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While not often seen in the US, the Dormobile campers built by Martin Walter Coachworks in Folkestone, England were a true pioneer in the recreational-vehicle world. Most of their conversions were done on Volkswagen Busses, British Ford Thames vans or Bedford CA vans, although there were other brands of small van converted by this firm.
The vehicle that's the subject of this post is a 1960 Bedford CA Dormobile, in rough but restorable condition. The Bedford marque was a British General Motors product produced along with the Vauxhall, another British GM product. Therefore, Bedford was to the UK as GMC is to the US. This particular vehicle likely came to the US via Canada, since that country was a British commonwealth in 1960 and Vauxhall and Bedford vehicles were exported in a moderate quantity to Canada into the late 1960s to early 1970s.
This particular Dormobile needs full restoration, but it is definitely worth doing, since there are very few of these left worldwide, and vintage RVs are steadily growing in popularity. Also, the original interior in this still appears to be present but tatty, and many Dormobiles of all types have been converted to a different style of interior.
This Dormobile is on eBay in upstate New York, for a nominal $1500 Buy-it-Now price, here:
Wow, that's such an unusual find in New York. When I see Dormobiles I can't help but think of the campgrounds at racetracks. There are some pictures of what this could look like once restored here: http://www.dormobile.org.uk/Bedford_CA.htm
ReplyDeleteDefinitely unusual. The pictures you posted were great, and I could easily see this Dormobile restored, at Watkins Glen or Road America, as the tow vehicle for an H-Modified based on Crosley, Frogeye Sprite or Fiat Topolino components.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!