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Post by Geoff & Jude on Jul 14, 2007 17:11:41 GMT 10
hi all. on 19 august 2004, surferboy wrote: gday trev carrots love that first photo (pity its not a wagon) just wondering if it goes around corners ? surferboy  mark t (and i) discovered this post while looking for trev's early pictures and cannot find any reference to "that first photo" surferboy quoted. does anyone know the reference (obviously made before 19 aug 2004) or if not, can you find it - i can't!!!!!!!! (i suspect to thread "from the archives" has been lost sometime in the past). geoff 'n jude |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jul 14, 2007 20:44:35 GMT 10
Hi Mark and Geoff 'n Jude,
Here's my theory about Surferboy's comment:
1. Trev & Carrots began the thread by posting the photos Mark was looking for.
2. Surferboy responded to Trev & Carrots post.
3. Trev & Carrots had trouble with Photobucket and the photos disappeared from their original post (for evidence check out their comment on Reply 1 on the thread) so they re-posted the photos as Replies number 1, 2 & 3. They then deleted their original (now photo-less) post, and Surferboy's post was listed as being the originator of the thread.
4. When Trev & Carrots re-posted the photos, they posted them in a different order to the original, and the first photo became the second in Reply 1.
5. Therefore Surferboy's comment re "pity it's not a wagon" refers to the second photo of the FC Holden with the Carapark. Surferboy was rueing the fact that it wasn't a wagon like his!!
Probably only Surferboy or Carrots can confirm or deny my theory.
Don Ricardo
[Private investigator to the Vintage Caravan community]
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Post by fireballv8 on Sept 2, 2007 11:39:51 GMT 10
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Post by cobber on Sept 5, 2007 16:41:09 GMT 10
Thumbing through some old “On the Road” magazines that I have neglected to throw out  I came across this article in the October 1998 edition showing a 1922 Model T towing a van built for the Bailey family from Lyndhurst in Tasmania in the early 1920’s. The article states that “ The earliest available records
show that Australia’s first production caravans were built
from 1929 by R. J. Ranking, in the Sydney suburb of
Newtown”.So this, they say, “ might have the
distinction of being the first Australian caravan”. Cobber. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 5, 2007 21:12:37 GMT 10
Nice find Cobber,
The photo takes us a little further back in time, a bit closer to "the beginning of all things" - well Aussie caravans anyway.
I'd love to see more photos of the van, particularly the inside. It puts me in mind of some other photos of a very early van I think I've seen somewhere on the forum, but it would take me six months to find them!! I think it was a Model T or A Ford converted to a caravan, maybe?
I wonder whether the van in the pic is still in Tasmania, perhaps in a display or museum somewhere? We'll have to ask Exocet to go searching.
Do you know anything about the Ranking caravans?
Don Ricardo
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Post by cobber on Sept 6, 2007 9:10:57 GMT 10
G’day Don, I too have vague recollections of seeing a photo on the forum similar to this one and I searched for it prior to posting this one but can’t find it. A photo of the inside ? Its fairly nifty if basic. Shelves up the front of the van, storage space under the seats/beds and a table. And that looks like another bed/seat across the front of the van making it a three berth. What more could you need ? There is also a photo of the tow coupling which I will put in the appropriate thread.  Again Mr. Rankin has been mentioned on this forum before I feel sure but the “search” facility doesn’t find him. WELL... blow me down !!!I just did another search on Rankin and up she came .... in the “General” section  It makes all I have said here repetitive & redundant. Admin.. KAY...MARK. Do you think it would be worth moving this thread Ray started into the Memorabilia section ? vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1152102694&page=1 I think I'll go and do something usefull now    Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2007 10:00:44 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 6, 2007 21:07:05 GMT 10
Hi Cobber,
No wonder the photo of the Model T and caravan you posted yesterday reminded me so strongly of something I thought I'd seen before on the forum...I had seen it before! But it was good to see the photo of the van in use that you posted today. Seeing it with gear and people in it fills out the picture of how it was used.
It's a wonderful outfit. I note that it belongs to the Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Queensland. I guess they wheel it out (literally) for their caravan and camping shows, but I wonder if they have it on display at other times and if so, where?
When Roehm3108 posted the original pics he said he saw it at Highfields near Toowoomba but didn't know where it was usually kept. I wonder if anyone has further info? I'm sure folk would like to check it out when they visit the Sunshine State.
