vintage purchase: 1970s ray ban caravans

Last week, I was on the search for a relatively inexpensive, but high quality All-American vintage find.  My search led me to these 1970s Ray Ban Caravans for $20 on Etsy.  Follow the jump for more on the find and a profile on the shades themselves.

Timeless and always a good look, Ray Bans are optical classics.  As are their Aviators.  When I began my search, I almost bought a pair of the vintage Aviators, but I wanted something that not everyone had.  It didn’t take me long to find these Caravans.  

Everyone knows the WWII and aviation history behind the Aviator, hence its name, and you can clearly see the Aviator heritage the Caravan shares.  I must say, however, that I prefer the squarer shape of the frame and lenses of the Caravan over the more rounded shape of the Aviator.  It’s a slight difference that creates a modified and unique look that I really like.  

When I first opened the package, I couldn’t help but notice how solid the construction of these sunglasses were.  They aren’t flimsy at all, and even at close to forty years old, the structure is still strong.  

These particular Caravans were made during the 1970s before Ray Ban started putting their signature white “Ray Ban” on the upper part of the lenses.  The green Bausch & Lomb lenses of these also scream vintage.  When I think 1970s sunglasses, I picture green or yellow lenses, and these help validate that.  I’m amazed at how well these lenses have held up throughout the decades.  You would expect way more scratches from a relatively fragile product like this but I was shocked to find these lenses in almost perfect condition.  

The high degree of the quality of construction of these sunglasses and the fact that they have maintained their usefulness and good looks for nearly four decades is a clear testament to the value of Ray Ban (or at least for the Ray Ban of old).  At twenty bucks, this is definitely a fantastic vintage find (most vintage Caravans on eBay are selling in the hundreds), and if these sunglasses have lasted for forty years, I have zero doubts that they will provide me years of wear myself.  In a current economic climate such as this where it’s more prudent than ever to make smart purchases that will last and give you years of wear at an accessible price, these Ray Bans are the epitome of such a purchase.  They are high quality All-American and vintage.  You can’t beat that.  Summer cannot come soon enough.