Post by Brian M on Oct 27, 2008 20:25:59 GMT
From: Brian (Original Message) Sent: 01/07/2005 18:59
I received the following from a Cheltenham Owner who I met in France this year and it does fill in some gaps in our dating line.
One of the questions raised by one of your members was in connection with a 12 ft Safari that he had aquired and was trying to date it. This was the model with the kick back profile on the front part of the full width lantern roof and that it had no centre band or flash of colour beside or below the side windows. You may all have cracked this one by now but in case you have not, thought my pennyworth may be of interest.
I suspect the Safari is a 1961/62 model. End of 1961 all models were revamped from the older 3 bay front window style -and narrower lantern roof ( the Safari 4, the Super 16 and the Super senior ) to the straight front profile with two windows and centre division (also at the rear ). These revamped models still retained the B & B beam axle / leaf springs, and plain vertical mouldings at body seams, usually sprayed in a cream / beige colour. . The reverse curve of the lantern roof of the 12 ft model was to avoid a patent infringement. The new range was the 12ft, 15ft models.
The range was given a major revamp for the 1963 season with the introduction of the banded two tone colour scheme in an off white and mushroom colour with darker colour forming the band between the new and unique curved side windows at front and rear. The 15 ft models had the doors at the front nearside. Independant suspension and the 17 ft model was also introduced that year.The alluminium moulding rubbing strip at the lower ends of the sides did not have moulded finishers to them. The curved rounded "continental " door was also introduced. 1964 models continued the same theme with added refinement to the trim and the layouts of the 15 ft models were changed with the door moving to behind the axle.The 1966 models changed to the centre band of colour being in a pale wegewood blue contrasting with off white of the rest of the body.
Hope above may be of interest and if you have any questions or info that would be of interest to me please let me know at any time.
Best Regards
Bill McCreath
Anyone got anything to add?
Brian
I received the following from a Cheltenham Owner who I met in France this year and it does fill in some gaps in our dating line.
One of the questions raised by one of your members was in connection with a 12 ft Safari that he had aquired and was trying to date it. This was the model with the kick back profile on the front part of the full width lantern roof and that it had no centre band or flash of colour beside or below the side windows. You may all have cracked this one by now but in case you have not, thought my pennyworth may be of interest.
I suspect the Safari is a 1961/62 model. End of 1961 all models were revamped from the older 3 bay front window style -and narrower lantern roof ( the Safari 4, the Super 16 and the Super senior ) to the straight front profile with two windows and centre division (also at the rear ). These revamped models still retained the B & B beam axle / leaf springs, and plain vertical mouldings at body seams, usually sprayed in a cream / beige colour. . The reverse curve of the lantern roof of the 12 ft model was to avoid a patent infringement. The new range was the 12ft, 15ft models.
The range was given a major revamp for the 1963 season with the introduction of the banded two tone colour scheme in an off white and mushroom colour with darker colour forming the band between the new and unique curved side windows at front and rear. The 15 ft models had the doors at the front nearside. Independant suspension and the 17 ft model was also introduced that year.The alluminium moulding rubbing strip at the lower ends of the sides did not have moulded finishers to them. The curved rounded "continental " door was also introduced. 1964 models continued the same theme with added refinement to the trim and the layouts of the 15 ft models were changed with the door moving to behind the axle.The 1966 models changed to the centre band of colour being in a pale wegewood blue contrasting with off white of the rest of the body.
Hope above may be of interest and if you have any questions or info that would be of interest to me please let me know at any time.
Best Regards
Bill McCreath
Anyone got anything to add?
Brian