Re: Introduction

[patgatewood]

Hi, I'm Pat and my husband is Steve, we've bought a Windrush. We went to see it, agreed a price and bought it, as a 1972 but when we got home found a photo with the date of 1970. Since then I've been trying to find the correct date, no luck so far. Its in such good condition, we wondered if either date was correct!
The plate by the door says15-2S,fifteen ft, 2 berth "S"I don't know! The reg no is 01723.
It is on a B&B chassis but the identifying numbers I have only go back to 1973, the other problem is the gas box covers the sides of the A frame. If anyone can help with the date, I would be very grateful. Thanks for reading this. Pat
Sorry about this, its a case of can't read my own writing!
Its a 13-2S, thirteen, not fifteen, so its thirteen foot long!!! Pat

[Margo]

Hi Pat & Steve, welcome to the group.
Dating a Windrush is a nightmare as the caravan serial number (and the chassis number) bears no obvious resemblance to the year. I don’t think I have ever come across a Mk1 Windrush that has been correctly dated by the owner unless they have owned it from new or have paperwork to verify. I have been told by a very reliable source that the B&B chassis number can be traced but it doesn’t necessarily mean the caravan is of the same year. Often the chassis is slightly older than the van as they are brought in! The chassis number is on the outside of the right hand chassis member just under the front of the body. If you have a Sigma hitch I’m told these also have a date reference stamped on them but this is under the cowling – I haven’t checked this on mine yet so can’t comment any further.

My understanding is that Cotswold didn't form as a company until 1973. The “S” on your model denotes the presence of a shower cubicle, which don’t quote me, suggests it is probably a slightly later model. Also, a hot water system is quite likely present, again very unusual on such an early van but not unknown. If your van is an early model you will have glass windows all round and the front one will probably be a large one piece window. I have no idea when Cotswold started using plastic windows but other brands started introducing them around 1976. Are you able to post some pictures on to the forum so we can help to clarify?

What we need is a library of owner’s manuals through the years scanned on and hosted on here

Regards Mark...

[Administrator]

A good and explicit reply Mark.
Thanks for that.
Stuart

[patgatewood]

Thanks for your replies, and so fast! Firstly, I don't have a shower, just a yellow fold-up washbasin and space for a toilet, I don't have hot water. The front window is all in one piece, no openers.
I agree, a library of pictures would be good, it seems to me the layout of interiors is very similar with just subtle differences, ours has fairly large round knobs, some have handles, ours has a wooden arch to separate, the kitchen from the living area, in "pictures of Windrushes", I found one very similar, listed as "sixties"! it certainly is a nightmare!
I really want to find out as much as possible because I want to exhibit it as we are members of the Period and Classic Caravan Club, we also have a 1979 Rapido Folding Caravan, you know, the funny French things that unfold from a box! We have also restored a 1921 Bomford and Evershed Steam Roller'van, we love it but its too heavy to move far! So,you see, the Windrush is a lifestyle choice, not just a caravan!

[Margo]

What a fantastic collection of toys you have. Likewise, our Windrush is a lifestyle accessory which complements our classic Land Rover perfectly.

Interesting about the absence of a shower. I am confident that the “S” does stand for shower and not a special edition, super or sport etc. After many months of research the Windrush brand is still proving to be very vague although I have collected a reasonable amount of images together which I am currently collating with the intention of eventually hosting online for the benefit of fellow owners. The biggest problem is the dating as many owners just simply cannot accurately verify this. Speaking specifically about the Mk1 Windrush only, the specification and finishes between the models seem to vary only very slightly with the layout and perhaps the colour of the soft furnishings being the obvious. Most original Windrush vans I’ve seen of the Mk1 era have a typical 70’s colour scheme of burnt orange and olive green and the later Mk1’s (like mine) tend to be a little more beige. My understanding is that the models available were 11-2, 13-2S, 13-4 and 15-2S; please someone correct me if I am wrong

[patgatewood]

Hi, Thanks for the reply, as regards toys, I didn't mention the tractors!!
I've described the interior as ginger, the tops of the mattresses are in a sort of snowflake pattern, my daughter described it as "Swedish", geometric , I guess. The mustard coloured backrests are just beginning to go, thanks to the sun, I would think, the curtains are long gone
I can see no evidence of a shower, and I think the 240 electrics were more recent, they plug in under the 'van, just 3 sockets on the sides of the bunks, perhaps an old diy job!
It feels as if I'm wearing a blindfold, just stumbling about in the dark!
The chap we bought from had bought it to tow behind his classic car, then thought it was too much trouble, he only bought it this year, but somebody has clearly loved it, it has been so well cared for. Again, thanks, Pat

[Margo]

Tractors – now you are showing off

With the information I have so far collected and with some help from a friend heavily involved in another brand of classic caravan I have been able to compile a date line of production for the Mk1 Windrush. Of course it is at a very early stage so it might be open to interpretation! I’ve also got some pictures of the upholstery you describe and that together with what you have provided so far places your caravan circa 1976 – not entirely helpful I know.

I've just seen your pictures on FB

Regards Mark…

[patgatewood]

Thanks Mark, logic tells me it had to be 1973+, so, 1976 is near enough, unless I find any more.....
We love it whatever! Pat