Identifying a Carawagon vehicle:
I
have put together a list on helping you to identify a Carawagon
vehicle,
the list is no way extant and concentrates on the 88" version as
opposed to the 109" vehicles. The list will be updated as and
when new
information becomes available.
The Badges
First things
indicating it was a Carawagon Vehicle would be the badges,
if it has a 'flattened diamond' badge on the wings
and rear OR a converted / supplied
by Searle badge on the Rear of the vehicle and the seatbox. Then
you may have a Carawagon vehicle on your hands, both styles of badges
have been known to have been used on the same vehicle.
The Registration
A
Sunbury registration, the classic example is a middle P in the
registration for example DPG 864G the middle P would indicate that it
was a Sunbury (or roundabout that area) registration. However
with all vehicles, some did not get registered with Searle,
and others were conversions on exisiting vehicles so not an exact
science, but it is a good indication.
The Bulkhead
Cutaway
internal bulkhead, could be indications of a previous life as a
Safari / Mini Carawagon, only further investion can tell.
List of known conversion styles:
Searle Safari
Series
2 base vehicle. Seats 7, sleeps 2. Seat bulkhead cut away,
removable bracing bar used for seat support. One seat in rear
converting to one 'double' 6'2" x 3' 0" bed.
Searle Safari MKII
Series
2 base vehicle. Seats 7, sleeps 2. Replaced Searle Safari
(MKI) Version. Seat bulkhead cut away, removable bracing
bar used for seat support. Two seats in rear converting to two
single 6' 2" x 2' 0" beds
Searle Safari MKIII
Same as Searle Safari MKII but using a Series 3 for the base vehicle instead of Series 2.
Mini-Carawagon
Series
2 base vehicle*. Seats 4, sleeps 2. Converted alongside the Searle
Safari Versions. Seat bulkhead cut away, one seat in rear
converting to one double 6'2" x 3'0" bed. Fitted with cabinet in R/H
side of vehicle load area, encompassing a wash bowl and butane stove.
Foldaway table, full lengh roof pockets, curtained wardrobe,
cubby box.
Semi Station Wagon / Super Station Wagon
Series
2 base vehicle** Seats 5 (with forward facing seats) or 7 (with
side facing seats). Van sides, with 'safari roof' fitted with
alpine lights. Van sides are trimmed in white vinyl
internally. Some sales literature show a SWB vehicle with Hub
caps.
* I have mentioned the Series 2 as a base vehicle as I have no
known record of there ever being a Series 3 Mini-Carawagon. Only
one vehicle I have known to exist and I have only ever seen brochures
with Series 2's.
**Again, I have only ever heard of 2 examples, both series 2 along with literature that only includes Series 2s.
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