Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

In case caravan fans miss this new page on the main site, I've added four photos showing (I think) two different extending caravans, both dating to the 1920s I suspect. One, maybe both, could be homebuilt.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic_caravan.htm

Rick
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[cobber]

Great photos Rick and thanks for sharing them with the whole world

Old original photos like these are interesting for those of us who like to re-create the scene when we have our restored vintage caravans on display, I must in future remember to hang the washing on the annex guy ropes.

I only know what I read about English caravans... so maybe one of the local experts can correct me if what I say is wrong.

In “The History of the Caravan” by W.M. Whiteman reference is made to an “Extensicar” patented in 1930 by John & Mary Purdey. It describes how both sides of the 'van extend outwards on a rack and pinion mechanism when a handel is turned at the rear of the caravan.
Whiteman goes on to say that the Purdeys granted a licence to Hoilbrook and Taylor Ltd and that the only two Extensicars Whiteman had seen were made by them.
Are these photos showing those two Hoilbrook Extensicars I wonder ??

Using the name Purdey I did a patent search and it would appear that he patented the actual mechanism and maybe Hoilbrook and Taylor did modify an Eccles to demonstrate the idea ?

This is a link to a 1925 patent and below it is a link to a 1930 then a 1938 patent all designed to achieve the same end.
http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=GB243878&F=0
If you look at the Mosaics & original documents of the 1925 one it is about more than "telescopic rest bars".

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=GB326404&F=0

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=GB485330&F=0

Does anybody know if either of these 'vans have survived ..... I bet they both leaked like sieves.

Cobber.

[Penman]

hi
Next time there is a travelling fairground in your area have a look at some of the older living vans, many of them also have an extending side like those.

[cobber]

Ahhh Penman I wish,

Not much in the way of “travelling fairgrounds” down here and the few travelling circuses we see don't have any of those old style “living vans” you speak of.

In fact, I would be very surprised if there was even one fair dinkum showman's living van in the whole country

Cobber.