Since 1953 Millard caravans have been constructing quality caravans and strived to be the best in the business. Millard was known for its pioneering leadership and many of their first were later accepted as standard equiptment for other caravan brands. By 1970 Millard were producing 10 000 caravans annually.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
Iam not sure of the origins of the Safari by Millard brand, but when a major caravan builder is constructing vans under a different name, it usually means that these vans are a more budget minded model. But till I can confirm this, who knows.
This van was listed on ebay in June 2010 and I have added these photos after several enquires about the origins of this brand.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
Early Millard information is a bit hard to come by considering the size the company got to in the 70's and 80's, but here is a small bit of info on the interior of a 56 model.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
Found this Safari recently on a visit to Hill End. Lots of unfriendly 'keep out' signs and the sounds of a big dog barking kept me from venturing inside the gate to make any enquiries. It looked to be in pretty good order but was getting hemmed in by other 'collectable' materials. I don't know what year it is but it looks like it fits the Forums parameters.
Hi George.
Dont let a couple of savage dogs put you off, get in there for some photos.
Its not a bad looking little van. I would say it is a slightly later model to the one I posted above, as the cladding on the bottom half is ribbed and the front window has two opening windows one above the other.
I have also found another bit of information for you.
It is a 1967 ad which states that Millard were first with colour, or first with a baked acrylic enamel finish to the aluminium cladding. Interestingly you could still get the plain embossed sheeting as well.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
Nice vans in the brochure but I think I'd need to upgrade the tow vehicle to haul one of those beauties
Here's two photos of another Millard accumulating moss and lichen. It's at my son in laws mother's farm and belongs to his brother who uses it for storage. I should check it out for bits and pieces
They seem to have maintained a recognisable shape, this one has a diamond pattern aluminium cladding and a 'go fast' stripe on the lower part but a very small front window. I've no idea of the year.
Another Millard Safari has popped up in my travels, this one at Londonderry on the side of the road, probably for sale, everything else around it has a price on it. It's behind a wire fence and has a fine diamond pattern aluminium finish like my son-in-laws one but it doesn't have the fancy go fast stripe. Again no idea of the year.
My first van that I used as accommodation when I was first married was a Millard and they seem to keep crossing my path, is there a message?
