Caravans.

Baravan Caravans

1954 - 1988

BARAVAN CARAVANS

1954 – 1988

THE EARLY YEARS

The first Baravan Caravan was built in1954 by David and Horace Barrett atBridge Street in Riverton. This was thehome of Horace and Vi Barrett, fatherand mother of David Barrett.

Horace being an Aeroplane Mechanicin WW2 and an all-round ‘mister fixanything’ sort of man actually built acaravan in 1947. No doubt he was theinspiration and means for David tobuild his first caravan.

David after leaving school at 15 worked inthe National Bank in Goomalling with theintention of becoming an accountant. After 3years he left the bank to work on his uncle’sfarm in Dukin then to Jerramungup where hehad a fencing contract for the War ServiceSettlement Scheme.

Probably the idea of caravan manufacturingfor David came from meetings with hismother Vi whilst she was working for SydKeirle who had a caravan business. Thebusiness was located in Victoria Park, Sydwas the agent for Carapark Caravans whichwere manufactured in NSW (Australia’slargest Caravan manufacturer at the time).David used to call in and see his mother fromtime to time and met Brenda who was thestepdaughter of Syd Keirle. As they say, onething led to another and David and Brendamarried.

Prior to marrying he and a mate ‘Kiwi’had been living in tents during thefencing contract however this was notreally suitable for a newly married brideso David and his father built a caravan in6 weeks for their accommodation.The caravan was 18 ft long, ply coveredand painted.A colour band was painted on later.

Horrie’s (Horace’s) caravan - 1947

Horrie and Vi Barrett with Phyllis and Syd Keirle

The first Baravan – 1954 – David and Brenda

The first Baravan with colour band

Brenda became pregnant that year andthey returned to Perth and lived inDavid’s parent’s house in Riverton (nowWilson). On returning to Perth thedecision was then made to makecaravans for a living. Several morecaravans were made at Riverton in 1955before finding a suitable factory inBentley.

It was a basic shed near Adrian Streetthat unfortunately flooded so Davidpurchased a property, 129 WelshpoolRoad, Welshpool. This was originally aduck farm owned by Mr and Mrs Myer.David’s mother, Vi Barrett was theinstigator of dealings with the Myer’sand developed a friendship with themprior to suggesting selling the propertyto her son. A shed was built on it tomake caravans which became the homeof Baravan and the family lived nextdoor in a rented house.

1955 Baravan built at Riverton

Interior 1955 Baravan

In 1956 business was so slow they nearlyshut up shop when they couldn’t pay anybills. In order to keep going a caravan wassold to Syd Keirle which enable them topay their bills.

David had worked in the National Bankand looked for employment with the bank,unfortunately there was no marriedaccommodation available so decided togive it one last shot and build some vansfor display at the 1956 Perth Royale Showwhich was the start of the businesspicking up again.

Vi Barrett, (Mother of David) told a story toJenny Barrett (wife of Bruce) that when shewas displaying and operating the’Foldavan’ camper at the Royal Show in1956 she remembered displaying anderecting it with several interested peoplewhen it fell on her head, this was not agood look, however 1 person still boughtone. Needless to say there were probablysome design issues and that productwasn’t seen for long on the market.

By the late 50’s the business was finally moving ahead howeverbeing a manufacturer and retailer of your own product had it’slimitations as David found and needed to be either one or theother to grow.

With his father Horrie they built the first part of the factory and asbusiness grew so did extensions to the factory.

The first extension were approved in June 1957, then extensions approvedin May 1959, more extension approved in December 1961 and finallyextensions in February 1963 to the property purchased next door at 127Welshpool Road, Welshpool.Properties at 125, 123 and 121 Welshpool Road were purchased in future years.

1959 Baravans at Welshpool Factory

Baravan Caravan display 1956 Perth Royal Show ‘Foldavan’ 1956 Perth Royal Show 1957 Baravan at Welshpool

EXAMPLES OF DOMESTIC BARAVAN CARAVANS

1960 Baravan at Welshpool

Horrie and Vi Barrett bogged on the Nullabor 1962

1960 /1961 Baravan at Welshpool

1960/1961 Baravan at Welshpool

1962 Baravan Caravan

Feb 1966 Royal 13’9” 2SD.No.886

1962 Baravan Interior

Jan 1969 Regal 21’ D2S2S. No. 1580

BARAVAN DOMESTIC CARAVAN PRODUCTION

During the 1960’s Baravan Productions were Western Australia’s largest Caravan Manufacturer.The alliance formed with Skipper Baileys in Victoria Park as Baravan’s sole supplier of Domestic Caravans created an

alliance which ensured the ongoing future for Baravan’s through the 1960’s.

