In the first of our new series dedicated to retro caravan life, Lisa Potter catches up with Peter Nunn, an enthusiast who ‘accidentally’ found himself immersed in retro caravans and cars and founded the NZ Retro Car and Caravan Club.
The adventures of retro caravan enthusiast Peter Nunn have come a long way since his childhood trips of cramming into tents as a family of six. While those early experiences fostered a love of exploring and adventure, these days he’s roaming in significantly more style.
However, there’s still a passing nod to those early years, with Peter’s nostalgia for all things retro at the heart of his caravan and travel passion.
Having explored the world as an adult, including time in Japan, Australia and Hong Kong, these days Peter is firmly committed to seeing as much of New Zealand as he can. So much so that his passport has lapsed but he’s clocking up the miles between the north and south islands.
While caravanning has become one of the most enjoyable aspects of life, the foray into ‘life on the road’ all started with an aqua blue 1968 Nissan Gloria – which started an unexpected ripple effect. A car of exceptional rarity, with just 9500 miles recorded and one lifetime owner when he discovered it, Gloria now tows Peter’s cherished retro caravans, has clocked up more than 20,000 miles, and is widely admired wherever they venture.
Immaculately presented and cared for, the purchase of Gloria at a classic car auction in Christchurch in 2009 was the beginning of a new lifestyle – Peter just didn’t realise it at the time.
Having been a car enthusiast as far back as he can remember, he has worked in the car industry for many decades (and still does today). The purchase of Gloria was something of a full circle moment; his first job was washing Nissans in an Auckland car yard – to decades later owning one of the most eye-catching Nissan’s he could have imagined.
Gloria is astonishingly original – she even still had plastic covers on the sun visors and everything original from the factory when Peter lucked upon her. And while an absence of any mod cons – power steering and air conditioning are the downside to that originality – Peter reckons her charms outweigh the need for modern luxuries (although on very hot summer days he does yearn for some air con).
Having secured Gloria, that retro-style bug was catching, as before long she was joined by a Crusader Pixie caravan. After proving to have unsolvable leak issues, Peter moved away from that particular caravan and bought a 1973 Lillliput Gazelle. In need of some TLC, it has been transformed from a tired retro caravan into a joyful aqua and orange delight (colour matched to the Nissan Gloria of course).
This foray into retro cars and caravans proved just the beginning. Soon after came another Lillliput, this time a cosy 10-foot version restored over ‘the Covid years’ to a sunshine yellow. With barely room for one, this Lilliput is more of a collector’s item than a practical holiday van – nevertheless she has been lovingly renovated and treasured.
In the meantime, Peter also began collecting authentic retro treasures – from vintage Tupperware to the iconic Brexton hampers. While both caravans are artfully themed head to toe true to their era, Peter admits his ‘stash’ of collectibles could kit out several more caravans. As well as more than 20 complete Brexton picnic sets, he also has one of only three English Pashley Road Cruiser bicycles in New Zealand and a beautifully restored Raleigh 20 (orange of course).
Then there are all the other treasures; from vintage Thermos flasks to every imaginable collectible in that distinctive orange shade. Part of the joy of collecting, alongside rescuing and renovating retro caravans is the community of people, many now good friends, Peter has met along the way.
Pretty much every second repair, renovation or accessory on each caravan has a story involving another fellow caravan or retro enthusiast – it’s a community of mutual support and enjoyment. So much so that Peter himself is at the heart of a thriving community of like-minded people – a result of founding the NZ Retro Car & Caravan Club in 2013.
The club meet up several times a year for shared events, including a Christmas get-together where cars and caravans are decked out in festive decorations and lights.
The club has more than 3000 Facebook members, and is an excellent source of inspiration, information and advice for fellow enthusiasts.
Peter and many of his fellow club members also often attend various car shows and also participate in charity fundraisers with their cars and caravans – all dressed to match their retro caravans of course. Peter’s orange suit is notorious.
Collecting and Curating
While travelling around New Zealand and having such a wide circle of like-minded friends are two of the key benefits of the retro caravan life, Peter also finds satisfaction in knowing he’s restoring and bringing an old caravan back to lifew – one which could well have ended up on the scrap heap or unsaveable otherwise.
He’s also managed to stockpile caravan parts and accessories from the era, useful as there’s a regular buy/sell/swap component going on between club members.
And of course, Gloria frequently detours to local antique and curio stores whenever they’re travelling around New Zealand. While finding authentic pieces is becoming ‘more tricky’, Peter always keeps an eye out for special additions, enjoying the experience of fresh discoveries.
There’s plenty of authenticity, as well as a healthy dose of Kiwiana to be found in the retro caravan club – and there’s something truly joyous about it – even as a spectator.
Thanks to Peter’s dedicated collecting, neither Lilliput caravan has much room to spare. However, there’s always space for his constant travel companions, Max and Macy. His loyal dogs joyfully travel with him and have accumulated an impressive amount of travel miles.
And while his Lilliput Gazelle is true to her era, she is also fully self-contained, with solar panels, a sealed ply chassis, 45-litre water tank, grey waste, tinted windows and sunshades front and rear, as well as a breeze awning. In other words, pretty much every home comfort Peter could ask for – and a definite step up from a tent!
