Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Blackbird]

Could anyone tell me what caravan this is? It looks like a mixture of Car Cruiser and Castleton. Any info would be great.Becky.

[Dalek63]

Seen it on ebay and can't quite figure out what it is. The seller says Car Cruiser Carissima, but the body isn't like any I've seen in books or real life and its definetly not 1950's. However there are a few bits like the bunks that look very Car Cruiser. So was it a caravan someone put some Car Cruiser bits in or is it one of the last Car Cruisers built in the mid 1960's after Car Cruiser was taken over by another company. If its one of the last Car Cruisers its ULTRA rare, if its a marriage then its just interesting. I'd love to have a look at it !!!!!! Did you purchase it Becky ?
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[Blackbird]

Yes, I am the new owner of this van.It was only half an hour away from where I live, so had to view it.The Car Cruiser title drew us to it, but we knew it was nothing like our Clubman, but it had the same shape roof, guttering and wheel arch, also the same window frames,but different latches, and adjusters that look much older.It has a smaller wheel size which is the same as Car Cruiser, according to my partner.We are still very puzzled by it, but it is a lovely shape caravan and only 10ft, so won't be to hard to renovate.I haven't forgotten about the steps on the Clubman, you were interested in having a measure up.We are a very busy family of five, so me and my partner, have to fit in doing the caravans when ever we can.We are just up the road from The Bath and West Showground in Castle Cary, South Somerset, so if your ever around this way, let me know and your welcome to come and see our vans.Who was Car Cruiser bought out by, and are there any pictures of the last vans they made? Thanks Becky.

[andyrr1971]

Lovely little interesting van you have there. I can confirm it definitely is not a car cruiser, though may share some parts as many items such as wheels, axles, window frames, gas fittings were bought in. It was also common practice copying designs/ ideas - the early Dalesman for instance looks very very much like a 1962 car cruiser carissima. Car cruiser used a variety of wheel sizes and stud patterns over the years - I've had 3 almost identical caravans in terms of model/ year (literally within 30 caravans of each other in terms of production) and all three had different axles (makes and suspension design) and wheels - all were original as they left the factory. Car cruiser ended production in 1965, though by then has already announced their new models for 66 - these were to replace the carissima, carousel range and had the same fiberglass mouldings as the Cambridge. Its not clear whether they ever made more than prototypes, but there are certainly photos of them. Cooper coachworks bought the car cruiser name and made several models - largely one offs - over the years and I believe carried on making odd vans and repairing/ selling spares until the late 70s. The vans he produced were very much along the traditional car cruiser styling so I'd put money on yours not originating from cooper coachworks. Your caravan looks very 60s in styling to me. The front of reminds me of a Harvington, though there are other makes which it also reminds me of. Could it be by any chance a home made van? My own granddad built two caravans in the 50s/ 60s which being a perfectionist and highly trained craftsman were built to a far higher standard than many well known make factory vans. This might also explain the parts in it people are recognising and the styling influence? Either way its a great little van and good luck with the restoration.

[Blackbird]

Could anyone tell me what caravan this is? It looks like a mixture of Car Cruiser and Castleton. Any info would be great.Becky.
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[andyrr1971]

Forwarded the pictures to someone who knows far more than me and is the author of several books and numerous articles. It it a Harvington Colleen and believed to be a 1962 model. 62 was i'm told the last year of Harvington caravans.