1950 Homemade Caravan

The origins of the caravan as we know it today can be traced back to the horse-drawn dwellings favoured by gypsies, but the first caravan built purely for leisure purposes is thought to have been made by the Bristol Carriage Company in 1880. With the advent of the motor car, the modern caravan as we know it was born and, as cars became more reliable through the inter-war period, the driving holiday became increasingly popular. In the post-war boom years, holidays became more a way of life for millions around the world and many people chose to spend their time away exploring the great outdoors with a caravan hitched to the family car, making a largely self-sufficient holiday possible. Caravans were normally equipped with gas or electric powered cooking facilities, sleeping berths and other amenities. As the outdoors opened up to travellers, parks sprang up catering for caravans and a new holiday tradition was born, particularly here in Australia where every summer millions migrate to caravan parks around the coast. Appreciation of early caravans has been on the rise in recent years, with plenty of enthusiasts matching a period caravan to their classic car and a number of clubs, websites and specialists helping keep the interest alive.