Vintage Trailer Magazine 41

ISSUE 41 MAY/JUNE 2020

$10.00

® ion Isolatping Glam CAMPING FUN

GL O B A L V

IRTUAL

A Royal Princess 1976 Viscount Royal

The

Little Van with

Big Ideas

1963 Millard Safari

1977 York

Vintage, Classic, Retro Style & Nostalgia PLUS TRAILER TREASURE & SERVICES DIRECTORY

Lana Whiting in her 1963 Millard Safari “Queenie” Photo by Paul Pugh (Pandom Images)

Vintage Trailer Magazine | Issue 41 May/June 2020

 contents Special Features

5 Feature Caravan: A Royal Princess Carolyn Cameron’s 1976 Viscount Royal “Eugenie”

10 Event Review: Palm Springs Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show

Regular Features 2 . . About Vintage Trailer Magazine 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor’s Rave 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . Letters to the Editor 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centerfold

12 Cover Story: The Glamping Queen

18 Isolation Glamping: Global Virtual Camping fun

Lana Whiting’s 1963 Millard Safari “Queenie”

22 Feature Caravan: Little Van with Big Ideas Lisa Blanco’s 1977 York “Getaway Gidget”

28 Event Review: Bridgewater Vintage Caravan Extravaganza

27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer Treasure 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . Services Directory

About Vintage Trailer Magazine Vintage Trailer Magazine is the world’s first magazine solely dedicated to vintage, classic, retro-styled and custom trailers and those who love them.

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intage Trailerites come from all walks of life and are drawn to vintage trailers for a variety of reasons. Some have nostalgic memories of childhood seaside holidays spent in trailer parks, some choose a retro camper because it looks good behind their prized classic car on its way to a car show campout.

Along with a sense of classic style, lovers of retro trailers take delight in life’s many wonders – they enjoy adventure, travelling to new destinations, appreciating nature’s beauty and living a life less stressful. Vintage trailerites often also share a passion for classic cars or hot rods and will happily devote countless hours looking after their “toys”. They also have a very keen sense of aesthetic style and an eye for making small spaces look absolutely adorable.

So, Vintage Trailer Magazine is about all of these things; an eclectic collection of stories, pictures, input and ideas from sources who all share so much more than a passion for camping.

To the vintage trailerites out there living the dream, taking their rescued older trailers back out on the road, this magazine is for you! To those of you who wish you had one, or have one in restoration, I hope Vintage Trailer Magazine will inspire and motivate you to make your dreams come true and join the growing number of vintage trailer enthusiasts enjoying the wideopen spaces, dramatic scenery and fellow friendly travellers out there on the road..

Vintage Trailer Magazine always welcomes submissions from its readers. If you have a story you’d like to share, an amusing road trip photo or a trailer restoration you’d like to share: write to: editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com

Motel Style

Glamper K ey r i n g s Order from Bunny Lulu’s Etsy store at:

www.etsy.com/au/shop/ BunnyLuluRetro 2

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Production Crew PUBLISHER & EDITOR Lisa Mora EMAIL editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com EDITOR’S ASSISTANT Alex Bouchet EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Lana Whiting, Carolyn Cameron & Lisa Blanco DESIGN & LAYOUT Kelsey Adams (www.kelseyjdesigns.com) CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Blanco, Carolyn Cameron, Cheryl Connolly, Charlotte Gaspar (Lottie & Twigg Photography lottieandtwigg.com. au), Jenna Hampton, GeriAnn Horne, Debbie Hurley, Kourtney Hurley, Nicky Johnston, Beth Manning, Karyn McKay, Jamie Metz, Sarah Moore, Paul Pew (Pandom Images), Shari Sullivan, Kandas Tedesco, Sandra Virgona, Lana Whiting ADVERTISING EMAIL ads@vintagetrailermagazine.com CONTACT Vintage Trailer Magazine PO Box 509, Oakland, OR 97462, USA www.facebook.com/vintagetrailermagazine @vintagetrailermagazine ISSUE 41 WINTER 2020

$10.00

® n Isolatio g GlampinING FUN

AL GLOBAL VIRTU

CAMP

A Royal Princess 1976 Viscount Royal

The

Little Van with

Big Ideas

1963 Millard Safari

1977 York

Vintage, Classic, Retro Style & Nostalgia PLUS TRAILER TREASURE & SERVICES DIRECTORY

COVER PHOTO Lana Whiting’s 1963 Millard Safari “Queenie” in Ninderry, Queensland.

Photo by Mark Whiting WWW.VINTAGETRAILERMAGAZINE.COM

®

Vintage Trailer Magazine

« V i n ta g e , C l a s s i c , R e t r o S t y l e & N o s ta l g i a«

Vintage Trailer Magazine is a Registered Trademark

Vintage Trailer Magazine is published four times per year by Lisa Mora.

UPC 07447029041. Vintage Trailer Magazine is a Registered Trademark.

All rights reserved © 2020.

No part of this publication can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher/editor. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in the publication, however the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions or consequences in reliance on this publication.

 EDITOR'S RAVE

espite the worldwide pandemic lockdowns, or maybe because of them, we have all had to get creative and to find more creative ways to connect more with each other. So, to celebrate the 9th anniversary since the world’s very first Vintage Caravan Magazine was released in May 2011, this 9th birthday issue will be available as a free digital copy to everyone on the email mailing list. If you are not on the mailing list yet, there is a sign-up form on the website.

It is hard not to mention the sudden disruption to all our lives recently. Travel plans have been cancelled, rallies and events were all postponed or cancelled and so many people have lost their jobs.

But catastrophes often bring out the best in people. I think that our increased realization of the importance of connection to each other will be a legacy of these strange times. Sharing our isolation and disconnectedness with everybody else has made us cherish our connections in ways we had previously taken for granted. People are phoning rather than texting, we are all making more video calls, and more of us are reaching out to each other and asking: “Are you OK’s?”. The phenomena of the many “virtual” campouts featured in this issue was just one of the many ways we sought to be “alone together”

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and connect despite the isolation restrictions.

