. In another area " Figreglass sections are now on sale for kit builders comprising roof hatches, mudguards, cowls and numerious front panels and moulded parts" Though this may be of interest to add to the above comments made by others. Cheers boblor
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Post by boblor on Jan 12, 2010 21:38:02 GMT 10
Hi I forgot to mention that the van JBJ spotted is beautiful looking van, it would be nice to catch up with it again and check the interior out, as it probably matches the ext. in finish/condition. Cheers boblor
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 30, 2010 14:54:46 GMT 10
1956 Country Club caravan sold on Ebay, April 2010:    Description provided by seller:. Country Club Caravan 10'6" long 6'8" wide. . 3 berth,double and single. . Large table at rear end folds down into double bed. . Small table at door end folds down into single bed. . Has all original fittings. . Original Ice Box fridge. . Original water-pump. . Original cupboard doors,latch's and hinges. . Original gas stove. . Original tow bar and jockey wheel. . Original wheels, tyres, and wheel caps. . Original Country Club badges front and back of van. . Windows original and all in tact. This caravan is in exceptional condition for its age, anyone wishing to restore an old classic van, will have an easy job with this one. I believe this caravan was built approx 1956, and it's a model called Litehart, and it is built out of ( Litehart waterproof ply board) I don't believe I have seen another one of these anywhere ? Editorial comment: Although this caravan was advertised by the seller as being a 1956 van built of 'litehart', it appears from careful inspection that in fact it is one of the Country Club models with fibreglass ends. At this point we are not sure when this model was introduced, but the 1956 models were clad entirely in balsa-ply or litehart. This suggests a later build date for the van shown in this post.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 6, 2010 16:33:32 GMT 10
A 1960 advertisement from the Ballarat Courier, placed in an advertising supplement for the Ballarat Show being held at that time... [Ref: Ballarat Courier 1960 11 11 12]I had to highlight the sidestripes with a biro because the photo didn't transfer very well from the microfilm in the library. The van looks similar to others from 1959 above.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 6, 2010 17:06:23 GMT 10
The following van was listed on ebay in August 2009 as a 1972 Country Club van. It is clearly earlier than that, based in inside appearance, however the aluminium cladding is apparently a later addition... 
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Post by goodoldgal on Mar 20, 2011 20:13:55 GMT 10
I am interested in any more information that you guys have about the Country Club caravans, as I have just acquired one.
It seems to be ply wood, with some type of sheetmetal roof (held together with much silicone in recent years!)
It has the original Murphy Richards - Astral fridge, which looks gorgeous but is now only good as a cupboard. The inside layout looks identical to the '1972' one listed above. Actually, the outside looks the same shape too, but it's timber.
She's in pretty good nick despite years of neglect. (What's one little mushroom growing out a back corner between friends?) I originally expected to use her in a fixed location for a year or two, then give her a dramatic demise in a bonfire or demolition derby. Now that I see the wonderful things that you guys do with old vans, I'll look after her and make sure she finds a good home when I don't need her anymore.
Almost makes me wish I had the time or money to make her really pretty again!
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Post by sportsman 1 on Mar 21, 2011 12:24:55 GMT 10
Hi there goodoldgal,
PM sent.
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Post by angobud on Jul 10, 2011 1:24:49 GMT 10
Hi everybody we have just found a country club caravan in a shed in country nsw that's In original untouched condition locked away for the past 30 Years it's got the full fiberglass roof all interior intact as well as the fridge any idea what it may be worth
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Post by cobber on Jul 10, 2011 8:48:31 GMT 10
G'day angobud, Sorry to say that our forum Guidelines explain that we are not able to give valuations on vintage caravan for a whole host of reasons..... a copy of that guideline follows. That doesn't mean to say we wouldn't love to see the Country Club Caravan you have found  Cobber. VALUING CARAVANS The value of vintage caravans varies widely according to the age, scarcity, condition and desirability of the caravan in question. In the end, the value of a caravan depends on what one person is willing to pay another at a given time, based on their specific interests and preferences. For this reason we ARE NOT ABLE to assist in valuing caravans.
