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I Just bought a Stirling 50's caravan...
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:31 am    Post subject: I Just bought a Stirling 50's caravan... Reply with quote

Hi, i'm new to this forum, i just won a Stirling caravan on ebay, i'm told it's from the 50's but it could be 60's? it's a 10/12 foot long 2 birth and hopefully it's not in too shabby condition(i pick it up next saturday).

i have been searching the internet for photos and info on these but there seems to be very little, any photos and info anyone has would be most welcome! it has its cooker unit missing so i'd be interested to know what the original looked like... here some pics, they are small because they are off the ebay listing.

I also have a 82 Sprite compact but will be selling that soon as i don't need two caravans and the Stirling will look much better towed behind my 54 Chevy Bel Air Smile









Last edited by Tim G on Tue May 12, 2009 9:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Robin



Joined: 06 Jul 2008
Posts: 48

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi there,hope you like the caravan when you get it. What do you intend doing to it renovation wise.
I had a stirling back in 1975 (not a new one). they were very well made caravans. Look forward to seeing some more piccies.
Regards
Robin
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Brian M



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 783
Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tim

I have about 15 pics of early Sterlings and would be happy to send them to you.

As I can't attach them to a pm, please send me a pm with your email address and I'll forward them to you.
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1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Robin wrote:
Hi there,hope you like the caravan when you get it. What do you intend doing to it renovation wise.
I had a stirling back in 1975 (not a new one). they were very well made caravans. Look forward to seeing some more piccies.
Regards
Robin


I intend to refinish or replace any of the wood inside that is tatty or rotten, tidy up the outside which will include a respray at some point but not till next winter probably as i want to get some use out of it this summer. obviously any structual problems will be dealt with and running gear will be checked and reconditioned where needed, i'll get a cooker unit for it and replace the floor covering, cushions and curtaions. and ofcourse make sure the electrics are up to scratch.

i can't wait to go and pick it up!

Brian M wrote:
Tim

I have about 15 pics of early Sterlings and would be happy to send them to you.

As I can't attach them to a pm, please send me a pm with your email address and I'll forward them to you.


PM on the way, thanks!
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Clarina



Joined: 02 Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Location: Wiltshire

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Tim
I hope you enjoy restoring this caravan, I have posted a link to my album for our 1958 Stirling with a reply to your question about the kitchen area.
Stirlings seem to be very popular at the moment! three on e-bay at the same time!
When you get the caravan the serial number should be on the tow bar and is 5 digits, first for yr, middle two for length and last two for the sequence number, ours is 81023, it is stamped onto it.
We have dated ours as 1958 as we have some photocopies of literature for 1960 and ours looks slightly older.
If you would like any more info the people to contact are Stirling Caravan Services Nr Cirencester, the guys who own this used to work for Stephens & West and still have a lot of their information, they are really helpful.
If I can be of any help let me know, Jim completely restored this caravan, had to replace quite a lot of the internal panelling etc. and I re-upholstered it.
Good luck
Gill (Clarina)
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 5:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Clarina wrote:
Hi Tim
I hope you enjoy restoring this caravan, I have posted a link to my album for our 1958 Stirling with a reply to your question about the kitchen area.
Stirlings seem to be very popular at the moment! three on e-bay at the same time!
When you get the caravan the serial number should be on the tow bar and is 5 digits, first for yr, middle two for length and last two for the sequence number, ours is 81023, it is stamped onto it.
We have dated ours as 1958 as we have some photocopies of literature for 1960 and ours looks slightly older.
If you would like any more info the people to contact are Stirling Caravan Services Nr Cirencester, the guys who own this used to work for Stephens & West and still have a lot of their information, they are really helpful.
If I can be of any help let me know, Jim completely restored this caravan, had to replace quite a lot of the internal panelling etc. and I re-upholstered it.
Good luck
Gill (Clarina)


Thanks for that info, hopefully it has it's serial number still!

So it's Stirling not Sterling? everyone seems to spell it different...
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Clarina



Joined: 02 Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Location: Wiltshire

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The caravans built bt Stephens & West are Stirlings spelt with an 'I' the badge on the back is of Stirling Castle in Scotland.
The modern Sterlings are built by a different company, and are still manufactured I think!
It is a bit confusing!
Gill
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2009 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Gill, i have corrected my thread title and content...
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anybody got any idea how much this caravan will weigh?
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jennybugs



Joined: 13 May 2009
Posts: 47
Location: London UK

PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2009 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well done on that purchase! I was watching that myself and trying to convince my friends to get it Laughing

I hope you're planning to do a refurb diary? Very Happy
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jennybugs wrote:
Well done on that purchase! I was watching that myself and trying to convince my friends to get it Laughing

I hope you're planning to do a refurb diary? Very Happy


I was amazed it didn't go for more, maybe it's a bad sign(we'll see when i pick it up) or maybe it was because it ended at 12:40am.

i shall indeed be showing lots of pics of the progress.
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Tim G



Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sun May 17, 2009 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well i picked the old girl up yesterday, i was a little nervous as is expected when buying something from a few photos but when i arrived i was relieved as it was if anything better than i expected and towed great for the 120 mile trip home behind my T4 Smile

On the outside all the aluminium paneling looks rot free and most of the frame underneath is ok, it just needs some repair around the rear R/H wind down leg. the exterior paint is tatty but i have plans for that...

On the inside most of the original ply is in good condition although it has a few coats of varnish on it, the original sink and cooker unit has been hacked up abit to take a full cooker instead of the original hob and grille. they had set it so it sat 4 inches higher than the sink and window sill which looked daft. i can see why they'd done it but with some careful measuring i worked out it could be dropped enough so i moved the shelf down and with a bit of finishing off it will look tidy. it came with the the original cupboard and flip down doors so it could be put back to original if i wanted too at a later date. unfortunately the sink and cooker lids were not included. there was also a big home made unit where the extra seat would have been along the side, it was far too big and made it dificult to get into the seat by the table on the R/H side so i took it out. there was a gas fridge inside it, i may build a smaller cabinet to house the fridge or leave it out all together. the cushions need replacing as does the carpet(with vinyl) and the curtains are ok but not our colour choice so they will get replaced too.































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jennybugs



Joined: 13 May 2009
Posts: 47
Location: London UK

PostPosted: Mon May 18, 2009 12:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That looks awesome! It's got the same sort of layout inside as my old Bailey Very Happy

I am LOVING the US car too! Cool

I am really looking forward to watching your progress with this Tim! Very Happy
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