Cool classic caravan up for grabs

Looking for a caravan that exudes all the style and retro-appeal of a vintage caravan, but with all the comforts and conveniences of a more modern creation?

A Caboolture, Queensland-based caravan repairer has just the thing, recently putting their unique promotional vehicle, a fully restored and updated 1963 Carapark Astronaut, on the market.

Mach 1 Caravan & RV Solutions rescued the striking, Aussie-built vintage caravan from a paddock near Bundaberg, before completing an exhaustive restoration, including a modern makeover that brings the 55-year-old van right into the 21st century.

“We have had the privilege of owning and restoring this van since 2015 but the time has come to concentrate on a new venture,” the business said on its Facebook page. “The proud new owners will have a one of a kind caravan that features all the modern creature comforts and technology.”

Inspired by America’s Airstream, Carapark was a once-popular NSW caravan manufacturer that churned out a range of unique, toaster-shaped, all-metal caravans in the 1950s and early-‘60s.

"’Buzz’ has been used to promote our business for the last couple of years but the time has come to find him a new home,” the company says.

Stripped back to its steel frame, the unique van now sports modern composite body panels, although the roof and windows have been largely retained.

The 15ft 6in (body length) Carapark also benefits from a fresh, two-berth interior layout.

In place of the original front dinette, central kitchen and rear bed is a new floorplan that features a divided front section including new modern kitchen, alongside a corner shower and toilet. There’s also a club lounge at the rear that converts to a bed, with the original, albeit refurbished tall cabinet in the middle separating the two sections.

A far cry from the original fit-out, the Mach 1 Carapark has been fitted with all expected appliances of a modern van, and more, including 240 litre compressor fridge/freezer, stainless sink with filtered water, four-burner cooktop, six-bottle wine cooler and dishwasher.

Other modern additions include ducted, reverse cycle air-conditioning, two 12V fans, front-loader washing machine, two TVs and aerial, external slide-out kitchen, and a twin 120Ah AGM battery set-up fed by two 150W solar panels.

Topping it all off is the latest high-gloss cabinetry and comfy inner-spring cushions for the dinette/bed.

Mach 1 is asking $59,990 for ‘Buzz’ – not unreasonable considering it’s virtually a new van, with far more eye-catching appeal than just about anything else you'll see in the caravan park.

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