Roma caravans - where are they?

[Don Ricardo]

Hi everyone,

I've just set up a thread on Roma caravans on the 'Down History Lane' forum, not because I have any knowledge but because it seemed to be one of the major brands of caravan that was missing.

According to the manufacturer's website, Roma Caravans was established in 1928 and was one of the earliest caravan brands registered in Australia.

If Roma caravans have been around since 1928, how come we don't hear more of them on the forum? I've done a search and there are very few posts or mentions of Romas. Amongst them are DaveP's thread a couple of weeks ago about his 1959 Roma:

vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=forsale2&thread=1195450685&page=1

And Gristy's various references to his 60's 15 ft Roma (but no photos), which I think he may now have sold. Is that correct Gristy?

Does anybody have any information about Romas or photos of early Roma vans? If they have been around since 1928, they definitely are part of Australia's touring heritage!

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

G’day Don,

Last October I spoke to a bloke who was on the “Roma” stand at the Penrith “Caravan Super Show”.

Later, he photocopied quite a lot of “Roma” history and emailed it to me....... problem was my V C (Vintage Computer) couldn’t decipher it, neither could my daughter’s you-beaut work computer.

I contacted the chap and he was going to look into it........ I will get in touch with him again to see what's the go.

Interesting thing about their claims on the web site... they say they were established in 1928 and then say they have been building caravans for over 50 years .... I suppose 79
years is over 50 years but does that mean they didn’t build ‘vans for the first 29 years

Cobber.

[exocet]

Hi Don R, my Keith Winser book of 1956 has an add for Roma caravans, Mr R Green owned Roma Caravans , their address was 33 Elizabeth St Elsternwick, Vic. The add features the Roma Clipper, both interior and exterior photo's, but doesn't say what size it is, but it looks about 12 to 13ft long. they also had several models to choose from, to suit all cars, large and small. the vans were lined and were covered in marine ply, and have floor coverings of inlaid lino. Their motto was ''In a Caravan the thing that counts is COMFORT''


Cheers Exocet

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Cobber and Exocet,

I noticed that the figures don't add up too, Cobber. Maybe Roma are much better at building caravans than they are at maths? ;D ;D ;D More likely that someone has transferred some info from a hard copy leaflet or something without updating it.

It would be good if you can arrange to get some info on their history from them. If they have been around that long, they deserve to be better represented and recognised on the forum than they are.

Exocet - any chance of getting a copy of the advert posted under the Roma thread on Down History Lane?

Don Ricardo

[exocet]

Hi Don R, its' a bit embarrasing, but i still have no idea how to post photo's! Maybe i should send the book to you for a while for you to copy bits and pieces out of it at your leisure!!?? It , like i'm sure other members books has a LOT of adverts and stories and pictures, lots of pictures! I have learn't so much from it, it came with Dorothea when we bought her 10 years ago, its quite big at 178 pages, anyway just a thought.

Cheers Exocet

[groovygramps]

Hi all,

If you go to Down History Lane - Roma Caravans History a post by groovygramps or to Members Photo Album - Groovygramps 50's Roma Bondwood - you will find a history of Roma Caravans.

It is possible that the change of Ownership explains the years not adding up.

Cheers groovygramps.