Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Emma S]

Hi, I am new on this forum. I used to have Triumphs back in the late 80s/early 90s (Mk2 spitfire and more Heralds than you can throw a stick at....) but going off to uni sadly meant the end of that passion.

Now my partner and I run his parents farm, and we have diversified into this luxury camping lark. I live a few miles away and have 2 small kids, and the last season I had problems with guests turning up late at night and having to leave the kids at home while I checked them in. Not great.

I had a cunning plan of getting a caravan, so i could park it (hide it in the woods to avoid nosy neighbours) near reception, and we could stay in it on check in days/weekends which would be great. We also dont have any hope of going away during the summer, so it made sense to maybe cash in my tent collection and get a caravan, as that would suit us for the colder times of the year for half term/weekends off season.

However I am fussy. And my partner is fussier still. I only like classic caravans, and only the beautiful ones. I showed my other half a 70s Carlight, and that was my downfall, because he doesnt like caravans at all, but DOES actually like the old double windowed carlights. His parents (being elderly farmers of the old skool 'get orf my laaand' type are even worse - they associate caravans with them being filled with rowdy seasonal workers...) have actually admitted the carlight is 'quite attractive' and hence my search.

I was due to have bouught a Castleton last weekend, but despite being assured it was road ready, when I got there it had massive holes in the floor and non existant electrics and brakes.....

I dont mind if its a tatty one. Ideally it should be sound but needing inside work, as tidying/reupholstery/etc isnt an issue. I am NOT intending to 'glamp it up' as I think they are beautiful as they are - so no Cath Kidston/shabby chic - I leave that to my tents if thats what people want (that said we do have a 'retro' tent furnished in Ercol/Gplan....)

So would be greatful if anyone has/knows of one. I am happy to travel. Ideally 4 berth, but can do 2 berth with a campbed (partner doesnt travel well...)

Thanks, and hope to be posting more, once I find my van! (also have a 3/4 converted ambulance if anyone is interested, too many kids now....)

[IanAl]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Carlight-Casa-1970s-caravan-for-sale-/121055830027?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item1c2f7d600b

What is the ambulance you have? Do you know what service it was with? Im ex Shropshire ambulance and would love to own one of our old vehicles

[Brian M]

Emma - while even I have ot agree that Carlights are nice, ask your partner to have a look at an alternative. I run the group for Classic Safari Caravans and you can find a selection of photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/115857090061704417276 and more information about Safaris on our forum.

You can assure your partner's parents that neither Carlights nor Safaris would ever have been owned by "rowdy seasonal workers" - they were too expensive for "average" wage earners.
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

[Knowsley]

or Emma, of course the icing on the cake would be a Royale caravan!
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Remember - Practice makes perfect!

[Emma S]

Ah, see I have spotted a royale which isn't that far away and have been watching the price dropping... It's a 4 berth too with a funky orange awning, which would look mighty fine with a couple of Ercol Windsor chairs out front ( given that most of the time it would be parked at the farm as our weekend home) might have to take a trip out to have a nose....

The ambulance is a ldv and think it was with a service round south west London, I bought it directly from them so it was in good shape. Sadly it's a very long, sad and pretty boring story, but now it's 3/4 done, has had all new brakes and tyres, has been converted to run on LPG , with kitchen also doing the same. Also a solar panel on the roof. Water tanks fitted and 240 hook up. Currently sitting in my father in laws barn annoying him. I have zero woodworking or mechanical skills, and think it needs to be a 2 berth - I have a folding bed for it, but haven't been able to get it finished........

[Emma S]

Those Safari caravans are lovely too. Think Robert likes the carlight as it looks like it has bemused eyebrows ( don't ask - and people say its the ladies who refuse a good car because of the colour!!)

[david_rachel]

Obviously very biased, but you won't better a Carlight!
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David Rachel
1972 Triumph 2.5PI Est Royal Blue
1968 MG 1300 Sal Connaught Green
1978 Carlight Casetta
http://carlightrestoration.blogspot.co.uk
1995 Lada Riva 1.5 Est Red

[christine lowery]

hi emma
there are nearly always carlights or other posh classics for sale on ebay
the royale you are watching has come down a long way in price and it needs a bit of work on the rear window sills not to big a job
all caravans of this age need tlc so bare this in mind when you look at what people say in their adverts
the later the model you choose the more up the spec and the more user friendly ie hot water double glazed for comfort
christine
royale caravan owners club

[david_rachel]

What Christine writes is very true. The construction of Carlights is very complicated and to execute decent repairs a huge amount of dis-assembly is often required. Much of this is covered in the early parts of my restoration blog.

