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Post by Don Ricardo on May 1, 2008 22:07:07 GMT 10
CLIPPER CARAVANS [Queensland]Manufactured by G K Harris Eagle Junction, Brisbane, Queensland Queensland Clipper caravans were later branded as Arrow caravans
It appears that over the years there have been several manufacturers who have produced caravans under the 'Clipper' brandname. These include caravan manufacturers located in: It is uncertain whether there were any links between these manufacturers. If anyone has information which shows a connection between the manufacturers in different states, we will combine the threads.In addition, several other caravan manufacturers have also used the 'Clipper' name for some models or some of their vans sold through particular distributors. These include: Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on May 1, 2008 22:09:05 GMT 10
On 5 April 2008, Roehm wrote:
From my info, Clipper Caravans were made by G K Harris of Eagle Junction, Brisbane. In 1951/2 their ad says that they are a made to measure van, personally designed to the buyer's specifications. Sizes ranged from 10ft 6in to 18ft.
No mention made of type of construction. So they have been around quite a while.
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Post by cobber on Oct 14, 2008 14:42:33 GMT 10
This could be the ad Ray refers to. I like their expression "Clipper Caravans are a made-to-measure job"  Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Nov 4, 2010 8:23:42 GMT 10
This advertisement gives us a photo of the Queensland “Clipper” of 1950.  If you go to the thread on “Arrow Caravans” there is this advertisement dated 1953 at the same address for “Arrow” caravans. To me this indicates that G.K. Harris changed the name of his caravans from “Clipper” to “Arrow”sometime between 1950 and 1953 while still at Howie St. Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Nov 4, 2010 11:16:54 GMT 10
G'day Dave,
I don't think we have seen evidence of a S.A. Clipper pre 1955 have we?..... only means one hasn't surfaced yet.
The earliest evidence we have for the N.S.W. Clipper is 1954 so maybe G.K. Harris got in first and the others didn't adopt the name until he relinquished it.
Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 4, 2010 22:22:39 GMT 10
Hi Cobber and Olfarts,
Bit of a mystery about the use of the Clipper name isn't it?
Here's the results of my research on the Winsers I have access to:
1948/49 (Book 2) - No mention of any Clippers (or GK Harris)
1951/52 (Book 4) - Lists only Queensland Clipper
1953 (Book 5) - Lists NSW Clipper and Arrow (ie no Queensland Clipper)
1955 (Book 7) - Lists NSW Clipper and SA Clipper and Arrow.
It looks to me from this that Harris changed the name from Clipper to Arrow sometime between 1951/52 and 1953 (much as Cobber said but narrowing the date down a little). Then the NSW Clipper was around by 1953.
As for the SA Clipper - anybody got a !954 Winser?? In any case Olfarts van is 1954...
Don Ricardo
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Post by allyoop on Oct 12, 2016 21:42:44 GMT 10
Attachment DeletedMy parents had a light-weight bondwood caravan built - all of about ten foot in length, it had no inner lining so it could be towed by our Austin A.40. It was built specially for us by Gordon Harris, who at the time was building 'Clipper' vans at Gympie Road, Aspley, Brisbane.(established about 1950) It was 1951 when our van was ordered and manufactured. Boy, did we have some wonderful holidays in that little caravan, so tiny by today's standards. No refrigerator - just an ice-box, and it had a metho stove, a 3/4 bed across the back for mum & dad, and the table at the front folded down for a bed for my little brother and me. Boy, what wonderful times they were. I was only 6 when the van was finished, but I remember it so clearly !! From 1954, Gordon Harris went on to build Arrow Caravans. I have attached a photo of our 1948 Austin A.40 towing the 'Clipper' in 1951
Editorial note: Below is a slightly larger version of the photo, which has less definition but is easier to see. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 12, 2016 22:51:59 GMT 10
Hi Allyoop,
Thanks for telling us the story of your parents' Clipper, and showing us the photo. What a great photo!
We all love hearing stories like yours on the forum. Just wonderful to hear about the good times you shared with your parents in the van.
Don Ricardo
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