A CHILDHOOD passion has left Mount Gambier resident Tanya Bierwirth-Leigh smitten for old-school caravans and cars.
Now owner of this 1953 Roma caravan and with a dream to own more, Ms Bierwirth-Leigh said she was always on the hunt for something unique.
With her husband Raymond Leigh owning a cream-coloured 1954 FJ Holden, the two enthusiasts said they could not go past the caravan when they first saw it advertised.
“They were the same colour and we just thought they would look mint together,” Ms Bierwirth-Leigh said.
“We want to start towing it with the FJ but we still need to hook it up correctly.
“People often can not believe the classic combination which often bring back memories from when they either had a similar car or caravan.”
Ms Bierwirth-Leigh said the caravan was purchased from a couple in Daylesford.
“When we picked up the van we stayed in it at a caravan park in Daylesford for the night,” she said.
“Everyone used to go on family holidays with them and would fit around six kids, I do not know how they did it.”
Ms Bierwirth-Leigh rang Roma Caravans direct to research the caravan’s history.
“The business owner thought we were joking until we sent through photos,” she said.
“He told us the caravan was older than the oldest one they had in their history section.
“He just could not believe it was still on the road. He knew the exact van and told him it was sitting in our driveway.”
Ms Bierwirth-Leigh said the original owners towed the caravan with a bright green Ford Zephyr.
“We were told they found it in a paddock, pulled it out and cleaned it right all up,” she said.
“They left the inside original which is still how it is today.”
The couple said they eventually want to join a historic van club and make weekend trips using the caravan.
