Classic caravans, historic campervans, caravanettes & more! Holidaying 1920s-1970s style
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
- Over 120 photos of classic caravans and period campervans make up this video. The old caravans, some of which date back to the 1920s and 1930s, are joined by a variety of motorhomes/caravanettes/campervans (so many descriptions apply to these motorised mobile homes) and are a reminder of how family holidays were often spent, back when they were current.
Do you remember holidaying in any of the period caravans featured here?
Do you own one now?
Are you a keen devotee of the older motorhomes, some of which were based on Bedford CA or CF running gear for example?
Comments and memories of caravanning holidays much appreciated as always in the comments section beneath the video, and if you know of anyone who might be interested in seeing this collection, please forward the link to this video ( • Classic caravans, hist... ).
In this vid I've numbered each photo, simply because many of the campervans and caravans I've been unable to identify, not being a guru on matters relating to yesteryear camping, and I hope that viewers watching this may be able to identify some of the preserved examples here and pop a note into the comments to offer up identifications where needed (thanks). Some of the vintage caravans in particular I've struggled to identify.
Retro caravan makes I have been able to identify include early examples of the Eccles, Royale, Carlight, Wessex Craftsman & Portafold (both folding caravans), pre-war Winchester, plus later Viking and Burlingham. Campervans include the wild looking Starcraft, and examples based on the Bedford CA/CF, Thames 400E, Austin 152, Austin/Morris J4, the Commer PB and more.
While this is primarily a classic cars channel here in the UK, I like to occasionally feature content that relates to the world of motoring in years gone by, but not actually the cars themselves. Hence this look at the back story of caravans and motorhomes in this country. The full list of all the videos on the channel may be found here:
/ oldclassiccarrj
Thanks for watching.
#caravans #classiccaravans #periodcaravans
i love these older caravans. they have proper glass windows and full of character.
Wonderful collection of caravan photos, thank you. Peace be unto you.
Well, that was fascinating. There's 'something' about Caravans and Camper Vans - brings out the 'wanderlust' in me ! We always went Caravaning - static ones, when I was a child - a good cheap ho;iday and we all loved it - Happy Memories of 60 years ago ! Thanks for th nostalgic trip :-)
Same with us, regular holidays in static caravans then my folks bought a small tourer (a Mustang), then upgraded every few years or so to something larger and/or better spec'd, they still go caravanning now
Memories: as a lad in the 50s the family's first and only holiday at selsey bill caravan park,seven of us drove down in a vanguard and stayed a week in a bluebird caravan.it was heaven. Thanks the upload Sir.
Have to say I love reading the comments/memories that these vids bring out from people who watch them, much appreciate the contributions!
Thankyou so much for this. Wonderful to see these pictures. Great Character in some of these old Campers and Caravans.
Thanks, glad you liked it
Yes!!! Thankyou! #10 is a "Safari" you can tell by the little roof windows.....C.I. I think
brought back some happy forgotten memories watching this
I am getting old, so many of these caravans and motor homes look modern to me!!!!
Many thanks for yet another great trip down memory lane.
Your hard work is appreciated
Thanks David
Yes, No 10 is a Safari. My parents had an Eccles Landfarer (painted in coffee and cream) and their friends had that model Safari. Happy days
Loved this video of campers and caravans we go caravanning every year they most definitely have changed a lot since those days.
There is something extra special about the looks of the Bedford CA
I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by the Fisher at the beginning, we used to have a 8ft in 1969. Now some 50 something years on we have a MK2 Ford transit based camping-car from 1984 with the 2.5 dci engine. you have a very good compilation in this video, well done!!!
Thanks Barry, glad you liked it, if you know of anyone else who might be interested, please forward the link to this video (th-cam.com/video/f2ToDjhQGdk/w-d-xo.html), thanks
I remember my parents hiring a caravan in the 1950’s, as I remember it was made of wood and the inside was something like hardboard. We had a Morris 8 at the time so not a lot of pulling power.
Number 28 is my 1968 Portafold that I tow with my Paul Smith Mini :)
Fascinating, simply fascinating..
Thanks Vince, something a bit different
Great to hear decent background music.
Enjoyed tour videos..x
Thanks!
#10 #16 is a Stirling made by Stephen’s and west in Cirencester. They also made cygnet caravans too.
Number 95 the Bedford cf looks the same as my Dad's "Contessa" that he had in the 70s. I think it was built by Martin Walker, but I could be wrong. Great video as usual. I particularly enjoy the black and white snaps that you include.
Hi loved your video of such lovely vintage camper vans.
Was most interested in No.56 the Austin is it still around
would very much like to see it.
Hello the regency caravan number 8 is ours it's a 1967 regency Glamis we was at smallwood show will be there again at the end of May was very excited to see our caravan got on this video lol
I'll look out for it if we get over this year! Thanks for watching
I think the commer Hywayman 68 photo all the best Paul
My pick here has to be the Standard Atlas Camper Van, quite simply because of its top speed of maybe 45 MPH, maybe, you would certainly see a lot of scenery. To go round Australia in one of these would take several years or more, but what a way to go.