This issue was only made possible by the creative input of three inspiring women I call my “Dream Team”. Lana, with her cute little pink caravan “Queenie” and too-cute-to-be-real Pomeranian, Teddy, are our issue #41 cover stars.

My sisterly connection with Lana was initially built several years ago on our shared admiration of pink flamingos, retro pinup style fashion, fluffy dogs and pink caravans with white picket fences.

It has since grown into a truly valued friendship.

The other two members of this team are my friends Carolyn and Lisa. It was when we all camped together at the Bridgewater Vintage Caravan Extravaganza in February that the idea to create this issue came about. After meeting up with Carolyn in her home town of Budgewoi, we spent three days on the road together and had so much fun. The other Lisa, who didn’t have as far to travel, had arrived before us and all camped three in a row. The great company, the “deep and meaningfuls” and the many laughs we shared was something I had not realized how much I had missed during my previously solo wanderings. It was decided then and there that they would become part of my “Dream Team”: the “directors of

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/vintagetrailermagazine

Photo by Teresa Schmidt

Welcome to a very special 9th birthday issue!

editorial enthusiasm” required to get this magazine out there again. I love how each of their caravans are so unique and so different from each other. And like our friendship; it all just “worked” when we put them all together in the magazine.

I am truly so thankful for having a life that has been blessed with the support of some incredibly beautiful humans. I hope you will join me in thanking these the “Dream Team” for making this 9th birthday issue dream come true.

And here’s hoping we can all return to happy trails and campfire chats again very soon!

To follow Lisa’s adventures visit the Vintage Trailer Magazine YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/vintagetrailermagazine vintagetrailermagazine

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Letters to the Editor

Hi Lisa,

Firstly, I’m so sorry that you have been unwell again. Pain is a very hard thing to endure. We all understand and I hope that you are feeling better now.

I have waited (not so patiently at times for 6 years for a caravan to “retro” and after 5 of those years my husband surprised me with an Alpha. It has sat in our shed amongst numerous classic cars for company, waiting for the guy who rescues such deserving “souls” for 14 months, and last Wednesday he came and got “Lorna Lou” to begin her restoration. At last, the fun begins!! Unfortunately, my husband who has restored many tractors, trucks and cars isn’t into the caravan side of things, so Paul of Phreeway Caravans is doing the hard parts for me. Can’t wait to do the interior.

Just thought I’d t ell you that bit of news and to add that I thought I’d never get my van but it just goes to show, it pays to wait... and wait... and wait... ‘cause it’s never too late.

Finally thank you for all the work you do for the Vintage Caravan Magazine.

Cheers and thanks, JEANETTE PHILLIPS – PAPAKURA, NEW ZEALAND

Hi Lisa,

I just want to say thank you for the Vintage Trailer Magazines, I so appreciate them. I can’t hardly put them down. I’m restoring a 1954 Travelees and 1958 Ford Ranchero.

LORY PRATT – EAGLEVILLE, CA

Hi Lisa,

It’s the content of your magazine that makes it special, not the name. “A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.”

If a name change makes life easier, go for it, IMO. I’ll continue to buy it!

Thanks & best of luck, NANCY MILLER – GWYNN OAK, MD

Hi Lisa,

Vintage Caravan Magazine: I LOVE it Lisa. Can’t wait to see your next issue.

I was inspired by your 1956 Mercury and found one restored by a friend in Auburn, California.

Here’s a picture (below).

MARSHA BARNETT – WALNUT CREEK, CA

Tin Can Tourists is an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club. Rallies, Trailer information, thousands of pictures, facebook group and free classified ads

www.tincantourists.com 4

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Feature Caravan

A Royal Princess W O R D S & P H O T O S C A R O LY N C A M E R O N

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y name is Carolyn Cameron.

I’m sixty years old and live on the Central Coast of New South Wales in Australia. When I’m not renovating or travelling around in my vintage caravans “Eugenie” and “Annie”, I work as a Visual Merchandiser in the fashion accessories industry.

After completing the renovation on “Annie: My Tiny Caravan” in August 2017 and taking a few awesome trips away, I soon realised that if I was to achieve my dream of travelling for an

extended period of time over long distances, I would need a lot more space to comfortably accommodate one to two adults and Claire my six year- old Australian Shepherd.

I started searching online and decided that a 15-foot Viscount was my van of choice. I just loved those curved windows. It needed to be in very good condition structurally with everything working so I was prepared to pay a little bit more for the convenience. There were a lot of Viscounts advertised that I was very impressed with but they were

thousands of kilometres away in other states. It was not in my budget to be doing any major body repair as I would be doing this renovation pretty much on my own, as my onsite tradie had injured his back and was not well enough to assist. I made arrangements to inspect a few others, but they were snapped up before I had a chance to view them. I was ready to purchase one sight unseen from interstate and pay the $1000 transport fee to NSW. Luckily, that did not happen.

In March 2018, I found and fell in love with an unregistered 15-foot 1976 vintagetrailermagazine

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Viscount Royal advertised in the next suburb. The owners were selling their house and moving away and did not have room for the van which they had been using as an office/spare room/she shed for two years. The deal was done and I became her fourth owner. She sold for $4300.

Fortunately my neighbour two doors down was not using his driveway and agreed to having Annie for an indefinite sleepover, freeing up our driveway space for the renovation of “Eugenie the Royal” named after the sweet and graceful Princess Eugenie of York.

She was all kitted up for travelling off the grid with solar panels, a deep cell battery and an extensive 12-volt lighting, power and sound system, 240-volt power, gas AND a stainless steel cage that took the place of the original wardrobe.

