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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:11:48 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 11, 2024 9:09:46 GMT 10
Hi Jennison and all, The Program for the 2024 Vintage Caravan Nationals is up - click hereFurther information about particular events will be uploaded in the next few days. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 10, 2024 22:26:39 GMT 10
2024 VINTAGE CARAVAN NATIONALS
Dates: Friday, 26 April to Friday, 3 May 2024
Venue: Top of the Town Tourist Park & Showgrounds, Stanthorpe, Queensland
PROGRAM
Further information about activities and any updates of the program will be provided on this thread as they come to hand, and at the Nationals. *For activities requiring BOOKINGS, including the Nationals Dinner, the bookings will be through the VINTAGE CARAVAN NATIONALS WEBSITE - you can find the BOOKINGS page HERE
Apart from the activities scheduled as part of the 2024 Nationals Program below, there are lots of other things to do and see around Stanthorpe and the surrounding area. Some suggestions are provided on the last two pages of the Program:
....... ..... ............
You can Download a copy of the Program here: 2024 VV Nationals Display Program V2.2 5Apr....pdf (426.84 KB)
For more information about the 2024 Nationals and how to book click here
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 8, 2024 13:43:53 GMT 10
Hi Pooj,
Welcome to the Forum.
The serial number of your van probably indicates that it was built in 1973, but usually the number indicating the year follows the production number. So for a 1973 van it would normally be '8374-3' with the '3' after the hyphen indicating the year 1973 and '8374' indicating that it was the 8,374th Franklin built that year.
It could be that the person who wrote the serial number on this van didn't follow the normal format? But you may want to just double check the number to make sure the number is as the seller says. Franklin changed the format for their serial numbers in 1974 to a leading letter indicating the year, followed by the production number. Thus if the van you are looking at was built in 1976 the serial number would begin with 'X' followed by the production number.
Hope that helps?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 3, 2024 13:35:26 GMT 10
1950's Smiths Caravan & Joinery Works van listed for sale by Ian P on the Vintage Caravan Renovations and Sales, Australia Facebook page in January 2024:
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 2, 2024 10:23:42 GMT 10
Hi Kathyak,
Welcome to the Forum.
The build date of your Valiant is 1967, and the 'C' indicates that it has an aluminium frame.
Hope that helps?
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 2, 2024 10:20:59 GMT 10
HI Boltthecolt, Here are the photos from Hughdeany: The first photo is of a later model Palace than yours - 1965 I think, but according to Hughdeany the layout may be similar? The second and third photos are from 1961/2. The 21ft Mobile Home is a tandem and has the two doors like yours. It seems that the length of the Palace model varied a bit over time. The 1965 model above was 25ft long, but the 1963 Palace referred to in the list here was 23ft long. I would be interested to hear if that's the length of yours (measuring just the length of the cabin, 30 cm up from the floorline). In terms of livery, with the painted panels, your van would have looked the same as this van, except with out the 'V' shape at the front below the windows (that was a Victorian factory decoration). Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:36:31 GMT 10
Hi Boltthecolt,
Just adding to Hughdeany's information, the serial number on your van is actually 'N1289', but the 'N' is partially covered under the safety chain.
I've checked the number against Twocutekelpies' Viscount register and N1289 would have been built in 1963. That matches up with the side decoration panels, which would once have been painted in a colour.
The 'N' indicates that the van was built in the Viscount Sydney factory (N=NSW).
I've received the photos from Hughdeany and will post them for you tomorrow (Friday) when I get a chance. Sorry for the delay.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:24:23 GMT 10
Hi Hendrie1992,
That's an interesting one with a couple of features that are a little bit unusual. First is it doesn't have wrap around front windows. Second is the 'knife edge' styling below the front windows, rather than a curve.
Hughdeany has suggested the van is similar to a Vacation, but most of those (but not all) had wrap around front and rear windows, and I don't think any of them had the knife edge styling.
As Hughdeany said, if you can post some more photos, external and internal, it may help us work out what it is.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:15:52 GMT 10
Hi Mjordan328,
Checking Twocutekelpies' Viscount register, E2222 is a 1966 Viscount Ambassador. The 'E' normally indicates the van has an aluminium frame.
