Olympic Caravans.

[Richard]

Olympic Caravans.
3397 Pacific Highway Springwood. Queensland ( click on address for location.)

In 1927 Walter John Dimmack and his Uncle produced one of the first motorised caravans in Australia, which was built on the back of a Model T Ford.
Walter Dimmack then went on to work for the Brewer Racquet Company who in 1939 produced the first travelling showroom caravan, built for Mr R.O.Cummings, a professional tennis champion. Also that year the brewer company produced a caravan with slide in boat on the floor. which won the caravan award in the motor show of that year.
Following his return from war service, Mr Dimmack founded the present company and commenced producing bond wood and aluminium caravans in Queensland. in 1965 the company turned to the production of fibre glass caravans, which material they considered far superior.
Olympic fibreglass caravans are manufactured by a unique process combining fibreglass with certain compounds, sprayed on moulds to produce a light but extremely strong, durable and attractive caravan.

[Richard]

A 1970 ad for the Olympic Stardust and Style Leader.

[Richard]

Another Historic Caravan enthusiast I ran into at the Bendigo swap meet was Ian who has a very original Olympic caravan. The van had not been registered for 37 years and is in just about show room condition, even the annex has not been used before. It also has a fantastic Circle Caravans Sticker that I havnt seen before.

[Richard]

A 1975 article on Olympic Caravans.
Just love the Olympic in the ad.

[Richard]

Olympic fibreglass caravan brochure.

[griffin]

We finally had a few days away and spent them at Kendall's Beach. While in the area I decided to visit Nerriga which is located between Nowra and Braidwood and not to be confused with Nelligen which is between Bateman's Bay and Braidwood.
It's barely a scratch on the map but I've wanted to go there for a while and what was the first thing we saw on arrival? (apart from the pub) an Olympic Riviera perched proudly on the hill for all to see.
It's not for sale and belongs to the son of the landowner, it seems to have been there a while, the last rego sticker was 1995. I couldn't get the chassis number but it looks to be a late 60s or early 70s model.

I knew there was a reason to go there.
George

[Richard]

1967 ad for Olympic Caravans.

It is also interesting that in the same 1967 magazine Olympic Caravans announces that it has appointed Circle Caravans of Churchill St. South Williamstown Victoria as there sole Victorian agent.

[Richard]

196? Olympic ad.
Sounds as though they are talking it up a bit with "gleaming impregnated" and "remarkably resistant".

[Richard]

This very nice vintage caravan brochure for Olympic Caravans is dated as 1985 and is a comprehensive list of the models available with their corresponding price.

[Richard]

A very rare and very nice Olympic fibreglass caravan currently for sale by Bob Taylor and Bob Moore.
(if you are interested send me an email or personal message for their contact details)

It is very interesting to see how Olympic changed its construction methods, and rather than the vans being moulded as the top and bottom halves, this van is constructed from a front and back panel joined to the walls and roof panels that could be shortened or lengthened to suit the required length of the van.

This van is of a similar construction as the caravan in the article on the 4th post down.

Sellers comments.

Olympic “travel trailer” mfr 1977 Olympic caravans Slacks Creek , Qld
Unregistered.
Chassis no. 74523d atm on rego cert. 2480kg ball weight 300 (loaded)
Hayman reece fixed mount hitch with 750lb bars included.

All fibreglass body 19’6 internal lth x 8ft width. Marine ply flooring.
Heavy duty chassis. The a frame is of 5x2 box section steel, reinforced.
Wheels / tandem axles located well to the rear of the van for towing
Stability.
Front vinyl stone guard. Window shades front & rear.
Two four season hatches.
Camec triple lock amplimish security door.
Double bed with foam mattress. Lift up base with gas strut assist
Two ikea bentwood/ upholstered lounge chairs, in addition to l-shaped
Dinette.
Cabinet doors/drawer fronts are tas oak frames/ veneer ply with
German hardware ( hafele).
Wardrobe, broom cupboard, tv mount, tv storage fitted in base of
Wardrobe.
Vanity unit/wash basin/shaving cabinet. Five drawer dressing table.
Ample kitchen storage. Sliding basket/drawer pantry units.
Shoe locker – sliding baskets & umbrella storage. Piano hinge (brass}
For drop-down locker doors.
12/240 v electric lighting. Elcb 240v safety switch.
Electrolux refridgerator model rm66, 160ltr, 240v/gas
Gas stove four burner with grill. Range hood with 240v exhaust fan,
12v & 240v range lights. Microwave oven.
Mains pressure mixer sink tap.
Rezi inline 240v hws. Porta potty built in.
Radio/cd p;ayer (sony) with marine antenna. Fire extinguisher.
Four hydraulic stabiliser jacks. (dunford, adelaide).
Exterior access locker.

Axles dexter (usa) 3500 series 2 3/8 inch diameter hollow steel
Suspension. Dexter rocker suspension 7 leaf springs. Gabriel shock
Absorbers, part no 69708
Wheels trak 2 pattern (roh brand) 14’6 inch steel, white powder coated
Two spare wheels included.
Brakes 10x2 ¼ inch electric on all wheels. Hubs 5 stud ford pattern,
½ inch unf on 5 ½ inch circle.
Wheel bearings nsk inner l68149/681411 outer l44649/10

Gas provision, for 9kg quick release bottles with manual change over reg
Water two 801 abs tank with foot pump. Galvanised tank stone shields.
Water pump flojet. 12v, or whale foot pump.
Rear bumper bar with two spare wheels.
Waste water hose carrier flexible pipes fitted (2) running full length of
Van under floor’

Battery (100ah marine). Solar panel 120w kyocera & regulator.
Anderson plug car connection.
External 12v power points (3)
Led tail/stop/indicator lamps.
Jacking plates.
Aluminium box, full width, fitted to drawbar for poles, ropes, pegs etc.
Breakaway braking switch fitted.
All exterior screws are stainless steel

If you feel this van is of interest to you, you would be wise to inspect it, as it is a "one off" classic fibreglass van with features not found in current model vans.