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Post by angobud on Jul 11, 2011 23:03:33 GMT 10
Sorry about that thanks for the tip how do I find a value of the van and how rare and unique is it are there hundreds of these things around we would like to see someone get it and do a full restore on it it is a great find and quite unique
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Post by cobber on Jul 12, 2011 7:08:54 GMT 10
G'day angobud, I have sent you a PM with a few suggestions and a few questions  Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 22, 2014 22:47:18 GMT 10
Various Country Club brochures and leaflets advertised on Ebay, February 2014:The van on the right was clad in 'Litehart' cladding - balsawood sandwiched between two layers of waterproof ply. The van on the left is clad in fibreglass (front and back), fibreglass covered ply (sides), and aluminium (roof).  Advert for later fibreglass vans - fibreglass front, back and roof, and 'balsaglas' sides (fibreglass skinned balsawood).  The full brochures can be viewed on the Our Touring Past website here
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Post by chev51 on May 27, 2014 7:29:36 GMT 10
Here is our country club that we rescued, any idea of the year?
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Post by akeepsake on May 27, 2014 15:33:53 GMT 10
Going on the adds Dale it would have to be mid 50s???
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Post by chev51 on May 27, 2014 16:46:04 GMT 10
Going on the adds Dale it would have to be mid 50s??? I thought about 54, going by a couple of ads that I found. The other one was earlier, it ran 36-39 ford wheels, this one runs 48 Chev style wheels. Pity they gutted the interior of the other one. Ron said his grandpa bought one, then his dad bought the other one a few years later. Both have been under the house since late 70's
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 27, 2014 22:11:49 GMT 10
Hi Chev51,
Based on the construction of the windows in the Country Club you picked up, I think it's a 1952 or 1953 model. The windows seem to be different on the 1954 and later models.
I noted the little opening built into the waist stripe on the near side. Is that the power inlet or the filler pipe for a water tank?
Judging from the advertisements, all the Country Clubs of around that era had spats. Are there any signs of there having been spats on the pick up van?
Pity about the interior of the earlier van, though. That might be the earliest model County Club we've seen. Looks as if it's been modified a fair bit a long the way, apart from the interior. Those aluminium framed windows aren't exactly original!
Don Ricardo
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Post by chev51 on May 29, 2014 6:17:57 GMT 10
Hi Chev51, Based on the construction of the windows in the Country Club you picked up, I think it's a 1952 or 1953 model. The windows seem to be different on the 1954 and later models. I noted the little opening built into the waist stripe on the near side. Is that the power inlet or the filler pipe for a water tank? Judging from the advertisements, all the Country Clubs of around that era had spats. Are there any signs of there having been spats on the pick up van? Pity about the interior of the earlier van, though. That might be the earliest model County Club we've seen. Looks as if it's been modified a fair bit a long the way, apart from the interior. Those aluminium framed windows aren't exactly original! Don Ricardo Hi Don The little opening is the inlet for the water tank, it's even got a kids bath under the front seat. When work slows down I will get some inside photos, yes it's had spats on it for sure, I haven't looked properly yet they may be inside. Cheers
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 23, 2014 22:35:50 GMT 10
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Post by pruzie on Jul 17, 2014 1:45:56 GMT 10
Hi .... I have this van .. I purchased it this year in May ... There are no modifications .. It is still in the same condition .. It leaks a bit but minor repairs will be happening soon .. I hope to do it up in the era that I think it belongs to .. In the old rego sticker it has Glenwood ... I'm a bit perplexed about this post pictures  ? .. The frames are wooden .. Only the rear one is aluminium .. I would like to find out more of its history if anyone can help .. Also get some original lights etc .. It is un towable but hope to use it as a spare rom. .. Considering selling also ... Cheers Pru
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