Vintage Caravan Magazine Issue 40 | Page 23

Daniele Howes says that she had always had an interest in all things vintage and had been inspired to get a vintage caravan after seeing one while they were travelling. “We were taken by the gorgeous look and the shape of these caravans. They looked so elegant. As soon as we returned home, we set about researching”, she tells us. “We looked at many types and sizes, deciding that the Cheltenhams were ideal for us. Their shape and design seemed to be very well thought through for their era. We were particularly impressed with the one-piece fibreglass roof which eliminates any risk of water leaks”. About six months later they found the 1966 Cheltenham Waterbuck caravan in Bristol, U.K; about four hours’ drive from where they live in Wales. The caravan measured 12’ 9” long, 6’ 6” wide and was 6’3” high inside. It had been kept in a barn where it had sat for a very long time and had not been used for several years. Thankfully much of her interior was still in very good condition, albeit a bit dull with its boring brown colour scheme, but there were no obvious signs of leaks or rotting to be found, thanks to the fibreglass construction. Daniele told us that it was those sleek curved roof lines and the position of the large windows that made this particular caravan so appealing to her. vintagetrailermagazine | 21