Don Ricardo
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Post by surferboy on Sept 21, 2007 23:12:52 GMT 10
sorry to take so long to read this post don was right trev posted the pics i commented on the pic with the FC sedan ( i like any pic with an FC in it ) wishing it was a wagon like mine and wondering how it turned corners with the front wheels not touching the ground trev accidentely deleted the pics then re posted them in a new sequence thus the abracadabra reference on the next posting problem solvered |
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Post by customfc on Oct 8, 2007 0:27:26 GMT 10
Don't know if these have been posted before, but had to share 'em. I found them on the National Archives Site, so they can not be used without permission. Display of caravans manufactured by Modern Caravans. " The aluminium caravan specialists." A Peters Icecream stand is present in the pics. Modern Caravans were located on the corner of Wanneroo Road and Royal Street, Tuart Hill, Western Australia. Pics taken in 1958.    Regards Alex |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 26, 2007 23:05:59 GMT 10
Hi everyone, One of the gifts I received on Fathers' Day (thanks to no. 2 son) was a copy of "Car Wars" by Graeme Davison. The book discusses the impact of the car on the social development of Melbourne from 1945 to the early 1990's. The author is a History Professor at Monash University. In the introduction to the book, Graeme talks about the impact of the car on his own growing up in the early 50's, and includes a photo of his father's Chev ute and the caravan they used to holiday in when he was a boy:  (Source: G Davison, Car Wars, p xv)I was interested in the photo and caravan, and emailed Graeme to find out a bit more about it. Graeme kindly emailed me back with the following information: "Dad hired caravans several times before part-building this one himself. My rough guess is that it would have been in about 1954. My recollection is that he bought the frame from a maker then fitted it out himself, with some help from my uncle...who had built one of a rather boxy design, completely himself. There seemed to be a lot of plywood involved, including some bending. It had four berths - a double bed and two singles, but we also had a tent annnex, so we could accommodate the five members of the family and often a friend as well. I can't recall, I'm afraid, who Dad bought the frame and chassis from. But of course I do remember what a lot of pleasure we all got from the van. We had regular summer holidays at Cowes, in a private caravan park, and made trips much father afield - to Sydney, Lakes Entrance, Bright. I think of us gathered around the table playing cards and board games with our little portable radio playing."No doubt Graeme's comments will trigger a lot of memories for quite a few V V'ers. They certainly did for me - my family used to holiday at Cowes at about the same time as Graeme's. Don Ricardo [By the way, "Car Wars" is a good (and easy) read, especially if you enjoy a bit of social history. It was published by Allen & Unwin in 2004 if you want to track it down.] |
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Post by cobber on Jun 8, 2008 14:17:06 GMT 10
Don't know that the above brought back many memories for many people Don..... how many "fossils" do you think there are on this forum  . "I think of us gathered around the table playing cards and board games with our little portable radio playing." This item from a 1948 magazine indicates that somebody thought caravan parks should be well regimented and formal, even had a petrol station out the front, they did get their way, the rough and ready bush camp is hard to find these days.  Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Jul 8, 2008 19:05:13 GMT 10
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Post by JBJ on Jul 8, 2008 20:44:16 GMT 10
Hi Cobber,
Someone I was talking to at Mt Gambier told me his father had bought that van, & had it pretty close to being back on the road.
Cant think who it was, we all talked to so many vanners there.
Maybe it will surface before too long.
Jailbarjuice
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John
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Post by John on Sept 28, 2008 8:36:40 GMT 10
G'day Cobber and JBJ,
I know where it is, Dad's garage!!!
After picking it up and re-designing the garage so it'd fit....It's been fully restored (not that it needed much) and back on the road. First outing was the Vintage Drivers Club's 50th anniversary run in Ballarat earlier this year and has been used regularly since.
Great BIG van that's extremely comfy. Will post photo's soon.
Cheers,
John
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Post by JBJ on Sept 28, 2008 9:07:03 GMT 10
hi John,
Thought it was you told Sue & I about the van, but I wasn't sure enough to mention any names.
Another great old van saved.
One of the greatest benefits of this forum as I see it, is the number of great old vans that have been, & will be in the future, saved because of the activities & promotions of members.
JBJ & Boots
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Post by kingy on Sept 28, 2008 9:10:46 GMT 10
Looking forward to it John, thats one classy looking van - compares equally with the BIG BEAUTIFULL BONDY FROM MILDURA (won't get much better than that) and the JENNISONS..................Wood, glorious Wood........... ;D ;D Cheers kingy Say Mark, hows the big bondy going |
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Post by cobber on Sept 28, 2008 10:39:29 GMT 10
G'day John, I look forward to seeing photos of the inside of this 'van ;D. I'd like to see it in the flesh too..... why don't you get dad to bring it up to "Motorfest"   Did anybody ever figure out what the name sign-written on the side was ? looks a bit like Slimline.... but as it was a one-of homemade job I suppose it doesn't really matter . How is that little "Pop Top" 'van of your's going Cobber. |
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John
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Post by John on Sept 29, 2008 2:13:33 GMT 10
Hi Everyone,
Have put a little bit history of the van in the "general" section.
DENNIS- I agree totally. I've been hanging around this website since 2004, and I love it. The idea of having a group of people all over the country in contact with each other and helping each other out is what this site is about for me.
