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Post by philouise on Jul 22, 2009 13:20:03 GMT 10
not sure where to place this thread-certainly won't be in members photos for a while, anyway. Saw this van some time ago near home.   the draw bar was almost rusted off at the van front, van had no clearance (no springs), and inside was badly water damaged, so i decided it was too much work  then one day louise says to me"oh, you can have it"  so here it is at home.  always wanted a bay window  the missus, kids,grandkid & his dog all jump in and sit up the back.Van pops off the towball.That was lucky.Here i am, telling others to hire a tilt tray.  inside front |
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Post by philouise on Jul 22, 2009 13:39:00 GMT 10
couldnt fit all the photos in-thought they were small enough-apparently not.  inside back   gas light and tow system(push down to release from ball  cooler by crestacraft.  veneer peeling off (top left)  suspension system with chassis "surface rust  "  and side window manufacturer  nearly forgot the kitchen sink. I have contacted crestacraft but they haven't made vans since the 80's (just boats now) and couldnt help with a year of manufacture. cheers, phil. |
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kiwi
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Post by kiwi on Jul 22, 2009 19:48:54 GMT 10
i remember seeing these when i was a kid caravaning with my parents i think it would be 1967-1971 model its close to this one  cheers kiwi |
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Post by cobber on Sept 14, 2009 15:02:59 GMT 10
G'day Phil, In response to your PM I thought I would answer on your thread. In the book "Vantastic a Pictorial History of Caravans in New Zealand " There is mention of "Cresta Craft" caravans. They were founded by Don Killner in 1957. He started by making traditional English style caravans calling them Royale and Caravella. Killner pitched his caravans at the upper end of the market. The book indicates he started building fibre glass 'vans.... but they don't say exactly when. In the late 1970s he rode out the economic slump by only using fibre glass on the front and back ends. He died in 1987 and the company was sold to Graeme McCaw. How is the restoration of your Cresta going Phil.... it looks like it is one of the early ones  Cobber. |
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Post by mudmullett on Dec 8, 2013 17:48:40 GMT 10
Hi just found this forum and while looking for info on a caravan that i am re building i found this posting for Crestacraft New Zealand from Nov 1967 until 1972 . There where 9 staff working in the caravan shop while i do not remember this van as i think it was built before i started i seem to remember the cladding having crease along the length at around 150mm which when fixed on the van formed a bulge and gave the panel some shape and looked a lot better than the flat panel.
While i was there we had a visit from some over seas builders who told us that our vans where among the best in the world and that they would consider them as the Rolls Royce of vans. I now live in Port Macquarie NSW and love to know how this van is going.
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Post by philouise on Dec 9, 2013 22:00:00 GMT 10
Wow how amazing to "talk" to someone who knows Crestacraft. We have been restoring her on and off now for quite some time and I'm afraid to say still have a long way to go. We have had no luck discovering her age and we wondered what year or years you worked for Crestacraft.
Look forward to your reply, and will try to find some more recent photos to post. Good luck with your van rebuilding.
Cheers Phil and Louise
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Post by crestacraft on Feb 14, 2020 19:16:38 GMT 10
I don't know if you are still restoring the Cresta craft caravan.
I have one exactly like the one photographed and it's registered in 1963. If you're still there please request photos.
Cheers Peter
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Post by aliceperry on Feb 10, 2021 14:53:27 GMT 10
We have a 1964 Cresta Craft double axle with similar features to this. Ours is just a bit bigger.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 11, 2021 22:25:26 GMT 10
Hi Aliceperry, Thanks for telling us about your CrestaCraft van. Are you in Australia or NZ? We’d love to see some photos of your van, especially because it’s a tandem. There are instructions on how to post photos here. The easiest way is to use the ‘Add Attachment’ button, but note there is a special step you need to take if you’re posting from your mobile phone (it’s explained in the instructions). Don Ricardo |
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coach
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Post by coach on May 1, 2022 14:26:43 GMT 10
I have a crestacraft Royale 10, that I will be picking up soon.
Not sure of age, would like to say early 60s.
Draw bar is rusted from drip line out, needs tlc, but have plenty of time and original awnings.
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mj
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Post by mj on Feb 8, 2024 17:51:55 GMT 10
Hi as a new member I am also a former employee of Cresta Craft Caravans and also Don's first apprentice. The model in your photos is about a 1958 model as to the suspension unit it is a Rubbery Owin ( I think that is how it is spelt) It is a torsion bar suspension unit.. I was there from 1964 to 1968 when I then moved to Australia in 1969. Please contact me for any further information that I may be able to help with.
MJ
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 11:40:45 GMT 10
Hi MJ,
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your background with CrestaCraft caravans in New Zealand.
This is just to let you know that I've moved your post from its previous location to this thread to which it refers.
Hope that's helpful.
Don Ricardo
for the admin team
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Post by leaeschy on Mar 11, 2024 16:43:16 GMT 10
Hi as a new member I am also a former employee of Cresta Craft Caravans and also Don's first apprentice. The model in your photos is about a 1958 model as to the suspension unit it is a Rubbery Owin ( I think that is how it is spelt) It is a torsion bar suspension unit.. I was there from 1964 to 1968 when I then moved to Australia in 1969. Please contact me for any further information that I may be able to help with. MJ Hello I just received a 1958 cresta craft as a gift from my father in law Pat Leahy. I'm concerned about the chassis and he says oh it's fine just surface rust. It's located in Rakaia and I want to tow it to Nelson... Where should I take it in Rakaia or Christchurch to make sure it's roadworthy? Would love to post pics once I figure out how on this forum. Cheers Jamie |
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Post by leaeschy on Mar 14, 2024 19:27:22 GMT 10
Well the Cresta Craft was checked out by a WOf guy and given the all clear to travel...turns out im eating my words---it was just surface rust! We love our new caravan and look forward to restoring it to its former glory! We travelled from Chch to Nelson today with it
Pat says he was told that this is a home built caravan built by a guy that built caravans for a living.. it has the same rounded twin windows on the front and back.
This caravan lived at Lake Coleridge from 1986-2006 when the electric company wanted all the caravans removed.
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Post by leaeschy on Mar 14, 2024 19:28:10 GMT 10
How can i post photos of the caravan please?
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 15, 2024 13:54:16 GMT 10
Hi Leaeschy, It's great to hear about your van, and it would be excellent to see some photos. There's information on how to do that if you click on this link. The easiest way is to use the 'Add Attachment' button in the posting window, but let me know if you have any trouble. Don Ricardo |
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