Our Touring Past

I ran across this commercial van in a yard at Bargo a while back and it looks seriously commercial with that power box on the front. Big heavy looking thing with two access doors, both with an old sticker reading "Restricted Area - No Entry Unauthorised Persons". It appears to have been in situ for some time and looks like remaining there the way the garden is advancing at the front. No one home other than a big dog so no information to be had, might try again when I'm down there unless someone recognises it.

George

Here's a couple of newbie commercials, included because they are copies of the most recognisable vintage van style, the Airstream, even if it was't Australian.

The first is a mobile ticket office which was located outside Sydney Town Hall recently and at first appearances thought to be an Airstream. Of all things it's a Pommie knockoff, a Rocket, "Hand Built in Britain." A somewhat unorthadox drawbar arrangement I've not seen before. And then at the George IV Hotel Rockabilly festival at Picton on the weekend, Stroop Bros were selling their wares from a home built van in the Airstream style. An album on the counter has photographs of the build using a steel frame. Turns out one of the operators is handy on the tools being a body builder by trade. Great job! I wonder if they have seen Marvin with those beaut front windows? And there was a great collection of cars and bikes on display too.

George

This is a ripper commercial van, pity it never survived.
From Trove, Smith's Weekly 29 June 1935.
George

These two photos of a re-purposed Carapark Zestline were sent to me by a mate who found it at the Wentworth Hotel, Homebush. The display sign at the rear indicated is it the 'CARA BAR' and is available for hire. Nice and tidy and certainly better than rotting away in a paddock. George