1963 Baravan Caravan’s Factory on Welshpool Road

In December 1963 Skipper Bailey Motor Company Limited took delivery of their first Baravan Caravan.This was chassis number 449 an ‘All Metal Caravan’, 13’2” in length and model LD (lounge dinette).

The business arrangement with ‘Skippers’ continued until June 1970.Retailing of Baravan Caravans then returned to Welshpool and sold through ‘Caravan Centre of WA’.

The sales yard at Welshpool was alongside the Baravan factory and opposite Bitone Caravans.

Size of caravans ranged from 10’ to 26’ with each caravan being described by size (length) and layout.

Mid 1965 descriptions also included a Model.

For example:11’4”, Safari, D2S

INFORMATION BY YEAR OF PRODUCTION DESCRIPTIONS, SIZES AND CHANGESSize: 11foot 4 inches longModel: Safari Caravan

Layout: Dinette and 2 single beds

INFORMATION BY YEAR OF PRODUCTION DESCRIPTIONS, SIZES AND CHANGES

1954 - 1960Chassis number 0 – 200Approximate production number 200Exterior: Plywood painted.

1960Production estimate 48Chassis numbers 201 - 249Exterior: Plywood painted or Flat

Aluminium sheet.

1961Production estimate 50Chassis numbers 250 – 300Exterior: Plywood painted or Flat Aluminium sheetand 2 - 22’ All Metal Caravans.

1962Production estimate 56Chassis numbers 301 - 357Exterior: Plywood painted or Horizontal hand pressed ‘log cabin patterned’ Aluminium sheet.All Metal Commercial Caravans 10’ - 16’ for SEC.From Chassis number 351 onward all Domestic Caravans produced as All Metal Caravans (steel framed and aluminium lo patterned sheeting).Release of the 13’2” – models 3S, 2SD, LD, 2SL.

The largest Baravan produced - the first 26’ caravan.

1963Production number 80 caravansChassis numbers 358 – 453Exterior: Horizontal hand pressed ‘log cabin patterned’ Aluminium sheet.16’ Commercial Caravans10’ models 2S13’2” models LD, 2SD, 3S14’6” models LD, 2SD, 2SL16’6” models LD, 2SD, 2SL, 4SDDecember 1963 first 2 caravans supplied to Skippers.

1964Production number 213Chassis numbers 454 – 665Exterior: Horizontal hand pressed ‘log cabin patterned’ Aluminium sheet and later Horizontal ‘rolled single ribbed’ silver Aluminium sheet.14’ Commercial Caravans10’ models 2S, 2L13’2” models LD, 2SD, 3S14’6” models LD, 2SD, 2SL16’6” models LD, 2SD, 2SL, 4SD

1965Production number 205Chassis numbers 666 – 870Exterior: Horizontal ‘rolled single ribbed’ silver Aluminium sheet.14’ Commercial Caravans 3S, 4S13’2” models LD, 2SD, 3S14’6” models 2SD, 2SL16’6” models 2SDFrom chassis number 700 use of Model names.Wayfarer 11’Safari 13’2” and 14’6”Ranger 14’Royal 15’6”

1966Production number 207Chassis numbers 871 – 1078Exterior: Silver ‘RS2’ patterned aluminium sheeting.Ranger 13’9”Safari 11’4”, 13’9”, 15’2”Royal 13’9”, 15’2”, 15’6”

1967New models from January 1967.Production number 255Chassis numbers 1079 – 1333Exterior: Silver ‘RS2’ patterned aluminium sheeting.Ranger 11’4”, 13’9”, 15’2”Safari 11’4”, 13’9”, 15’2”Royal 13’9”, 15’2”, 18’6”, 20’Regal 17’, 21’ (started in August)

1968Production number 238Chassis numbers 1334 – 1576Exterior: Silver ‘RS2’ patterned aluminium sheeting.Ranger 13’9”, 15’2” x 8’ wideSafari 11’4”, 13’9”, 15’2”, 15’2” x 8’ wide, 16’6”Royal 15’2”Regal 21’Empress 15’9” x 8’ wide

1969Production number 227Chassis numbers 1577 – 1798Exterior: April, start of ‘White RS2’ pattern aluminium sheeting and ‘Baker’ windows and doors.Exterior: Commercial caravans in silver RS2 Aluminium.Ranger 13’9”, 15’9” x 8’ wideSafari 11’4”, 13’9”, 15’2”Royal 15’2”Regal 21’Empress 15’9” x 8’ wide

