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Magpie, Google, Yandex, Baidu, Sosospider, smithshane, Bingbot, Yahoo, strickley, Ezooms, mr december
Magpie, Google, Yandex, Baidu, Sosospider, smithshane, Bingbot, Yahoo, strickley, Ezooms, mr december
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The story of Sprite Caravans
Back in the late 1940s, with war-torn Britain short of materials and rationing still in place, the future looked a little bleak for the British public, and holidays, in the main, were often out of reach. However, time away in a caravan was one way to escape the hardships of previous years, and enjoy a new sense of freedom. Many people had been forced to live in caravans after their homes were bombed during the war, but were now beginning to regard caravans as ideal accommodation for a holiday, too, tending to hire rather than buy them, due to postwar austerity.A new demand for caravans resulted in a flurry of small manufacturers appearing (although, by 1955, some 64 manufacturers had dropped to 49), some of which built poor quality units, whilst others did the best they could with the few materials available. Some caravan manufacturers in existence prewar, and heavily involved in war work, such as Eccles and Thomson, resumed production. Mass production became the new method of caravan manufacture, the prewar makers learning new, faster ways to supply demand.  After the war, competition was stiff, with some established caravan manufacturers and dealers being forced out of business by newer concerns. Once a middle class privilege, holidays were becoming more usual across the board, forcing manufacturers to reduce retail prices but not quality, as the man in the street recognised that a touring caravan could provide an affordable way to take a holiday, although this did not happen at first. The above is an extract from "The story of Sprite Caravans" by Andrew Jenkinson published by Veloce Publishing The story of Sprite Caravans is a well written an illustrated history of Sprite and you don't need to be a caravan head to enjoy it. If you enjoy a look back over the years you will enjoy this as it gives good examples of lifestyles in the 40's to the present day with information such as. "The Streamlite Sprite hit the market in 1950 and would have retailed at £250 but Sam Alper thought this price was too much and had to be trimmed down so he made the Sprite available at £199 as an entry level caravan Unfortunately the Sprite didn't go down as well as expected due to it's rough edges and cheap and cheerful qualities even dealers were reluctant to take them on, being sceptical of the low prices. In 1951 Sam set out to prove that although "cheap and cheerful" the Sprite was durable not just for odd weekends in the UK but abroad and set off on a tour of Europe. The International rally was being held that year in Florence and Sam jumped to the challenge covering 4400 miles in just eleven days towing his Sprite with a new Austin 70, this would be the start of many endurance wins for Sprite proving that although cheap they could do the job with ease." If on the other hand you are more technically minded you will find a lot to interest you as the book touches on construction techniques throughout.  Thirty or so were built, using parts from ex-war surplus components, such as undergear from Spitfire planes, and many other novel materials. The profile sported Perspex front windows that joined to the side windows, while the roof had a large, 1m2 vent. A pull-out table was another feature, along with independent suspension. On the nearside wheelarch, a flap could be pulled upward to form a picnic table, and the Rover even came with air brakes!" At this point a bit of honesty is in order I think, I love caravanning for the places I can get to see, the people I meet and the relaxing way of life while I am away, I am not however a caravan head, I can't spot a swift caravan by its tail lights at a hundred yards nor can I tell you how to fix a broken gas fire but I certainly am a caravan user and one that has used and sometimes abused my caravan for the past 20 plus years so I can relate to some of the caravans in the book and appreciate how far they have come over the years so fear not! The story of Sprite Caravans is not too technical, nor long winded, just a good read with some good pics. And lets face it we all like looking at the pictures. markf Touring and Tenting Synopsis  Sprite became the caravan that brought many families into the hobby from the early 1950s, and this book examines just how prolific the brand was, not only in the UK, but on a global basis too. Book Contents Foreword by Andrew Jenkinson Foreword by Peter Smith Chapter 1: 1948 to 1959 – The upstart Chapter 2: 1960 to 1969 – Sprite tourer domination Chapter 3: 1970 to 1979 – Sprite’s turbulent decade Chapter 4: 1980 to the present – The end of an era and on to a new beginning About the author Andrew Jenkinson has been following the UK caravan industry since 1969, and has amassed a vast archive covering over 80 years of caravan/motorhome information. He has written four books on caravan history, motorhome history, and second-hand purchasing, and wrote I-Spy Caravans and Motorhomes for Michelin. Very prominent in the field, Andrew consults the caravan industry on its heritage. He has written two magazine supplements for Lunar Caravans and Bailey Caravans, profiling them, and contributes to all UK caravan magazines, often testing new and used tourers. He recently completed the 60th Anniversary write up for Witter tow bars. Andrew has earned his reputation of being the leading expert on the UK caravan industry. The story of Sprite Caravans can be purchased for £14.99 + Postage from Veloce Publishing | |
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Awwwwwwwwwwww! Loved our Sprite Musketeer! (1989) The one with the gopping brown colour! My Dad had the Major way back in the 70's. Very fond memories!
