My Old Camper

This is my old camper, sold in August '99 but still thought of ;-) It is a 1973 VW camper, a Devon Caravette conversion with lots of modifications, all done by me.

After 4½ years of happy ownership, I decided I just wanted more space, so the cute little VW was replaced with a nice new T4 LWB. As well as being 20 years younger, the new van has more space, a bigger, diesel, engine and more features normally associated with a modern vehicle (like heating!)

Specification

Engine

Original 1600cc engine replaced with a "Type 2/4" 2 litre engine (CJ) from a 1977 VW Camper. Engine is in standard specification except for the exhaust, which is a sports 4-1 system with glasspack silencer.

Other Mechanical

Front suspension lowered approximately 3" by cut and turn method (should have been adjustable, but isn't)

Body

• Resprayed (by hand) in dark silver, retaining the top third in pastel white to give the normal two-tone effect.
• Some non-structural areas made flat with filler.
• Bumpers and headlamp rims painted in same dark silver.
• Front number plate mounted below bumper.
• Smoked rear lenses.
• Clear front lenses.

Interior - cab

• Original seats replaced with Volvo heated seats.
• Door panels trimmed to match caravan trim.
• Rubber floor mat and walk-through mat replaced with black carpet.
• Glovebox lid.

Interior - caravan

• Interior seat layout changed into an L-shaped lounge area with long offside bench seat.
• Double bed is now made up using table and custom-made end support frame.
• Wooden furniture painted in grey woodstain.
• Standard table now locates in cab-caravan bulkheads longitudinally.
• Rear seat mid-bulkhead removed to expand under-seat area.
• Rear seat under-seat area lined with thick pond liner.
• This area also houses 25 litre water tank, portable 10 litre water tank and gas bottle, leaving some space left for other storage.
• All side and bulkhead panels retrimmed in blue/grey patterned material.
• Same material used to make 4 rear cushion covers.
• Same material used to make a hexagonal cushion.
• Same material used to make cutrains with velcro join, side and bottom fastenings and curtain ties.
• Same material used to make trimmed skylight cover.
• Black carpet used to trim floor area and luggage area above engine.

Electrics - cab

• Electric windows.
• Rev-counter.
• Door-open ignition and immobiliser key position lights.
• Clock from 1303 (not working).
• Cigarette lighter/12V plug.
• Caravan-spec 12V socket on dashboard.
• Fog lamp with indicator light.
• Reversing lamps with indicator light (controlled from dash-mounted switch).
• Additional instruments: below dash, 2x voltmeters. On top of dash, clock, o il pressure, cyl had temp, oil temp.
• Additional switches, currently not used

Electrics - caravan

• Second 12V leisure battery (all accessories and stereo run from this battery).
• Hella split-charge relay.
• 2x fluorescent lamps mounted just behind cab and on cupboard lid above rear.
• Double spot lamps mounted to illuminate kitchen and rear luggage area (above engine).
• 12V caravan-type socket in base of wardrobe.
• Submersible water pump with tap in sink and illuminated rocker switch.
• Car and caravan battery condition gauges.

ICE

• Alpine 7548 head unit + 6 disc CD changer (mounted behind passenger's seat). Also, infra-red wireless remote control with holder mounted in caravan area.
• Audio design 5¼" and 1" component speakers installed in upper area of door.
• Alpine 6"x9" 3-way co-axial speakers mounted in rear caravan area.
• Alpine top of range 6"x9" 2-way co-axial speakers installed in lower area of door (note, these positions are only made possible by use of electric windows and deletion of winder handles).
• Alpine V12 amplifier mounted behind driver's seat.

Have a peek at some other cars I've owned or Return to my Home page.