1970Production number 141Chassis numbers 1799 – 1959Exterior: ‘White RS2’ pattern aluminium sheeting then introduction of Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.Exterior: Commercial caravans in silver RS2 Aluminium.Ranger 14’, 15’9”, 16’Safari 11’, 14’, 15’Royal 14’, 15’Regal 19’, 22’, 25’Empress 15’9”, 16’, 19’Princess 14’, 15’

1971Production number 113Chassis numbers 1960 – 2052Exterior: Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.Regal 19’, 22’, 25’, 26’Empress 16’, 19’ Princess 11’, 14’, 15’

1972Production number 93Chassis numbers 2053 – 2147Exterior: Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.Regal 22’, 26’Empress 16’, 19’Princess 11’, 14’, 15’Safari 13’9”New external shape to a 16’ Model Empress

1973New 15’ x 8’ Princess in SeptemberProduction number 126Exterior: Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.April start of wind-out windows.Chassis numbers 2148 - 2271Regal 22’Empress 16’, 19’Princess 11’, 14’, 15’, 15’ x 8’ wide

1974Production number 115Chassis numbers 2272 – 2393Exterior: Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.Regal 22’, 26’Empress 16’, 19’Princess 11’, 14’, 15’, 15’ x 8’ wide

1975Production number 82Chassis numbers 2394 – 2475Exterior: Vertical White ‘log cabin’ hand pressed Aluminium sheeting.Regal 19’, 22’, 26’Princess 15’, 15’ x 8’ wideCommercial production thereafter

Note: There is a variation in the chassis numbers when compared with actual production. The factory closed over the December –January period for annual leave and some chassis’s did not follow numerically when the order was placed. Some vans were placed as a priority and produced forward of some other chassis numbers and so ended up being produced in a different calendar year.

Timber caravan framework was Tasmania Oak timber with radius and curves steam bent. Overlapping horizontal and vertical timberswere half checked overlaps and screwed at the joint.

Early chassis were steel A frames and front and rears and main chassis rails incorporating the use of Karri timber longitudinals.Angles welded across the main rails supported the timber.

In the years of manufacturer where Plasply and Flat aluminium sheeting were fitted to the exterior timber framework and specialattention to ensure that all slotted screw heads were aligned in the same direction.

Interior paintwork consisted of the application of pink primer, undercoat and then an enamel top coat with the company supplyingthe paints being ‘Spartan Paints’. In later years they also supplied automotive lacquer for the colour bands on the white acryliccoated aluminium sheeted caravans.

Silver Horizontal ‘rolled single ribbed’ Aluminium sheet prior to RS2 know by staff as RS1 – 1964 to 1965 built caravans.

ADVERTISING

1958 Keith Winser ‘Caravan & Touring Manual’ 1960 Keith Winser ‘Caravan & Touring Manual’

1961 Keith Winser ‘Caravan & Touring Manual

Skipper Bailey Brochure 1969

HOME BUILDER KITS

A large part of Baravans businesswas producing Caravan Shells orChassis’s with Steel Frameworkbeing bought by those wantingto build and fit out their owncaravan.

The customer was then able tosave on the labour costs inbuying a completed caravan butstill having technical advice andshown how to go about theprocess by Baravan’s.All of parts, components andknowhow was at their disposal todraw on from Baravan’sexperienced staff to build aquality and robust caravan.

Records from chassisnumber 200 (year 1959) –453 (December 1963) show avariety of home builderproducts described as:

Ali KitAli ShellBond Shell Plasply ShellPly Shell

During this period around 60were sold to Home Builderswanting to make their owncaravans.

One such ‘Home Builder’ is 95 yearold Mr. Bill Kennedy who bought a13’2” ‘Baravan Shell’, chassis number392 which came out of the factory29.03.1963.The quality of Bill’s workmanship wasexcellent and the caravan remains inthe family having celebrated it’s 50th

year in 2013 doing 210 trips andtravelled 188,759 kilometres (Billkept records of everything).

The 2nd last home builder kit soldwas chassis number 2403, a 15 x 8shell delivered out of factory24.02.1975, the last being 14 x 7,chassis number 2483 delivered outof factory 20.03.1976

2017 – Bill Kennedy with his Baravan

COMMERCIAL CARAVANS

Many were built by Baravan, the firstfour being builtfor the Forestry Department inOctober 1960.

Early Commercial Caravan customers also included:

Church of England – 1960Western Mining – 1962State Energy Commission –1962Geophysical Survey – 1963P.M.G. – 1963Co-operative Bulk Handing –1963

Above was built for a WA farmer for Domestic use

chassis 261, 22’ All Metal Commercial 1960/1961.

