Adelma Caravans (St Mary's, SA)

[Don Ricardo]

ADELMA CARAVANS

Manufactured by Coppola Bros
12 Dennis Street, St Mary's, South Australia

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On 12 October 2006, Humpty2 wrote:

"The "Adelma" brand refers to Adelaide Made.................recall speaking to an owner who told me that!"

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On 18 April 2008, Lazza wrote:

"Roadmaster Caravans have been built in SA since 1946. My father owned a 1963 Roadmaster caravan ( 19' bunk bed model) and a 1968 Roadmaster caravan. This van was the last one that the original owners built. Dad then bought the company from them. He moved manufacturing from South Road Edwardstown to Furness Ave Edwardstown. We built caravans there until 1983 when I moved the business down to Lonsdale , a southern suburbs Industrial area about 20 kms further south of Adelaide. Adelma caravans were started approx 1967 by Jan Capolla and his brothers. They were former employees of Roadmaster caravans.They continued building until around 1980 when they eventually closed shop. Roadmaster used to build the Greythorne brand that were sold in Victoria.Adelma then continued to build them for some time ( not sure how long). I will get in touch with Jan and find out more info... Cheers Larry W"

[Don Ricardo]

Pics of an Adelma caravan sighted in South Australia by OlFarts and posted on his behalf:









According to Lazza in the post above, Adelma only started producing caravans in 1967, and this caravan looks to be a 70's van based on the aluminium cladding. But, hey, it's the only picture of an Adelma that has surfaced to date.

Editorial comment by Don Ricardo ;D ;D ;D

[aussieambo]

Hi Dave,

Unlikely to have been built in 1969 as the van has wind out windows and they did not start appearing until 1973.

Cheers

Graem

[Geoff & Jude]

hi dave

it's a well known fact that adelmas are really roadmasters made 'under license'.

here's a look at the kitchen area in our '65 roadie.



and yes, judy really likes the layout and is 'always' happy in the kitchen.

geoff 'n jude

[JBJ]

Hi Rod,

An Adelma is an Adelma, similar in appearance to a Roadmaster, but built by diffent people.
There should be a fair bit on them in our archives.
They are a very well put together van.
JBJ

[relmhayd]

While hunting for an Adelma van i have come across one with a side kitchen. How many were made with front kitchens? I have been led to believe this was the norm, but apparently were designed and perhaps made to the customers requirement.
Bob

[mgandwartz]

Not the best of pics but i think this is an early Adelma, can anyone shed more light on this van.

[Don Ricardo]

ADELMA ARUNA

On 9 October 2011, Olfarts wrote:

I first spotted this 10 foot Adelma about 4 years ago.It was parked next to the Rowvan i now own.

Well both are now in my custody

It been sitting just over 25 years,the fellow i purchased it from tells me his parents had it made 40 years ago and toured in it often until the police took his dads licence from him on his 86th birthday

There is a little bit of rot in the aft that looks to me to be a simple repair,the floor,roof and general condition is still solid.A section of contact on the ceiling has unstuck its self.

No cooker but i have a few of those to drop into the empty hole.It came with a perfect annex,poles every thing.

This is a van that is a keeper,because of its size,annex and the fact that its an Adelma.

Any way onto a few photos of it.

Dave

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Addendum - October 2021: Additional photos of Olfarts’ Adelma posted on the Adelma Caravan Group Facebook page by him in July 2019:

[shazron]

Hi my daughter and I have purchased a caravan to renovate. It has a sticker with Coppola and little else. We have never renovated a van but are going to give it a go. Firstly we want to find out what it is. If a you can help that would be appreciated. Sharron

[sunny62]

Hi Shazron,
We have just got an Adelma too, it is a 1968 161/2 foot and it has several of the Coppola Brothers stickers on the inside and outside. Would love to see some photos. I will post some too. Julie

[Don Ricardo]

Photos of Sunny62's newly acquired 1968 Adelma posted here on 27 October 2016:









Adelma brochure which came with the van:

[Don Ricardo]

Additional photo provided by Sunny62 showing the Coppola Bros manufacturer sticker inside her 1968 Adelma caravan:



Sunny62 has indicated that the stickers are located in several places inside and outside of the van.

Great to see this little bit of Adelma history. Thanks Sunny62.

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Adelma caravan listed on Gumtree, November 2018:

This van was listed on Gumtree as a 1979 Roadmaster and it has a Roadmaster sticker on it, but I am pretty sure that it is an Adelma because of the shape of the bulkhead over the front and rear windows and the layout of both front and rear windows with the wide pillars between the windows. In addition, Roadmaster wasn't building full vans in 1979 I don't think. I am pretty sure that it is a post-1969 van because of the profile of the of the cladding, so it isn't from the Vintage era, but I've posted the photos because I think it's interesting to see the luxury fitout (very 1970's colonial) and also shows how Adelma developed the design which it picked up from Roadmaster in the 1960's.

I'm open to correction regarding the manufacturer of the van or the build date, and if the van is actually a Roadmaster, I'll move the post accordingly.

Not sure what the little lockable hatch above the window in this first photo is though:





















Don Ricardo

[hughdeany]

Hi Don Ricardo,
The wide pillars was because the 8ft wide vans ( as this one) used the same size windows as the 7 ft models.
The high bulkhead is to fit a box style air con with an outside lift up door to be opened when in use ( very effective!)
Going by the fittings,wheels,windows hatches, lights etc I reckon 1979 is on the money,but like you I think it’s an Adelma.
Cheers
hughdeany

[rawpedo]

I know this is an old thread but doing a bit of research. My folks own the very last Adelma to roll off the production floor. Knew Sal Coppola very well and the van is in absolute pristine condition. Wifey and I are borrowing it for a trip to port Lincoln next week and will post a link to our fb page. But will attach a pic of it on the back of my old Ranger when we took her over to Canberra last year. First trip on the road in 15 years.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Rawpedo,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for telling us about your Adelma.

There's really no 'old threads' in the Down History Lane section. They are all current in the sense that they are intended to record information about the various brands and manufacturers, and we add information to them as it comes in.

We would be really interested to hear more about the "last Adelma" and see some photos, as well as hear to hear about Sal Coppola. Regarding photos, there is information on how to do that on this forum if you click on this link.

In the meantime enjoy your trip to Port Lincoln. That's a great area to visit.

Don Ricardo

[Mustang]

In the images above, I just love the woodwork pillars & the quality of finish, Always lusted for one of these vans.
Cheers

[sunny62]

Hi Rawpedo,

if you are on Facebook there is a group, if you search Adelma Caravan group you can join. Lots of info and posts from owners.

Cheers

[Don Ricardo]

Adelma caravan

This Adelma is smaller and a slightly different shape to the Adelma’s we usually see:

















Rear table:




(Source unrecorded, October 2020

[exploramum]

I’ve just purchased a 1975 Adelma 15ft caravan.
It’s just like the last photos inside. It needs a lot of work.
It has number 130 on the side.
How many did they make?
How many people still have vans.
I really love her but am scared I’m over my head purchasing an original old beautiful Adelma.