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Post by retro64 on Mar 9, 2011 13:07:05 GMT 10
Hi Mark T, On first reading the thread on the 1930's Landcruiser Caravan our hearts rose and sank with the question "will he or wont he get it", really felt for you at the time, the dissapointment of getting sooooo close and then missing out was cruel.  BUT NOW after all that time waiting, we can't congratulate you enough on finally getting your Landcruiser Caravan. ;D ;D ;D We wish you much happiness with it, retro64 |
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Post by surfingyogini on Mar 9, 2011 13:13:45 GMT 10
Oooooohhhhhh..... I love happy endings! ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d
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Post by beau on Mar 9, 2011 13:18:58 GMT 10
IT'S SAVED !!!! ;D
Now, given that we have a toyota landcruiser I think it is only fair that you send it over here... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Come on, cough it up..... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by cobber on Mar 9, 2011 14:09:39 GMT 10
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Post by cruisindoug on Mar 9, 2011 15:07:47 GMT 10
Well done Mark - they say all good things come to those who wait ... have you got it home yet??  Cheers Doug |
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Post by Surf Tragic on Mar 9, 2011 16:46:20 GMT 10
Congrats Mark What a fantastic ending after all the waiting, we look foreward to the next part complete with photos   ;D ST |
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Post by seeshell on Mar 9, 2011 18:19:31 GMT 10
Hi Mark Fantastic news! I'm really excited to see more of how it's restored I bet it will be amazing - with all the longing over the five year period, it will be quite a love affair (don't rush it!). She will be a spoiled and well turned out lady I am sure. Hope to see it at the Nats. Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 23:49:35 GMT 10
thanks all for your comments . Yes Doug, the Land Cruiser caravan is safely tucked away in the shed. Photos of the recovery will follow asap, Mark |
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stevenm
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1937 Chev, 1939 Mercury, 1922/23 Studebaker and a 1961 EH Holden
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Post by stevenm on Mar 10, 2011 12:37:36 GMT 10
Awesome outcome Talk about the cat that got the mouse huh ;D ;D |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 10, 2011 20:19:46 GMT 10
Hi Mark, That's such fantastic news! To think that the Land Cruiser will now be preserved for posterity is just wonderful. Congratulations to you for your patience, and also to the family who owned it and were finally prepared to let it go to someone who will care for it and look after it. Land Cruiser was such a prominent make in the 30's. They can be seen in so many of the early caravan photos, and pics from caravan rallies in the 30's and 40's. For that reason it is very good news to know that there is still at least one in existence, and in such great condition too. Now Mark, don't rest on your laurels for too long. There are a couple of other 30's brands we need to find - Windmill and Wolfenden for starters. You seem to have more luck than the rest of us, so get cracking!  Don Ricardo |
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Post by Jennison on Mar 10, 2011 21:25:26 GMT 10
While you are on the doubleyoooos Mark how about a Wildeshott as well  ;D jennison |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 13:48:11 GMT 10
Last Tuesday, .....retrieval of one of the most,.......... if not THE most historically significent full size caravan (not camper trailer) took place in South Yunderup, Perth. The caravan is a 1930's (yet to be accruately dated) Land Cruiser caravan......... it's believed to be a 12 foot Astor model. It's sheeted in masonite, a material that is inferior to ply, ....and it is indeed remarkable that a masonite caravan has survived until now  , and not surprising that out of several hundred Land Cruiser caravans constructed, only one known such caravan has survivved . When exposed to moisture, masonite sheets will typically swell or warp, so once the caravan's paint peels off, and moisture get directly on the masonite sheets, its stuffed ! ......this being the reason why several Don caravans ( a couple from the 1930's) still turn up, but the prewar masonite caravans are long gone. It's understood the caravan was housed in its purpose built shed for 60 plus years, obviously towed (or trucked) from the Eastern States and parked up ....... probably in the 1940's. It was definately there in 1952, as there are some local house plans on the table dated 1952. It's purpose built shed was constructed not so that in the 21st century some vintage caravan nutters will find it, .........but so that the caravan could be used as a bedroom, and as such be protected from the weather .  The day started at 7am, and many thanks for assistance from Brian (noblesgarage), Greg (tucky29) and Brian's mate Phil. The four of us worked flat out for 4 hours to get the caravan out, and secured on the vintage caravan retrieval truck. First task was to clear the area in the front of the tin shed of building rubble, and to level the ground.........the little caravan was that close to the shed walls, it had to come out level.    Asbestos sheeting   Levelling a pile of dirt & debris   setting up the compressor after removing a pile of building rubble at the side of the shed   setting up the jockey wheel channeling   rear view  the side of the shed had to be peeled back to get access to the LH wheel to attemp to put air in the tyre, and remove the bricks it was sitting on  Brian setting up the pulley to be connected to the truck's winch  at this stage, the closest we could get the truck was on next door's driveway, and about 30 metres from the caravan   ....... to be continued ......... Mark |
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Post by banno on Mar 13, 2011 14:42:19 GMT 10
Gidday Guys, looks like you had a good days work.
