Vintage and Retro caravans downunder - and - Paul Fahey — A Celebration of a Kiwi Motorsport Legend

Vintage and Retro Caravans Downunder

by Don and Marilyn Jessen

Plus One Publishers.  RRP $49.99

Sold exclusively through Paper Plus, Paper Plus Select and Take Note

Over recent years, there has been an explosion in popularity of vintage vanning in New Zealand and Australia. This is evidenced by the numerous vintage rallies attracting large numbers of caravans across Australia and the huge turnout of retro caravans at the Repco Beach Hop in New Zealand. Kiwis and Aussies share the same enthusiasm for this endearing hobby and its growth shows no sign of slowing down.

In Vintage and Retro Caravans Downunder Don and Marilyn profile some of the prettiest and rarest vintage caravans in both New Zealand and Australia from 1928 through to 1978. It also covers the ongoing restoration of Don and Marilyn’s very own 1958 vintage van, and provides some insight into the interior décor of the decades. 

Vintage and Retro Caravans Downunder captures the very essence of the vintage-vanner lifestyle and the caravans they love. This includes tips on how to present a vintage caravan, and how to accessorise with vintage crockery and caravan ware.

 Don Jessen was born into a caravan family. His dad started manufacturing caravans in 1946 – four years before Don was born. The company, Liteweight Caravans, eventually became New Zealand’s largest manufacturer. The business started in the garage at home, so Don was raised around caravans, later completing an apprenticeship in coachbuilding. He then went on to hold senior management roles in the company before becoming a director. Marilyn, on the other hand, came to caravanning when she met Don in her late teens, and soon accepted that ‘love this man, also meant love these caravans’.

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Fahey — A Celebration of a Kiwi Motorsport Legend

‘The Life Story of a Lucky Bugger’

Publication date: Monday 6^th November 2017, RRP $49.99

Sold exclusively through Paper Plus, Paper Plus Select and Take Note

 

In Paul Fahey — A Celebration of a Kiwi Motorsport Legend Paul reminisces over a career that started on two wheels on the beaches and grass tracks of Auckland, which led him to a start at the Isle of Man TT and then the European GP circuit. An unexpected turn saw him hang up his leathers and get behind the wheel of a racing car. His feats behind the wheel of such well-known cars as the Shelby Mustang and the Lotus Corina soon saw him established at the country’s foremost saloon car driver.

While he puts much of his success down to being a ‘lucky bugger’, his work ethic, professionalism and desire to succeed combined to make him a true Kiwi motorsport legend.

Paul feels luck has been a constant companion throughout his life. ‘During my eighty plus years, most of my luck has come from having the right people around me at key points in my life, and meeting the right people at the right time, ' he says.

In Paul Fahey – A Celebration of a Kiwi Motorsport Legend he talks about how lucky he was to survive when he was racing motorbikes. The year he was racing in Europe, 11 riders died – including his teammate, Bill Aislabie.

When he did have a bad crash, he was lucky to be in a place where pioneering technology meant that he managed to avoid having a leg amputated.

Paul talks about his good luck in meeting Jim Clark – not the world racing champion, but the boss of Firestone who looked after him incredibly well. He also talks about how luck was on his side when the team at Shell took him on board. ‘Without the support and sponsorship, they gave me, I would never have been able to do what I did out on the track, he says.

He also feels lucky to have raced when he did, driving at a time when they all looked after each other. He counts Red Dawson, Rod Coleman and Jim Richards as some of his greatest competition and also some of his closest friends on the racetrack.