Her second owner was an avid trout fisherman and spent the winter months in the snow country and had installed a pot belly stove and built a housing

Before

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to contain it. I wish I had seen some photos of that stove! Her interior was a mis-match of timber and white painted laminate and painted black walls. Her upholstery was original 70’s Orange as were the beige patterned floor tiles. I would keep her fridge and cooker and recycle her 12-volt light fittings, cabinet handles and hinges and the padded backs from her dinette seating. She also had her original awning and annexe with the original wooden tent poles included.

I added an Instagram account @eugenie_ the_royal to blog her reno progress and set myself an ETC of five months.

This would coincide with the annual Viscount Owners Get Together at a local campground. The five months came and went and all I had managed to achieve on my own was to remove everything except her upper cupboards, patch up and paint the walls and cupboards, attach her Tic Tac splashback adhesive tiles and put down new flooring. I needed help and it was going to be costly. I contacted three local caravan repairers who all required me to bring her to them for a quotation. She was unregistered so could not be towed without a temporary certificate which was also costly and vintagetrailermagazine

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time consuming. I finally found Marc from Your Palace Caravan Renovations on Facebook (How fitting as she was after all, a Princess) who came to my home to give me a quote. He was so helpful and totally understood my unusual layout.

Two weeks later she came home with her new raw lightweight ply interior.

Over the next sixteen months she was painted inside and out with her new green and gold colours. Her benchtops were custom made, her bedroom was wallpapered and privacy screen inserted, her faux tin ceiling was installed, curtains and cushions were made hung and fitted. I also had an awning custom made off the original by Express Annexes. My palace was coming together. The only thing left to do was her plumbing. I was dreading this.

Over the previous six months, I had contacted over a dozen plumbers and gasfitters to give me a quote for a “caravan”. They either didn’t reply, were too busy, not interested or wouldn’t do the work at my home. My neighbour recommended to me the plumber she used for her kitchen and bathroom renovation. Clayton was happy to “give it a go” as he had done some contract work for a local caravan repairer. In nine hours, he installed the sink and tap and reconnected the gas to the fridge and cooker. He connected the water to the mains, tank and external

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Eugenie is my dream princess. She was designed as a home to be lived in for the long term. shower and hooked it all up to a 12-volt pump and provided me with the much needed gas certificate. He did a great job but admitted on completion that he would never work on another caravan.

Poor Clayton, he’s still in therapy! . Her kitchen benchtops were screwed down and finally after twenty-one months she was road ready and was registered the following day.

Eugenie is my dream princess. She was designed as a home to be lived in for the long term. Her maiden voyage was

only a short drive from home and Claire and I did it solo. Having bought my own tow vehicle, I was able to take her and Annie wherever I wanted whenever I wanted. I am so proud of what I have designed, created and achieved with Eugenie’s renovation and when we’re out and about and folks pop in for a visit their reactions say it all. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this” and “OMG! It’s like a little house!” “Soooo beautiful” It makes it all worthwhile.

Eugenie, Claire and I took our first long trip in February 2020. A 2440 kilometre, two-week round trip to Victoria for the Bridgewater Vintage Caravan Extravanganza. I was feeling a little nervous about such a long trip and doing it solo, so when my dear friend Lisa suggested we do the road trip down to

Victoria together, I was all in. A few of my Vintage Caravan Instagram buddies were also making the trip and as it turned out we were all camped near one another and I was so happy to finally meet them in person alongside their lovingly and beautifully renovated caravans.

So will I renovate another caravan? As the saying goes “I’m getting too old for this” – renovating that is. I have two beautiful vintage caravans. Annie goes on short trips away and attends Nostalgia and Vintage Caravan Events and Tiny House Festivals throughout the year and Eugenie, we will take each other anywhere we want to go. I am looking forward to being semi-retired and having the time to see more of this beautiful country we call Australia in my palace on wheels. vintagetrailermagazine

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Event Review

Palm Springs Modernism Week

TRAILER RALLY 2020 WORDS & PHOTOS LANA WHITING

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ith a spare day up my sleeve in LA, I decided I couldn’t miss the 2020 Modernism Week Trailer Rally, so I rented a car and drove the one and a half hours from my hotel to the glorious desert oasis of Palm Springs. I was all dolled up in a vintage inspired dress, pinup girl hairdo and my favourite caravan handbag. As I walked into the event, it became apparent that not everyone gets

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dressed up for these things like I do – I stood out like a sore thumb! Never the less, the first thing I hear (11,000km from home) is someone shouting “Lana?”

I immediately recognised the face as Jean from Tin Can Awnings, who I had never met, but had commissioned to make a pink striped awning for my van and ship it all the way to Australia. I had only seen her picture on her social media, and she had apparently recognised me

from Instagram too, and knew me as the Aussie girl who bought one of her awnings! I immediately felt welcome in this strange and wonderful place, full of the most impressive vintage caravans (or camper trailers, as the Yanks call them) I’d ever seen!

I was immediately drawn to a pink 1965 Serro Scotty which matched my outfit perfectly! It had the most fabulous retro chandelier inside – and if you’ve

seen inside my van, you’ll know I’m a chandelier fan! Beyond the fabulous pink trailer sat the most extensive collection of Airstream trailers I’ve ever seen in one place, including a tiny 1964 Bambi which the beautiful ladies from Silver Trailer designs had turned into a travelling shop front for their jewellery designs and accessories. I was in heaven!

I must admit – although I was wearing head-to-toe pink, I was likely starting to look green with envy.

As I moved around the crowd and spoke to all the friendly owners, it became apparent that I wasn’t the only Aussie at the rally. They all heard my accent and insisted that I must find the Aussie Airstream Queen – Chloe from Vintage Airstreams Australia. I kept on moving through the aisles of beautiful relics, listening out for another Aussie accent – and finally I found her! I introduced myself as “apparently the OTHER Aussie” at the event, and Chloe was so kind to show me around the rest of the event and introduce me to as many people as she could. I was blown away by the stunning condition and restoration of these Yankee trailers – you have to hand it to them, everything is bigger in America!

