Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Cobber]

I thought I should add this cute little caravan to the collection.
We came across it in 2004 when we went to the Isle of Wight, it was in a park very close to Fishbourne.
Amongst other things, the bloke was having trouble with his electrical connections, and the young lady seemed embarrassed about my interest in their little caravan. Neither of them realised there was a classic/vintage caravan movement in the UK.
It appears to be a “home made” caravan to me but somebody may recognise it as a propriety brand


Cobber.

[Rick]

it looks like a little Sprite to me?

R
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[andycars]

Looks like a 10' Sprite 400 to me too!

[Cobber]

Thanks for that fellas, it would be from the mid 50’s would it?
Andrew Jenkinson’s book shows a 1953 Sprite Colt, similar but different, and a few larger Sprites. This one would have been pretty basic would it not, do you know if it had an ice box or fridge & what type of cooker would have been standard ?
Are they a rarity these days ?

Cobber.

[kaybee]

Had a visit yesterday from fellow Aussie caravan forum member Leigh in his Vauxhall,




He's about to set off on a cross country escapade from here in Victoria right up through Central Australia to Darwin, in the combo pictured, should be a nice drive ,cheers, Col.

[Rick]

great picture!!! interesting looking sidescreens on the car!

The Sprite shown in the pic would probably be late 60s, or even 1970s. They still appear from time to time, usually parked in the corners of fields or covered in moss in an unkept driveway

Rick
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[kaybee]

Hi Rick, the idea with the sidescreens was the lower canvas flap would allow you to stick your arm out to make hand signals , in the period over here when that was commonplace, prior to most cars being equipped with turn signals. Now, the only car in the entire country that doesn't run indicators is Cobber's FJ . The little 'van is a locally produced Sportsman and were built from the late 40's thru the 50's, and very popular still, cheers, Col.

[Rick]

great shape to those caravans, is it just a single berth??

Talking of indicators, I'd like to find one of those pull-up arm things that attach to the outside of the door, I've seen a few utes with 'em fitted!

R
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[kaybee]

Hi Rick, most teardrop vans are designed to sleep two people, generally have a double mattress or air bed, at the rear is a large lift up door that gives access to the "kitchen", all very compact,but works a treat.



There's a couple of those mechanical hand/arm signals on our Ebay at present, buy your Beddy a present , cheers, Col.

[iain]

Hi folks, managed the first outing in our caravan a week or so back. Its a 1960 Carcruiser Carousel. All went well on its first outing. No gas yet, so used camp stoves. Hope to rectify this soon and finish the painting and decorating....





cheers
Iain

[Rick]

Hi Iain, good to see the pics - are those Tatton Park trees I spy??

the caravan reminds me I think of the one that Barb & Fred (J Type) had years ago when they still lived in Ashley, sure theres was just like that

Rick
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[iain]

Heres some pics of it when we got it, just to show it has improved!



The present tow car lacks a little elegance, but it will do till something else turns up. Its my company car so gets used for everything...
The other caravan in the background of the pic with the Land Rover in, is my parents old Bailey Maru 10'. They had it since the mid 70s when it was only about 7 years old and er so was I. One day that will have its turn, but having grown up with it I dont really see it as being old and interesting.

Iain[/img]

[iain]

They are Tatton Trees! And yes it is the same caravan that Fred and Barb had. Seemed appropriate to take it back to Tatton again to show that we had got it back in action, though we camped discretely in the trees as its not really finished and it was our first attempt at caravanning together so didnt want to be too on show!

Iain

[Cobber]

Well done Iain, that Carcruiser was well worth saving, she was a bit of a mess inside though, have you finished it yet?.
What you have to do now is.... chuck that plastic water container and replace it with the metal “milk container” shown in the before photos, much more appropriate to the style of the “Carcruiser”

I have been searching for a “Caracan” ( I think that is what you call them over there, tall metal container with a spout on it ? ) to carry water in for my 1936 caravan, but the closest I have come is a similar container to your “milk container”, it will do the job for the time being.

Enjoy your “summer”..we have seen news reports of the deluge suffered in parts of your country and my sympathies go out to those affected.

Cobber.

[Rick]

Well done for rescuing it! I thought it looked familiar, wow it was looking sad when you took it over wasn't it!

RJ
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