1973 Dolphin (Dandenong) Bedford CF campervan

[Deleted]

We've just returned from a week in South Australia (from northern Victoria), where we entered our 1973 Bedford/Dolphin campervan in this year's Bay to Birdwood Classic run. Some photographs can be seen at www.grouseguitars.com/dolph

Does anyone know anything about the Dolphin brand of caravans/camper bodies? The original decal shows it was based in Dandenong, Victoria, and the van was custom-built (with an 18" extension to the normal plans) for the original owner.

The original family owned it until this year (2011), when I purchased the much-loved and much-travelled vehicle.

Attachments:

[millard1399]

G'day dolphin73campervan, and welcome to the forum! ;D

I have heard of the Dolphin name before, but that's about as much as I know. Forum member hughdeani would probably know a bit about them, so if you are patient and wait for him to read this, he can hopefully help.

Looks like the van has been kept in pretty good condition!

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi there,
Dolphin were made in Dandenong in the seventies in a little factory off Gladstone rd.
Very small business and didnt turn out many motorhomes,but beautifully built on Transit and Bedford chassis.Most had a big storage cupboard over the cab and 2 rear single beds with a folding table.Only a small amount had showers and porta potties,and some like yours were built on an extended chassis.I think he only built to order,as you had do go to the factory to do business(No dealers)
I remember going past and checking out what was being built through the front door!
Also remember a one off special that was written about in Caravan World,that looked like an A class motorhome(All in one unit with flat floor)
Hope this is of some help for you.
Cheers
Hughdeani

[Deleted]

Thankyou both for the replies. I am really thrilled to learn that someone knows these Dolphins as well as hughdeani does! I certainly have never seen another, although surely a few more must be out there somewhere.

Getting to know the van more and more as I gradually undertake preservation and a little restoration work, I am really amazed by the workmanship, and it's good to hear that hughdeani agrees they are "beautifully built". The 2 single beds in mine have had a removable centre section added so the mattresses can be swivelled 90 degrees to form a double bed, and being 6'2" it's nice to finally have a bed away from home that's actually long enough for me. The bed in my much-loved (but soon to be sold) 1970s York was always that bit too short.

The Dolphin has LOTS of built-in cupboards and drawers, as well as that huge storage section over the cabin, which is also a welcome departure from my past experiences.

It was definitely specifically ordered and built, so hughdeani's recollection is correct. How I'd love to be able to step back in time and peek through the front door of the little factory off Gladstone Rd, Dandenong!

And I must keep an eye out for the Caravan World edition with the Dolphin motorhome article!

Many thanks for the observations, and I certainly welcome any other feedback.

My next step is to remove all the Truline edge moulding and aluminium roof panels, then replace first the panels with fresh 1mm aluminium sheet (plus fresh 25mm crescent moulding), and then all the Truline moulding with new mill finish Truline moulding along with fresh brown infill as per original. The present roof has some minor denting and horribly applied silicone sealer all over the joins, so a fresh, properly done job will freshen its appearance and preserve the old girl for 40 or more years of active service. The interior, underneath and all exterior details that I can see show no sign of water damage (now any other type of damage over the years), and that's what I want to ensure remains the same!

Here are some photographs of the interior I took today.















Cheers,

Neil (dolphin73campervan)

[atouchofglass]

Hey Neil
Those photos make your Bedford look like you need rollerskates to get from one end of her to the other.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Nice photos and a nice looking interior I must say.

It is funny the things that stand out to different people.
The first thing I noticed is the handrails/towelrails? on the ceiling of the camper.
That is a great idea for limited space.
Am always looking for ways to make my caravan more user friendly..

Cheers
Atog

[bambang]

Neil, that rig looks so cool...amazing for it's age. The previous owners need to be congratulated for keeping it in such immmmmaculate nick all these years ! You must be pretty chuffed . It looks so light & airy & neat. Does it run a Holden red motor ? Anyways.... Congratulations mate.

[Deleted]

Thanks Bambang. Yes, chuffed I was at finding this gem!

The previous owner was the daughter of the man who originally commissioned the vehicle back in 1973. She and her husband owned it for 21 years until they grew too old to properly enjoy and maintain it, which is when I became the lucky owner.

It has been extremely well looked-after, and came with a pile of documents showing everything that had been done to maintain it over the years. Thankfully they, like I, were very careful to maintain its originality.

And yes, the original Holden 'red' 173 still runs well despite many (at least five) round-Australia trips and countless smaller trips totalling over 300,000km. It has the Trimatic 3-speed auto which I first had planned to change, but now that I have driven the vehicle on quite a few trips will be leaving as-is. It drives superbly. The only mechanical changes I have made are a conversion to dual-fuel (HUGE reduction in running cost, yet still beautiful to drive), and a stronger Salisbury differential from a later (1978) Bedford.

And thanks for the photo comments Atog. It's amazing what a 10mm super-wideangle can achieve! I forgot to clip the table in for one of the shots, but that can be done some other time. The table either swings up out of the way (held by a latch you can see on the rear shelf edge), or pins in the hinges pull out on their retaining chains and the table stores in the wardrobe.

Finally, agreed re the ceiling-mounted rails! We've found them incredibly handy for indoor drying, especially when travelling, and they never get in the way.

Cheers,

Neil

[Deleted]

Well, here we are a year later.

'Dolph' has just come out of having extensive restoration (and re-skinning) work done to ensure it all lasts another 40 years. The photos above show the vehicle in its original form.

The interior has been retained, other than new floor coverings and the deletion of all 240V lighting and conversion of the original fittings to full LED 12V operation.

The exterior skin was completely removed, allowing repairs to the underlying plywood structure, and modification/updating of all wiring and cabling.

After long deliberation I decided to reclad the van in plain aluminium sheeting, as much for positive sealing as for reasons of appearance (I always had this 'vision' in my head!).

The restoration photographs can be seen here, while photos of the completed restoration can be seen here.

We'll see you on the road!

[millard1399]

G'day Neil,

You really have achieved a unique end result, and a huge ovation is thoroughly deserved for your efforts (Clap, clap, clap... )

It doesn't surprise me that people are drawn to it like moths to a flame. It certainly is an eye-catching van! ;D

I'm sure I'll see you coming a mile away when the sun reflects off the sides.

Enjoy your travels! ;D ;D

cheers,
Al.


ps. I'll post a link here to your other thread about the aluminium cladding, so we can keep track of your complete story in the future...

Aluminium sheet exterior?

[Deleted]

Thanks Al,

Yes, I doubt I'll have any worries driving at night with anyone following me on high beam!

Cheers,

Neil

[Kim Gan]

Hi guys, just saw your van after looking for info on Dolphins I own a Dolphin on a 1970 Transit I'll have to post some pics and more info when I get time. I live in Newcastle and bought it from the central coast of NSW and it was nearly a write off lots of rust, but has now been restored, not like yours, eventually I'll do a full resto. It runs a 4.1 XA falcon motor with a C4 box and XA rear axle, drives beautifully and stills feels safe at a 130kms.
cheers Kim

[Greig]

Hi there were are currently restoring a bedford motorhome, it's off getting painted at the moment,   I love you cladding job looks great!.... Can you tell me what the bull bar came off? as we want to fit one as well.


cheers Greig

[Mustang]

Hi Greig,
You have picked an old thread,also a retired member.

Try this link