Great first video, really well detailed. Love the use of archive footage. It’s good to see someone who is restoring a classic caravan rather than let it go to scrap and buy a modern pod caravan. Nice one, keeping history alive!!
My wife and I just found your channel recently, and have enjoyed some of your later videos before finding your first. Looking forward to watching your renovation.
Fantastic video full of great information. I can give you a wee bit, too, about a couple of the features you said you could not figure out. The wardrobe has a lock to secure the door so it does not swing about while travelling. Also keeps the clothing in the wardrobe. It is the same withe the kitchen upper units. The doors were designed to be self-latching to stay shut under way. The tilt in is to help keep them bouncing open on poor surfaces. Engeneous and effective. Modern caravan makers could take lessons from this great rig.
Well done you , hope by now your renovation project is complete , so many people make the mistake of emulsion painting the beautiful woodwork of these vintage caravans , so very wrong , maybe the locked wardrobe was about being able to lock your valuables, whilst away from the caravan on site !!! Loved the hub cap , hopefully you will be able to get another one made , great video
watched this after seeing the link on steph's channel. now I am not into caravans, but found your video very entertaining to watch, and have already subscribed and look forward to future videos. well done cameron!
Great start to your channel Cameron and your restoration of the Sprite, really looking forward to watching your progress... 👍🏻 ✅ 👏🏻 Thanks for sharing a tour of your new project and your aspiraitons for its future... 😉😳 Stay safe & keep well, cheers for now, Rog... 👍🏻 😉 🐍
My parents had a Sprite Musketeer of a similar age. The wardrobe door was a double skin that you could fold out create a wooden petition between the front berths and the kitchen and rear berths. The interior was solid wood and the original matresses had interior springs. All heavy stuff that the Hillman Minx didn't enjoy towing too far.
Great video Cam! I love campers (as we call them here in the US), and in particular vintage ones. I currently have a newer 2018 26' Springdale Summerland but I also have an 83 Coleman Jamestown Ltd for little weekend trips here and there. Look forward to seeing more!
Great first video and very interesting! Can I convince you to keep as much original features as possible? Those kitchen cupboard doors are amazing! Good luck with restoration. X
Thanks Adam, I always advocate keeping classic caravans original. You can see the restoration I did of my 1962 Sprite Musketeer here: www.classicspritecaravans.co.uk/it-s-a-sprite-alright/1962-sprite-musketeer-caravan-restoration-part-one Sadly this one has been chopped about quite a lot and lots of the furniture is water damaged or woodworm eaten. I'll see what I can save.
Just started watching you today , wicked vlogs hope the rebuild goes well , we have a vintage freedom caravan you cant beat the old ones made with proper wood and not veneer and cardboard sandwich they use today
An awesome video 👏🏼👏🏼 whilst I love caravans my knowledge is nowhere near as good as yours! I too restored an old vintage caravan a few years back into a summerhouse for my garden 😍
Wow that means a lot coming from the king of caravanning on UA-cam! Thanks so much. I've already filmed the next video and hope to upload it next week.
Hi Cameron, a thought occurs about the woodworm. Maybe it’s possible to treat the wood and fill the holes. It looks like Oak? Maybe The National Trust have advice on restoring such damage? Better to renovate rather than replace, if possible? Some excellent camerawork too, with natural narration, coupled with an in depth knowledge! Well done! Be proud of your first effort in broadcasting! Rob
Thanks Rob, woodworm is difficult to treat when it's still active and has made so many holes. I've successfully treated it in two of my other caravans where replacing the furniture just wasn't an option because of their age and rarity. I will hopefully cover that in another video sometime. My plan is to replace much of the Sprite's interior, but using only other buts of furniture from other Sprite caravans, so at least all of it has technically been through the same Sprite factory. Thank you for your lovely comments about my first videos too! I'm learning as I go, but I'm enjoying improving my video making skills!
Ah ha ! We had a grey (?) 1965 Sprite 400 in the early 70s and I remember those creaky kitchen lockers very well. It had gas lighting. Mum was convinced it would gas us as we slept. So come bed time, Dad was sent out in his PJs to switch everything off and plunge us all into darkness. I think my brother slept on what looked like a stretcher bunk above me or am I imagining that ?
Are you sure this your 1st vlog!!! almost to good. Have subscribed look forward to the next one I hope you can get plenty done while in lock down... You could be the new generation following in Andrew Dutton foot steps
Hi fantastic first film, will be very interesting to see how you change the lay out. Are you going to do the soft furnishings as original like Andrew? Cheers Phil and Juliet
Thank you! I'd kill for some of that gorgeous 1950s mid-century upholstery like the original was! Sadly it's too rare to find in enough quantity to do all the upholstery. I've picked out something that's going to look great, but you'll have to stay tuned to see what I've chosen!