I don’t think I would ever be able to get used to the door being on the ’wrong side’, but one thing is for sure, I had an absolutely fabulous time at the Modernism Week Trailer Rally, and as soon as I win the lottery (I can dream), I’ll be straight back to the USA to hunt down my very own slick silver Airstream. vintagetrailermagazine

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Feature Caravan

The

WORDS LANA WHITING

I

PHOTOS LANA WHITING & PAUL PUGH

n 2014 I was a few months away from marrying Mark, the handsome (and tolerant) cabinetmaker and baking cakes and cupcakes for my friends and family whenever I got the chance. Baking made me so happy, I wondered if maybe I could open my own business. It was also around this time that I found myself dabbling in the pinup/ rockabilly scene. One day we went on a day trip to the Cooly Rocks On festival on the Gold Coast to check out all the classic cars. As we were walking in, I noticed the most fabulous pink Sunliner caravan, owned by Vintage Caravan Magazine. I

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was OBSESSED. Maybe I could get my own van to run my cupcake business from?

I took my late Mum out for high tea one day in Cooroy, and told her of my grand plans to find a vintage caravan and start my own cupcake business. She pointed behind me, at a house across the street and said “Like that one?” I looked behind me and saw the cutest little York and couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it on our way in. After lunch, I asked the owner if she would sell it. She had only just bought it, so didn’t want to part with it, but said she had seen lots of them when

she drove from Kenilworth the previous week. So I told Mum we were making a little detour on the way home. Sure enough, as we drove through Eumundi and Ridgewood I noticed lots of vans on large properties but none of them stood out. Then, all of a sudden I saw it. THE ONE! She was on a big property in the middle of the paddock. She was pink! I went to the gate and shouted out to see if anyone was home. A little dog came to the gate to greet me and I noticed he had a phone number on his collar. Later that night I called the number and told the owner how I had seen her van and got her number off the dog! I asked if she would sell and she said she would talk to her husband and get back to me.

A few days later she phoned and said they would sell and to make them an offer. We settled on $1800 and that weekend my Dad and I went and picked it up on his tow truck. We stored it at my in-laws property where it ended up sitting for a few years while our busy lives got in the way. We started to get to work on it in 2017, between full time jobs, fitting in any work we could on spare weekends, and we finally got her finished at the end of 2018.

“Queenie” is a 1963 Millard Safari. Upon researching them, I found out they were manufactured around 1962–1964. When we pulled it apart we found an electrical compliance certificate that was dated

1963, so we assumed that was the year it was made. I think we were pretty lucky, considering it had been sitting unsheltered in a paddock for years, it wasn’t the WORST condition I’ve ever seen one in.

My husband’s mate is an electrician so he was able to do all the wiring and put in some extra power points. The ceiling and one corner were pretty badly water damaged, so they were removed and replaced with plywood, along with part of the floor and some of the wooden frame. My husband broke his arm around the time we were working with the plywood, so I quickly became an apprentice who had to work a jigsaw and

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drop saw (amongst other things) under my cabinetmaker husband’s supervision and instruction. The frame was also bent outwards on one side so we had to add some internal steel to straighten it back.

My father-in-law reinforced the chassis by welding extra steel onto the bottom.

We enlisted a professional upholsterer to redo the click-clack sofa and dining seating cushions in pink and white.

We took out the old ugly flooring and replaced it with retro black and white check vinyl tiles. We also replaced the table laminate but kept the original table, and repainted all the cupboard doors in a similar light pink to what they already were. Replacing the window rubbers was an absolute pain! It was so hard to find the right rubber pattern. We found the closest one we could and it meant days of jimmying them in with a screwdriver and dish soap while I was terribly sick with a chest infection. Silicone removal was also another job I despised. I would always procrastinate when it came to that job, but in the end I think we did the best we could to get rid of it all.

My father-in-law is a panel beater by trade so he repainted the outside, keeping with the original light pink again. The blokes at the paint shop had quite a laugh at this blonde bimbo with a list of ingredients I provided by my father in law to buy, especially because of the colour choice!

I managed to sew the curtains myself – in flamingo pink fabric of course. I can operate basic functions on a sewing machine but I was pretty proud of my effort! The job that took the longest was definitely polishing the aluminum – we could never find a product that we loved, and many products were used, only to start again when we were suggested something different. Many, many days were spent polishing, but I think the end result is fantastic. I ordered new custom made stickers for the back and front, they were originally blue but I got them made pink.

My own father is a mechanic by trade so he did all the wheel bearings and things like that. The tyres and rims it had on it were actually so big you could hardly get 14

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them off. He was able to source some light truck tyres and rims that were then also painted – you guessed it – pink! All up it took us over a year to complete. I had absolutely NO idea how much work was involved (even though my husband had tried to warn me, but of course I didn’t pay attention!). We were lucky to have had a cabinetmaker, electrician, mechanic and panel beater to help us – the only thing we really had to pay for was the upholstery.

I was glad that I found a caravan that was already pink, as I don’t think I could have convinced my husband to help me with such a girly project otherwise! We kept the original pink stripe on the outside and the pink cupboards on the inside.

From there on it was simple; everything was either pink or white. It was always going to be my “girl cave”, and my love of flamingos played a big part too. Anything I saw in stores that I thought would fit in with my pink girly theme was purchased and immediately added to what I called my “caravan glory box”. When it finally

came time to put everything in, I was so chuffed and proud that my vision all came together.

Our first adventure was to Lennox Heads for my birthday in 2018. It’s about a three-hour drive for us and I was so nervous. I don’t have kids but I can imagine it’s how parents feel when taking their baby home from the hospital for the first time. I checked everything about ten times before we pulled away from home and I kept yelling out to my husband to slow down, even though everyone was overtaking us on the highway. After the first hour or so of driving I started to calm down and then when we got there in one piece it was such a relief! We hadn’t even put the first peg in the ground for the awning and people were coming to check her out. It rained the first night so I was a bit worried, but we didn’t have any issues.

