Vintage caravanning

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crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
As a follow up to the posted images, a short resume :

1929 Eccles deluxe caravan cost new 225 pounds
Insulation - none
Double glazing - nope
Hot water - nope
Heating - nope
In fact nope to all modern caravan conveniences.
I was asked by two dear old 'posh' ladies recently 'where is ones toilet and shower', reply Two buckets which serve two separate needs, just don't get the buckets mixed up!

Towing with the old Vauxhall is a slow laborious journey on one hand, but great fun on other, 35mph is a good safe tow speed, 40mph requires 100% concentration and not often seen on speedo.
Braking is adequate both on caravan and car. Ten/twelve miles to gallon of juice is painful of course, but we all have to pay for our pleasures.
Most frequent questions are :
Do you use it as a caravan? of course.
Whats it like to tow ? not as bad as you may think, just take your time thinking well in advance.
Whats it worth? to me, its priceless.

Any questions please?

GAjon

3,804 posts

220 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
Is it your car and van that are sometimes on display at the caravan shows around the country?

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
I do attend shows and exhibitions with my combo, but a Friend also has a combo much like mine. He has the same car except his is blue over black and his van is an 'Angela' very like my 'Eccles' but different maker. A third combo also is about this year, again a Vauxhall 20/60 with a caravan of unknown make, possibly handmade back in the day. My guess is that about a dozen vintage caravans are left, two or three with a full complement of original furniture, including my own. Thanks for question.

ps : fabulous Tiv you have there.

Tunku

7,703 posts

235 months

Sunday 4th November 2012
quotequote all
crankedup said:
As a follow up to the posted images, a short resume :

1929 Eccles deluxe caravan cost new 225 pounds
Insulation - none
Double glazing - nope
Hot water - nope
Heating - nope
In fact nope to all modern caravan conveniences.
I was asked by two dear old 'posh' ladies recently 'where is ones toilet and shower', reply Two buckets which serve two separate needs, just don't get the buckets mixed up!

Towing with the old Vauxhall is a slow laborious journey on one hand, but great fun on other, 35mph is a good safe tow speed, 40mph requires 100% concentration and not often seen on speedo.
Braking is adequate both on caravan and car. Ten/twelve miles to gallon of juice is painful of course, but we all have to pay for our pleasures.
Most frequent questions are :
Do you use it as a caravan? of course.
Whats it like to tow ? not as bad as you may think, just take your time thinking well in advance.
Whats it worth? to me, its priceless.

Any questions please?
Marvellous to see such equipment still being used. I wish I had the resources.

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Tunku, it has taken me many years gradually 'upgrading' towards my hobby ambition and some luck on the way as well. I am though a lucky old fella to own this slice of social history. Just need to enjoy and look after it for the next custodian.

GAjon

3,804 posts

220 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Out of interest, just how does £225.00 in 1929 stack up in today's terms.
I imagine these were a very expensive and a very middle class item?

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
GAjon said:
Out of interest, just how does £225.00 in 1929 stack up in today's terms.
I imagine these were a very expensive and a very middle class item?
I've just done a comparative guide, with some help of a couple of PH'ers ready for next seasons shows.

$225 in today's money is $12,000
1929 building labourer earn't $2.87 for a five day week
My vintage Vauxhall and caravan would have cost $850 in 1929 = $44,000 today.
A typical semi detached house in London 1929 cost $800
A 'high flier' in London earn't around $1000 year

As you can see caravanning was indeed a very expensive luxury 'back in the day'.

ps it should read pounds not dollars my pc will not show pound symbol.

Bill

54,248 posts

262 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Where are the pics?

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
Bill said:
Where are the pics?
Top of the page thread, its a sticky. Scroll down last page. smile

Bill

54,248 posts

262 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
Thanks, that is simply fantastic.

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Bill smile

The Nur

9,168 posts

192 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all



Hope you don't mind if I just leave that here thumbup

Love it!

crankedup

Original Poster:

25,764 posts

250 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
Good idea, thanks.smile