Love these. Agree with your thoughts about bathrooms in small vans. Not an owner yet but increasingly obsessed. Have you done reviews of Freedoms small vans? Would be interested to know your thoughts
Thanks, I have plans to stick with a period hitch but a 50mm sized one from around 1963 which is a direct replacement for this. I've never had any issues with these old hitches once they're serviced and working properly. I've had quite a lot of issues with newer hitches of the last 30-40 years. They don't seem to be as long lasting as these older types.
Hi Mate really enjoyed the videos, I'm doing a sprite too. Any idea where i can get some metal semi circle beading stuff, on the outside of the van. Just need to replace a bit
Great first video, really well detailed. Love the use of archive footage. It’s good to see someone who is restoring a classic caravan rather than let it go to scrap and buy a modern pod caravan. Nice one, keeping history alive!!
Thanks! I think classic caravans of this size are far more practical than modern teardrops
Well said Steve
My wife and I just found your channel recently, and have enjoyed some of your later videos before finding your first. Looking forward to watching your renovation.
High standard for a first video!!! Love it!!!!😊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fantastic video looking forward to more!
Thank you! Make sure you subscribe to my channel to get a notification when I upload the next video
Loved this, definitely with you on the bathroom. In my parents’ 80s & 90s caravans the bathroom was only ever used for storage.
Great video Cameron. Tempted to get into vintage caravanning now...
Such fabulous curtains 😉👍
Now that what I call an interesting video. Look forward to future posts.
Thank you for your kind feedback. I will be uploading the next part in the series next week
Great video. I've just purchased a vintage caravan and will be restoring it
Great video. Looking forward to more 😎👍
Thank you!
Love this very inspiring😊👍
Loved this! Proper informative and interesting!
Thank you! x
Fantastic video full of great information. I can give you a wee bit, too, about a couple of the features you said you could not figure out. The wardrobe has a lock to secure the door so it does not swing about while travelling. Also keeps the clothing in the wardrobe. It is the same withe the kitchen upper units. The doors were designed to be self-latching to stay shut under way. The tilt in is to help keep them bouncing open on poor surfaces. Engeneous and effective. Modern caravan makers could take lessons from this great rig.
Well I'm hooked....binge watching now
So enjoying the historical footage and detail. Your passion for the vintage is something I can well relate to😀
Looking forward to following the progress of this! Well done.
Well done. You've got a lot of work to do! Enjoy.
I just watched Steph's video on your RR Silver Spirit and now I'm going to learn all about your caravans :D
Thank you, hope you enjoy my videos!
Brilliant, looking forward to this new channel.
Thank you!
Brilliant video, you're clearly incredibly knowledgeable. I can't wait to learn more
Well done you , hope by now your renovation project is complete , so many people make the mistake of emulsion painting the beautiful woodwork of these vintage caravans , so very wrong , maybe the locked wardrobe was about being able to lock your valuables, whilst away from the caravan on site !!! Loved the hub cap , hopefully you will be able to get another one made , great video
Fantastic Cameron, really informative of the history and restoration. Well worth watching. Will be looking forward to other renovation films.
Thank you Patricia! I hope to upload the next video next week
@@NotAnotherWhiteBox Looking forward to it.
Great video of the caravan. Really appreciated the history lesson of Sprite caravans. Looking forward to more videos.
Great video, I’m just in the process of looking for a small one to tow with my Morris minor.
Love yours. 😊
Love it! Awesome caravan 😀
Lovely video, this, with great detail. You should be proud! Now to binge the next two eps!
Thanks very much, what a lovely compliment. Hope you enjoy the other videos. Be sure to subscribe because I upload a new one each week!
No saggy flaps! I laughed at that comment on the CX test. Best wishes for the new channel.
Haha RIP Sad Flaps! It was a great car. Thanks for your kind words.
watched this after seeing the link on steph's channel. now I am not into caravans, but found your video very entertaining to watch, and have already subscribed and look forward to future videos. well done cameron!
Thank you very much Michael, looks like I may have some classic caravan converts after this! haha
@@NotAnotherWhiteBox u may well do
Just loved this, enjoyed the detail you provided throughout the entire video... I’ve always wanted to restore an old sprite 😃
I do like that, it would look good behind my 1963 Triumph Vitesse! (I was also born in 1959)
Great start to your channel Cameron and your restoration of the Sprite, really looking forward to watching your progress... 👍🏻 ✅ 👏🏻
Thanks for sharing a tour of your new project and your aspiraitons for its future... 😉😳
Stay safe & keep well, cheers for now, Rog... 👍🏻 😉 🐍
My parents had a Sprite Musketeer of a similar age. The wardrobe door was a double skin that you could fold out create a wooden petition between the front berths and the kitchen and rear berths. The interior was solid wood and the original matresses had interior springs. All heavy stuff that the Hillman Minx didn't enjoy towing too far.
Great video Cam! I love campers (as we call them here in the US), and in particular vintage ones. I currently have a newer 2018 26' Springdale Summerland but I also have an 83 Coleman Jamestown Ltd for little weekend trips here and there. Look forward to seeing more!
