When it comes to vintage caravans, there are few Australian makes as sought after as the fabulous fiberglass Olympic.
Advertised as “the Aristicrats of the road”, they’re renowned for their durability and light-weight practical design. More than a thousand were built from 1961 through to the late 1980s.
These timeless classics owe their heritage to the Dimmack family, who can trace their links with caravan building as far back to the 1920s when the arrival of the Model T Ford made motor vehicle travel accessible to many for the first time.
Walter John (Jack) Dimmack started building bondwood and aluminium caravans in Queensland not long after he returned from the Second World War.
Olympic Caravan Industries was registered in 1961. The 16 foot Riviera was the debut model, initially available in a range of colours, with the 14 foot Debonair launched in 1966 priced at $1600. They were followed by another mid-size van called the Contessa, the luxury 19 and 21 foot Stardust launched in 1969 and an 11 foot six “Micro Styleleader” coming in 1975.
As demand increased, Dimmack decided to simplify production by making every caravan the same colour. It’s why most you see on the road today are generally cream in colour unless they’ve been repainted by their owners.
Production peaked in the late 1960s around the same time Olympic found national fame thanks to two very well planned publicity stunts. As media watched on, a Sydney dealer towed an Olympic caravan down the Parramatta River behind a boat, proving they were leak-proof and could go just about anywhere. The same PR stunt was performed on the Swan River in Perth and was even more memorable thanks to the addition of some “damsels in distress”.
Beautiful women in swimsuits rode on the roof of the caravan, but it all came unstuck when the tow rope broke and the caravan started floating off. Fortunately one of the onlookers came to their rescue, diving in the river and re-attaching the tow rope.
As well as the watertight fully fiberglass vans, Olympic built other recreational vehicles including campers and range of composite fiberglass caravans in the 1970s marketed as “Travel Trailers” Factories were located at various Brisbane locations and as far away as Labrador on the Gold Coast, with final assembly at a site at Springwood/Slack Creek.
Bob Taylor who hails from the Tweed region of northern NSW is possibly Olympic’s biggest fan. He’s a collector, restorer, historian, archivist and even matchmaker. “I’m known for marrying up buyers and sellers. When people want an Olympic, they say, Bob will find me a van.”
Much sought after by collectors, Olympics i9n good condition have been known to fetch prices in excess of $10,000. “People like and respect them because of their dependability. They were well made, they’ll go just about anywhere and last,” Bob says.
Bob Taylor has kept register of Olympic caravans and their owners for the past decade. Of the estimated 1200 built he has just over 500 on his database, the most recent having a 1988 serial number on the chassis.
Bob worked with the Dimmack family to organise a reunion of former Olympic employees in 2010 which also served as a 90th Birthday party for Jack Dimmack. It was a memorable day and fitting tribute to the caravan legend who passed away the following year
Bob Taylor with one of his Olympics
As for Bob, he’s not slowing down, despite having recently being diagnosed with cancer for the third time. The 75-year old recently bought another Olympic caravan, a 1967 Debonair, which he plans to restore between visits to hospital for treatment. It will be the seventh fibreglass caravan he’s restored. “I know from previous experience that you’ve got to have a project to focus on to get you through the chemotherapy.”
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21 Comments
Pete wielders
Hey there ,I’m chasing a fiber glass door for an Olympic debonair if you could help I would appreciate it .pete
edward groombridge
Hi Peter
I have just bought a Olympic caravan to restore, it does’t have a vin plate. I wanted to know if it would be possible to have a chat with you when you have time. I am new to this type of old caravan, and you seem to be the man to talk to, my name is Edward and my number is 0406242388
Frank
Hi Edward, I to bought a 1964 Olympic Riviera and it to does not have a vin or data plate that’s how they were made back then mine only had a three digit chassis number on the driver side draw bar and no gas all electric.
Call me if you like on 0455550556
Kind regards.
Frank
Pete wielders
Phone 0435179885 if you can help me acquire a door for an Olympic debonair .thankyou pete
Frank
I am looking to join the Olympic Riviera caravan club , how do I go about this as I have a 1964 Olympic Riviera still in original condition , and would like to share my Olympic tour across the country .
I have relocated to WA from NSW.
Ian and Jackie
Hi Frank. Join Olympic Vintage Caravans on Facebook. Talk to Sam. It is a great club and you will be welcomed with open arms. ( don’t forget to mention that Ian and Jackie invited you).
John Patrick
FRANK Bonjour
My sister “heritate” an Olympic caravan in fibreglass model late 60-70
been” kidnap” in WA by the airline since mid-march she would like me to restor this jewel !!!!I will need to found the “side lightning” top and bottom back and topfront the model is “Hella” REC N° 47322 apparently ( White – Yellow for the front) and (Yellow and red for the back)
could you help mefounding these item
Best regards
John Patrick
tim
hi ive just purchased a 1980 23ft olympic needs a lot of work was wondering if any of you had any resources or a point in the right direction because i have no idea hahahaha
Roger Dunstan
I’m new to caravan world and from what I’ve seen n researched Olympic is for me .
Looking to buy one soon
Noel
For sale 1979 Olympic caravan. Immaculate. Original. Many extras . Phone Noel.0402164381. Toowoomba.
stan whalan
gday noel , is the olympic still for sale, im over at wondai near kingaroy
Noel
Hi Stan. I have just stumbled across your message. Yes it is still for sale.call me on0402164381.
Alec Cullen
I worked at Olympic, Slacks Creek in 1973-4. I haven’t seen a picture of one of the corrugated flat sided vans that we also made. I wonder if any survived? T
Alec Cullen
My last comment has the wrong email…it should be
Ina Mills
Hi we are a young family looking to buy a Riviera we are in Sydney where is the best place to look or ask? Thank you! Ps we are buying it not only to tour in but will air bnb it tohelp pay for treatments for our little boyRoki who has a brain injury. Our story is unusual so we want an unusual caravan to join our family
Fiona
Hi all
Just bought a 1977 model
Not sure if it’s a Condor or a Pusterla .
Please help .
How would I know ?
Cheers
Fee
christopher bagnall
hi just started repairing a riviera no 95 its missing single window in front of door any help on where to find one or get one made would be appreciated thankyou chris live burringbar north nsw
John
Looking for one to do up if you have one for sale or know where one is contact me on
Noel
Still for sale my 1978 Olimpico Rivera caravan. This old van is immaculate and original. Has a full Annex . To many items to mention. If interested call Noel on 0402164381. Do a live video chat and I can show you the caravan. QLD.
HARRY
Need help to find out the year of my Olympic travel trailer chassis no 32140.
Just starting to rebuild.
alison lennox
Interested in selling an Olympic Debonair caravan – Q1480, 14ft long and probably from 1968. Reasonably good condition and quite original. Any clues on the best way to sell this? I’m in Tasmania.