After Skipper Baileys became theBaravan’s distributor there were aconsiderable number of ‘Commercial –Work Vans’ built and sold in 1964-65.This was due to the expanding MiningIndustry and the addition of theStandard Gauge Railway being builtacross the Nullabor to join WA withthe other states.

112 Commercial Caravans were built and sold in this period:

July – August 1964 – 30 caravansDecember 1964 – 36 caravans (note: 2 built per day)March 1965 – 12 caravansJuly 1965 – 3 caravansAugust 1965 – 13 caravansNovember 1965 – 18 caravan

Commercial Caravan Manufacturecontinued with GovernmentDepartments and Mining Companies,Co-operative Bulk Handling etc untilaround 1983.

Blessing of caravans above in 1961 St Georges Terrace

Above most likely to be Nos. 252, 253, 254, 255 built for Church of England Nov 1960

April 1971 16’ Commercial . No. 1957

Commercial Caravans W.A.G.R. Est. 1978

Traditionally Commercial Caravans werebuilt using 1” square tubing for theframework whereas the domesticcaravans used ¾” steel tubing. Shapewas very square and no colour bandswere painted unless specified as in thecase of W.A.G.R. who required a bluecolour band painted on all of theircaravans.

Quality Commercial Caravans were wellsought after especially with the goodname of Baravan.In 1979/80 Baravan won a contract forthe production of 47 caravans for theMain Roads Department.This proved to be a great contract whichBruce and his wife Jenny managed fromquotation to completion.

Bob Butcher was contracted (formerly ofBlue Bird Caravans) to build and deliverthe chassis’s and Bruce’s brother Brianto build and delivery the furniture.

The manufacturing process wasslightly different from the traditionalBaravan with the side frames madeusing a combination of steel channeland steel tube and then welded to thechassis (traditional Baravan Caravansused 19mm square tubular steelsides, fronts and rears with pressedsteel channels to form the roof).

The front and rear were of thesame construction however werebolted and screwed to the chassisand side frames and the roof wasmade of steel welded thendropped on top of the sideframes and bolted and screwedtogether. This was a similarmethod used by eastern statesmanufactures using aluminiumfor the framework.

It proved to be an efficient way tobuild however the decline incommercial caravans was boughtabout in part by reducedexpenditure by GovernmentDepartments and the use ofrelocatable structures such asDonga’s and Transportable andManufactured Buildings forpurposes previously set aside forcaravans.

14’ First Aid Caravan Est. 1982 22’ Accommodation Caravan Est. 1982

18’ Single Axle Lands & Surveys Dept. Est. 1978

CARAVAN SPARE PARTSThe spare parts business evolvedaround offering parts and componentsfor the ‘Home Builder’ – Caravan Shells(completed exterior ready for internalfitout), chassis with framework plus allof the necessary parts to complete thebuild for the home handyman.The longer the business continuedreplacement parts sales for existingcaravans increased parts sales for thebusiness. With retail sales of BaravanCaravans also came the need to provideaccessories for their customers,growing as sale increased.

Quoted on our price list - ‘If Baravan’s haven’t got, it’s probably not available in W.A.’.

In 1978 Baravan were the statedistributor for Viscount Caravans andalso Millard when taken over byViscount several years later. Along withthis was the opportunity to supply partsfor these brands and also the goodrelationship with Viscount opened doorsto many of their suppliers so Baravanwere able to deal direct withmanufacturers of Eastern States partssuppliers to offer a much larger range atvery good pricing.

The parts business continued to expandwith Baravan under the names of‘Baravan of Welshpool’ and ‘CaravanParts of WA’ becoming the largest singlesupplier of Caravan Parts andAccessories in W.A. in the early 1980’s.

By 1984 Baravan had further developed the partsbusiness to encroach on the area previously use formanufacturing at Welshpool into a very successful‘Wholesale/Retail business’ supplying most caravanretailers with not only replacement parts andcomponents but also a large range of accessories.

Baravan Spare Parts ‘Showroom’ 1969

ADVERT 1983

ADVERT 1984With declining caravan sale around 1988David reassessed the income from thecaravan business verses tenanted propertyand a decision was made to redevelop theoriginal factory area into showroomwarehouse. Part of this plan was the sale of‘Caravan Parts of WA’ which would alsocreate a tenant. The parts business wassold to Fleetwood who then moved all oftheir parts operations to Welshpool.

CEASATION OF DOMESTIC CARAVAN MANUFACTURING

In the mid 1970’s the BaravanCaravans were not as pricecompetitive with many of the EasternStates brands of caravans being soldin Perth. David made the decision tostop producing Domestic Caravansand started importing a N.S.W.brand, York Caravans. York wasmade in the same factory as Millardand Starcraft.