My Pomeranian, Teddy, loved it and we had such a fun time having him with us.

By the time we drove home I was totally at ease and we got home safe and sound.

Between the pink caravan and a fluffy little dog, people just don’t know what’s funnier.

After our maiden voyage I had a birthday party for all my friends to come along, and I wanted to make it sort of a “caravan warming” party as well. I really wanted to get the caravan in the backyard but it meant disassembling our back fence and trying to find a way to drive down a service road to access the space behind our house. We managed to get it into the backyard with a lot of swear words and I was able to set her up for all our friends to enjoy with a few drinks.

Since then, we’ve taken her on plenty of mini holidays and also to vintage caravan shows and events. We’ve attended the Historic Leyburn Sprints and the North Coast Street Machines show in Ballina, where we won best vintage caravan both times. The furthest she’s ever been was to Nindigully Pub for the famous pig races last year. It was an eight-hour drive from the Sunshine Coast but so worth it. It’s such an awesome event, and she definitely stood out amongst the mix of bush swags and tents!

Between the pink caravan and a fluffy little dog, people just don’t know what’s funnier. Our dog Teddy is the “director of first impressions” and is always running around wanting to meet people. When people see the caravan they can’t help but laugh at the whole package – I’ve been compared to Barbie and her pink camper. A lot of people ask Mark how he puts up with so much pink and he laughs, “it’s just a colour!” he says.

One day I hope I can own a Sunliner, because that was the van that I fell in love with all those years ago at Cooly Rocks On. Or maybe one day I will win the lottery and import my very own Airstream from the USA. Until then, I’ll continue my glamping queen adventures in my palace on wheels – my pink pride and joy!

Want to be part of the fun?

Join Lana’s Vintage Caravan Glamper Girls Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/ vintagecaravanglampergirls

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TRAILER

Lana’s 1963 Millard Safari “Queenie” in Ninderry, QLD

Photo by Charlotte Gaspar Lottie & Twigg Photography

Special Feature

Isolation Glamping Global Virtual Camping Fun

Shari Sullivan’s 1967 Fireball Meteor in Grand Lake, Colorado

ith many of our cherished gatherings, shows and events often booked a year ahead of time, the sudden change to this year’s event schedule caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions came as a real disappointment.

Not to be deterred and being the innovative and creative lot that we are, groups began to form their own versions of “isolation camping” events. Using the social media hashtags like driveway getaway, global virtual camp, lockdown camping, driveway camping and more, groups of campers began camping together “virtually” right where they were; in driveways and backyards, all over the world. Images and videos were shared on social media and a sense of kinship, community and bonding was forged despite the restrictions on travel and physical contact. The memories these events created were priceless (and not just because of the lack of petrol money required to attend them!)

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Kandas Tedesco’s “Jane the Camper” in Knoxsville, Tennesee 

Kandas Tedesco, who lives in Knoxsville, Tennessee encouraged members of her Glamper Sisters group to join in on the #drivewaygetaway and was thrilled with the response.

“It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves, spending time with their families and coming ‘together’ in such a unique way. I think we can all agree 2020 is going to be a year to remember!

My hope is that through this event, we can take away some positive memories too”.

Jesse & Debbie Hurley from Knoxsville’s 1961 Shasta Airflyte “Dolly” 

Also in quarantine and taking part in the event with their 1961 Shasta Airflyte were Kandas’ parents; Jesse and Debbie Hurley who enjoyed the “virtual escape” from the isolation hum drum.

“Camping and traveling the world is such a big part of our lives, and being quarantined in one place has been hard, but the driveway getaway allowed us to sit back and reflect on how much of lives we really take for granted”.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia, a 1963 Pasadena caravan named Pearl became an essential retreat for a household of seven people in isolation together. “During the week she is an ‘office’ for one worker at home and one learner at home, then on the weekend Pearl is our destination of choice with lights and a fire!” says owner Nicky.

For some couples and families spending a lot more time together than they usually would, the caravan in the driveway has become an essential escape to solitude; the only chance to get some peace and time out. For Carolyn in Budgewoi, New South Wales, having the caravan parked in her driveway gave her a quiet space away from the incessant Coronavirus news reports and talkback radio that her husband likes to listen to. A quirk that never bothered her so much until she

found herself suddenly unemployed when the pandemic hit, “If it wasn’t for my vintage princesses in the driveway and having my pleas for silence thankfully met with his purchase of Wi-Fi ear buds, I surely would not have coped” she says.

“Bringing her home to my driveway for some much-needed TLC and spending time fussing over her along with an extended global vintage community was the best medicine ever for this caravan tragic soul during these COVID19 times”.

Jenna and Jeff Hampton are the proud parents of an eleven-month-old son.

While Jeff went to work, Jenna found it challenging working from home with the baby without the distractions of daycare and daily visits with grandparents. “Saying we were all going stir crazy is putting it mildly!”, said Jenna. “Our baby boy got to set up his ‘camper’ and enjoyed playing with Sasquatch during the day and at

Nicky & Andrew Johnston in Langerin, VIC with ‘Pearl’ the 1963 Pasadena

 Carolyn Cameron from Budgewoi, NSW’s 1977 York “Annie”

night we set up the tent in the living room and “camped out”. We connected with campers from all over the world through social media. We also made some great memories as a family and can’t wait ‘til our little guy is bigger to tell him. It was so amazing to be a part of something so wonderful during such a dark time and we can’t wait until the next ‘global camp out’!”

Single Mum of two and owner of a cute little vintage camper named “Elliemay”, Kourtney Hurley was thankful for the opportunity to “escape from reality”.

