Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

Hi there, i'm new to this site and am in search of any information however small. My parents (who don't do computers) have an old Safari Minor caravan which due to them moving house in the near future they wish to part with. We dont know much about the history of the van but know it's from the 40's, it's the model with the lantern roof but doesn't have the lantern back window. Any information regarding the year of manufacture or any other information will be gratefully recieved. After many searches on the web i can only assume that this is a pretty rare caravan as there seems to be very little information anywhere.

Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

Brace yourself. Brian will be along soon to tell you about

http://classicsafaris.proboards.com/index.cgi

I used to have a Safari Minor but kept tripping over the tow hitch when exiting the caravan after the demon drink.

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

Thanks for the reply. My parents have taken it to a few rallies and my mother said exactly the same regarding the tow hitch, i dont think she was under the influence of the demon that is beer though lol.

Brian M · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:55 am Post subject:

Hi Tim

As Alec has hinted, I run the Classic Safari forum.

You certainly have a very rare caravan. I have never seen a Safari Minor in the flesh, and only have photos of three of them.

YoungVanMan on this forum has one and you can see his in this thread

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7898

The Minor was launched in 1948, and I think those without the rear window were the first built.

To my knowledge none has been sold publicly in the last seven years so I cannot give you a valuation, but I'll offer £100 so you know the minimum!! Laughing

_________________
Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

Hi Brian, Thanks for your offer but i would hope it's worth a fair bit more than £100 lol. My sister has discovered that Swift had 1 on display at the NEC caravan show recently but it was the model with the lantern back window, she has contacted them with regard to finding out more information. I've had a look at the pics of the other one on the forum and must say that it looks considerably better condition has it's been lovingly restored, my parents one has not had a lot of work done to it so is in need of some TLC but i would imagine it's totally original. Hopefully i'll get some photos that i can post soon.

Dalek63 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 490 Location: North Cornwall

All I can say is if it needs work on the frame and other items, brakes etc, then dont get your hopes up its worth thousands, this one was sold a few days ago on E-bay for just over£1200 and its more rare than yours and in near mint condition. Not being rude but just realisitc. hope it finds a good home.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1950s-safari-classic-caravan-vinatge-showmans-living_W0QQitemZ150423467209QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes?hash=item2305eff4c9
_________________
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/

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

Had a look at the link on ebay and i would have to say that there is no comparison in style or design to the safari minor and from the limited information i've managed to source it would appear to be as rare as hens teeth but thanks for your input. My parents don't expect it to be worth a fortune, i just dont want them to let it go for peanuts. Could anyone tell me the best place to advertise it as i suspect it would be better in a specialist mag or website.

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

Just spoken to my parents and they dont think it is a lantern roof as i thought but just a small fixed window in the roof. The colour is pale blue and cream which they think is original. Hope to get some photos next week.

Brian M · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject:

The sale on ebay hasn't gone through because the Safari is not in the condition it was shown as.
The vendor made the point that they were old pictures he was using, but from the close ups of the bad bits, I reckon the whole caravan was a lot worse than depicted.
It's re-listed now so let us see what it fetches.
It is a Safari 4 from about 1958, so nowhere near as old or rare as Tim's Safari Minor.
We need to see some pictures, as some of Tims descriptions are confusing against the pics I have of Minors.
As to how to sell it, if it was mine, I would clean it thoroughly, and take a lot of honest photos showing the good and bad points and put it on ebay, and tell us on this forum and I'll make sure my Safari owners get to see it as well.
Is there any sign of a serial number on the Minor? I keep a database of all known Safaris and would be interested to add this one to my records.
_________________
Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

My sister is going to my parents this weekend and between them they will take some photos and hopefully find a serial number. I'll post pics and info as soon as i get them. Thanks to everyone who's shown an interest. We'll probably try it on ebay in the near future but i will keep you posted.
Regards
Tim

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3934124010/a=3904573010_3904573010/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=skybroadband/
Hi
As promised here are the pics of the caravan. As you can see it's in need of quite a bit of TLC. Neither my sister or myself have seen it for a while and she was suprised to say the least (she took the pics) that it was in need of a pretty full restoration. It would appear that at some point the towbar has been extended and this has more than likely covered up the serial number (if thats where it should be). The floor has also at some point been replaced with plywood as can be seen in the photo, the roof window possibly opens but has been secured down. There are numerous photos which i think give an honest view of the caravan, it's not a show piece by any means but it would be a shame if it didn't survive.

Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

I was unable to access the pics, but from what you're saying Brian's £100 isn't too far off the mark.

Dalek63 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 490 Location: North Cornwall

Just managed to view the Photos and yes she does need a full restoration, even some of the alli panels will need work and Looks like some of the frame too. But should be within most enthusiasts skills. I would think that the value is between £100 to £200 as it will cost quite a lot to restore. but its a rare old van and worth it.
_________________
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/

Brian M · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 11:53 pm Post subject:

Tim

Having looked at the pics my offer of £100 still stands!
_________________
Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

TimHill · Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 10

My parents have had the van some 8-10 years and paid quite a bit more than £100 for it, but having not seen it for a number of years uncovered (it's been covered with a tarpaulin) i must admit from the pics that in the words of my sister 'it looks a bit ropey'. As i posted before though, it would be a shame if such a rarity didn't survive and i'm sure that in the right hands it could give someone a great deal of pleasure. I will be listing it on EBAY on the 24th April and will be a 10 day auction to give anyone interested a chance to view it.