Caravan jack

View this record on the National Museum of Australia's website

Type: Vehicle accessories
Date: 1960 - 1970
Materials: Steel
Collection: Thomas Propert collection
Accession number: 1985.0048.0055

Description

Metal jack used to support the caravan at rest. It is presently supporting the caravan in storage.

About the collection

The Thomas Propert collection comprises a pink wooden-framed, aluminium-sheeted, Propert Trailaway caravan. Built in 1956 by Thomas Propert (1889-1969), founder of the Propert Body Building Works, Sydney, in1910, the three-berth touring caravan is neither a production-line model, nor a prototype, but a one-off built for advertising purposes. In Australia, the 1950s ushered in the end of petrol rationing, and post-World War II prosperity led to increased car ownership and leisure time. Motoring and caravanning holidays became popular in this period as an economical alternative to expensive rail travel and hotel accommodation. Keen competition between caravan manufacturers led to sleeker models with sophisticated interiors, boasting modern conveniences such as gas and electric refrigerators and ovens and electric lighting. Though new, locally manufactured Holdens were able to tow large caravans, the compact Propert caravan was designed to fill a niche in the new caravan market, by enabling towing by less powerful, but more affordable English and European sedans. The van's fittings, which reflect contemporary trends in 1950s interior design, include geometrically patterned linoleum, aluminium cookware, laminex bench tops, vinyl furniture coverings, Mexican-patterned curtains and red, black and cream internal décor.

Read live from the Museum's Collection API (12/11/2026, 6:15:10 am). Record last updated by the Museum 2025-02-23. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.