Informative and so much knowledge! Great channel.. look forward to following your expertise on all things “ Retro” 👍🏼😊🚐 Michelle and Andy
Thanks for your feedback :)
Great first video and very interesting! Can I convince you to keep as much original features as possible? Those kitchen cupboard doors are amazing! Good luck with restoration. X
Thanks Adam, I always advocate keeping classic caravans original. You can see the restoration I did of my 1962 Sprite Musketeer here: www.classicspritecaravans.co.uk/it-s-a-sprite-alright/1962-sprite-musketeer-caravan-restoration-part-one
Sadly this one has been chopped about quite a lot and lots of the furniture is water damaged or woodworm eaten. I'll see what I can save.
Just started watching you today , wicked vlogs hope the rebuild goes well , we have a vintage freedom caravan you cant beat the old ones made with proper wood and not veneer and cardboard sandwich they use today
If this is your first ever vlog then good effort! You’re a natural at it. Looking forward to your updates.
Thank you! I've learned a lot in a short space of time, can't wait to improve and keep pushing the channel to the next level.
Brilliant stuff, really enjoyed this episode, Looking forward to seeing the progress on this cute caravan. Keep up the great work.
Dan
Thank you! I'll be uploading the next video in the series next week
I had one similar years ago . We called it the biscuit barrel . Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
An awesome video 👏🏼👏🏼 whilst I love caravans my knowledge is nowhere near as good as yours! I too restored an old vintage caravan a few years back into a summerhouse for my garden 😍
First video? Go easy with you? I might as well roll over now as that was utterly BRILLIANT! Really looking forward to the next one. 👍
Wow that means a lot coming from the king of caravanning on UA-cam! Thanks so much. I've already filmed the next video and hope to upload it next week.
Keep it up! :D Love the two videos so far already learnt some
Cool camper! Interesting choice in a restoration! I'm doing a 1960 coke machine on my channel!
Really enjoyed that video, just subbed and I thought I'd watch from the very beginning.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! ☺️
New to your channel, really enjoyed this x
Hi Cameron, a thought occurs about the woodworm. Maybe it’s possible to treat the wood and fill the holes. It looks like Oak? Maybe The National Trust have advice on restoring such damage? Better to renovate rather than replace, if possible? Some excellent camerawork too, with natural narration, coupled with an in depth knowledge! Well done! Be proud of your first effort in broadcasting! Rob
Thanks Rob, woodworm is difficult to treat when it's still active and has made so many holes. I've successfully treated it in two of my other caravans where replacing the furniture just wasn't an option because of their age and rarity. I will hopefully cover that in another video sometime. My plan is to replace much of the Sprite's interior, but using only other buts of furniture from other Sprite caravans, so at least all of it has technically been through the same Sprite factory. Thank you for your lovely comments about my first videos too! I'm learning as I go, but I'm enjoying improving my video making skills!
Ah ha !
We had a grey (?) 1965 Sprite 400 in the early 70s and I remember those creaky kitchen lockers very well. It had gas lighting. Mum was convinced it would gas us as we slept. So come bed time, Dad was sent out in his PJs to switch everything off and plunge us all into darkness. I think my brother slept on what looked like a stretcher bunk above me or am I imagining that ?
Are you sure this your 1st vlog!!! almost to good. Have subscribed look forward to the next one I hope you can get plenty done while in lock down... You could be the new generation following in Andrew Dutton foot steps
Hi fantastic first film, will be very interesting to see how you change the lay out. Are you going to do the soft furnishings as original like Andrew? Cheers Phil and Juliet
Thank you! I'd kill for some of that gorgeous 1950s mid-century upholstery like the original was! Sadly it's too rare to find in enough quantity to do all the upholstery. I've picked out something that's going to look great, but you'll have to stay tuned to see what I've chosen!
NotAnotherWhiteBox Look forward to it especially since we won't be sewing it 👍
Love these. Agree with your thoughts about bathrooms in small vans. Not an owner yet but increasingly obsessed. Have you done reviews of Freedoms small vans? Would be interested to know your thoughts
Lovely little van, will you stick with a traditional hitch or upgrade it to a modern one for safety?
Thanks, I have plans to stick with a period hitch but a 50mm sized one from around 1963 which is a direct replacement for this. I've never had any issues with these old hitches once they're serviced and working properly. I've had quite a lot of issues with newer hitches of the last 30-40 years. They don't seem to be as long lasting as these older types.
Hi Mate really enjoyed the videos, I'm doing a sprite too. Any idea where i can get some metal semi circle beading stuff, on the outside of the van. Just need to replace a bit
Instant Father Ted moment on first sight! Did it come with a couple of free priests? :) Great informative video. Thank you.
Haha I think the Father Ted caravan was a Thomson, though it was a very similar colour. Hopefully this one will remain up on its wheels!
Really interested how you will deal with rotted parts.
Do you hold vintage caravan shows that we caravan need can bring our own cans for weekend events??
1st