Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

midlandgardencare · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Location: tamworth

hi all, i'm hoping to find a small period caravan, folding caravan or trailer tent to tow for weekend rally's and classic car shows with my 1959 austin a35. the kerb weight of the car is only 730kg so i am quite limited. can anyone offer me any suggestions of where i should be looking for a suitable caravan.
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Dalek63 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 490 Location: North Cornwall

I would sugest either a Fisher Holivan or a small Sprite
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22838 Location: UK

The fibreglass Portafold I used to own would be ideal behind a small car like that.

This is the only pic I have to hand right now:

RJ
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gresham flyer · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435

Just through a quirk of fate I have an Austin A35,Morris Minor van and a Morris Minor Traveller all with tow bars fitted.
These are lovely 1960`s period fitments which i think I will leave on the vehicles.,i have removed the tow balls so they are not that noticeable.

It would have been preferable to see some photo`s of the A35 though,
nice plug for your business if anyone reading this lives in the Midlands.

[/img]
This is my 1965 Austin A35 van.

Gresham Flyer

midlandgardencare · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Location: tamworth

hi,
i have my business name as all my usernames. i am looking for an a35 van that is affordable and in a slight state of disrepair so i can strip it to a body shell and have my mate do all the repairs and then re-spray it to match my company colours. i'd use it as my daily van to customers houses, they are very noticable and i'm sure it would get me noticed a bit more.
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midlandgardencare · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 12 Location: tamworth

i have a post on here in the austin section that has photo's of my car. they are a little big but i dont know how to change them.
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gresham flyer · Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 1435

I think you would be better to find a road worthy van requiring just cosmetic work
I looked around for about a year to purchase an Austin A35 van.
There were plenty of rotted out projects out there,but after weighing up the time and money to spend on them the figures did not stack up.
Instead I purchased this van,11months Mot,taxed and in very good original condition.,the previous owner had gone to the expense of keeping it roadworthy.
It required a good valet inside and out,the carb needed refurbishing and the engine tuned.
It now runs great and I can use it straight away for my business also.
And I restore classic vehicles for a living.

Gresham Flyer

Jim.Walker · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield

Tow Itch · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 4

Dear Mr Gardencentre

I'm biased as I have three (long story) but a Dandy is dead easy to tow. Relatively OK to erect on your own, and with the older ones it's possible to erect the awnings almost single handedly.
Starting at about 250Kg with a MTPM of 500Kg they are braked and the small size when folded eases towing. There two good beds when erected and being made from PVC allows them to be packed away wet.
Though not truly in period with your A35 they were made from 1965. My green one featured below is one of the first ones made between 1965 and 1973 ish. If your interested please visit the Dandy Campers and we will help any way we can . The first one featured is a restoration project the second one is one of mine and the third a Dandy towed by a multiple best of show winning VW type 3.

http://www.dandycampers.org/t569-our-dandy-4-berth-rebuild-phoenix

http://www.dandycampers.org/t898-tow-itch-the-green-un

http://www.dandycampers.org/t455-cazz-s-dandy-5-in-green

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Would a Sprite Cadet or a Thomson Miniglen fit the bill?

PaladinBuccaneer · Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Posts: 9

Well, I don't know about a small caravan, but here's a photo of mine and its towcar my dad was using back in 1959! (Yes, that's me!)

And here's a photo (if you've not already seen it) of the caravan in use last year!

Keef · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 371 Location: Sheerness Kent UK

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

Not sure of the model but this is towed by a 1950's Minx

interier

With car

And a few in the background

Keef · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 371 Location: Sheerness Kent UK