Any signs of interior damp damage in a Carlight will be hiding much more that is out of site, and it is very rare to find a totally damp free classic Carlight - if you do, it's worth paying a premium price.
_________________
David Rachel
1972 Triumph 2.5PI Est Royal Blue
1968 MG 1300 Sal Connaught Green
1978 Carlight Casetta
http://carlightrestoration.blogspot.co.uk
1995 Lada Riva 1.5 Est Red

[Emma S]

Thanks for the advice. The royale has been given the thumbs up by the kids, but the thumbs down from other half - he pointed out much the same as you did - if the damp has come through from outside and has progressed enough to cause that much damage then its likely to be worse than it looks.

We are chasing up a continental at the moment. he has offered to pay the balance as he says
" Is the only one I like. So if it means the difference between looking at something I like and looking at something I don't like then, yeah, it is well worth the price"

so that looks like the way to go....

anything in particular I should look out for when I go to view it (potentially bring it home with me) Its been one owner from new. Its a 79 model.

[Brian M]

Emma

As has been said, in all caravans that are over 30 years old there is only one thing that turns them into a money pit........

DAMP

A small damp meter is under £20 from Machine Mart and used all over the inside will show if there is the dreaded DAMP behind the smartly papered and panted walls!

Almost any other problem, - worn springs, cracked tyres, dodgy electrics, broken gas fittings, cracked windows, old curtains and upholstery can all be sorted (with some cost) but at least it is quantifiable before the work starts.

Did I mention you have to watch out for DAMP?
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

[Emma S]

OK, damp is my big one. think is worth the investment.....

[Emma S]

and by wonderful coincidence it is also exactly the thing my other half was looking for because we have been coppicing and seasoning firewood!!

[david_rachel]

A late Carlight Continental (1979) is a great caravan to own, once you have it the way you want you'll never want anything else - even if it requires considerable work in the end you'll love it - it's simply a fantastic caravan to own, like any large Carlight really! A '79 model is quite rare, it should have the Bonocar double glazed perspex windows and is full of all the creature comforts you could possibly wish for.

I notice you're on a farm. Presumably that means you do have under cover areas should any restoration work be required. The important thing to recognise is that if you are already prepared to do some restorative work, to a large extent it doesn't matter how bad the rot is. If panels and frames require work they're going to be replaced regardless of condition.

The original veneers are totally impossible to obtain - I suspect the model you are looking at uses the Italian White Oak wooden veener - there was an identical formica version used extensively on the later vans but only on kitchen tops in the late '70's. If any require replacing then you either need a donor van or you can paint to match - remember, many edges and finishing trims are painted in the Carlights, so one would simply use the same colour.

The most important thing really is check the ceiling material is good, this is a major headache to replace. Check that the interior has not been butchered and that basically nothing is missing or is seriously damaged. Carlight still exist and Neil, who runs the show, is a mine of information always willing to help. Be warned though, Carlights are not cheap to restore properly. Also, myself and others in Carlight clubs can give you plenty of tips to help with any restorative work.

The perspex windows are unobtainable but if the frames and windows are not broken all of the seals and fittings (hinges/catches) can be replaced.

Pretty much every interior fitting can be replaced, a surprising number of items are still manufactured! I wouldn't worry about the mechanicals, it's all straightforward B&B. That's about it really - one owner from new might just need tarting up, a few hundred here and there - if you want it in as new condition Carlight will charge you in the region of 25K for a total re-build or you can do it yourself, including a professional re-spray for 5-8K - good luck!
_________________
David Rachel
1972 Triumph 2.5PI Est Royal Blue
1968 MG 1300 Sal Connaught Green
1978 Carlight Casetta
http://carlightrestoration.blogspot.co.uk
1995 Lada Riva 1.5 Est Red

[Emma S]

Thanks for all the advice. I am beyond excited.

just one thing - is it going to be really bad form to tow it with a Mitsubishi L200 pick up........!!