Bedford
Early Bedford Conversion “Porthole”
Bedford CA Porthole. One of the first motorcaravans in semi-mass production, this developed from the Utilabrake type people carrier. A small elevating flip top roof was fitted, giving headroom above the cooker and sink. It slept two, and was simply called a Caravan by Martin Walter. They never used the term Motorcaravan or Camper.
Early Bedford CA “Romany”
Late Bedford CA “Romany”
Bedford CA Romany. This is the definitive Dormobile in the general publics’ eyes. The Bedford CA developed, with bigger engines, stretched wheelbase, bigger windscreens, and the Romany developed with it. Larger roof with two bunk beds. Dormatic Seats making up into two single or one double bed. Cooker, sink, and a toilet bucket stored in a locker in the floor. 1,600 cc Vauxhall Wyvern engine, column gearchange (optional 4-speed box). At shows, this is the Dormobile most people relate to.
Bedford CA “Debonair”
Bedford CA Debonair. This was the very stylish glass fibre coachbuilt on an extended CA chassis. It was glass fibre from the front wings back. Full height, so no flip top roof needed. It was the top of the range, and had two separate bedrooms, a toilet compartment, and a cooker with oven. A fridge was an optional extra. Unfortunately, being such a stylish vehicle had its drawbacks, with many an `ice cream van’ joke being bandied about.
Bedford CF “Romany”
Bedford CF Romany. With the appearance of the Ford Transit, General Motors’ Vauxhall/Bedford division rushed into production of the larger Bedford CF, based on an American design. Dormobile used their basic CA Romany plans and built the CF Romany. A very large flip top roof. Not a great success, and now very rare.
Bedford CF “Freeway”
Bedford CF Freeway. A much better, and more stylish CF than the CF Romany. Long side windows, Plywood bases to seats providing better storage. Two burner gas cooker with grill, and a fridge as an optional extra. A very popular conversion. Also available on the Ford Transit. A special version was available in pink, complete with pink elevating GRP roof.
Bedford CF “Calypso”
Bedford CF Calypso. During a downturn in sales, Martin Walter / Dormobile produced this low price model. Similar to the Freeway, but somewhat basic fittings, smaller windows too.
Bedford CF “Landcruiser”
Bedford CF Landcruiser. On company plans, called the `open plan Debonair’ this used the main coachbuilt body of the Debonair, but as stated, was open plan .A full double bed behind the cab, with a clever sofa / bunk bed arrangement to the rear. In the rear offside was a toilet compartment.
Bedford CF “Deauville”
Bedford CF Deauville lll. In a break from Dormobile tradition, this had a large aluminium box body, with a bed in the overcab luton. Aimed at the hire market, it was fully fitted with full dining area, fridge, oven, toilet etc. Many feel it was not the most stylish compared with their Glass Fibre designs, but a very practical long term holiday vehicle.
Bedford HA “Roma”
Dormobile Roma on a Bedford HA Viva van base. This is the smallest (and cheapest) of the Dormobile range.
With a `rock and roll’ rear bench seat, and a folding extension to the rear, is has one double bed, and one bunk bed. Just a one ring cooker with toaster, and a fold up sink, it has just the basics for three. Aircraft style lap tables make up the eating arrangements.
The original model had a glass fibre and plywood `shed like’ extension fitted to the fold down rear door, but for the Mk 2 model, Dormobile developed a lift up rear door with an easier pram hood type extension. The success of this model led to a similar Dormobile built on the Ford Escort van.
