Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Dalek63]

As some of you might know we were at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, a few weeks ago. There I met a very nice gentleman and we got chatting about his old TEF20 Ferguson tractor. After a bit he just happened to ask me if I knew of anyone that was interested in vintage caravans. So of course I said that we were very keen on vintage caravans and we had our Car Cruiser at the show. He then informed me that he wanted to find someone interested in taking on a couple caravans made by his father just after the war and they had been in storage for many years. Well I told him we would pop over and have a look. ( expecting to find some old box shaped rotten thing just fit for spares ) A couple of days later we managed to find his house and with a torch marched off down across his land, heading for a large clump of trees and Rhododendrons. “ well “ he said “ here we are “. Looking around we couldn’t see anything, until he began to push his way through the jungle and came to a totally overgrown WW2 nissen hut, the front blocked up with corrugated steel sheets and peeping over the top the roof of a caravan. After removing one of the sheets to get through and using the torch, we were dumfounded to see two amazing old caravans, with lantern roofs. The first was a large old beast and the other a smaller one. The first had caught a bit of weather and the inside was somewhat damp but full of potential. The smaller one being at the back of the shed had survived well and in fact was like new!

We finally got the story behind these ’vans.
His farther had a building company before the war and did a lot of carpentry work as well. During the war they did a lot of clearance and restoration work from bombing in London. When the war finished he had a fair bit of spare cash and decided to branch out and make caravans to fill the growing market for touring and large caravans. So in 1946 a batch of chassis and other fittings was ordered from Joseph Lea & Sons Trailers & Parts ltd. But all he could get because of shortages was enough chassis and parts to build four caravans. Three were duly built, one was exhibited at the caravan club national and won the award for best interior design, one sold and the fourth started when his father fell ill with mouth cancer, production was halted. He was very ill for about fourteen months. But after a lot of surgery and other treatment started to get better and was finally given the all clear. But he decided not to continue with the caravan part of his business. So the forth caravan wasn’t finished and the other two were put into storage. They moved from London to Dorset in 1955 and the caravans were put in the big Nissen hut and there they stayed until we saw them. They were both like stepping into an Egyptian tomb. Everything was just as it had been left 56 years ago.

We have the large caravan at home now , after a hair raising episode of having the roof start to fall in and having to acro-prop it. Will be picking up the other in a few days. Here are a few photos of the two. The first shows the shed after the trees had been cleared away.



















Next the smaller caravan
















_________________
I can resist anything except temptation ! ( Oscar Wilde)
"Don't try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." ( Mark Twain)
http://www.period-classic-caravan-club.co.uk/

[gresham flyer]

Well Done.

Beats my Eccles 10 find two weeks ago.

These are fantastic finds because not only have they survived all that time but also they were handbuilt in such small numbers they are unique.

A bit like finding some post war racing cars built by a forgotten Italian chassis and coachbuilder.

It just shows when everyone thinks there are no more gems out there up pops another find.
I have had some good finds on the vehicle front lately,it is just a chance word at a show or event that triggers things off.
Keep us up to date with any progress.

Regards
Gresham

[Uncle Alec]

How wonderful that these two gems will now be cared for and returned back to use.

[alan 869]

Absolutely fantastic What a story and the vans are really great shape when you think how long they had been in the hut. Get them under a propper roof and well airated as soon as pos. Fantastic find

[Fluffle-Valve]

Well that’s just brilliant. Positively brilliant...!!!!
What a find.
I just wish I could happen to find something the same.
You lucky, lucky, bug--r‘s

_________________
Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive.

[Rick]

Brilliant finds, I like the small one especially. The hut's quite neat too

R
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[RotaryBri]

Well that was a fantastic find. Two superb caravans and in such remarkable condition.

Was that a pile of gearboxes in front of the caravans?
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Keep Torqueing,

RotaryBri

1976 NSU Ro80

[Dalek63]

[young van man]

So probably a stupid question but will either of these vans be for sale
at anytime soon?

[jonbott]

great find
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2dogs:(
3 cats
1962 otten
1972 vw camper
1971 mini project
I must be mad!!

[Dalek63]

[The Oldtimers]

Wonderful, what a stroke of luck. Looking forward to seeing them refurbished.

[Knowsley]

wonderful story to read and jealous of your finds. Just goes to show what can be found out there. Look forward to some more updates and pictures in due course
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Remember - Practice makes perfect!

[Scarlet Snail]

Unbelievable find!! -have they got any more?

[Dalek63]