( Founded 1991)Home-converted living vans and motorised caravans have been in evidence since the advent of the internal combustion engine. Despite early attempts by several coachbuilders to make popular the ‘motorcaravan’ (1920s & 30s), it would be not until the mid-1950s that this leisure activity would gain any degree of popularity in the UK.
Those early production motor caravans were the ancestors of today’s luxury examples. Early pioneering stalwarts included, Martin Walter (Dormobile), J P White, Peter Pitt, Maurice Calthorpe, Central Garages (Paralanian), Bluebird and a small number of other specialist coachbuilders.
Base vehicles utilised for conversion in the 1950s included, Bedford CA, Austin 152/Morris J2, Volkswagon and Ford Thames.
The period from the mid-1950s until the introduction of VAT in 1973 are often referred to as the ‘boom years’ for the sales of motor caravans in the UK.
In excess of 15,000 units were being sold in the UK prior to the introduction of VAT, as a matter of interest figures today are only in the region of 5,000!
It is fairly safe to assume that a large number of motor caravans produced during the ‘boom’ years have survived. All of the respected names from within the industry at that time are represented in the ranks of the Classic Camper Club.
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Classic Camper Club
Sec:- Dilys Watts,
Jasmine Cottage
Fromes Hill
Ledbury
HR8 1HT