Our Touring Past

1956 vintage caravan ad for Don Caravans and the Don caravan park Green Acres.

DON model 140 vintage caravan that has been nicely restored by Colin and Sue.

DON model 120 vintage caravan, with a dinette at the front. It is also interesting to note that this model doesnt have the Don Wash basin in the wardrobe door.

A simple advertisement for the Sydney Don distributor. Savell Bros., from the NRMA Open Road, 1-4-1951. George

I was very surprised to see this 1949 photo on the "Lost Shepparton" facebook page of a DON PMG van.

PMG workers vehicle 1949 - This great photo was shared on Lost Ballarat by Zelma Doyle.
The PMG (Post Masters General) was the federal organisation that looked after Post Offices and made the decision to demolish the Shepparton branch.
Wikipedia - "The Australian Government Postmaster-General's Department (PMG) was established at Australia's Federation tasked with responsibility for postal and telegraphic services. It was abolished in December 1975."

Thanks to the cold weather and a day on Trove I can add these lovely 1937 Don advertisements. All from 'Table Talk' magazine which had a great motoring section and which I had researched at the State Library years ago looking for Vauxhall stuff, but only got up until 1936. With it now on line, and it ended in 1939, I'll catch up. It was somewhat like 'Women's Weekly' covering all facets of Australian life and worth looking at on a cold or wet day rather than watching the idiot box. Some other great caravan stuff to follow too. And the 'connoisseur' in this case drove a Vauxhall, naturally!!
George

The same photo, only clearer, was published in GMH Pointers magazine of December, 1937. It indicates Mr. Robinson was also a Vauxhall agent, something I wasn't aware of. I always wonder why the door wasn't painted to match the rest of the van, not only Dons but lots of other vans of the era.

And, another Pointers, this time from February 1953 shows a Don as part of a display enticing Holden buyers to go camping and caravanning. Nice one too, clothes line, awning and a pond with sailing boat and beach umbrella. Nice looking canopy on the FJ in the top photo too.
George

A very nice Don 150 recently advertised for sale.

Sellers Comment.

Believed by some, to be the only known one of its type in Australia, means my very rare 1956 built "Don 150", is a wonderful example of Vintage Caravan history.

I have owned the "Don" for 3 and a bit years and during that time she has always been fully garaged and on blocks, she tows beautifully and we have used her for 4-5 times for stays at Vintage Van Rallies/outings etc.

Her overall condition, to the best of my knowledge, would be 8-9 out of 10.

Interior Details:

* Sleeps 4

* Original 2 way refrigerator and stove in excellent working order

* Original bath

* Drop down wash basin

* All interior finishes are original and in good condition.


The following works have been carried out:

* New axle fitted

* With 10" Dexter electric brakes

* New tyres fitted

* New 2000kg coupling bolted to new plate. The original coupling has been removed (but is available for historical purposes)

* New safety chains fitted

* All gas lines to fridge and stove replaced where needed to meet NSW certification regulations

* New 15 amp power inlet fitted

* PCB main circuit breaker fitted

* Primer undercoat, two undercoats, finished with 2 coats of oil based enamel in original colours

Asking for offers over $16,500.

Garaged on Mornington Peninsula (Vic)