Conversions

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For over two decades the Commer van was the base vehicle for many motorcaravan convertors. The boom years in the leisure industry (in the UK) were from around 1968 through until 1974, and during this period the commer was to become probably Englands most converted van.

comcarcamper1.jpgDuring the 1960’s the rise in popularity of the motorcaravan led in turn to many small companies turning their hands to motorcaravan conversion, and many ingenious designs were born. I will attempt to show as many different conversions here as possible

COMMER CARS

 commercom1.jpgThe ‘Commer’ Commer

From day one, the Commer’s potential as a camper was obvious, especially to Commer Cars Ltd, who had a range of conversions on offer from day one. The usable space inside, given the wheelbase was impressive, with the engine sat neatly between the cab seats, the entire length of the van was good for useable space. The bulbus waist line of the van also made it possible to accommodate a transverse bed of approximately 6′. Commer Cars own conversion was reminiscent of the Dormobile style of van, with clever mechanisms on steel frames to allow the seats to face in different directions, lay down to form a bed, and even to be removed and used outside of the van.

DORMOBILE

coaster.jpgThe name in motorcaravans in 1960 was Dormobile, a marque so popular that it was synonamous with any camper van. Dormobile were also producers of a variety of commercial vehicle bodies and had a huge coachworks, but mainly worked with Bedford. A Commer conversion was produced by Dormibile though, but never really became a best seller.

commer-dormobile.jpgAn early Commer Dormobile from Martin Walter, with the destinctive roof, note the trendy side flash!

AUTO-SLEEPERS Ltd

autosleeper.jpgAuto-Sleepers were to become a one of the largerst and most succesful companies of the era, and a reputation for build quality and good use of space was to be established on the Commer van conversions. By the start of the 1970’s the Commer Auto-Sleeper was a very popular choice of motorcaravan, and rightly so, the design is enduring, with an excellent amount of worktop space, large side windows and the trade mark solid sided elevating roof (no more damp canvas!).

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The Commer auto-sleeper’s classic interior
 

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CAR CAMPERS

Auto-Conversions of Birmingham were among the companies who offered ingenious solutions to the usuall dilemas facing the motorcaravan convertors of the day. They had particularly unusual ideas for the double bed, which was permanently made up on the floor beneath the dining area (immediately behind the cab), and they also had a really cool roof design! Later models featured louverd side windows, and the workmanship was to a high standard.

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Commer Car-Camper interior (1960)

Here is a list of some of the models convertors were offering on the Commer chasis:

  • Auto-Sleeper
  • Nomad
  • Inca
  • Autocabin
  • Car Camper
  • Invincible
  • Overlander
  • Calypso
  • Moto-plus
  • Home cruiser
  • Tourstar
  • Hi-top Executive
  • Hadrian
  • Transworld Columbus
  • York
  • Ebor
  • Roadranger
  • Teamster
  • Coaster
  • Clearway
  • Paralanian
  • Holdsworth Super
  • Commanche
  • Belvedere
  • Maidstone
  • Oxley balmoral
  • Sun-tor Major
  • Highwayman
  • Wayfarer
  • Olympian
  • Motorhome
  • Auothome
  • Wanderer
  • Commer ‘Commer’

(several Other convertors are known across Europe and as far away as America and Canada.)