Hope it turns out great.
Banno
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 13, 2011 15:47:52 GMT 10
Ah, a vintage caravan rescue story. My favourite genre!  G'day Mark, Great pics. It certainly was in a tight spot which involved a bit of work to get it out. But I guess the upside is that the aforesaid tight spot also has preserved it so beautifully. What a shame to see that it's still in its original livery. Hopefully you will paint it blue with flames down the side? Sorry, hotrodders! Just a little joke. We probably all agree that this is one van which should stay in its original colours? (Oh, dear. Now I've gone and got myself in trouble again... ) Regarding the actual age of the van, Mark, what is the serial number? I noted that it was two figures, and does it start with a '2'? Sounds like it's a pretty early van... Don Ricardo |
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Post by retro64 on Mar 13, 2011 16:10:23 GMT 10
Hi Mark,
Looks like you have the retrieval well in hand, such an important piece of vintage vanning history, it's good that its finally in your possesion.
We look forward to more pics of the retrieval, the trip home the unloading, the resto..................well just about everything to do with it ;D ;D ;D.
Sooooo excited for you,
cheers retro64
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Post by kingy on Mar 13, 2011 16:15:07 GMT 10
This is a great story Mark..........we need an update NOW, more photo's would be good ;D ;D Kingy |
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 13, 2011 17:47:27 GMT 10
G'day Mark, Yep, great story after a number of years of patience. I'm curious to know what made them change their minds. Was it their high cleaning bills with you drooling, or was it something to do with your ability to negotiate a hard bargain?...  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Cruz on Mar 13, 2011 18:05:02 GMT 10
GOSH
Those Toyota's have come a long way.
Fair dinkum she's a beauty.
Well Done
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noblesgarage
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Post by noblesgarage on Mar 13, 2011 19:30:44 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 22:03:57 GMT 10
Al says: " G'day Mark,
Yep, great story after a number of years of patience.
I'm curious to know what made them change their minds." Al, some clever detective work was undertaken to track down the actual owner (so that I no longer had to deal with a 3rd party) ........then powers of persuasion ;D, ........superior negotiating skills ;D ........ AND ........ alerting the owner to a public outcry happening on a certain internet forum demanding that the caravan be rescued ;D ;D ;D ;D Don R .......funny you should mention a repaint with blue flames down the side .......during the retrieval mission, the guys were discussing an appropriate tow car .......tucky, a legendary Perth hot rodder, and one of the nicest guys one could ever hope to meet ......... told me of a 34 rod with blue flames down the side for sale ;D ;D Its documented in the Land Cruiser Caravan Construction & Hire Co promotial material that their caravans are black and green, and this one looks to be still in its original paint, ........so yep, black & dark green it will remain ........but how drab .....as for the build No .....its 76 .....sorry to disappoint you Kingy .........be patient ;D ;D ;D Mark |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 13, 2011 22:37:05 GMT 10
.....as for the build No .....its 76 .....sorry to disappoint you No Mark, not disappointed at all. Given the size of the factory and the number of Land Cruisers which seem likely to have been produced there, my hunch is that it is still a pretty early number. I guess we may never know, but there are so many Land Cruisers in some of the early caravanning pics I'm guessing production must have run into the hundreds, not the tens. Don Ricardo |
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Post by cobber on Mar 14, 2011 5:53:17 GMT 10
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Post by Surf Tragic on Mar 14, 2011 9:02:11 GMT 10
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Post by seeshell on Mar 14, 2011 9:25:57 GMT 10
Hi MarkT This is an amazing find - and the rescue is just as interesting as the van! I feel like I'm getting bits of the story, just like an old serial: *dramatic music* Can our heros get the van out of the tight shed? How will they navigate it onto the tray? Will the van be rescued without any damage? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode! Love your work Seeshell |
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Post by beau on Mar 14, 2011 12:43:53 GMT 10
Hi MarkT This is an amazing find - and the rescue is just as interesting as the van! I feel like I'm getting bits of the story, just like an old serial: *dramatic music* Can our heros get the van out of the tight shed? How will they navigate it onto the tray? Will the van be rescued without any damage? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode! Love your work Seeshell Yeah I am sure the current crop of TV producers could have stretched this into an 8 week "reality" TV series, "Next week on WEST AUSSIE VANNING" ( said in a deep showbiz voice) ;D |
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;D
, and not surprising that out of several hundred Land Cruiser caravans constructed, only one known such caravan has survivved 
