Time to Roam Magazine Issue 4 - August/September 2013 | Page 19

Meet the cover model

3

It’s a backyard wonder

Daniel Linnet

Back in the 1950s, as many as one-in-two caravans on
Australian roads were built or assembled in the backyard.
Wollongong caravan collector Richard Potter’s pride and joy “Daisy” would
have to be one of the most outstanding vans from that era still in use today.
In fact it was Daisy that kicked off Richard’s caravan collecting hobby.
He now has 14 in his collection and had to buy a warehouse to store them all.
Originally christened “Jabiru”, it was designed and built in 1958 by Ron
Davie, a panel beater from Urunga NSW.
Legend has it Ron raced to get the caravan finished in time for his
Christmas holidays that year, however there are no signs he cut any corners in
the design and finish.
“This is an unusual van as it has a tubular steel chassis with cross braces
and the cladding is 3/8 marine ply which is the outside and inside lining,
which has very little in the way of insulating properties,” Richard says.
“It has a double bed at the back that can be folded up as a lounge and a
dining table at the front which can be folded down into a large single bed.
It also has provisions for a single stretcher bed to go above the single bed.”
Richard purchased Daisy in 1993 and has enjoyed many long caravanning
trips in the years since, more often than not using an FJ Holden ute as the
tow vehicle.
“We like to use our caravans and Daisy is often used for family holidays a
couple of times a year, having travelled many a happy mile.”

< Futuristic Camper from page 16

master carpenter had to be involved.
Quite possibly it was built by a master tradesman with all of these
skills, because every one of these elements is outstanding.
What we do know is the current owner Peter Gill bought the camper
a few years ago from an elderly gentleman called Brian Sirl who had
inherited it from his uncle Jack Nybeck.
Jack had bought the camper in the 1950s and with help of his brother
Ren, put as much time and effort into restoring it as the original owner
spent building it.
It was re-painted and re-canvassed and some the parts had to be
replaced. Jack lived in Bega NSW and worked for the county council
and as a sleeper cutter. Jack and Ren Nybeck spent a lot of time enjoying
the camper, fishing by the Bega River for many years.
As he got older and had nowhere to keep it, Brian sold it to current
owner Peter Gill who’s also spent some time on restoration, including
having it re-registered for the first time in 30 years.
“It’s really is a ‘one off vehicle’ in great condition. It has an annex all
around, a very cute vintage retro look and it folds out with up to two
beds,” Peter says.
“There’s a centre fold out table, lots of cupboards and cubbyholes for
storage, a good paint job and it’s in good working order.”
The time has come for Peter to also part with the camper and he’s
looking for a new custodian to treasure this truly amazing and historical
piece of camping history.
(Editor’s note: If you’re interested, you can find Peter’s details in the
classified directory of this issue)
Issue 04 Aug/Sept 2013

19