COBBER- The name on the side of the van is Selena. I can't remember who that was, but if I do, I'll make sure that I post it here. The name had long gone before Dad got the van, but it was sprayed every few years apperently.
Due to a lot of circumstances, I have done very little with the "pop top'', however, I may have somewhere where I can store it (don't worry its been tucked away undercover!!) and maybe even get to work on it soon.
I'm very excited about it and can't wait to give it the treatment that it deserves.
Cheers,
John
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Post by cobber on Apr 1, 2009 9:45:06 GMT 10
 ID Number: 122166 Maker: McQuillan, Ernest Mervyn Physical description: Black & white Summary: SYDNEY, NSW 1945-11-10. THE AUSTRALIAN LEGION OF EX SERVICEMEN HAD A CARAVAN SET UP OUTSIDE THE GATES AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOWGROUNDS. NEWLY DISCHARGED MEN COULD JOIN THE LEGION AS THEY LEFT THE AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES (AMF) DISCHARGE DEPOT. NX23361 PRIVATE C. J. TAIT, 2/29TH BATTALION AND NX164817 SERGEANT ARRIVOLI, "B" COMPANY SIGNALS MAKE INQUIRIES OF MR B. J. BRODIE, EX RAAF, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE CARAVAN. (PHOTOGRAPHER L. CPL E. MCQUILLAN) Copyright: Copyright expired - public domain Copyright holder: Copyright Expired Related subject: Demobilisation Related unit: 2/29 Battalion; Royal Australian Air Force Related place: Australia: Sydney Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945  ID Number: 136510 Maker: Herald Newspaper Physical description: Black & white Summary: MELBOURNE, VIC. 1942-06-17. A MEMBER OF THE 35,000,000 POUNDS LIBERTY LOAN APPEAL COMMITTEE USING A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM IN ONE OF THE OUTER SUBURBS. BEHIND HIM IS THE CARAVAN USED AS A MOBILE OFFICE. Copyright: Copyright expired - public domain Copyright holder: Copyright Expired Related subject: Finance Related place: Melbourne Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945 Cobber |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 1, 2009 22:31:09 GMT 10
G'day Cobber, A couple of very nice photos there, and interesting to see the use of the vans in the context of WW2 and immediately afterwards. Thanks for posting them. Now the puzzle is to see if we can identify them!  One would guess that the state in which each of the photos was taken would give a clue. If so, the RSL van would be NSW built and the war bonds van would be Victorian built. I'm thinking it is also probably reasonable to assume that they would both be pre-war? The war bonds van is quite distinctive in that it has a curve to the top of the door and strapping covering the joins. Do you think the latter indicates a home build? Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Apr 2, 2009 12:07:44 GMT 10
G'day Don R. I had a feeling you would want to go down this path....“can we identify them ” ?  Be blowed if I can.... I've had a look in DHL “1930s caravans” & “1940 caravans” and the rest of the “Memorabilia” forum and I can't see any clues. You would tend to expect that manufacturers who were building caravans prior to the war would be required to contribute 'vans to the war effort, as was the case in the UK, and probably anybody who owned a caravan may have been required to do likewise.... if Ol' 36 could talk she might know something. So these 'vans could be Jennison... Wolfenden... Roma???... who else prior to 1945 ... and if so they would most likely be of the no frills variety and modified to serve a purpose, such as the “Mobile Rehabilitation Unit”... That's it for me Don R. sorry....no help at all Cobber. |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 2, 2009 21:02:46 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, The tantalising thing about these vans is that they look vaguely familiar in a funny sort of way - a bit like this, and a little bit like that - particularly the small NSW van, but I haven't figure out anything yet. I'm not sure what your screen resolution is like, but can you read the name to the right of the door on the Victorian van? I can't quite see what it is. Maybe Mark T can use his 3 metre wide plasma screen or whatever he's got over there to tell us? Any clues Mark? (Just wanted to attract his attention! ;D ;D ;D ) Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Jun 1, 2010 10:54:51 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 1, 2010 17:40:56 GMT 10
Hi Cobber, A nice lot of photos you've posted there, which evoke a few memories for lots of us, eh? That's a particularly good looking van in the first set of 5 - nice lines, obviously well built, well appointed... And the vans in the other pics are a great looking bunch as well. I've been sitting staring at the photos playing "identify the manufacturer", but haven't picked any yet (apart from the obvious referred to above) - still working on them. The old bus reminds me of the similar, unregistered old bus-turned-into-a-pseudo-caravan my cousin used to drive down from his farm near Geelong to Barwon Heads at the beginning of summer and home again at the end of the season. This was in the 50's and early 60's. He used to make the trip at the dead of night and go by all the backroads. I suspect the local troopers knew what was going on but ignored it. Don't think you'd get away with it now! Where did the photos come from? Don Ricardo |
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