Time warp Jayco retains value

Many tens of thousands of Jayco campers have filled Australian driveways since founder Gerry Ryan built his first wind-up camper trailer in a ‘cow shed’ on the outskirts of Melbourne in the mid-1970s.

But few would have endured the ‘test of time’ – not to mention hundreds of family holidays – as well as this very early-model ‘vintage’ Jayco Dove currently advertised for sale on caravancampingsales.

Believed to be one of the first Jayco campers built, the 43-year-old Jayco Dove is in remarkably original condition despite being regularly used by the same Melbourne family since new.

It's described as being in “fantastic condition” for its age by Melissa Edwards, who was in primary school when her now deceased parents bought the camper new. She doesn’t remember what it cost at the time but “I know it was a lot of money for my parents…” she said.

Incredibly, much of the camper is as it rolled out of the factory in the '70s, from the basic yellow and brown exterior colour scheme and original Jayco logo, to the canvas and zips and very solid steel frame.

The ‘time warp’ 1970s interior includes the original lime-green benchtops, ‘walnut’ cupboards and lino flooring, which remains covered by carpet mats laid by Melissa’s Dad.

She says the manual roof winding mechanism still works a treat, thanks to a recent refurbishment, while the gas/electric fridge and stove are in working condition but “could do with an update”.

New curtains with matching cushions were added a few years back but the original curtains can be supplied. The period-style annexe is also relatively new.

While there’s some visible wear and tear like surface rust on a roof support pole, Edwards said the camper remains structurally sound and should provide “many more years of enjoyment” for the next owner.

“It’s a very solid frame, very sturdy and reliable and the structure is very good,” she said.

“It’s really been looked after well over the years, and we've kept it either undercover under a carport or covered with a tarpaulin cover.”

With the family recently upgrading to a newer-model Jayco Eagle model, Edwards says she's reluctantly selling the trusty eight-berth camper that's been such a big part of her family life for the past five decades.

“I’ll be sad to see it go. It’s always been used, right up until recently, for a few weeks a year including Easter and we've been all over the place with it.”

Asking price for the 1976 Jayco Dove is $4900. Click here for enquiries.