A couple of photos showing some of the ingenious ways that Jonn Jennison overcome problems and features that made Jennison Caravans the Aristocrat of caravans.
The extremely large roof hatch on forum member Jennisons Pathfinder. Jennison Caravans were advertised as having the largest roof hatch of all caravans, with the power lead plug socket in the back right of the hatch.
Again, forum member Jennisons caravan showing the unusual drop axle that John Jennison designed and had a firm in Sydney make for him, to overcome the problem of headroom.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
I found these two advertisements at the Mitchell Library in Sydney in a publication called Australian Caravan Magazine & Log Manual for 1938. The editorial indicated it was the 4th issue as I recall but the library only has the one issue which is a real shame.
A PM from 'Jennison' told me he wasn’t previously aware of a Jennison van with a lantern roof so I guess there is still plenty of history to find out there. Unfortunately examples of the ‘real thing’ may longer exist though. Really nice looking van I think.
The second advert is for Masonite Presdwood featuring the Jennison van which is panelled with the material.
The 1951 and 1952 advert photos were taken in 1948 featuring my mum, uncle and aunts. I have the original photos but had not seen them in add form/layout. Nice find Richard.
regards
jennison
This photograph was part of an article in the Australian Monthly Motor Manual for November, 1952 titled "Recollections of a Twelve Months Round Australia Caravan Cruise."
The first paragraph read "Mr. R G. bell of Auburn, N.S.W., has just completed a 24,000 mile 12 month tour of the Commonwealth with a 1947 Ford and a 16ft. Jennison Pathfinder during which he visited every State. We reprint some candid comments from his personal diary. Mr. Bell here recounts some pithy impressions of some of the various places visited:-"
The remaining couple of pages of text was just that, one sentence impressions of many of the towns visited.
It looks like rough going in the photo and we wonder why more vans haven't survived.
