early safari?

[tommy]

Hi.
I've just bought a Pearman Briggs caravan in need of a fair amount of 'tlc'. My friend Amanda has been in contact with you recently regarding a van she's hoping to buy and she said you may be able to help me.

The plate on the side reads Pearman Briggs.The serial number section is (I think)unstamped and possibly the chassis number too.I'm collecting it on Thursday so will check this then. It looks the same as .

I hope I've caught it just in time to save it. There is at least one serious issue to address, that being some damage above the offside door. Looks like a branch has caught the wave shape of the roof and shunted the roof up a bit.This has left a gap above the door, a small split in the alloy above it and a crack in the wood behind. A woodburner had been fitted so unfortunately it also has an untidy hole in the roof on the left next to the damaged door.
Underneath seems solid with no welding required or wood generally.It's been towed recently with no worries . The brakes work and the tyres are ok.
I'm yet to see behind the rippled hardboard of the fairly complete original interior. Fingers crossed.
I have a few pic's which I can send, however I think the file sizes are too large for this site.
Hopefully it'll come good with some careful restoration work and sound advice from people in the know.
Thanks
Tommy

[Brian M]

Tommy

Please send your pics to [e-mail], and I may be able to give you a precise date.

The one in the photo is from 1962-63, and I would like more pics of Safaris from that period to be able to date them more accurately.

Hope you don't find any horrors when you get the Safari and start investigating more deeply.

[Brian M]

Wow - Tom has sent me pictures of his Safari and it is a super rare one - in fact completely unique in my experience and research.

It is a 1962 12-2 with the reverse "wave" over the door, no drop to the front windows, but it has a DOOR ON BOTH SIDES.

The have been discussions about the existence of twin door Safaris, but this is the first photographic evidence I have seen.

As Tom has said it will need a bit of work as there has been damage to the back end at roof level and it will take some ingenuity to renew the panels and woodwork in this area.

[tommy]

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the post.
Think my friend Clive has figured out how the door frame situation arose. Looks like the rear has maybe taken a tumble when a jack leg bent and has pushed the timber frame a bit. The drivers side door is tight in the frame too. looks like a major project. No quicky that's for sure.
It's bizarre.Originally, I planned to buy a van requiring only light work, but fell for the charms of this one.Having spoken to a few people and ending up with a bit of a freakout, I was almost ready to write off what I payed and start breaking it with a view to keeping the shell for a classic lorry motorhome.
Your post revived my faith in this van at a time when I was struggling to keep on top of storing yet another project and trying to scale things down generally.
I won't be living in the van in the forseeable future, though it feels like my home already and I find myself wishing I was.Perfect proportions and layout. Strangely secure vibe inside considering the doors have no locks (they look to have not ever had any).
Are there any records of the van 's origins?
thanks
tommy.

[michael1]

HI as some of you know i work for Safari from 1959-1982 this is a 1962 as you can see on the plate these models have big fault with them the back will split above the doors as this was a weak point with this model that is why the 2 door did not last long in production but there are still a few around were i keep my van there is a 2door Safari i hope you get the van in good condtion again if i can help in any way let me know

[Brian M]

Michael

What age is the two door at your storage?

Any chance of a photo - or two so we can see both doors!

[tommy]

Hi Michael,
Did Safari have a solution to this problem? I plan to reinforce the chassis if this might resolve the issue. If you know of a suitable approach to this, I would very much appreciate a chat.
Has the van near yours suffered a similar fate?
Thanks Tommy

[michael1]

Hi i will see if i can take some phots for you Brian. Tommy or any member can phone me any time to talk about Safaris phone me on 01453766729