Friends Reunited! Lunar bring together the carefully restored 1972 Lunar Venus Mark II caravan with its original owners at the National Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show 2009!
Fri 20th Mar 2009
To mark the 40 anniversary of Lunar Caravans, Lunar have embarked on an exciting project to renovate a very early Lunar Caravan. The caravan has been purchased by Lunar from the Garrard family in Suffolk who have owned the caravan its entire life since new. Since the purchase Lunar have carried out restoration work on the caravan to take it back to its original 1972 look! The caravan is a 1972 Lunar Venus Mark II and originally cost the owners just £501 from Basildon Caravan centre 37 years ago. The caravan was placed on display at the National Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show 2009 last week where it received a wonderful reception. During the show build up, some of Lunar’s longest standing retailers were emotively reminiscing about the good old days when they used to sell these caravans, almost 40 years ago. Throughout the show, long-standing and new caravanners alike marvelled at how caravans have changed over the years, and yet in many ways how well equipped caravans produced so long ago were. The caravan contains a 4- berth layout with, gas hob, sink, seating area, eating area, bathroom area, storage lockers, cupboards and wardrobe all in a 12”7” by 6’10” body shell. The original owner Mr George Garrard and his son Matthew were invited to visit the show to be re-acquainted with the caravan that they had not seen since last year when restoration work began. Both were astounded by the caravans new look and could not believe the changes. George reflected on the day and says; “I suppose there were 3 main things which impressed us. Firstly, the restoration of the Venus. It was an excellent effort by your apprentices involving all the craftsmanship of earlier years, which we thought bodes well for the future” “Our next impression was that of sheer wonderment at the range of caravans you offer and their quality and luxury. Bearing in mind of course that we were conditioned by our early caravan years we started nearly 40 years ago” “And finally, the people. On the rare occasions when we buy anything, especially if it is something big and of lasting significance, we like to deal only with nice people. We thought you were a grand lot! Everyone was warm and welcoming, and true caravan enthusiasts. We should like to thank you for that, and for such a super day” Brian Mellor, Lunar Caravans Managing Director says “I am very pleased with the reaction we have had to the Venus caravan at the show. We have worked hard to complete the restoration in time to mark the 40th anniversary of the company, and this has been rewarded by the emotional reactions of George and Matthew, our retailers and the show visitors. We are now looking forward to many more years manufacturing”. The caravan is now going to be on display at further retailer events over the next few months until Lunar secure a permanent place for it that is worthy of its historical relevance for Lunar and the Industry. Pictured Above: From Left – Matthew Garrard (original owners son), Brian Mellor (Lunar Caravans Managing Director), George Garrard (the Venus original owner)