Reno-van challenge for charity

State industry association Caravanning Queensland is giving a couple of B-grade celebrities the challenging task of renovating a dilapidated, Australian-built 1958 Carapark caravan, all to raise money for charity.

The husband and wife duo known as Trixie and Johnno, who starred in the 2013 series of TV home reno show The Block, will project manage the vintage van renovation, helped by a range of sponsors including retro van builder Jackaroo Caravans, RV accessory specialists Dometic and Camec, and CIL Insurance.

Judging by the photo, the old van appears to be in a sorry state, with plenty of rust and gutted interior. It also appears to have had a colourful past, with ‘Combined Charities Garden’ and hand-painted mural on one side.

However, Caravanning Queensland is confident the pair can get the Carapark back to its shiny best including a new design interior over the next three months.

“We reckon they’ve got quite a challenge ahead, but they, being true Queenslanders, believe they can do it,” the Association said on its website.

To kick off the ‘Reno-van Challenge’ Trixie and Johnno, along with the van, will be appearing at the Gold Coast Caravan & Camping Expo at Metricon Stadium from March 6-8.

Regular updates of the renovation, due to be completed by June 9, will be posted on social media. When finished, the Carapark van will be auctioned with all money raised going to the Assist-a-Sista charity.

By the way, Carpark was a NSW caravan manufacturer that churned out a range of unique, breadvan shaped, all metal caravans during the 1950s and early-‘60s. Perhaps Australia’s answer to Airstream, they are also regarded as “the least aerodynamic caravans on the planet” according to one Carapark collector.

Caravanning Queensland is the latest state body to auction a special caravan for charity, following the Victorian Caravan Industry Association’s ‘United Haven’ caravan.