Owner Ian says: “This was the perfect restoration project: my dream 1967 VW SO 42 Westfalia Campmobile. I got Florence, as she is now called, shipped over to England from America. With the help of my friend, an expert restorer, we got started on the four-year task of getting her to her current condition. Florence is the archetypal VW Type 2 split-screen vehicle that were produced between 1950 and 1967. Classic features include white-wall tyres, white bumpers, top half and roof. This is a beautiful example of the VW T2. Photograph: Tina Hillier
“First prize in the 'most unusual design' category!” jokes Arthur, owner of this one-off car-camper. In the late 1960s, kit car manufacturer Ginetta – “masters of fibreglass” – dipped their toes into building campervans. Unfortunately the idea was short-lived and only one was made. “I am proud to own it and display it at classic car shows," says Arthur. “Something as unusual as this needs to be shared with others.” Photograph: Tina Hillier
It is a unique vehicle, based on a 1970s’ Ford Zodiac executive saloon fitted with a walnut dashboard and plenty of eye-catching instrumentation. Stylistically the fibreglass exterior has echoes of yacht design with its sleek, sweeping lines. The interior is lined with wood veneer and conjures up an image of a narrow boat cabin. Photograph: Tina Hillier
“I have been a member of the Citroën Car Club since 1964 and in 1999 attended their 50th Anniversary Rally,” says owner David. “There I saw the Nomad for sale and the rest is history. It’s my little snail shell – my travelling home.” This conversion was originally a Citroën Dyane – an upmarket version of the 2CV. It displays some of the characteristic features of these vehicles, such as the classic Citroën blue, the three-bolt wheel hubs and the flat windscreen. It is a charming and unusual vehicle, both for its diminutive size and the ingenuity with which it has been converted. Photograph: Tina Hillier
“The 1966 VW high-top started its life in Salzburg, Austria, as a delivery van,” says owner Paul. “Somehow it made its way over to England and to a garage near Truro, which is where I purchased it for a very reasonable price.” Almost every weekend the VW becomes Paul’s surf wagon and changing room. “I have styled the inside to resemble a vintage railway carriage and added a few mod cons for good measure. The original high-top roof was built for a draper who needed the additional height in order to hang long garments inside his delivery vehicle. Photograph: Tina Hillier
Despite first impressions this camper is not a conversion. In fact it was coach-built, in 1967, on a Vanden Plas Princess chassis; this campervan is unique. John became the very proud owner in 1976. “The original owner wanted nothing but the best,” he says. “Many of the features of this camper were unheard of on similar campervans of the era, including power steering and an automatic transmission.” Photograph: Tina Hillier
“The camper was finished to exacting standards with materials like walnut and leather, more often found in limousines for dignitaries,” says John. The overall feel is somewhat regal. The tones of the wood, turquoise furnishings and the elegant cream paintwork give the Princess an air of sophistication. Photograph: Tina Hillier
When Pierre Franchiset designed the Citroën H Van in 1947, with its distinctive corrugated sides, little did he know just what an iconic vehicle he had created. Little was changed over its 34 years of production. “We spotted this ex-fire department 1972 H Van and it fitted the bill for a campervan,” say owners Rob and Joyce. “I spent a year making the cabinets while Joyce decorated,” says Rob. “We left the original signwriting as it’s a nice reminder of the vehicle’s origin.” There are other clues too, such as the flat windscreen, large door mirrors and the sliding doors to allow the firefighters to jump out quickly and easily. Photograph: Tina Hillier
"Don’t come back without it! Whatever the cost!” were Diana’s words to her husband after he’d showed her an advert for this rare 1992 Skoda/Taz campervan. Diana had named her Daisy before it was on their driveway. The design of this Czechoslovakian wonder has changed little since its first appearance in 1975 and much of the mechanics hark back to the cold war era. Harking back to its Eastern bloc roots, this model exudes solidity and reliability. The interior reflects its somewhat utilitarian past in the choice of textiles and soft furnishings. The driver’s cabin is separated from the rest of the interior by shelves backed with wallpaper in a brown, terracotta and cream small floral design.
Photograph: Tina Hillier
This 1968 Dodge Xplorer made its way to England with the help of the United States Air Force: a serviceman brought it over when he was based here. Terry, the current owner, bought in 1993 when the airbase closed.
My Cool Campervan (mycoolcaravan.com, £12.50 plus £3.60 UK postage) by Jane Field-Lewis and Chris Haddon is published by Pavilion Photograph: Tina Hillier
