|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jun 13, 2011 11:10:33 GMT 10
No doubt we must have seen this caravan on this forum before, but I'm excused from remembering until the results of my upcoming memory test are finished...  Why does this van exist on the internet?? What's the story?? cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Jun 13, 2011 12:36:36 GMT 10
 Now ...... trust me Al, I had no previous knowledge that this WEB site existed....or knowledge of it's contents  I knew ( as I suspect you knew ) that the mini caravan was the one presented to the Royal Children in 1955 by the Caravan Club of the UK on the occasion of the clubs 50th anniversary. It was refurbished in 1982 and re-presented to Princess Ann on the occasion of the clubs 75th anniversary. I think your photo comes from that later period. I did a google images search and came up with this... How embarrassing  And THIS ONEIs there something more you want to know about it ? I remember it has appeared on the forum previously when some ribald discussion ensured..... I can't find that thread Cobber.
|
|
|
|
Post by Franklin1 on Jun 13, 2011 13:44:26 GMT 10
Ahh, well done, cobber! When I found it on the internet, it was with a gazillion other images of caravans, but no explanation. One of my memory cells (but only one) had an inkling I'd seen it before, but couldn't shed any further light on it. I think as a reward for your efforts, a little prize is in order. I have a GENUINE chinese version of that Barney Bigard and his Jazzopaters album you were looking for. Unfortunately, the translation by the chinese interpreters leaves a bit to be desired. Instead of the original lyrics: ♫ "I get my kicks, From towing Ol' 36!!"♫ they now read: ♫ "I kick myself, with my Ol' 36 toe!!"♫ Still, it's a wonderful addition to your extensive collection of one-off items from yesteryear.  It's in the mail. ;D cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by cobber on Jun 13, 2011 14:52:03 GMT 10
G'day AL, Thank you....I wait with baited breath  I found the link on this forum where the Royal Caravan was mentioned previously..... a post by lacem. You shoukd look at the link lacem gave as it leads to an article on the occasion of the Caravan Clubs 100th anniversary which is where your photo was taken. Cobber. |
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 13, 2011 21:40:41 GMT 10
Well done Cobber,
I knew it was a caravan built for Prince Charles and Princess Anne, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen a pic of it previously. After a bit of delving, I found the photo of the miniature caravan beside the 'Wanderer' in - believe it or not - Richard Hammond's (of Top Gear fame) book A Short History of Caravans in the UK just before you posted Lacem's link.
Just goes to show that Hammond's book is not a total waste! (Actually it's quite amusing providing you realise it's a total send-up.)
Don Ricardo
|
|
|
|
Post by colin345 on Oct 31, 2016 15:52:51 GMT 10
Photo of my mini caravan that I have recently completed. It can sleep two adults. Dimensions are 2.9m long (including drawbar) by 1.21m wide. Attachment Deleted |
|
|
|
Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 31, 2016 18:56:47 GMT 10
Welcome to the forum Colin. Now that you've introduced the little lady, how about more pics and the story attached to her!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Oct 31, 2016 18:59:08 GMT 10
G'day Colin345,
Good to hear from you again.
That's a great little van you've built. I gather it is based on a 1950's style caravan scaled down to the size of a teardrop? Very neat.
Well done. I seem to remember that the colour scheme is reminiscent of your father's Burwood. Am I right?
Speaking of which, when I went searching for the pics of the Burwood, I found that they had very sadly disappeared off the forum. I suspect that's because they were posted as Attachments, which seem to expire after a while. Your father's Burwood was a really interesting van, and I think the only one we'd seen like it. If you still have the photos, it would be great to put them up again. They are part of Burwood/Hawthorn history!
If you'd like to email them to me, I'd be very happy to insert them back into your posts. If you're willing to do that, you can find my email address by clicking on my forum name in blue in the panel to the left of this post. That will bring up a window which will provide my email address.
Have you tried your mini caravan out yet?
Don Ricardo
|
|
|
|
Post by Gypsy 10 on Oct 31, 2016 23:01:38 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by colin345 on Nov 1, 2016 1:15:05 GMT 10
Hi Roehm3108 and hello again Don The design of the mini caravan is based on my Burwood caravan which was originally bought by my grandfather in 1955 and has been in the family ever since. I have recently retired and was looking for a project to do and with my kids growing up it was becoming harder for everyone to fit in the Burwood. So a mini caravan seemed like a good idea as a project as it would provide an extra bed and allow the whole family to go on trips together (my son now has his license and can tow the mini caravan). The genisis of this mini caravan actually goes back 60 years to when my grandfather bought Hutchinson dolly wheels to use with the Burwood caravan. My grandfather and later my father used the dolly wheels with the Burwood until the midto late 1960's when my father changed to torsion bars (ie weight distribution bars). My father then used the dolly wheels to build a small trailer. 50 years on the trailer had long fallen into disuse so I suggested to my father that I convert it into a mini caravan. He agreed and the project was up and running. Had to remove the box part of the trailer and floor back to the chasis. Reinforced this plus a new drawbar, new tyres, repacked bearings, and built up the caravan from there. Completed the caravan a couple of months ago now and have taken it on a couple of trips to Ballarat and Bright (from Melbourne). If you look closely you can still see the embossing on the hubcaps of the wheels which says "Hutchinson Dolly". Don, I will send more photos of the Burwood. ![]() Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedMini caravan and Burwood.  |
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 1, 2016 22:12:17 GMT 10
G'day Colin345, How excellent is that! Your Burwood caravan and its mini-me! I thought I recognised the livery.  A very creative way to provide a bit more space for your family, and a good way to re-purpose the Hutchinson wheels in a way that is sympathetic to their original use. If you travel in convoy you must get some great from the people you pass on your way! Thanks for the photos of the Burwood. I've inserted them into your original post here. I found a photo of the Burwood jockey wheel as well (thanks to Cobber's jockey wheel thread) and have inserted that too. Don Ricardo |
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 4, 2016 16:18:13 GMT 10
Hi all, Colin345 has provided some more photos of his mini caravan for us to admire (that's my word, not his):     A nice shot of the mini van with Colin345's Burwood caravan:  Thanks for sharing the photos Colin345. Your mini really is a different take on the more conventional teardrop style. Don Ricardo |
|
|
|
Post by colin345 on Nov 18, 2016 8:21:35 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Nov 22, 2016 7:36:16 GMT 10
Ooohh ...this thread has started the hammers & chisels rattling on the bench!!!
|
|