 Jenna & Jeff Hampton’s 11-month-old son’s 1st campout with “Bonnie the Camper”

 Beth Manning with her 1968 Serro Scotty in York Beach, Maine vintagetrailermagazine

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Dennis, Sandra &“Tess” Virgona in Geelong, VIC

“Having to learn to work from home and begin homeschooling all at once, we were desperate for a break!” she told us.

“When we heard about ‘camp from home’ we were all in! We packed up our camper as usual and pulled it right into the front yard. We enjoyed hotdogs, s’mores, and then settled down for movie night in the camper! It was such a great way to escape reality and connect with our own family and others from all around the world virtually!

Meanwhile over in Geelong, Australia Dennis and Sandra Virgona were doing some not-so-socially distanced camping with their virtual “neighbours”, having a hilarious happy hour in their garage with a bunch of pink flamingos and their travel buddy dog Tess. “We were all doing our best to social distance; however, the flamingos were a little over friendly!” writes Sandra.

Kirsten Butler & “Archie” in her 1969 Olympic “Ziggy Stardust” in Byron Bay, Australia 

Jamie Metz’s Serro Scotty “Lucy the Glamper”

Kourtney Hurley’s kids from Knoxsville, TN with “Elliemay the camper”

 Anne & Paul Andrews from Kawakawa Bay, New Zealand’s 1962 Tanner Craft caravan 20

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 Sylvia Berry and her 1962 Carapark in Purga, QLD  Cheryl Connolly in Pomona, QLD

Bernadette Ward’s Oxford caravan in Ashburton, New Zealand

Justine Carragher of Uki, NSW’s 1964 Sunliner “Daffodil” & 1971 VW Superbug

Karyn McKay from Fife, Scotland’s Sprite Musketeer Caravan “Flora Mary”

Sarah Moore & Vince Emge from Knoxville, TN own “Della Rae” a 1970 Yellowstone Capri

GeriAnn & Jeff Horne and their 1971 Wilderness “Amazing Grace”

And over in another corner of the world a cute little pastel-coloured caravan called “Flora Mary” made a cozy retreat from the Corona madness for its owner Karyn in Fife, Scotland.

GeriAnn and Jeff Horne had worked all winter preparing their 1971 Wilderness “Amazing Grace” and, like so many of us, were excited about the upcoming camping season until the pandemic put a halt on them doing what they love.

When they heard about the “driveway getaway”. GeriAnn says she was “all in” “The hubs and I set the camper up,

built us a campfire, and camped in our driveway along with friends from all over the world. We used Social Media to keep up with the others, talked, shared pictures and video chatted while camping alone/together. So, even though the year 2020 started off on a bad start, I do have to say our Camping season started out with the most unique camping trip we ever had!”

Over in New Zealand, Bernadette and Russell Ward enjoyed a lovely relaxing couple of days camped in their driveway

with an extra bonus: “The on-site amenities were the best we’ve ever come across!”

For Sarah Moore and Vince Emge from Knoxville, Tennessee the Glamper Sisters call out to partake in the #drivewaygetaway was not just a muchneeded escape from self-isolation, but their first “outing” in their trailer Della.

Sarah expressed a sentiment that was shared by most participants interviewed for this story: “It was an honor to get to be a part of something larger than us and feel that we are not alone in all this”. vintagetrailermagazine

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Feature Caravan

Little Van WITH

Big Ideas WORDS LISA BLANCO

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P H O T O S L I S A B L A N C O & C A R O LY N C A M E R O N

i, I’m Lisa and I grew up in an outer suburb of Melbourne and spent many wonderful holidays with a big group of extended family members, camping in the bush or by the beach.

As a young adult, I continued to enjoy tent camping with my partner Rob, and when our kids came along, we upgraded to a trailer-tent. It was great in theory, but it was cumbersome and time consuming to pack away, so the novelty soon wore off and we eventually stopped camping.

That’s when the idea of buying a small, cheap caravan took hold and wouldn’t let go. Although I knew it was a great idea, Rob unfortunately did not agree, and the idea was shelved for a few years.

Persistence paid off however, and in 2011 the search to find our little caravan began. It was during this search that I discovered Vintage Caravan Magazine and I was instantly hooked. I knew our caravan had to be pre-1980, so it wouldn’t be classed as “modern” and in January 2012 we bought a tiny 1979 10foot Coronet that I named Wanda. I did her up as best I could inside and out, and we enjoyed many weekends away in her.

Fast forward to 2020 and we currently have three caravans and have sold three more. I don’t buy them to renovate and

sell. Each one has been bought with the intention to restore and keep. The trouble is, there’s always another one around the corner that needs to be brought back to life. So when I see one that I just have to have, another has to find a new home.

And that brings us to the story of Gidget.

In August 2018 I saw an ad on Facebook Marketplace for another 11-foot York caravan on a nearby dairy farm, so I jumped in the car and raced over to “just have a look”. This one was built in 1977 and was completely original and looked to be in pretty good shape.

It was registered, with a working fridge and minor water damage. I bought it on the spot for $2,200 then headed home to tell Rob what I’d done. I think I was more surprised than he was! I wasn’t looking for another caravan and I certainly didn’t need another caravan, but now here I was with three caravans in various stages of restoration. I had every intention of giving this one a quick makeover and selling it, but the water damage turned out to be much more extensive than originally thought… isn’t that always the way? The more time and effort I put into restoring it, the more I connected with it, and soon it occurred to me that this could be the perfect little girly van for me to take away with some

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like-minded girlfriends. That’s when the name Gidget popped into my head.

With a lot of hard work and a lot of help from others, that daggy little caravan has slowly transformed into the perfect little getaway van that I fondly call my Getaway Gidget.

