Hi all,
A bit more interesting info has emerged about the Olsen & Goodchap 'Land Yacht' shown in the post immediately above.
It turns out that the Goodchaps were Caren Crawford's grandparents (Caren posted the photo on Facebook). The 'Land Yacht' was used by both the Goodchaps and Olsens for their holidays.
It also turns out that the 'Land Yacht' was no furniture van pressed into service for holiday accommodation. It was a purpose built motorhome that received a good bit of publicity in the press when it was built in 1929. We know this thanks to Trove.
The first article about the 'Land Yacht' was published in the Brisbane
Daily Standard on Monday, 12 August 1929 (page 5), and tells us that the vehicle had been on display at the South Brisbane Carnival at the Cricket Ground:
(Source: National Library of Australia
nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187392066 )
The 'Land Yacht' was built on a Reo speed chassis, and was very well fitted out with four berths. One of the features that is particularly interesting is that a water tank was fitted in the roof of the van, part of the reason was for the water to provide insulation for the interior (see
South Coast Bulletin article below). I would have thought that the water sloshing around in the half empty tank above your head when you were on the road might have been a bit unnerving, but certainly a creative idea!
The article comments that:
"The whole of the "yacht" has been solely designed and constructed by Messrs Olsen and Goodchap...". This suggests that the van may have been built using Olsen and Goodchap's furniture and cabinet making skills. The final paragraph states that the vehicle
"...will be hired out to approved tourists", which is possibly why it was on show at the carnival.
The next article was published in the Brisbane
Telegraph on Tuesday, 20 August 1929 (page 11), and reveals more detail about the 'Land Yacht's' construction, including that it was
"...designed and built within five weeks. Two men worked night and day to have it finished in time for exhibition purposes at the carnival, and the result is a credit to their workmanship."
(Source: National Library of Australia
nla.gov.au/nla.news-article182206302 )
Note that:
"For ventilation and visibility there are sliding sashes and a large plate-glass door". But there's more! Just in case the water tank in the roof was not enough,
"...a light speed-boat is to be carried on the top"!
The final article published in the Southport
South Coast Bulletin on Friday, 6 February 1931 (page 10), tells us that the Olsens had been camped on the main beach front at Southport (presumably), and their motor caravan was still eliciting quite a lot of interest from those who saw it.
(Source: National Library of Australia
nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133664942 )
As we know from Caren Crawford, the 'Land Yacht' was still in regular use by her grandparents in the 1940's.
It's a pity that some of the 'motor caravans' built in the 1920's and 30's haven't survived. They certainly represented an important part of Australia's touring heritage.
Don Ricardo
