Caravan Dealerships - Some history.

[Deleted member 23278]

Morphing out of the 'Broadlane Alcester' discussion during which Golden Castle Caravans was discussed I offer pictures of the past:-
First one of Ken Stephens Caravans (as they then were at Staverton (Gloucester Airport) 19 April 1959.
Second one of the same dealership on the same date but closer focused.
I can count three Carlights on the forecourt but there are some interesting caravans amongst the stock.

The links give the origin of the photos (via historicengland) but the photographer - Harold Wingham - took some beauties of our local area between the early fifties and the mid sixties.

 

[Deleted member 23278]

On the other side of the Gloucester Road from the caravan dealership was this factory, which is for the large part still there. At the time of the photo it was Rotol Ltd (shortened from Rolls Royce/Bristol) a collaborative company set up to manufacture variable-pitch propellors in the late 1930's as part of the -then- coming war effort. The factory is now Safran Landing Systems (previously Messier Dowty).

 

[Jcloughie]

I see the shop and sales office remains the same today. But it is the van, or vans against the building with apparently 4 wheels that confuses me. Looks like two vans screwed together.



John

 

[borderbilly]

I see the shop and sales office remains the same today. But it is the van, or vans against the building with apparently 4 wheels that confuses me. Looks like two vans screwed together.

View attachment 7217

John

It's 2 vans, if you look closely there is 2 sets of rear steadies.

 

[Jcloughie]

It's 2 vans, if you look closely there is 2 sets of rear steadies.

I saw that, but why is there no gap between them? and they are so perfectly lined up.

John

 

[borderbilly]

I saw that, but why is there no gap between them? and they are so perfectly lined up.

John

For. Space saving reasons?

 

[Buckman]

I saw that, but why is there no gap between them? and they are so perfectly lined up.

John

Could have been welded together to use as a large office?

 

[Dustydog]

Could have been welded together to use as a large office?

I’ve seen similar used on age construction sites as rest rooms for the staff . Or a tea room , note the large chimney?