Nostalgia overload! My parents had one of these around 1984 when I was 8. Very fond memories of trailer and caravan club rallies, some sunny, some soggy! We’ve got a Swift now, but there is always something more intriguing about folding / pop-up campers!
Another really enjoyable video, and innovative use of space...Im old enough to remember trailer tents, but this is a marvellous way of improving on that concept. X❤
We have one of these, complete with matching awning. It's provided some great holidays over the past 6 years that we've owned it. It is really stable to tow, and has 'proper' suspension with springs and shock absorbers rather than the bouncy indespension units. I was initially worried that modern caravan owners would be snobbish about something so old, but in fact we get a lot of interest and complements when on caravan sites.
It's absolutely beautiful ! I'd love to be pitched up against your c'van. We've got a tiny GRP Freedom Jetstream and that sometimes raises eyebrows 🤔. Questions include "how many beds does it have?" & " Is there a loo, a kitchen..."
Thank you for showing pop tops. As I have one it’s interesting to see how they have developed - which isn’t very much! I love my pop top but I realise the way in which we are viewed especially on sites where we are considered the lower echelon of vans. The complete snobbery which envelopes Caravanning could be time consuming and confines one to the beliefs that one that owns a “pop top” does not fit in with the requirements of the middle class caravaners. We are all the same - no matter- spending our time on our RV’S. I adore my pop top even though I tow it with a Porsche! Lol. Xxxx
I think you were correct until a few years ago, when pop tops are suddenly “cool” again. It’s funny to think that once there was a bitter rivalry between caravan owners and Motorhome owners! In fact, motorhomes weren’t welcome in the Caravan Club until the early 1970s! Very ironic that they changed their name to the Caravan and Motorhome Club. Thanks for your support as always x
I've got a tiny Freedom Jetstream which also raises a few eyebrows on site as I'm 6"2" tall and c'van alone" Questions are on the lines of: "Has it got a kitchen ? " and " is there a loo in there..... somewhere ? " 🙄
I just tumbled upon your channel last night and think it’s fantastic what you are doing with classic caravans. I have a 1982 Castleton 2 berth that has only had 2 owners from new. It is untouched and a real little gem. Of course, it does need work on it and I have toyed with the idea of doing some work on it. Your channel is an inspiration Cameron. 😁
Thanks for the lovely comment Neil, and good luck with your Castleton! Have you joined the Retro Camping Club? It’s only £15 for the year and it’s for owners of pre-1990 caravans. There’s lots of member discounts at suppliers who have bits for old caravans and plenty of technical advice/help there too: www.retrocampingclub.co.uk
Thank you Cameron ! I remember these well but never got the opportunity to see inside or how they worked, so this has been a wonderful watch whilst sheilding from the North West heat today. I wonder whether it'd be possible to see all these beautiful classic caravans together one day at a venue?
Really enjoyed this episode brining back so many happy memories 🙂 My very first caravan at 22 years old when I was back in South Africa was the local version of the CI Sprite compact. You are correct in saying the Sprite compact was extremely popular selling well into the 2000s after undergoing a bit of a local more streamlined redesign. I towed mine very effortlessly with a mk 2 ford escort 1600 and have so many amazing memories caravanning with the compact.
Thanks Brad! I was surprised to read at how popular the Sprite Compact was in SA. I think it was first called the Sprite Sport then later the Sprite Swift, ironically. This was long before Sprite had any affiliation with Swift caravans. Was it also branded a Gypsey too? I know that brand was given to many British vans that were imported there since the late 1940s.
@@NotAnotherWhiteBox correct, the Sprite compact in SA was initially available in the smaller Sprint, the slightly larger Swift and larger Sport. I had a early version of the Swift. Back then in SA there was no legislation on acrylic windows so my swift was one of the last SA Sprites to be built with glass windows. CI South Africa in the 80s managed the Sprite, Gypsey and Wilk brands. The Gypsey brand was a local brand however heavily inspired or dare I say copies of major UK and European caravans, earlier CI Gypseys were very accurate renditions of your Trophy Agistar and the smaller Gypseys of the same model year called Caravette were copies of the 1978 Dutch Otten Zwerver all with the CI branding on them. Later Gypseys with acrylic widows resembled copies of the 1980s Coachman with new grp front end and bonded side walls. I find it fascinating how CI produced these caravans and in the SA instance kind of did their own thing. I have a Pinterest board with most of these vans on there 😉 pin.it/3YJYzFl
Lots of learning in this excellent vid for what we need nowadays… saw one of the IRL in Setthorns quite a few years ago :) Bet that’s a really stable tow too given how far back the wheels are…
I think it unlikely. Rumour has it that all Sprite prototypes that survived by the early 1980s were taken to Sam Alper’s estate. At one point there was said to be over 50 caravans, with plans to curate and build a museum. Sadly it never materialised, and after decades outside, they were all scrapped in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Nostalgia overload! My parents had one of these around 1984 when I was 8. Very fond memories of trailer and caravan club rallies, some sunny, some soggy! We’ve got a Swift now, but there is always something more intriguing about folding / pop-up campers!
Another really enjoyable video, and innovative use of space...Im old enough to remember trailer tents, but this is a marvellous way of improving on that concept.
X❤
We have one of these, complete with matching awning. It's provided some great holidays over the past 6 years that we've owned it. It is really stable to tow, and has 'proper' suspension with springs and shock absorbers rather than the bouncy indespension units. I was initially worried that modern caravan owners would be snobbish about something so old, but in fact we get a lot of interest and complements when on caravan sites.
