24 replies to this topic

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

I am a busy boy when im not working for the NHS, along with running a Mini as a second car as well as trying to kick start the resto on my '63 I also have another project that I need to get on the road very soon in the hope that I can use it this year.

I have always wanted a camper but never really found that a split screen VW that appealing, I have always loved very early British Commercial vehicles. I would have loved to find a BMC van with the similiar styling to a Mini or similiar Austin/Morris but in the end found this via a phone call replying to a Wanted ad.



I drove my Mini all the way to Manchester to view and to my surprise found this 1959 Bedford CA Dormobile safe and sound in a Coronation Street style lockup.

A week later I had it home and the resto work started.



Winching the van onto a trailer.


Nearly there, hard going when all four brakes are seized!


Seats are very worn after 50 years!


That top is raw fibre glass and has never been painted...


Half way home, gentle drive took over 7 hours to Bracknell...


Safe and sound at home.

Work to get going has included new fuel hose, all new brakes, master cylinder so far, more work to follow which includes timing chain, rear gearbox oil seal, steering arms....

[mighty mini jack]

My lord, thats beautiful!

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

lol, its a bit grubby at the mo, the paints faded a bit since as its all hand brushed painted but that will be the next stage after the mechanical stuff is all done...

[leaky]

Got the vtec for it yet then Jon?

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

Haha, ive opted for the GM 4 cylinder 8 Valve "Wyvern" monster engine...

[sweetser]

Now that is beautiful!!!

[rick.spi]

very lovely looking camper.

[Niall W]

That's SOOOO much better than any VW camper, got yourself a beaut there mate

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

Thanks mate, I think its good to be differant. The only trouble is that getting spares is a nightmare and only new wings are available, everything else has to be made or specially ordered in bulk like sills etc. I think what appealed is that the front lights are the same as a mini and the scroll effect on the front panel is like a Mk1 Mini...

[Stevee]

Wow last time i seen one of them was at Rushton Cavelcade last Year!! was sweet i was like wow better than a camper van!!

but id love to have a split screen camper

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

If it was a year older it would have been a split screen lol

[Stevee]

ah thats a shame


ive worked on a Comma q4 & a Bedford K Series

where i did work experince they were nice lorries


the comma's wheels stood taller than my mini !!

[leadly]

Very very very nice indeed!

[Miniphernalia.co.uk]

I have to admit that due to my work and disability I cant do the work thats required, the hard bits have been farmed out to Downton Mini's who have so far done an amazing job....

[jayare]

My parents had a dead one of these in the garage when I was a kid - we used to play in it for hours! It got sold for banger racing in the end which looking back now is a crying shame! One of the weird things I remember about it was the gas bottle frame which hung out under the floor - not sure why that detail would hang around for 30 years though!

JR