Goldy Caravans turn back the clock

Vintage caravan enthusiasts seeking a modern RV experience now have a new option, with an all-new 16ft retro couple's caravan just released by fledgling Queensland manufacturer Goldy Caravans.

The new single axle Goldy 'van combines the rounded external appeal of a 1960s Aussie caravan, with the latest composite construction and lightweight materials, modern appliances and 'vanlife' interior touches, to deliver a stylish touring van light enough to be towed behind many passenger vehicles.

Goldy Caravans' Director Adam Hudson said he decided to start the manufacturing business with a partner after working on vintage van restorations and seeing a gap in the market for an old-meets-new caravan.

"We had a background in renovating vintage caravans and decided to move away from that and produce our own brand-new caravan, which would also avoid the issues with sourcing and then obviously fixing old vans and all the dramas that go with that," he explained.

"We created our own blueprints (based on a '60s Viscount van) and they're made here on the Gold Coast using Australian made parts mostly, and using Australian workers..."

The retro vans are built in a small factory in Burleigh Heads, using a frameless fibreglass composite body mounted on a steel chassis, and marine-style lightweight internal fixtures to deliver a Tare of just over 1000kg and ATM of up to 1500kg.

Measuring 2.7m high, 2.16m wide and 5.75m long overall, the 16ft tarmac touring van rides on basic leaf spring suspension with a 50mm ball coupling, and stands out with its old-school push-out aluminium-framed windows on all four sides, a chrome front towel rack and spare white-walled tyre mounted on the drawbar.

"It's not made for any off-road use, it's more of a week-ender that you can take to the campground," Hudson explained.

"The aim was to keep everything super lightweight to make it easier to tow on the road."

Interior styling is a blend of vintage and 'vanlife' themes, with the first 'turquoise green' production van boasting a couple or small family layout including an east-west queen bed, kitchenette with sink, and a dinette that converts to another bed, along with a few overhead and underbench cupboards and a full height 'wardrobe' for storage.

Modern, vintage-look appliances and fittings include a small Airflo fridge and brass tapware, with the option to fit an under-bed air conditioner rather than a rooftop unit so as not to spoil the clean side profile look.

Buyers can choose from four lower body vinyl wrap colours including lemon, pastel pink, turquoise and baby blue, or pay extra for any other colour or design.

Hudson believes the non-ensuite van will appeal to a wide range of caravan and camping enthusiasts, and not just hot rod or classic car diehards.

"Because it's more modern and not fully retro and done up inside to look like an old '60s van, we're targeting a younger crowd but I'm sure it will still appeal to those old car enthusiasts as well," he said.

Tow-away pricing starts at $69,750, with a limited number of extra-cost options and custom features available. Being a new manufacturer the Goldy Caravans website is also currently promising a quick delivery of less than 90 days on new orders.

The first Goldy production 'van along with a lemon-coloured example will be on display at the 2022 Let's Go Sunshine Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo, at the Nambour Showgrounds from August 19-21.

The 16ft Goldy is the latest retro-van offering from the Sunshine State, with previous examples including the all-timber Woody, the '70s style Jackaroo and a 1960s fibreglass Sunliner caravan replica from Suncoast Sunnies (all of which are no longer available).