Hope that helps.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 29, 2024 22:11:48 GMT 10
Hi Darryn,
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us that your father was 'K James', the proprietor of Shiralee Caravans. It is always wonderful to make contact with the descendants of people who were involved in the caravan industry in the 'vintage era'.
As you can tell from this thread, we don't know a lot about Shiralee vans, but have been gradually putting together little bits of info here and there. Unfortunately none of the Shiralee owners who've posted have shown us any photos of their vans, so the only photos we have at this stage are from the leaflet held by the Gold Museum.
Although you say you were very young when the vans were in production, it would be fascinating to hear a bit more about your father, and how he got into the caravan industry. And obviously if you have any photos that would be fascinating too. As a 'caravan historian' I'd love to have a chat to you if your willing. If you would be happy to do that perhaps you could PM (Personal Message) me via the Forum - see the 'Messages' button on the menu ribbon above. Alternatively you can contact me by email: caravahistory@gmail.com
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 21:11:11 GMT 10
Hi Robbernard, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your little Litecraft. It looks like one of the 11ft models from around 1962. Is that correct? We have an advert for that model in the Down History Lane thread on Litecraft, but no photos of an actual van in original condition. I'd love to post the photos of your van on the Litecraft history thread if you're willing to email me the photos? My email address is caravanhistory@gmail.com I'm not sure if you've seen the history thread I'm referring to or not, but you can find it by clicking HERE if you're interested. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 11:51:16 GMT 10
Tubby Graham is Coming 😚😘😋😀 G'day Tubbygra51, Great to hear you're coming. Where would we be without you to stimulate the bidding at the charity auction? Have you both booked a site at the caravan park AND completed your registration/entry form? Click HERE to find the form for registration. Looking forward to seeing you and Linda. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 10, 2024 11:40:45 GMT 10
Hi MJ,
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your background with CrestaCraft caravans in New Zealand.
This is just to let you know that I've moved your post from its previous location to this thread to which it refers.
Hope that's helpful.
Don Ricardo for the admin team
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 9, 2024 19:58:40 GMT 10
Hi all, We have had a series of very off topic, non-vintage caravan related messages on this thread recently from a 'guest' - presumably a bot. I have deleted all of the posts and banned the IP address of the originator, except the last one. I've left the last post up (but banned the IP address) because of Surf Tragic's very witty reply. I thought it was good enough to leave up for a while to give people a chuckle. Good riposte Surf Tragic. Don Ricardo for the admin team
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 4, 2024 21:45:20 GMT 10
Hi Cocktailsready, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us what happened to the Newlands Sundowner van. I think you can find the posts about the van you are looking for if you click on this link. We'd love to see how it looks now, so please do post the photos. The easiest way to post photos is using the 'Add Attachment' button - there is information how to do that if you click on this link. But please note that because you are posting from your mobile, there is an extra step you have to take to make the button appear. The info in the link explains how to do that. It's not hard to do. Let us know if you have any trouble and we'll help you out. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 2, 2024 15:59:08 GMT 10
The 2024 Nationals are only 12 weeks away! More than 100 Vintage and Classic Caravanners from all over Australia have already registered for the event. If you haven't REGISTERED to attend or BOOKED a site, now is the time to do it.
