camperfanatic

Those who have followed my camper-related blogs will know about the 1964 Commer Maidstone which both me and my father owned, and the story of how my father came to own the camper three times! Well talk about history repeating itself, this really was a case of deja vu, but this times the tables were turned on me, not my father... We had purchased the Fiat camper, and were indeed getting great enjoyment from it, but as we were heavily involved in the UK classic vehicle scene, we did feel like a couple of frauds using a 1988 model when our friends were all camping in vehicles built in the 60s and 70s. By coincidence around this time, we had a letter from the owners of our old Commer Car-Camper informing us that they were going to sell it, and did we know of anyone who might be interested? By now readers, you are already one step ahead of me aren't you! Yes, of course, we took all of several minutes to decide, we wanted the lovely old blue girl back in our lives, even if it was a...

Someone asked recently if I could feature a few more 'profiles' on specific 'vans; and after a quick flick through my files, I stumbled upon an awful lot of Talbot Rambler pics, so what better place to start. The Rambler was a popular high-top van conversion by Auto-Sleeper of Worcestershire UK (they remain Britain's longest running converters). Based on the Talbot Express van, 2lt petrol, which was in production until 1994 (also in Citroen, Peugeot & Fiat derivatives). Fitted with a spacious high-top, the Rambler was a five door model, so plenty of access, and the sliding side door allowed for a drive-away awning to be fitted to either side or rear of 'van. The example on display here also had a pull-out side awning fitted (see above), and of course a Fiamma privacy room can be attached/zipped onto this. This picture also illustrates the small sliding windows to the high-top roof, and 240v inlet flap toward the rear quarter. Auto-Sleeper conversions of th...

Vanlife culture has quickly become a modern phenomenon, as the young and not so young look to new adventures and the escapism provided by a home on wheels. Those who convert their own nomadic vehicle, seek inspiration from a variety of sources, including social media, magazines and by looking inside as many vans as they possibly can. With this in mind I thought that I would draw upon my vast photographic and magazine/brochure archive to provide a few interior snapshots of vans from a bygone era. Auto-Sleepers in the UK have been producing quality motorhomes/campervans since 1961; seen here is their classic campervan layout inside the Bedford CF. The Autohome/Motorhome was introduced in 1971 by CI/Autohomes. A living 'module' which was constructed independently of the vehicle, and then fixed to the chassis once completed. Vehicles used included the Bedford CF, Ford Transit MKI and the Commer. The beautifully hand-crafted wooden interior of the Jennings Roadranger, by...

I've written for a few magazines in the UK over the years, and some time ago a reader (realising I was heavily into retro/classic campervans) sent me a copy of an old paperback book (which he wanted returning), together with a selection of photographs he had taken. The photographs depicted an old Cotswold motorhome (British conversion and chassis) which was sitting in a scrap/breakers yard somewhere in Devon, England. The old Cotswold motorhome looked to be in a very sorry state, with parts missing, though the general bodywork looked quite sound and surely restorable. The accompanying letter with the book and photographs made it clear that the author of the said letter had indeed tried in vain to purchase the Cotswold motorhome from the owners of the yard, who insisted that it had to be crushed, and as far as I'm aware, that is exactly what happened. The three pictures above show the Austin Cotswold motorhome sitting in a Devon scrapyard prior to its disposal. (I'm s...

The often forgotten model of the light commercial van range in the UK is the Bedford Midi, first launched in 1984, a long 'tubular' vehicle with a lifting rear tailgate; it ran in production alongside the existing Bedford CF range. Initially fitted with engine options which included a 1.8lt petrol and 2lt diesel, later expanded to 2lt petrol and 2.2lt diesel units, with a more powerful 2.4lt turbo diesel also an option. The wheelbase lengths were SWB of 14.7ft and a LWB of 15.9ft, and with the option of single or twin side loading doors. Unlike the Bedford CF (in production since 1969), the Midi was not available as a chassis-cab, so a coachbuilt motorhome could not be produced, only campervan style models with a glass fibre high top or a rising roof (pop-top). One of the first UK converters to launch a campervan model on the 'new' Midi was Auto-Sleeper of Worcestershire, unveiling their conversion at the 1985 Earls Court Motor Show.  (picture below). The price ...