camperfanatic

  Talbot Express Camper Van, Auto-Sleeper Harmony The Harmony campervan was a hightop model from the 1980s and early 90s based on the Talbot Express/Fiat Ducato van. This was a 2+2 berth example, with a double bed below and two children sleeping area in the roof. The upper bed was made up using sliding board sections with a foam covering, only really suitable for children or perhaps one small(ish) adult. There were opening windows either side of the roof (with fitted curtains), and a 12v light. This was a five door model, with cab doors, side sliding door, and two rear opening doors. Most examples were fitted with the 1.9lt petrol engine, with a diesel motor as an option. The Harmony exterior had the distinctive Auto-Sleeper stripe graphics in navy blue with gold and white pinstripes. Sliding windows fitted to either side, with a decorative plastic panel to the rear section (as seen above). In addition to the two cab seats, there were a pair of forward-facing seats in the rear (as ...

  Overview         The Bedford name is one that is synonymous with quality, robust commercial vehicles. First introduced in 1931, Bedford was the brand name given to Vauxhall’s commercial division, and the name of the vehicle marque was derived from the County in which these vehicles were constructed, Bedfordshire , England . In a twenty year period from its inception, Bedford went from strength to strength, attaining excellent sales and an enviable reputation for their range of commercial vehicles. During the years of WW11, Bedford vehicles were in demand by the military, and the formidable Churchill tanks were also built at the factory for use by the British Army.       The year 1952 is the significant milestone in Bedford history, certainly in terms of British-built camper vans. The year 1952, heralded the introduction of the Bedford CA range of light vans, a vehicle which was to become such a familiar sight in Britain o...

  It was a long time coming, but finally a book dedicated purely to the various campervans and motorhomes produced on the Rootes/Chrysler Commer chassis. The papaerback edition is A5 in size, and printed in full colour throughout. Similar in style and format to the much loved 'Olyslager' motor manuals of the 60s and 70s. Pictured alongside the Commer manual by Olyslager, the Commer campervan book is a similar size I became a little frustrated that there were no titles available in print which were exclusively about the various Commer campervans, especially in light of the fact that the Commer was in production from 1960 until 1983 (although re-named the Dodge Spacevan by that time). As the Commer holds a special place in my vehicle affections, due to my father buying one in the late 1960s, and the fact that the Commer was my first campervan. My late father 'Perry' with his 1964 Commer Maidstone campervan, pictured in 1992. Pictured top, with its original UK registration...

  Classic & retro vanlife, vehicle profiles... In this blog, I am going to take a look back at some campervan profile sheets I produced some years ago for the now defunct 'Motor Caravan Magazine' in the UK. These were a 'cut-out-and-keep' profile included within the magazine over a period of weeks, featuring some of the popular classic British campers and motorhomes. These were written under the pseudonym of 'Perry Thacker', but of course I am better known as Martin Watts, campervan historian/author and general classic motorhome nut!  Let's start with one of the best selling motorhomes within the  UK throughout the 1960s; the Ci/Autohomes 'Highwayman'. The Bluebird/Ci Motorised, 'Highwayman' The Highwayman was first released by Bluebird Caravans in 1958, based on the Austin-Morris 152/J2 light commercial chassis. With the release by Rootes in 1960 of the Commer range, customers were given the option of both the Austin-Morris and Commer as...