Tony Dawson's attention-grabbing mini-rig

'We get attention everywhere'

VICTORIAN grey nomad Tony Dawson's mini-rig turns heads wherever it travels.

"We get attention everywhere," he told Caravanning News.

Tony, wife Debbie and mini foxy Rosie hit the road in May last year in their three-metre home-built mobile home. The tiny tourer boasts shower and toilet, solar power and tips the scales at a mere 450kg.

He towed it with a Hyundai i30 but decided to swap this for an eye-catching kit car built in 2001.

Tony had the JBA Falcon tourer, bought online sight unseen from Townsville, and had it shipped to his home in Strathbogie.

Rosie dressed for the open road

"We had to wait nine weeks to see the car in the flesh so to speak, but we were happy with our purchase," he said. "Kit cars don't have a great reputation, but some are built very well.

"This car is a delight to drive and tow with.

"It was restored in 2009 so it's in superb condition."

Tony strengthened the rear chassis area and had the towbar approved by an engineer.

"We had a seized water pump in Wagga at the start of a trip to Bundaberg," he said. "But being a Holden, the NRMA workshop had no problems repairing it."

Tony has no problems with fellow caravanners constantly quizzing him about his unusual rig.

"People don't believe the car is a 2001 model or that the caravan has a shower and toilet," he said.

While on the road, Tony prefers free or low-cost camping in small towns and supporting pubs and small businesses.

Tony's pride and joy, which he says is probably the smallest caravan around with toilet and shower, is now being refurbished and is on the market for $13,500.

He plans to  build another which will be colour coordinated with his car.

He can be reached on 0438360934.

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