Your first ever camper?

[jollyrodger]

Tenting from an early age
A mattress in the back of a Austin minivan 1968 iom TT and honeymoon.
Various home brew vans, but first manufactured one early 80s

Auto sleeper trailblazer on a commer van pop top.
Coil used to overheat, tried all the usual swapping leads points condensers ballast resisters etc in the end a 2nd coil mounted along side and swap over leads after about 100m. Got us around France and back.

 

[DerryW]

Some lovley vehicle on here.

We were late to the MoHo party 2018, although we'd been tuggers since mid 70's, Caught the bug after hiring a brand new Roller Team in April 2018 which we took to France and Spain.

This was followed by our first owned van a few weeks after returning home. Now on our second and probably last, unless of course we get the 6 numbers come up, then it'll be a trip off to the nearest N&B dealers.

 

[DerryW]

I did not know that we were going down to that basic level

In which case my first one was a 1962 minivan, bought new, my only new vehicle, for £395 purchase tax free.

I made the passenger seat demountable, had an insert to put in its place and a blow up mattress and sleeping bag to stretch out from dash to rear doors.

If that counts I have been campervanning for 60 years!!!

I bet you wish you'd still got it.

 

[Wightman]

would you like to donate it to me

Ah let me think about that one - it may take a few years

We purchased it in 79 and ran it till 88 when we used it to move house and unfortunately we lost all gears. Managed to get it into back garden where it stood in the open for about 12 - 15 years when I was given a large quality tent/marquee thing so used it to cover splittie. Then couple of years ago (Covid) managed to build "wooden shed" to keep it covered and year ago said to eldest daughter (highly qualified motor technician) let's see if splittie will start. Checked oil level and it turned over, fitted distributor (borrowed for full bay we had!!) hooked up petrol pipe from petrol can - in case things went wrong!! Charged battery ignition key in turn and within three tries burst into life - and all tyres are full pressure and never been pumped up.

TBH £20K plus offers wouldn't "prize it away" and many have asked

 

[GMLS]

Our 1st and I expect will also be our last as no intention of selling it.We've had 3 motorhomes and another on order for winter, Europen and the longer UK trips but love the Vw for festivals, VW rally and day trips but 18mpg! Love chugging along in no particular rush

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[Wightman]

Our 1st and I expect will also be our last as no intention of selling it. We've had 3 motorhomes and another on order for winter, Europen and the longer UK trips but love the VW for festivals, VW rally and day trips but 18mpg! Love chugging along in no particular rush

18MPG blimey that would have been luxury - were lucky to get 12 - 14mpg here on the Island - but then the wife did most of driving with heavy right boot - thank goodness she doesn't read this

 

[steve69]

Just scanned this from an old photo (1983) Commer Caravanette 1972. Happy days - even in the snow.

 

[matt34]

Ah let me think about that one - it may take a few years

We purchased it in 79 and ran it till 88 when we used it to move house and unfortunately we lost all gears. Managed to get it into back garden where it stood in the open for about 12 - 15 years when I was given a large quality tent/marquee thing so used it to cover splittie. Then couple of years ago (Covid) managed to build "wooden shed" to keep it covered and year ago said to eldest daughter (highly qualified motor technician) let's see if splittie will start. Checked oil level and it turned over, fitted distributor (borrowed for full bay we had!!) hooked up petrol pipe from petrol can - in case things went wrong!! Charged battery ignition key in turn and within three tries burst into life - and all tyres are full pressure and never been pumped up.

TBH £20K plus offers wouldn't "prize it away" and many have asked

They are loveley to look,but when i sold my last one having done many miles with 3 kids 2 dogs enough was enough bought an autosleeper t4,then a karrmen colorado then my swift sundance 6 bith havent missed it,the amount of hours i spent getting on it not sure where i got the time,see the prices have slowed uo a bit but a good original poptop hard to get unmolested,family air loom.