Sunliner Caravans.

A History of Caravan Manufacturers in Australia.
rodnet
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by rodnet »

Hi Richard, very informative about Sunliners, thank you. I have restored one 13' and then sold it to finance 16' which we currently use. I also have another 13' under resto and have recently aquired a Sunliner by Walden. Know a little of the history re being built in Collaroy by a boat builder based on Sunliner moulds, but not much more than that. Hoping that you can enlighten me. The van is 14'6"
Rod
Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

Hi Rodnet.
I dont know a lot of the history of the Waldens Sunliner other than what you have mentioned. Also the interior is a fully lined in fibreglass, and the one I saw was very well built. From studying one that was at Cowra a few years ago I did notice that it looked as though the body had been lengthened about 18" from the door back.
There is more info here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=576

Cheers.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

I found this little 1963 ad in the Canberra Times for a Sunliner sales and hire yard in Corrimal, (just down the road from me). :D :D

Canberra Times Thursday 14 November 1963.jpg
Canberra Times Thursday 14 November 1963.jpg (92.41 KiB) Viewed 1314 times
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

This article from the Government Gazette dated the 13th of May looks as tho this is when the business was in trouble, with Qualicraft Manufacturing (windows) demanding their money.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales  Friday 13 May 1966.jpg
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

This May 27 1966 article from the Government Gazette listed William James Hamilton as the official liquidator of Mid North Coast Moulded Products Pty Ltd.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales  Friday 27 May 1966.jpg
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

This looks as though the end was near for Sunliner Caravans (Mid North Coast Moulded Products.) as the Judge gave the order to pay Qualicraft $1966.00 and for William James Hamilton to "wind up" the company. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales Friday 22 July 1966.jpg
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

Sunliner brochure images with permission from Grant Christian.

Sunliner a1.jpg
Sunliner a2.jpg
Sunliner a3.jpg
Sunliner a4.jpg
Sunliner b1.jpg
Sunliner b2.jpg
Sunliner b3.jpg
Sunliner b4.jpg
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

I had a bit of a find the other week that I was very excited about and I thought I would share .
Its the original Patent for the Sunliner caravan taken out by Mid North Coast Molded Products.

MNCMP a.jpg
MNCMP b.jpg
MNCMP c.jpg
MNCMP d.jpg
MNCMP e.jpg
MNCMP f.jpg
MNCMP g.jpg
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

While at the Shellharbour Vintage Vanners weekend I met a lovely couple ( I have honestly forgotten their names which I must apologise for) with a magnificently restored 16' Sunliner. They have done a remarkable job considering it took them 12 months to do while renovating a house at the same time.

Sun 1.JPG
Sun 2.JPG
Sun 3.JPG
Sun 4.JPG
Sun 5.JPG

What makes this restoration even more amazing is that I posted photos of this van in 2010 HERE about half way down the page.

It is unbelivable that this van below has been transformed to the van above.

Sun 6.jpg
Sun 7.jpg
Sun 8.jpg
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
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Richard
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Re: Sunliner Caravans.

Post by Richard »

Hi.
I am currently compiling a register of Forster Sunliners, Waldens Sunliners, Bundaburg Gracemurs and Victorian Skylines. Basically if it looks like a Sunliner I would like it on the register.
All I need is a serial number found on the draw bar either beside the coupling or just behind it on the left hand side. You may need to sand away several years of paint to see it. Let me know if it has a space frame or C section chassis and if it has independent or leaf spring suspension. A couple of photos would also be great and you can email me at thetrodler@yahoo.com.au Thanks in advance. Richard.
ourtouringpast.com THE vintage caravan restoration website
and home of The National Caravan Museum.
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