hi god i remember them we started vanning with a old piper gas lamps we had some great fun with that thats when people use to talk and have a laugh but now you dont see no one there all in there vans looking at there televison i wish we had the old times back cheers .tom
Blimey they have brought back memories of my Grandparents caravans. I think one of them could have been a sprite. They used to pull them initially with a Ford Cortina then a Singer Gazelle. Looking back they were pretty spartan inside. No EHU, everything running off gas. The thing I remember most was the sound of the gas lamps. I cant remember if they had toilets fitted. May others can let me know
Toilets used to go in toilet tents at first. They were buckets with a toilet seat on if you were posh. There was some sort of fluid like Jeyes that stank and the tents were full of flies. Not nice.
Porta Pottis came in next as free standing toilets. Cassette toilet didn't come in until late 80s I think. Before that vans had a toilet compartment for the Porta Potti.
Our first van was a 1955 Palladin. I was probably about 15 then in early 60s. This was semi circular from the side meaning a very curved roof. It was made of hard board and I'm pretty sure it had leaded windows. It had gas lighting with red shades with tassels. Had a sink and cooker.
My parents owned a Bluebird caravan in the late 60's. It was permanently sited at West Mersea, Essex. I remember the cosy glow and hissing, popping noise of the gas lamps too. Our van had a tiny fire, like a pot belly stove. One lump of coal would warm the whole van, I think Mum would put a kettle on top to save gas! Happy childhood memories, now we have a seasonal pitch locally and still enjoy our days away from home :)
When I was much younger we had a Sprite Alpine then a Sprite Musketeer, both of which had gas lights. The were almost as good as having a heater! Neither of them had any electrics at all, apart from the road lights of course. The water, cold only, came from a big plastic bottle in the Alpine, but in the Musketeer there was a foot pump to a tap in the sink. I fitted a battery, a water tank, and an electric pump, later. I also rigged a split-charge feed from the car to charge up the battery while we were on the move. A few of the newest and poshest caravans were starting to get mains electricity by then, but few sites could supply it.
Lots of Vintage caravans both restored and unrestored for sale on The Vintage Caravan workshop.I have seen a few vintage vans on my travels this year and they are wonderful but a bit like car's a lot of time and money e.g. spent on them.We started our caravan adventures with an ABI award transfer 1997 vintage and have recently met a lady with the same model,she showed us around and it was immaculate even down to the original cushions,she was saying that her husband bought it but then sadly passed away,she kept it on her drive for 12 months during which time she had 2 dozen people knocking on her door asking to buy it.Because of the queries she decided to start using it again with her cat and Tortoise.
Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 10/10/2018
the first caravan in the pictures is a 'bluebird' made in poole in dorset. it would have a round stained glass window in the door with a blue bird in it. its probaby worth more than a new caravan now.
there is now a cult following of retro caravans and they now change hands for lots of money. the retro caravan club have regular rallies and they usually tow them with classic cars.
they are always lovely to see and i have a lot of respect for those who restore them and keep them looking good because it really is a labour of love...they are now outside my price bracket and i am not sure i would want to part with the luxuries in my modernish caravan.
thanks for the photos and stories
Hi Bailey,
My great grandfather was the artist who created all of the stained glass windows for the bluebird caravans. I have been scouring the internet for more information on them and your comment is the only mention I can find!
Do you know which model of bluebird specifically had the stained glass windows? Any other information you might have on this would also be greatly appreciated. I would love to be able to find a photo of the glass to show my grandad as he talks about them frequently but has not been able to find anything himself (I’m not surprised after having a look myself, if it wasn’t for this comment I’d think he was making it up!).
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Anyone remember these - Old Caravans
via mobile 30/5/2021 at 4:04pm