More information about the itinerary, events and memorabilia will be posted soon, so keep an eye on the Forum and the 2024 Nationals website for further details
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 2, 2024 10:02:23 GMT 10
Hi Mitch95, In addition to the info provided by other Forum members above, you may find the following post on the new VIN processes helpful: Click hereThe important thing to note is that there is a category for caravans 25 years old or more, and a special process for those vans. It is probably worth reading through the information before talking to the rego authorities because it may help you to understand what they will ask you to do. However, a few people who I have been in contact with and are going through the process of obtaining a VIN and registration for their van, say that the state rego authorities still seem a bit confused themselves, so you may have to persevere and be prepared to keep asking questions. Good luck with it all. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Feb 1, 2024 16:22:48 GMT 10
Advert for Hawthorn and Burwood Caravans published in the Melbourne Age on Saturday, 31 October 1953 (page 44):(Source: Newspapers.com www.newspapers.com/image/123080388/?match=1&clipping_id=140012173 ) The caravan in the photo is one of the Hawthorn caravans with leadlight windows, of which there are several examples on this thread. However note the very short distance between the left hand side of the door frame and the front edge of the caravan. This appears to be an example of a 2-berth Hawthorn which we haven't seen an example of up until now. The advert states that Hawthorn produced 2, 3 and 4-berth caravans. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 31, 2024 13:35:59 GMT 10
Hi Harris4me, Welcome to the Forum. It's great to hear about your Harris Van. We'll look forward to seeing some photos of it, and hearing more about your plans for doing it up. There's info on how to post photos on the Forum if you click on this link. Yell out if you have any trouble and one of us will be very happy to help you. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 29, 2024 11:31:01 GMT 10
Hi Chappers, Welcome to the Forum and thanks for telling us about your van. Have you registered and booked a site for the Vintage Caravan Nationals? There's info on registration and booking if you click on this link. It will be great to meet you and check our your van at Stanthorpe. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 27, 2024 18:13:27 GMT 10
Hi Mjordan328, Welcome to the Forum. I've checked Twocutekelpie's Viscount register, and E10109 would be a 1969 Viscount Ambassador. Hope that helps. Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 23, 2024 21:36:52 GMT 10
Hi Oges, Thanks for showing us the photos of your Wayfarer. That's a fascinating caravan for reasons which will become apparent below. Wayfarer was a really interesting manufacturer, and I have been trying to piece together a bit of a history of their activities for quite while. But what makes that quite a difficult exercise is that they produced such a big range of different models over the 14 years or so they were operating, and the owner of the company, Eric Chapman, liked to experiment with different cladding and construction materials, and manufacturing techniques. In addition, Wayfarer also did a bit of 'badge engineering' - sourcing caravans from other manufacturers and selling them branded as Wayfarers. As part of my project over a few years, I have been collecting photos of different Wayfarers, and now have quite a large folder of photos of the various models. However, every time I think I may have exhausted the possibilities, someone shows me photos of a model that I haven't seen before. That's where you come in, because I have never seen your model Wayfarer before! That means I can't precisely date it, but I can give you a few suggestions: - The cladding on your caravan started to be used on Australian caravans in 1963.
- Several other manufacturers - Franklin and Hilandale - introduced models with the same shape as yours around the mid 60's. Franklin's model was the Caravelle which was introduced in 1964.
On the basis of those two points I am going to guess that your Wayfarer van was built in 1964 or 1965. In fact, I am wondering if your van is actually an example of Wayfarer's badge engineering and was built by either Franklin or Hilandale and then sold by Wayfarer with its cast badges on it? The person who may be able to tell us whether he thinks the van was built by Franklin or Hilandale is Hughdeany, who I hope will see this post. In the meantime, it might help if you could tell us (1) if there is a serial number made out of raised numbers on one of the arms of the drawbar, and if so what it is, and (2) some photos of the cupboards, etc, inside, while understanding its internal condition is poor. I'll look forward to hearing anything Hughdeany or you can tell us regarding the above. (Sorry, this doesn't help you with the van's value, but hopefully will help with question of it's age.) Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 20, 2024 14:13:50 GMT 10
Hi Coronet,
We're still working out some of the details regarding the program for the Nats because of a couple of hitches along the way, but hope to announce the program soon.
There will be a sausage sizzle on the Friday night and the Nationals Dinner will be most likely held on the Saturday this time around so that those attending just for the weekend can participate.
Anyway details soon.
Just regarding your Forum registration, 'Coronet' is still a valid sign in, and Proboards tells me that you were last signed in yesterday (Friday morning) at 8.55 am...although that might be US time! Let me know if you are still having trouble getting in.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 19, 2024 17:29:17 GMT 10
Hi Romathomas, Welcome to the Forum. If you can provide some photos of your van we might be able to give you a few ideas that may help you. There's info on posting photos if you click here. If it all is a bit bamboozling, feel free to email me some photos of your van, and I'll be glad to post them for you. Don Ricardo
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