It's absolutely beautiful !
I'd love to be pitched up against your c'van. We've got a tiny GRP Freedom Jetstream and that sometimes raises eyebrows 🤔. Questions include "how many beds does it have?" & " Is there a loo, a kitchen..."
Pop top caravans still enjoy great popularity in Australia and are available from several local manufacturers.
Thank you for showing pop tops. As I have one it’s interesting to see how they have developed - which isn’t very much! I love my pop top but I realise the way in which we are viewed especially on sites where we are considered the lower echelon of vans. The complete snobbery which envelopes Caravanning could be time consuming and confines one to the beliefs that one that owns a “pop top” does not fit in with the requirements of the middle class caravaners. We are all the same - no matter- spending our time on our RV’S. I adore my pop top even though I tow it with a Porsche! Lol. Xxxx
I have a Freedom Microlite with a Pop Top and love it. Certainly gets plenty of attention and admiring comments.👍
I think you were correct until a few years ago, when pop tops are suddenly “cool” again. It’s funny to think that once there was a bitter rivalry between caravan owners and Motorhome owners! In fact, motorhomes weren’t welcome in the Caravan Club until the early 1970s! Very ironic that they changed their name to the Caravan and Motorhome Club. Thanks for your support as always x
I've got a tiny Freedom Jetstream which also raises a few eyebrows on site as I'm 6"2" tall and c'van alone"
Questions are on the lines of: "Has it got a
kitchen ? " and " is there a loo in there..... somewhere ? " 🙄
I just tumbled upon your channel last night and think it’s fantastic what you are doing with classic caravans.
I have a 1982 Castleton 2 berth that has only had 2 owners from new. It is untouched and a real little gem.
Of course, it does need work on it and I have toyed with the idea of doing some work on it.
Your channel is an inspiration Cameron. 😁
Thanks for the lovely comment Neil, and good luck with your Castleton! Have you joined the Retro Camping Club? It’s only £15 for the year and it’s for owners of pre-1990 caravans. There’s lots of member discounts at suppliers who have bits for old caravans and plenty of technical advice/help there too: www.retrocampingclub.co.uk
Thank you Cameron !
I remember these well but never got the opportunity to see inside or how they worked, so this has been a wonderful watch whilst sheilding from the North West heat today.
I wonder whether it'd be possible to see all these beautiful classic caravans together one day at a venue?
Love concept Van's! Great vlog Cameron, brilliant presentation!! xx
Thanks Anne for your support as always x
Hi Cameron.great episode as always.thank you for sharing.hope your well. Did you have a chance to look at my photos. Ref Eccles caravan...
Really enjoyed this episode brining back so many happy memories 🙂 My very first caravan at 22 years old when I was back in South Africa was the local version of the CI Sprite compact. You are correct in saying the Sprite compact was extremely popular selling well into the 2000s after undergoing a bit of a local more streamlined redesign. I towed mine very effortlessly with a mk 2 ford escort 1600 and have so many amazing memories caravanning with the compact.
Thanks Brad! I was surprised to read at how popular the Sprite Compact was in SA. I think it was first called the Sprite Sport then later the Sprite Swift, ironically. This was long before Sprite had any affiliation with Swift caravans. Was it also branded a Gypsey too? I know that brand was given to many British vans that were imported there since the late 1940s.
@@NotAnotherWhiteBox correct, the Sprite compact in SA was initially available in the smaller Sprint, the slightly larger Swift and larger Sport. I had a early version of the Swift. Back then in SA there was no legislation on acrylic windows so my swift was one of the last SA Sprites to be built with glass windows. CI South Africa in the 80s managed the Sprite, Gypsey and Wilk brands. The Gypsey brand was a local brand however heavily inspired or dare I say copies of major UK and European caravans, earlier CI Gypseys were very accurate renditions of your Trophy Agistar and the smaller Gypseys of the same model year called Caravette were copies of the 1978 Dutch Otten Zwerver all with the CI branding on them. Later Gypseys with acrylic widows resembled copies of the 1980s Coachman with new grp front end and bonded side walls. I find it fascinating how CI produced these caravans and in the SA instance kind of did their own thing. I have a Pinterest board with most of these vans on there 😉 pin.it/3YJYzFl
Lots of learning in this excellent vid for what we need nowadays… saw one of the IRL in Setthorns quite a few years ago :) Bet that’s a really stable tow too given how far back the wheels are…
This is very cool 🤩
I own one of these currently in it now at skeg vagas 😅
Hey Cam, hope you are well. Just finished the show, I had a diva moment and walked off haha. Where is a good place to find used pods, any ideas?
I keep meaning to message you and ask how it went! 😅 I can’t imagine you being a diva for a second 😜 What do you mean by a Pod - the teardrop caravan?
I wonder if that 14ft concept one still exists anywhere? That’d be a rare beast.
I think it unlikely. Rumour has it that all Sprite prototypes that survived by the early 1980s were taken to Sam Alper’s estate. At one point there was said to be over 50 caravans, with plans to curate and build a museum. Sadly it never materialised, and after decades outside, they were all scrapped in the 1990s and early 2000s.
@@NotAnotherWhiteBox that’s a shame
Great video and an amazing caravan. I've got one and looking to sell if anyone is interested? 😊