Sunchaser Caravans.

A History of Caravan Manufacturers in Australia.
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griffin
Posts: 942
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:13 pm

Sunchaser Caravans.

Post by griffin »

199 Burwood Road, Burwood, N.S.W.

An illustrated advertisement for the hire of 'Sunchaser' caravans was found in an issue of the N.R.M.A. Open Road dated 18 May, 1939. The were offered by Ledsam's Caravan Rentals at the above address. No mention of them being for sale or any specific sizes other than 3, 4 or 6 berths. The axle seems to be set more to the rear than was usual.
Sunchaser .May 1939.jpg
Could this be a case of some badge engineering to offer an exclusive brand for hire and if so what van was the basis? It seems odd they were only offered for hire.

Searching 'Trove' I found the earliest advert in the Sydney Morning Herald was dated 26 Jan., 1938 and offers a little further information describing them as 'Senior' and 'Special' models with radio, running water and partitions but only for hire, never for sale.
Sunchaser SMH 26-1-1938.jpg
Sunchaser SMH 26-1-1938.jpg (12.78 KiB) Viewed 335 times
This advert ran regularly and was basically unchanged until it's last appearance on the 2 November, 1940.

There was no advertising for the brand during the War and the name first appeared in advertising post War as a hire van from Caravan Enterprises (no address or suburb given) in the SMH on 8 January, 1948. Again the adverts continued periodically until 27 October, 1948 after which there was nothing further in regard to their hire.

An advert from Caravan Enterprises on 6 September, 1950 offered for sale a 'Luxurious Sunchaser Caravan, 23 x 7, 27cwt, 4 rooms' so it was a good size. Price was 995 pounds.
After this there appears to be only private sales advertised.

The name 'Sunchaser' is readily found by 'Google' as a very popular Windsor pop top caravan of more recent times.

Anyone know anything further??

George
griffin
Posts: 942
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:13 pm

Re: Sunchaser

Post by griffin »

Here's another advert for Sunchaser from The Open Road, Nov. 30, 1939. It's a nice bit of artwork which shows the van a bit better than the previous photo. To my eye it seems a pleasant style van for the era. This original advert is only 5cm square.
Sunchaser  OR Nov 30 1939.jpg
George
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