A 15’ x 8’ wide Baravan was retailingfor round $3500 while a 15’ x 7’wide York model was retailing foraround $2500.Other manufacturer’s representativeswere selling brands in Perth such asMillard and Viscount from NSW,Chesney from QLD and many of theVictorian manufacturers at verycompetitive prices.

The York brand was sold between1975 – 1977 by Baravan’s. Changeswere initiated by Fleetwood droppingthe Viscount brand in favour ofMillard.Fleetwood were the largest retailer ofcaravans in W.A. with a DealerNetwork including a Wholesale/Retailspare parts and accessories businessso for Millard it was their choice to gowith the largest retailer to increasetheir sales.

BARAVAN – VISCOUNT

In 1978 Baravan were appointed Western Australian distributors for Viscount Caravans operating at 123 - 129 Welshpool Road, Welshpool.

Dowerin Field Day 1975Bruce Barrett with Ivy and George Day

ADVERT 1978

ADVERT 1978

Not long after taking on the Viscountbrand George Day (George DayCaravans, Cannington) and PeterCameron (Cameron Caravans, Albany)were appointed as the first Baravan –Viscount dealers closely followed byanother 9 Dealers making a totalDealer Network of 12 outlets fromEsperance to Port Hedland.

The Dealerships operated under thebanner of ‘Baravan Viscount’ as a ‘5 StarBaravan Dealer’.Sales blossomed and in the early 1980’sover 500 new Viscount, Coleman andMillard Caravans in one year weretransported to WA.

The original owner of Viscount, John Carrsold his business around 1985/86.Unfortunately under the new ownershipthe business eventually ceased around1991.

Baravan had already relinquished theirties with Viscount seeing a decline incaravan sales and had redeveloped all ofthe production and sales yard propertiesat Welshpool by 1990 intoShowroom/Warehouses.

ADVERT 1984

ADVERT 1984

10ft. RESIDENTIAL CARAVANS

Around 1980 there was a change in theacceptance of the type of caravanssuitable as use for permanent living inAustralia. Caravans up to 36 ft long setup with annexes were used for peoplewho chose the lifestyle offered whenliving in a caravan park. Acceptancewas established for the use of semimovable caravans (not required to belicenced) to be used as permanentresidence in caravan parks - theevolution of the 10 ft wide on-sitecaravan.

Baravan with their involvement withViscount Caravans were initiallytransporting 10ft wide Onsite Caravansfrom Sydney to Perth. This proved to bea problem with travelling restrictions todaylight hours, permits requiredthrough some states and the wear andtear on the trucks transporting them.Costs were high and it limited thetransport of traditional caravans toPerth.

With the decline in orders for CommercialCaravans in 1983, Baravan changeddirection and manufactured the 10 ftwide units at the Welshpool factory.Baravan’s first 10ft wide was an 18 ft, 6berth model designed for caravan parksand then to a more traditional 28 ft x 10ft model similar to those being producedin NSW.

Viscount Caravans in NSW were happy forBaravan to go their own way with thisproduct and offered assistance originallymanufacturing in Perth under the Viscountand Millard brands as this helped topromote their products.

Production of Baravan’s under Viscount name

These were distributed through the‘Baravan Viscount’ network ofDealers in WA.

The Caravans were built either as asingle wide, additional floor andannex or as double wide up to 35’long x 20’ wide

Changes in the acceptance of thesecaravans eventually led to caravanparks being able to buy and locatemanufactured housing as on-siteaccommodation and eventually thedecline of the 10 ft wide caravan.

THE LAST BARAVAN

I retired a few years ago and whilstcaravanning with my wife during2019 in the south-west wediscussed what we should do withour current caravan to last usanother 10 years.We thought it would be a great toown one of our family’s Baravan’showever none were built withensuites and to convert an oldercaravan with all the featurescurrently available in 2020 wouldbe a huge task.Problem solved, I reregistered theBaravan Caravan name and decidedto build the last Baravan fromscratch having started in October2019.

Shape is based on a 1969 Baravan, and all steel construction

Size: 20ft x 8ft Body Tare: 2800 kg2013 Landcruiser Wheels 18 x 8Electric Brakes, Rocker Roller springs

Most of the work was carried out by myself however I was most greatful for some help from family: Jenny, Danielle, Adam and very good friends Austin and Jim. Thanks to neighbouring tenant’s for a lift when I need it.LPG and electrical work carried out by licenced persons.

The caravan was built in a 6 mtr x 8 mtrunit in Myaree and took around 14 months to complete.