Yes by all accounts they were pretty pedestrian, especially with the 948cc engine! thanks for watching
enjoyed that thankya very much
got loads of cogi martin walter transits just wish i was a magician to bring em all to life lol
No. 37 This could be a Pemberton caravan made in Wigan, difficult to tell with just that view, I worked on the Pemberton vans in the 60s,
Number 89 i believe is a homemade caravan that gets to quite a few shows local to me, as and owner of classic Citroen's myself i talk to the owner about his Traction Avant, and im sure he told me it was a homemade caravan
Ah I see, it's a cracking little caravan, thanks for posting
No 43 looks like an old Australian Registration, possibly Victoria or Sth Australia.
Hello, I've got a collection of Practical Caravan magazines from the early 1970s. I'm fairly certain that the A60 and Marina based caravanettes were built by Torcar of Devon and the Escort one was by Canterbury and called a Savannah. The van towed by the Volvo 164 is a Stirling, which had the 'Lantern' style roof that Safari and Royale also fitted. I think that the Fleetwind was their budget range called Kestrel and was the 10 ft. model. I think this was aimed at the ABI Monza / CI Sprite market. Finally, different converters used their own types of roof on a lot of motorhomes from the 1970s and that's the best way to identify them.
Thanks for the info, yes the name Torcar rings a bell now you mention it for the pop-top Marina etc.
Great show of caravans, thanks. No 4 fascinates me. Am I right in you saying it's an Ensor Hardboard? I love Ensor caravans and actually own a 68 Elect 4. The company history is fascinating and often built one off's. You say you own/owned this small trailer. I'm hoping you can give me some more info on it.
It is being discussed on a FB group, and comments are saying that it is not an Ensor.
Hopefully, you can shed some more light on the make etc. TIA
Another terrific selection.I think a company called Sun Tor were responsible for most of the smaller van based campers,mainly Austin Morris A60’s and later Marinas but they did Escorts and Bedford CA’s too as far as I know.The Thames Trader is a Martin Walter conversion as are some of the 400E Thames.They had a big association with Bedford but they were responsible for most minibus and a lot of small van to estate conversions also,the Bedford Beagle springs to mind .Didn’t this company eventually become Dormobile,which was the most famous name,it became the generic name for all camper vans and has a very interesting history going back to the late 18th century.Autosleeper was another big name.
If you like to see a Australia foldup caravan research Propert.Very unique.
No 75 is a 1940s/early 50s Winchester, the cream of vintage caravans! Evidently a 1-off bespoke order as it had big flat front and double side windows
sorry mate, I don't know much about old caravans just awesome to watch 👍
Glad you found it worth a watch, thanks!
14 is a commer autosleeper conversion
I owned for 2 years a twelve foot Thompson Glendale and I loved it but the only thing I hated about her was lighting the pilot light for the fridge
I'm pretty sure #16 is another Safari
21 could be a Fred Hill made caravan
55 xtj beford cf landcruiser has a scorpio v6 and auto box and power steering
118 of the Bedford l am pretty sure it was restored by wheeler dealers
My late dads number 62 lpg conversion and fully restored, let me know if you want to know more about it
94 is a 1930s car cruiser, half size as most were much longer
Thanks!
No. 10 is a Stirling 🤔
Think the Safari was made by Cosalt ?
I'd have to check, I remember when my folks had their first caravan (a Mustang), they went to look at a Safari as a possible upgrade. I think it even had double-glazed windows - luxury!!! Thanks for watching
@@oldclassiccarUK Safari was taken over by Cosalt who made the Piper (budget range) and Abbey (more upmarket range). They also bought over Welton as well.
No 8 is indeed a Regency but 60s not 70s. Regency were only in business from 66 to 70. I doubt it's a 66 and they changed the window shape in 68 so I would plump for 67, but could also be a late 66 or early 68. Costly 'vans but in many ways ahead of their time. Well insulated and well fitted out. Built -in heating, water heater, bathroom with shower, 'fridge, crockery, cutlery, cooker, glassware, gas and electric lighting (inc fluorescent) were all standard fittings (apart from the Export models which had a cold cupboard instead of a 'fridge). Difficult to identify the model, espec' without a pic of the offside, as they used the same front and rear sections (depending on year) with different length side panels. I can say it's not a Gem or a 4 berth Export GT, looks far too short for a Balmoral or a Braemar.
Thanks for chipping in with the info, more the merrier to help id the old 'vans in this collection
31 Cheltenham sable
I don't know owt about it but#100.........yummy!!!
Looking again at that photo of an Austin FG camper, there's a badge on the front that appears to read "Cavanete"
I’m a gypsy I had a rice new