In this video you can see my other motorhome in the background, but this Bedford HA has been in the family since 1970. Originally it cost £850 which was a fair sum in 1970. We got 25 years of use out of it, but severe rust had taken over by 1995 and I couldn't find anyone who was willing to weld it. Welding isn't my strong point as I only have an arc welder. So it was laid up in the trees for 15 years.
The roof on this model hinges up with a green and white PVC covering and contains a bunk bed. A pop-out made from panels emerges from the back door and that takes a double bed using a rock and roll back seat. There is a tiny one ring burner and grill plus a tip up plastic sink. Removable water carriers with a squeezy hand pump, a few tiny cupboards, removable table things, 3kg camping gaz, and a cooks seat which hinges back off the passenger seat complete the minimal camping facitlities for 3. There's no hook up, toilet, heating, insualtion, waste tank or fridge. Condensation is dreadful and it was definitely only for camping in the warm season, maybe 3 or 4 months a year.
This example is one of only a couple remaining with the pop-out panel back bed. Later models had a PVC bellows type back extension. Dormobile (Martin Walter of Folkestone) made 1000's of these from about 1967 to 1974. The van pictured is from 1968. Martin Walter moved out of motorhomes into making ambulances, but had ceased trading by about 1980.
Unfortunately the sills, front chassis, and floor pans have totally rotted out, and some vandals broke the windscreen a few years back. You can probably see it nearly broke in two at the engine bulkhead trying to get it on the trailer.
Otherwise many parts are still in good condition. It has done about 160,000 miles and only 20,000 on a reconditioned 1256cc (Chevette/Viva) engine. The interior is intact but I don't know how good the PVC bellows are, as the roof has not been up for a while.
I donated it to Ben (pictured) who has restored another Dormobile HA. If he can weld this one up, it will be the miracle of all miracles! It may be worth it as it is one of only a couple of this kind, but if not there are hopefully many parts which will be able to complete his other Dormobile and keep that running into the future.