Telly? 
cocaine 
only joking
only joking
We had good fun in our 10ft Sprite 400 40 odd years ago.
bi6als, on 31 January 2012 - 02:49 PM, said:
I watched something about Sprite on TV a while ago. Mainly about the man who ran it....Sam something or other
enjoyed it
enjoyed it
We had a very early Sprite Cadet -- in the late 60's two berth with a big bubble on the roof
-- no toilet -- you had to have a tent out side.
It could be a three berth if you had a hammock slung over the main bed.
Two ring gas hob -- no oven -- Gas lights -- door at the back.
Towed it all around Scotland - from England with a Morris Mini Traveller countryman [with the wood bits]
all around Cornwall as well -- from Fort William to Bude !!
One of the happiest caravans we have ever had.
The gas bottle stood in to open on the A frame!!
Got some photos somwher must look them out..
cadet and awning.jpg 41.86K
2 downloads
Maurice
-- no toilet -- you had to have a tent out side.
It could be a three berth if you had a hammock slung over the main bed.
Two ring gas hob -- no oven -- Gas lights -- door at the back.
Towed it all around Scotland - from England with a Morris Mini Traveller countryman [with the wood bits]
all around Cornwall as well -- from Fort William to Bude !!
One of the happiest caravans we have ever had.
The gas bottle stood in to open on the A frame!!
Got some photos somwher must look them out..
cadet and awning.jpg 41.86K
2 downloadsMaurice
aahh the good old days, I worked in the sawmill there back in the 80's good bunch of lads :-)
markf, on 01 February 2012 - 05:48 PM, said:
Maurice there is a few in the book with the bottles on the aframe, the Major being one of them
http://www.mycaravan...lace%201965.jpg
Dave
Fella across the street from me had that same outfit except his Cortina Estate had the wood on the outside.
I think it was B reg. I think he told me he bought them both brand new and had kept them ever since.
Both were in really good condition, he is a bit OCD about his cars
About 5 years ago he went to some sort of rally and someone made him an offer he couldnt refuse. He sold them and how has a new Citroen and a new Van.
I think it was B reg. I think he told me he bought them both brand new and had kept them ever since.
Both were in really good condition, he is a bit OCD about his cars
About 5 years ago he went to some sort of rally and someone made him an offer he couldnt refuse. He sold them and how has a new Citroen and a new Van.
We have a book from the same author (Andrew Jenkinson) it is called "CARAVANS" The Illustrated History - From 1960.
This mentions all caravans makes and models from all manufactures, consider most caravans are made in the Hull area.
This mentions all caravans makes and models from all manufactures, consider most caravans are made in the Hull area.
I wonder if the book includes the Sprite caravans that are still manufactured in South Africa to this day. Have a look at the layouts and picturesd further down the page. Up to a few years ago, CI caravans was a very big manufacturer based outside Pinetown in South Africa. Now called Jurgens CI. Also was there a caravan called "Gypsey" manufactured over here. These caravans come standard with awning, battery, gas bottles, cooking utensils etc. Basically tow it off the showroom floor and use it without spending another penny.
Surfer, on 02 February 2012 - 04:52 PM, said:
I wonder if the book includes the Sprite caravans that are still manufactured in South Africa to this day. Have a look at the layouts and picturesd further down the page. Up to a few years ago, CI caravans was a very big manufacturer based outside Pinetown in South Africa. Now called Jurgens CI. Also was there a caravan called "Gypsey" manufactured over here. These caravans come standard with awning, battery, gas bottles, cooking utensils etc. Basically tow it off the showroom floor and use it without spending another penny.
