ROMANY GYPSY TRAILERS

                                              Lonsdale Caravans Limited.

                                                   Culgaith, Cumberland

 

Lonsdale Caravans Limited was started in September 1957. Initially employing 25

staff, the works manager was Mr Ted Sears who had ten years previous experience

in caravan building having previously worked at Vickers in Morecambe. He was

joined from Vickers by Mr Alan Owen as foreman.  Although initially builders of

'tourers' the company also produced 'specials' for Travellers and they were well known and liked being of high quality. The first vans were lined with oak or mahogany veneer ply but later ones for Travellers were formica lined. The first models produced were 14, 16 and 18 feet but a 22 foot was soon introduced. It took on average 350 - 400 man hours to produce each van and as such they were not cheap. About twelve vans were in production at any one time in the early years. The initial aim was to produce five a week. Within four months Lonsdale caravans Ltd.

was a flourishing business....................Ted Sears left Lonsdale and in 1961 went into partnership with Alan Dent and the famous Westmorland Star trailer was born.

The  first Westmorlands bear a slight resemblance to the early Lonsdale in shape.

 

                        *******************************************************

 

 

 

           1958.   A 16' 'Falcon' in the works                         Mr and Mrs Gordon Boswell with their Lonsdale

                                                                                               

A later 'Lonsdale' sales leaflet. This quite obviously aimed at travellers !!

Many thanks to Clarissa for sending the original sale leaflet : mid 196o's

A Lonsdale Eagle............these trailers are sometimes mistakingly identified as Vickers due to the similar 'shape' also Lonsdale and (Vickers) Lunedale were confused.

ROMANY GYPSY TRAILERS

                                              Lonsdale Caravans Limited.

                                                   Culgaith, Cumberland

 

Lonsdale Caravans Limited was started in September 1957. Initially employing 25

staff, the works manager was Mr Ted Sears who had ten years previous experience

in caravan building having previously worked at Vickers in Morecambe. He was

joined from Vickers by Mr Alan Owen as foreman.  Although initially builders of

'tourers' the company also produced 'specials' for Travellers and they were well known and liked being of high quality. The first vans were lined with oak or mahogany veneer ply but later ones for Travellers were formica lined. The first models produced were 14, 16 and 18 feet but a 22 foot was soon introduced. It took on average 350 - 400 man hours to produce each van and as such they were not cheap. About twelve vans were in production at any one time in the early years. The initial aim was to produce five a week. Within four months Lonsdale caravans Ltd.

was a flourishing business....................Ted Sears left Lonsdale and in 1961 went into partnership with Alan Dent and the famous Westmorland Star trailer was born.

The  first Westmorlands bear a slight resemblance to the early Lonsdale in shape.

 

                        *******************************************************

 

 

 

           1958.   A 16' 'Falcon' in the works                         Mr and Mrs Gordon Boswell with their Lonsdale

                                                                                               

An early 1960's 'Lonsdale Eagle' .... click the link to see the brochure

Many thanks to John Lefley  for sending the original sale leaflet above and brochure on next page

A Lonsdale Eagle............these trailers are sometimes mistakingly identified as Vickers due to the similar 'shape' also the names

Lonsdale and Lunedale (Vickers) were often confused. In later years the Lunedale was more often known as the 'Morecambe' trailer.

below a later mid 60's brochure & price list