Gidget’s transformation started with the removal of the water damaged wall and ceiling panelling and overhead cupboards. Only the kitchen base cabinets and wardrobe, and a few wall

panels remained unscathed. Once it was stripped back and the mould was removed, I employed a carpenter friend to help me replace the rotten roof timbers and ceiling and wall panels, and to rebuild the dinette seats and the kitchen’s overhead cupboards. I then began on the interior by undercoating and painting. When choosing the wall colour, I thought I’d save some time and money by foregoing the sample pots. I knew I wanted a citrus yellow, so I just picked a colour from the brochure and

painted all the walls, but that turned out to be fluorescent green, so I picked another colour and painted… then picked another colour and painted. I am currently on my fourth colour choice!

I have restored every window by removing them one at a time, picking out and replacing all the perished window glazing rubber around each pane, polishing the aluminium frames and resealing them back in place. It would take me days to complete each one and I managed to break three panes of glass in the process. There are seven windows and nineteen panes of glass in that caravan. I swear I will never do that job again! It was worth it though, because those wind-out louvered windows are very practical and easy to use.

Another huge task was to remove and restore all the aluminium trim along the exterior edges of the van. Fortunately, Rob was happy to help with that job as well as restoring the chassis A-frame & tow hitch. She has a new set of tyres, a new bracket for the spare tyre and I had a spare wheel cover custom made using a design created by our younger daughter. I’ve added a small television with DVD player so I can watch old movies and sitcoms from the 70’s, and I gave an old broken radio a new lease

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on life by gutting it and installing a small Bluetooth speaker inside so I can stream my favourite tunes - mostly Aussie bands from the 70’s. Finally, Gidget was off to the local spray painter for a professional exterior 2-pac coat of paint. I happily splurged on this because by then I knew she was going to be mine forever. I then applied bright flower stickers to really brighten up her exterior and now I can’t help but smile every time I see her.

I always focus on original-to-the-era pieces and only buy modern retro inspired item if I can’t find what I’m after. As a child of the 60’s & 70’s, I find myself drawn to the architecture, furniture and décor from the era.

One day, my kombi loving friend Maria and I were applying undercoat to the walls when we both happened to look down at the newspapers spread out on the floor. Maria said, “Oh how cool is that surfboard” and that’s when I realised we were looking at a photo of Kathy Kohner, who is the real-life inspiration for the fictional character of Gidget. The 1957 novel, “Gidget: The Little Girl with Big Ideas”, was written by her father Frederick Kohner and that book inspired the very popular movies and tv show. Here we were, standing in Gidget and laying at our feet was a two-page spread about my caravan’s namesake! I hastily rescued the article from impending paint splatters and stored it safely away.

Maria has been a great help and a patient sounding board throughout this whole process. I knew I wanted to retain a retro 70’s theme for the caravan but the interior colour scheme really came together when she found a roll of vintage wallpaper at our local vintage market. There was just enough to cover one wall and it took us the better part of an entire day to install it.

As well as installing wallpaper, painting and general decorating, I have sewn two sets of curtains, the doona cover, cushion covers, and an acrylic canvas awning. Of course, my most favourite pastime has been sourcing the vintage and retro inspired décor. I always focus on original-to-the-era pieces and only buy modern retro inspired item if I can’t find what I’m after. As a child of the 60’s & 70’s, I find myself drawn to the architecture, furniture and décor from the era. I especially love the retro textiles and kitchenware and my studysewing-guest room is rapidly becoming a shrine to the 70’s.

In April 2019 Gidget was finally ready for her first outing. Unfortunately, Rob had work commitments and couldn’t join me, so I towed her the five-hour journey to Picnic Point on the Murray River near Mathoura, New South Wales, where I was to meet up with more than forty members of my extended family. I was so excited and nervous during the

drive, mostly because I wasn’t sure which roads to take and at one point, I did have to make a U-turn after following a narrow winding road that turned out to be taking me in the wrong direction. By the time I made it to Mathoura I felt like I could just keep going and head for who knows where? Queensland perhaps?

But of course family were waiting, and I was eager to catch up with them. We gathered there to commemorate the passing of my grandparents, my father and my uncle who all used to love camping along the banks of the Murray.

Understandably, it was a bittersweet vintagetrailermagazine

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occasion for her inaugural outing, but also a wonderful opportunity to once again be camping with family like we did back in the 70s, albeit in much flashier caravans! Gidget was a big hit with the family, many of whom own modern caravans that are twice her size.

Gidget’s next outing was to Tarra Valley in south eastern Victoria. Rob and I headed off for a long weekend with our two travelling companions, our mini Schnauzers Harvey and Sadie. We stayed at the Best Friends Holiday Retreat, which I highly recommend if you love to travel with your pups.

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I’ve since taken Gidget away on a few more adventures including the annual Bridgewater Vintage Caravan gathering near Bendigo in Victoria, where Gidget sat between Lisa Mora’s Priscilla and Carolyn Cameron’s. It was a great weekend and I can’t wait for the next one. I also organised a vintage caravan gathering in my hometown and despite the wet and windy weather, it was a great success and likely to become an annual event.

Unfortunately, all our upcoming events have been cancelled or postponed so for now, while I wait for the caravan parks to reopen, I’m content to hide away in Gidget, sipping on hot coffee and leafing through the pages of Vintage Caravan Magazine while I dream of new adventures, of the places we’ll go and the people (and caravans) we’ll meet.

 To recreate Gidget’s groovy retro styling, decorate with browns, oranges and vibrant citrus tones.

Beauty Cases $60 for the set

 Vintage Kitsch Netta Australia Pty. Ltd. Rabbit night light $38

from Teenage Vintage Boy Etsy Store www.etsy.com/au/ shop/TeenageVintageBoy

Phone Cheryl on 0408 166 609

 Nothing says 1970’s more than a macrame wall owl

Trailer TREASURE

These very retro orange cats found a new home in Gidget 

 Lisa Blanco found a great way to repurpose these op shop find mugs

 Retro Villeroy & Boch Luxembourg Acapulco Post $58

from Teenage Vintage Boy Etsy Store www.etsy.com/au/shop/TeenageVintageBoy

Vintage trailer lovers from all over the world love “treasure hunting”. Whether it be op shopping, garage sales or online auction sites, we love salvaging items others have discarded as trash and treasuring them once more. Many a vintage trailer has been lovingly restored from possible ruin from those less appreciative of its charm, and the same is often so of the adornments found in the retro themed interiors of vintage trailers and their owners’ homes.

