THE DUFFYS IN THE VANGUARD
Reality TV home renovators Carlene and Michael Duffy are extending their reach. The Gold Coasters have expanded from a 16-foot caravan to a 22-footer that’s still a workin-progress in terms of receiving their attention.
As with most builders and designers, this duo is too busy with the Cedar + Suede interior design business (including caravans), to have much spare time for pet projects.
When they can get away, they rely on an Isuzu MU-X to haul the 2.5-tonne van.
Michael cites the 3.0-litre turbo diesel SUV’s towing power as his favourite feature. The roofmounted DVD player is Carlene’s pick of the seven-seater’s comprehensive list of features in LS-T specification.
It’s a long way from the 1996 Mitsubishi Magna Michael used as transport when he first started dating his future wife. “Everyone thought it was a grandparents’ car’,” he says.
“It was still a step up from my first car, a 1982 Datsun Bluebird wagon. It went through the family: Dad gave it to my eldest brother, it came to me then to my younger brother. It was already a little panel-beaten when I got it. My brother managed to hit a tree when he was at school.”
The Duffys’ first joint car purchase was a 2010 Toyota Kluger. They liked it enough to replace it with a newer model.
“The Kluger was easier around town than the Isuzu but we sure couldn’t have used it to tow like the MU-X,” Carlene says.
Their preferred break is to hitch up the van, load children Paddy and Stella and drive to one of the myriad small towns in northern NSW. Yamba is a current favourite.
The family is happy to set up the caravan anywhere there’s a powered site and a place for the kids to be entertained. Carlene rates small towns that even on less-travelled routes now have better-than-decent cafes and shopping.
As far as driving personas go, Michael says he’s more likely to get irate behind the wheel. His pet hate is people who block intersections in peak-hour traffic.
“Also when people don’t go to the speed limit in the right-hand lane — that kills me. I don’t get out of the car and try to punch on with motorists but I definitely don’t mind yelling a bit … if they deserve it,” he says.
Carlene’s biggest issue is with drivers who won’t let you merge. “I’m the opposite to Michael — I try not to let it worry me — but my pet hate is the ones who don’t let you get out of the way,” she says.
If money, children and working with his wife on everything from TV shows to home renovations and rejuvenating caravans weren’t an issue, Michael’s dream car indulgence would be a Ford Mustang V8. “If I wasn’t a builder, I’d probably go the Mustang GT,” he says.
Carlene would look to the more familyoriented Range Rover. “I’m not really a car person but just going on looks, space and reliability, I’d probably take a Range Rover.”