Hi All
Thanks for the kind comments on my Sprite Book - it took a year or so to write it, so its all been worth while. Great to hear memories coming back - thats an angle I wanted it to cover hence the amount of pictures included. Just would like to correct Roger-Cosalt had nothing to do with CI-that info was incorrect and I bet I know which book it came from too! That book has snippets taken from my two history caravan books!. CI went pop in 82, then new CI formed for 83 then that went into trouble in 91 - 92/3 Sprite Leisure formed. In meantime Swift buy Abbey and other brand names from Cosalt in late 92. Safari, Welton, Piper, Piper Clubman, Swift then took over Sprite Leisure in late 94 shutting Sprite Newmarket factory by late 95.
Great to see the Sprite range at its best for 2012-think you will all agree-oh the Sprite Cadet was launched for 1970 with bubble top, however by 1971 it was redesigned and lasted till 1973-name re-used for 79 on new cheaper range CI Cadet. The Gypsey brand from S Africa became known as Viking in UK and wasnt even painted for its first year in 1964. Production stopped in 81-plenty still knocking about though.
Thank you all again
Andy
Thanks for the kind comments on my Sprite Book - it took a year or so to write it, so its all been worth while. Great to hear memories coming back - thats an angle I wanted it to cover hence the amount of pictures included. Just would like to correct Roger-Cosalt had nothing to do with CI-that info was incorrect and I bet I know which book it came from too! That book has snippets taken from my two history caravan books!. CI went pop in 82, then new CI formed for 83 then that went into trouble in 91 - 92/3 Sprite Leisure formed. In meantime Swift buy Abbey and other brand names from Cosalt in late 92. Safari, Welton, Piper, Piper Clubman, Swift then took over Sprite Leisure in late 94 shutting Sprite Newmarket factory by late 95.
Great to see the Sprite range at its best for 2012-think you will all agree-oh the Sprite Cadet was launched for 1970 with bubble top, however by 1971 it was redesigned and lasted till 1973-name re-used for 79 on new cheaper range CI Cadet. The Gypsey brand from S Africa became known as Viking in UK and wasnt even painted for its first year in 1964. Production stopped in 81-plenty still knocking about though.
Thank you all again
Andy
not like Roger to be wrong...............
That wikipedia is often wrong..........or so Im told
often biased as well
often biased as well
ranger2, on 10 February 2012 - 10:49 PM, said:
Hi All
Thanks for the kind comments on my Sprite Book - it took a year or so to write it, so its all been worth while. Great to hear memories coming back - thats an angle I wanted it to cover hence the amount of pictures included. Just would like to correct Roger-Cosalt had nothing to do with CI-that info was incorrect and I bet I know which book it came from too! That book has snippets taken from my two history caravan books!. CI went pop in 82, then new CI formed for 83 then that went into trouble in 91 - 92/3 Sprite Leisure formed. In meantime Swift buy Abbey and other brand names from Cosalt in late 92. Safari, Welton, Piper, Piper Clubman, Swift then took over Sprite Leisure in late 94 shutting Sprite Newmarket factory by late 95.
Great to see the Sprite range at its best for 2012-think you will all agree-oh the Sprite Cadet was launched for 1970 with bubble top, however by 1971 it was redesigned and lasted till 1973-name re-used for 79 on new cheaper range CI Cadet. The Gypsey brand from S Africa became known as Viking in UK and wasnt even painted for its first year in 1964. Production stopped in 81-plenty still knocking about though.
Thank you all again
Andy
Thanks for the kind comments on my Sprite Book - it took a year or so to write it, so its all been worth while. Great to hear memories coming back - thats an angle I wanted it to cover hence the amount of pictures included. Just would like to correct Roger-Cosalt had nothing to do with CI-that info was incorrect and I bet I know which book it came from too! That book has snippets taken from my two history caravan books!. CI went pop in 82, then new CI formed for 83 then that went into trouble in 91 - 92/3 Sprite Leisure formed. In meantime Swift buy Abbey and other brand names from Cosalt in late 92. Safari, Welton, Piper, Piper Clubman, Swift then took over Sprite Leisure in late 94 shutting Sprite Newmarket factory by late 95.
Great to see the Sprite range at its best for 2012-think you will all agree-oh the Sprite Cadet was launched for 1970 with bubble top, however by 1971 it was redesigned and lasted till 1973-name re-used for 79 on new cheaper range CI Cadet. The Gypsey brand from S Africa became known as Viking in UK and wasnt even painted for its first year in 1964. Production stopped in 81-plenty still knocking about though.
Thank you all again
Andy
Hi Andy,
Welcome to the forum
I will look forward to read your posts...
enjoyed it