History Of Caravan Park Ltd
or later called Carapark Pty Ltd.
About the end of 1928, Mr R. J. Rankin, a young Sydney businessman and keen outdoor sportsman, decided to have a caravan constructed for his own use. After six months of planning, he had completed the plans of the small "covered wagon". Lightly constructed and lacking floor space and head room, it was at least a caravan in which one was reasonably comfortable, and it could be towed by a small car.
This little vehicle proved such a success that Mr Rankin decided to manufacture a number, and so a workshop was set up for this purpose in Missinden Road Newtown.
Model No 6, for instance was 6ft long and 5ft.6in. wide, a compact two berth weighing in at 5 cwt and selling for 75 pounds in the middle of the 1930's. It had cupboards and was complete in itself.
Commercial production was achieved at the latter end of 1929. A very ready demand was proved and a larger model was designed and marketed during 1930. This model was more liveable, in so much as it had a water tank, ice chest and electric lighting
At this period our engines were more powerful, roads also were in a much better state, and it was time to improve the "Covered Wagon".
In 1932 the first "Teardrop" was marketed, with a steam bent coachwood frame, clad in steel with a ply lining on the inside, the Teardrops were a huge success. Totally enclosed and fitted with an all steel chassis, two large windows, 16" wheels, stove and were completely water and dust proof, with many of them still on the road today. A feature of the Teardrop was the dinette and they were even supplied with an innerspring mattress.
Weight of the Teardrop two berth was 7 1/2 cwt. Over ride brakes were fitted but it was found that they were really light enough not to warrant them. These little vans proved so popular that a hire fleet of 6 units were in operation from Missinden Rd Newtown by the end of 1932.
Meantime, plans had been drawn up of new models, larger than the previous ones, and it was not long before the Mobile Home models 14 and 16 were being marketed in fairly large numbers. By this time the caravan industry was firmly established and a hire fleet of approximately 25 vans was being operated by Mr Rankin.
- Caravan Parks first mobile home featured an opening panel in the side wall.
Meantime, drastic changes had taken place in the car body design. Bitumen and concrete roads had been laid down on most highways. Mr Rankin then realised that the day of the mobile home was going, and the motorist required a new type of caravan. A caravan capable of being used as a temporary or permanent dwelling, having most of the conveniences usually associated with a modern home. Refrigeration, bottled gas, chemical sanitation, hot and cold running water were to be incorporated in the new models.
During the latter end of 1939, the new all steel Superb pilot model was completed. Tested thoroughly under all conditions including a trip to Darwin. The first Superb was then taken off the road and stored as the War had come and there was no longer a need for vans for pleasure. Caravan Park hire fleets went to Lithgow and Bathurst to house munition workers. Some even went to Tocumwal and Raglan aerodromes. A.W.C and C.C.C workers had No 1 priority. Hire rates were reduced to as little as one pound per week in some instances.
Production of caravans ceased completely by 1940, even though the need for mobile accommodation was urgent, guns and munitions were of the upmost priority. Needless to say, during this period, the caravan industry did not flourish. A caravan on tour was indeed rare, travel and petrol restrictions, with an extreme lack of accommodation of any kind drove them off the roads. They could be seen on any major construction job or adjacent to any factory, and usually the owner or hirer did not own a vehicle to tow them.
New tyres were almost impossible to obtain. Paint was also a major problem, consequently the hire fleet and privately owned vehicles deteriorated to a great extent, particularly the caravans which were exposed to all the weather conditions.
Mr J.T.Walsh was manager of the Newcastle branch, and was the driving force behind the production of the Hunter. Several hundred Hunters had been manufactured in Newcastle, and it is claimed that the Hunter factory used the most modern methods of construction. One feature was that components for 50 units were machined at one time, with each section and panel being jig built and every Hunter is exactly the same in every detail. The full assembly line of Hunters was 18 caravans resulting in the completion of one every alternate working day.
During 1949, a very large percentage of Hunter's were purchased by British immigrants. As special sales policy existed for overseas clients. By paying a deposit of 25 precent of the purchase price, a caravan is reserved and made available for delivery on request. Should the purchaser not be completely satisfied with the caravan on inspection, any monies paid would be refunded in full. It is considered that this was a very fair arrangement, as the new Australian is not committed to complete the transaction unless he was completely satisfied. It was also possible to have a standard caravan altered to suit individual requirements.
Realising that there was a great number of light cars in Australia, and that it seems apparent that caravans would be required for this particular field, the company had commenced production of two new models. The Hunter Junior 3 birth for cars of 10 hp rating and Hunter Minor 2 birth for 8-10 hp. Both of these models were marketed in 1949 and performed very well, both in private use and in commercial hire fleets.
Converting to a public company (Capital £250000.00) It was planed to build a new factory covering a new area of approximately 3 acres. By using the latest type of equipment and production methods, production was planed at least 100 caravans per week.
After the company was made public the name Caravan Park Ltd was changed to "Carapark Pty Ltd". In 1961 Carapark Pty Ltd aquired the Gypsy Caravan company and Carapark prospered until 1962, when "Motels of Australia" bought out the company for the several Motels and Caravan Parks that Carapark Pty Ltd had already set up and they seem to have sold the naming rights and caravan designs to various independent operators in each state.
A very old slogan of Caravan Park Limited has been A caravan for every car