Mon Dieux, A French Vickers Caravan!

[Roger H]

Wow... this isn't fiberglass, but it is definately THE most intricate and palacial trailer I've ever seen! The tongue end sure looks like a Cylon tho!

Vickers Caravan

Roger

[Roger H]

Cylon Centurion

[Frederick L. Simson]

The tongue end...
Roger

I could get REALLY confused driving in France if they put the tail lights on the tongue end.

[Roger H]

and ANOTHER ONE!

Vickers Caravan

[Brian B-P]

I could get REALLY confused driving in France if they put the tail lights on the tongue end.

They've been known to use yellow low beam headlight in France, so maybe they're used to being confused... but these are British trailers: the second web site is British, the door is on left side, and the following is an approximate translation of the French site's text:

Superb caravan Vickers 7m. 1960-62. Windows and mirrors engraved with vases of flowers, doors of the wall cupboards out of engraved glass rounded, stainless chimney. Missing 3 large mirrors (glass panes?) and some small ones. Being English, it does not have and cannot have a Vehicle Registration Document.

And by the way... I think this is really hideous, sort of the anti-egg, but that's just my taste. It is an amazing sight.

[Charlie C]

Reminds me of some of the "Rail Coaches" that the filthy rich industrialists used to have parked on the sidings of their mines, refineries, and processing plants. Want to tour the countryside, just call the Rail Company to hook up!!

[Gina D.]

Ya know, the Brits drive on the wrong side of the road, maybe they tow thier trailers backwards too???

Those lights have GOT to go!

[Andrew Gibbens]

Yep, those are British "showman's caravans" and those two are reasonably restrained, tasteful versions - they do get fancier than this!!!

In case the 'separated by a common language' problem applies here, 'showmen' are the folk that operate the rides and stalls of a travelling fun fair. A successful showman will often have a highly decorated 'van like these - the more successful, the more decorated! Nowadays they often have slide-outs (though slide-outs are generally not common in Yurp) and some get large enough to need separate front (steering) and back axles.

Andrew

[Kurt & Ann K.]

After looking at the site Roger posted, my wife's comment was "how grotesque!"
I thought that maybe the tongue was removable like many mobile homes, but it doesn't really look that way.
Different strokes for different folks
Kurt & Ann K.

[Mary F]

In case the 'separated by a common language' problem applies here, 'showmen' are the folk that operate the rides and stalls of a travelling fun fair. ... Nowadays they often have slide-outs (though slide-outs are generally not common in Yurp) and some get large enough to need separate front (steering) and back axles.

Andrew

Thanks for the explanation, Andrew. I needed it.

"Yurp." I like that.

[Donna D.]

Well, I like it. Look at all the colored glass in the interior (from someone who's learning to hate brown/beige).

[Roger H]

The interior reminded me of a whor.... of a brothe... of a... ahem, ah, ummm.... ahhh... someplace someone told me about once!

Roger

[Frederick L. Simson]

The interior reminded me of a whor.... of a brothe... of a... ahem, ah, ummm.... ahhh... someplace someone told me about once!

Roger

You reminded me of the perfect tow vehicle for this: A Filipino Jeepney! Back in the day when I visited ... er, um... one of those, you know, places...

[Per Walthinsen]

A large, very strong Jeepney maybe.

OK, I'll try to put an end to this hemming and hawing around: First of all, contrary to what is implied here, it is not necessary to visit these places in order to know what they are. Surprise?

They are called a "House of Ill Repute." There, it's been said. Feel better now?

[pjanits]

Per is right.
I have seen them in movies.... and they look just like that.

I wonder how long it would take to polish that thing....

[Andrew Gibbens]

"Yurp." I like that.

Yurp is on one side of the Atlantic and is full of Yurpeens. On the other side is Merka which, you guessed it, is full of Merkans, or Merkins (an unfortunate word).

My grandmother, a lady of impeccable manners from the Scottish highlands, was know to use the abbreviation 'WP'. Only after her death would my mother tell me what it stood for (with correct pronunciation), "decorated like a whoo-errs parlour" - a definition of poor taste, I'm told....

Andrew

[Roger H]

"decorated like a whoo-errs parlour" - a definition of poor taste, I'm told....

Andrew

Yes, Andrew, well put. Decorated in poor taste. I know about these things as I have seen the movie "The Cheyenne Social Club" with Jimmy Stewart, and the insides of these trailers reminded of the parlors in the "Cheyenne Social Club". That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

Roger

[Chester Taje]

Ya-------Sure Roger