Interior design ideas, homewares, brica-brac, clothing and kitsch, along with trailer trash finds, each issue we will feature items found from VTM’s “Treasure Hunters”.

Do you have a rescued treasure or retro style item for sale that you’d like to share? Or snapped a sadly rejected trailer out there somewhere? To feature here in Trailer Treasure, contact editor@vintagetrailermagazine.com with the subject line: “Trailer Treasure”.

 Vintage Gayware Canister set $90 from Teenage Vintage Boy Etsy Store www.etsy.com/au/shop/TeenageVintageBoy

 More of Gidget’s macrame decorations

Gidget’s mod pop flowers groovy custom key ring

from www.zazzle.com 

Retro melanime cup set $35 the lot  For the grooviest curtains like these and fab retro wear go to www.yesterdaypeople.com

Retro Model Maid by Jason anodized stacking storage canisters $68  from Teenage Vintage Boy Etsy Store www.etsy.com/au/shop/TeenageVintageBoy

Phone Cheryl on 0408 166 609 

 This retro ceramic face was the inspiration for Gidget's spare wheel cover art

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Event Review

Bridgewater

Vintage Caravan Ex avaganza WORDS LISA MORA

H

aving been previously travelling around in total solitude with my 1968 Viscount “Priscilla�, there were quite a few surprised faces when I turned up at this event! Only a few close friends had known I was even back in the country, so it was great to catch up with 28

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P H O T O S C A R O LY N C A M E R O N & L I S A M O R A

so many people I hadn’t seen for a very long time. Little were we to know then that this would be the last event on the calendar for the next few months when Coronavirus restrictions kicked in soon after and cancelled all our plans!

Located in a quiet rural area of Victoria, not far from Bendigo, the Bridgewater

Caravan Park was an ideal location.

The lush green grassy campsites by the river were certainly a sight for sore eyes after having come down from droughtstricken rural Queensland. There were around sixty caravans in attendance, with many of them towed in with cool classic and vintage cars. The organizers

did a great job with the Saturday night festivities at the local art deco styled pub, where about a hundred and fifty of us took over the entire beer garden area.

After a game of trivia and raffle draws, we enjoyed what was probably the best meal I have ever had at a country pub.

Kudos to the chef (and to what I assume would have been a bustling horde of helpers given the extra large crowd).

It was just a short walk along the river path back to camp where chit chats and late-night drinkies continued. I was pretty exhausted from all the driving

I’d been doing. I regret now that I didn’t take more photos and videos of the cool caravans that I saw at Bridgewater, but most of us had planned to meet up again at the Vintage Caravan Nationals that were due to be held in South Australia in the first week of May so I’d figured I’d do it then. Of course, that event ended up being cancelled along with so many others…Thankfully Carolyn had her good camera and was out on the job getting photos. Thanks Carolyn! And thanks to the organizers for all your hard work putting together such a great event!

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Services Directory

OM

Thom Underwood » The Craftsman

Thom Thumb Trailers are handcrafted in limited production in the Pacific Northwest. Dedicated to the style and spirit of the early Trailer Craftsmen, Thom Thumb Trailers are made for those who appreciate a simpler time.

Handcrafted Vintage Style Trailers Restorations • Partial or Complete

thomthumbtrailers.com

503-749-2771 • thomthumbtrailers@gmail.com P.O. Box 254 Sublimity, OR 97385-9827

Welcome to the Great Indoors!

Our little hotel has all the fun of camping, minus the bugs & unpredictable Texas weather. We house 9 vintage glampers and 8 teepees at our indoor “glampsite.”

Plan your next girls’ weekend, bachelorette party, family reunion, or workshop weekend at one of the most unique lodging experiences in the US!

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Whether you call it a vintage trailer, a camper, a coach, or a caravan, it just isn’t complete without a custom awning from Pink Flamingo Awnings. Our custom awnings reflect your personal style and enhance the personality of your vintage trailer.

PinkFlamingoAwnings.com | 541.621.7333 PinkFlamingoAwnings@gmail.com

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4212 S. St. Hwy 237, Round Top, Tx 78954

www.lonestarglampinn.com

Wide Whitewall Trailer Tires Trailer Wheels

We specialize in custom fibreglass RV renovations. Our fully restored & road-ready trailers are ultra lightweight and can be towed by virtually any car on the market.

We also assist with shipping all over the world! Prices range depending on floor plan, trailer size, and amenities.

Contact us at wanderlustvintagetrailers@gmail.com to find the tiny home of your dreams!

2.5 inch whitewall on left.

15 X 6 inch Gennie Chrome wheel above.

It is never safe to run passenger car tires on your trailer.

We offer Extra-Load Trailer Tires in Load Ranges C-D-E. Tire sizes: 13, 14, 15 and 16 inch diameters.

Let us build you a set of new wheels for your trailer to go along with your new tires.

We also supply whitewall tires to match your tow vehicle.

Friendly advice is a phone call or email away

Motorspot, Inc.

310-686-9152 | www.wanderlustvintagetrailers.com

427 Industrial Way, Unit C Fallbrook, California 92028 Phone: 760-731-8301 www.trailerwhitewalls.com vintagetrailermagazine

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Services Directory

Quality Crafted Weatherstripping & Rubber Seals

800-230-5824

rv.steelerubber.com Access Door, Compartment Door, Front Door, & Ramp Gate Seals 3M Peel-N-Stick, Glue & Push On Seals

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Vintage Weatherstripping!

FREE Catalogs Available