Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2005 23:43:55 GMT 10
Here's a great story from John of South Aus:
"Great site – well done. Unfortunately we do not have the same level of enthusiasm and organisation in the old caravan world here in South Australia.
I thought that you may like to hear about my old van, as I’m headed to the West later this month and would love to catch up with a few other caravan collectors. (I’m not “allowed” to drive with or without my old van!!!!)
I have been a long time in wanting an old wooden caravan and have only recently been successful in finding one in excellent condition at a reasonable price. It has been obviously shed stored for it’s whole life. Last registered in the 70’s (have the last rego disc attached to the van), newspapers of this time line the cupboards and immediately usable. Had no problems in going to transport SA and re-registering with the original number. I am yet to research it’d past history but don’t think it will be too hard as I believe it has been in the Barossa Valley (from where I bought it) for most of it’s life. It is thought to be early 50’s. It is on a company made chassis (there is a cast plate with chassis number quoting the constructor as Tregoning – they are still in business constructing trailers and are now know as Treg). I don’t believe they constructed the van, but I don’t think it is home-made. The front glass windows are curved (too hard for a home builder), it has a steel chassis, internal fit out is well made but has received some amateur alterations over time, ice-box, galv water tank and neat hand pump, s/steel sink, port hole, all ply no bond-wood, canvas joins over outside joins in the ply, parking instruction sticker in one of the cupboards etc.. All things that make me think it is professionally built and not home-made.
I’ve made a few internal modifications to make it move usable, i.e removed the front bunk to make way for two seats and an old laminex table (I pinched a section of a table out an old Water Works’ Carapark lunch van I’ve had for ages), added a 12 volt lights and a few minor outside repairs to window frames etc.. Other than that, I washed the curtains and off we went on our first trip. See the attached. This was a “Tractor Trek” raising money for Camp Quality (kids with cancer etc.). We raised $30,000+. A short trip less than 500 kms with 20 old tractors.
The truck is also mine. A 1958 Morris Commercial in original unrestored condition. This was my support vehicle on my Tractor Trek to Darwin last year. I drove an unrestored 1956 Ferguson tractor (a little grey Fergie) from just south of Adelaide all the way to Darwin, via Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta track, The Rock, and Alice Springs. This was a sole trek raising about $20,000 for Camp Quality and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. See my website @ www.tractortrek.com
I feel a bit guilty that I have not updated this site for a while. Must get to that one day! I have another major fundraising Tractor Trek planned, this time across the country. Carnarvon to Brisbane via the Rock and Simpson Desert."
"Great site – well done. Unfortunately we do not have the same level of enthusiasm and organisation in the old caravan world here in South Australia.
I thought that you may like to hear about my old van, as I’m headed to the West later this month and would love to catch up with a few other caravan collectors. (I’m not “allowed” to drive with or without my old van!!!!)
I have been a long time in wanting an old wooden caravan and have only recently been successful in finding one in excellent condition at a reasonable price. It has been obviously shed stored for it’s whole life. Last registered in the 70’s (have the last rego disc attached to the van), newspapers of this time line the cupboards and immediately usable. Had no problems in going to transport SA and re-registering with the original number. I am yet to research it’d past history but don’t think it will be too hard as I believe it has been in the Barossa Valley (from where I bought it) for most of it’s life. It is thought to be early 50’s. It is on a company made chassis (there is a cast plate with chassis number quoting the constructor as Tregoning – they are still in business constructing trailers and are now know as Treg). I don’t believe they constructed the van, but I don’t think it is home-made. The front glass windows are curved (too hard for a home builder), it has a steel chassis, internal fit out is well made but has received some amateur alterations over time, ice-box, galv water tank and neat hand pump, s/steel sink, port hole, all ply no bond-wood, canvas joins over outside joins in the ply, parking instruction sticker in one of the cupboards etc.. All things that make me think it is professionally built and not home-made.
I’ve made a few internal modifications to make it move usable, i.e removed the front bunk to make way for two seats and an old laminex table (I pinched a section of a table out an old Water Works’ Carapark lunch van I’ve had for ages), added a 12 volt lights and a few minor outside repairs to window frames etc.. Other than that, I washed the curtains and off we went on our first trip. See the attached. This was a “Tractor Trek” raising money for Camp Quality (kids with cancer etc.). We raised $30,000+. A short trip less than 500 kms with 20 old tractors.
The truck is also mine. A 1958 Morris Commercial in original unrestored condition. This was my support vehicle on my Tractor Trek to Darwin last year. I drove an unrestored 1956 Ferguson tractor (a little grey Fergie) from just south of Adelaide all the way to Darwin, via Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta track, The Rock, and Alice Springs. This was a sole trek raising about $20,000 for Camp Quality and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. See my website @ www.tractortrek.com
I feel a bit guilty that I have not updated this site for a while. Must get to that one day! I have another major fundraising Tractor Trek planned, this time across the country. Carnarvon to Brisbane via the Rock and Simpson Desert."
