Our Touring Past

Sportsman Trailing Equipment.
Mr Nicholson.
153 Beach Road Mentone. Victoria
and later at
145 Park Rd Cheltenham. Victoria.

It is interesting to note that this 1949 ad for Sportman states that the teardrop campers are now mas produced ensuring that every camper is precision built.
The exterior colours are Silverpine Green or Sprayed Irradescent Bronze.

While at Motorfest this year I took a short video of forum member mrfj55 's Sportsman Caravanette. Morrie has only had it a short while and it is very original with only a few repairs that Morrie is carrying out himself.

Maurie's Sportsman

G'DAY RICHIE RICH
HOW YA GOING MATE , THE VIDEO OF THE TD LOOKS COOL THANKS FOR DOING THAT . ANOTHER HUGE DAY AT MOTORFEST AGAIN WITH SO MANY Q&A'S ON THE DAY FROM ALL THE LIKELY PUNTERS , TAXING BUT ENJOYABLE !
VERY HAPPY WITH THE TEARDROP AFTER YEARS OF SEARCHING FOR ONE AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO USING IT HEAPS IN THE FUTURE .

SEE YA AROUND THE CAMPFIRE .

REGARDS MAURIE

A 1953 for the Sportsman Caravan.
And an early 1950's ad from a tent manufacturer with a photo of a Sportsman caravanette and an annex that was made to suit.

A very early 1948 ad for Sportsman Caravanette showing the NSW distributor of Progressive Car Sales.

A 1950 ad for the Sportsman 2 berth De lux.

Richard,

from research I have done it appears that Sportsman Caravanettes were first produced just prior to the war. They seemed a good thing so proper production was started just after the war.

There are a number of things changed between early and late production, such as door handle types and positioning, badging, etc.

I believe my Sportsman Deluxe is a very early one, most probably pre war.

It is hard to see on the 1948 advert, where is the door handle positioned, in the centre or at the top of the trailing edge of the door?

Cheers, Leigh.

I came across this very nicely restored Sportman Teardrop caravan about four or five years ago at the Bendigo swap meet.

1949 Sportsman caravanette ad.

A 1949 vintage caravan ad for the Sportsman Caravanette sold by Motors Ltd.