Falcon caravans (Hindmarsh & Blair Athol, SA?)

[Don Ricardo]

Falcon Caravans

Manufacturer: Keith Odgers?
Location: 424 Port Road, Hindmarsh, South Australia?
and 372 Main Road North, Blair Athol, South Australia?

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On 25 February 2008, Cobber posted the following advertisement referring to Falcon caravans from an advertisement in an early 60's (1962?) edition of Keith Winser's Australian Caravan and Touring Manual:



It appears that Keith Odgers acted as an agent or wholesaler for both Falcon and Rowvan caravans, but no other reference has been found to date to Falcon caravans. It is not clear from the advert which are the Falcon vans, except that the van on the left of the pic is definitely a Rowvan.

Falcon caravans should not be confused with Travel-eze caravans built in Lismore (NSW or Vic?) which produced a model called 'Falcon' in the mid to late 60's.

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Photos of a Falcon caravan listed for sale on Gumtree, January 2017:









This is the first example of a Falcon caravan we have seen, apart from a glimpse shown in the advert above.  We still don't know who manufactured the Falcon, but perhaps it was Keith Odgers who was doing so, prior to taking over the Rowvan firm in 1960?  That would explain why the advert lists both the Rowvan and Falcon caravans under his name, and it also seems likely that someone taking over a well established caravan manufacturing concern, such as Rowvan, would have had at least some previous experience in caravan production.

The advert lists Keith Odgers' addresses as Hindmarsh and Blair Athol in South Australia, and indicates that interstate agents for the caravans were wanted.  That seems to confirm that the Falcon caravan was built in South Australia.

Don Ricardo

[willies]

I was enquiring about this VV and as far as I know this Falcon went to WA.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Willies,

That's interesting to hear. I meant to mention that it was for sale in South Australia, and that is another small indicator that it was likely to have been South Australian built.

It had been used on a farm as a shearers' lunch room.

Don Ricardo