Danbury factory/sales

[pops]

Went around to premises in Yate near Bristol today and completely empty yard.
Vanworx of Portland Weymouth are going to build Danbury VW campervans.
Not sure if they are going to produce the Pilote Avenir.
I know Danbury havesold a few, any owners on here with any information.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Read somewhere that Danbury are being built abroad

 

[Coolcats]

Read somewhere that Danbury are being built abroad

I thought I had heard Danbury had been brought out by a larger MoHo company but could be totally wrong about that.

 

[MikeD]

From the Danbury web site:

Danbury Campervans - VW Transporter Camper Conversions

Here at Danbury our goal is to bring you exceptional campervans in which you can enjoy great times with friends and family.

www.danburycampervans.co.uk

They still show an Avenir on their web page but the statement says:
"
These new Vanworx Danbury conversions will be built typically on the legendary designs of the Danbury Surf and Royale models whilst looking to maintain the values and traditions of Danbury."

 

[Gaston aires]

The original Danbury conversions were made in Danbury Essex, at St Cleres hall. Located between Chelmsford and Malldon. I installed the owners hi fi system in the hall, he was an ex opera singer, a bit eccentric but his name escapes me.
Phil

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[Coolcats]

From the Danbury web site:

Danbury Campervans - VW Transporter Camper Conversions

Here at Danbury our goal is to bring you exceptional campervans in which you can enjoy great times with friends and family.

www.danburycampervans.co.uk

They still show an Avenir on their web page but the statement says:
"
These new Vanworx Danbury conversions will be built typically on the legendary designs of the Danbury Surf and Royale models whilst looking to maintain the values and traditions of Danbury."

That is interesting, so is it a hand over/sale of the business as the site seems to be directing people to Vanworx, generay if a company outsources manufacturing they are not sending people to the outsourcer the Vanworx site doesn't seem to mention Danbury at this time but that facebook page seems like there are big changes

The current Danbury production facility at Yate has now ceased. The new Vanworx Danbury conversions will be built typically on the legendary designs of the Danbury Surf and Royale models whilst looking to maintain the values and traditions of Danbury.

Vanworx will be delighted to meet existing Danbury customers when they come to have their annual habitation checks, to have some warranty work completed on your campervan or even to visit our showroom, to consider a part exchange or upgrade of your existing Danbury campervan.

 

[pops]

Coolcats, yes Pilote brought them in 2017 and I was told Pilote we’re supplying the panel van conversions and Danbury we’re adding their own touches to them. Living only a couple of miles away from their Yate factory l called in to find out if they were going to build a model like my F630DJA and they told me they were hoping to start building the vans themselves.

 

[Coolcats]

Coolcats, yes Pilote brought them in 2017 and I was told Pilote we’re supplying the panel van conversions and Danbury we’re adding their own touches to them. Living only a couple of miles away from their Yate factory l called in to find out if they were going to build a model like my F630DJA and they told me they were hoping to start building the vans themselves.

Thats interesting, looks like a bit of a puzzle going on here and needs a bit of unpicking. looking at Pilote no mention of Danbury on their website and why would Pilote want Vanworx to build or Modify MoHo's as it just adds cost ?

Looking at Vanworx website no mention of Danbury or welcoming of Danbury customers.

 

[Minxy]

The original Danbury conversions were made in Danbury Essex, at St Cleres hall. Located between Chelmsford and Malldon. I installed the owners hi fi system in the hall, he was an ex opera singer, a bit eccentric but his name escapes me.
Phil

Go Compare?

 

[Coolcats]

Go Compare?

We did, we chose a Hymer

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[Gaston aires]

Go Compare?

Possible but not in this case. This was late 60s early 70s.
He was living in this great big house with dogs who peed on the carpets and he didn’t seem to care.
Phil

 

[pops]

@Coolcats,If you put in Groupe Pilote into search and go to presentation of our brands, Danbury are on Pilotes list.

 

[Coolcats]

@Coolcats,If you put in Groupe Pilote into search and go to presentation of our brands, Danbury are on Pilotes list.

So it is, thanks for that, so what do you think about the Vanworx connection?

 

[pops]

I went on Danbury’s Facebook page and Vanworx have a place in Bridgwater.One of Danbury’s custome had a battery problem and they seem to look after them well.
It just seems strange why Vanworx did not take over theYate premises.
Not sure about the Pilote side of things. I wish Pilote would go back to selling their V series’s pvc in GB.

 

[beachwomble]

I was puzzled when Danbury announced the closure of their Yate factory as "great news for Danbury customers" I wonder what the Yate staff thought about that spin on things!
On their Facebook page the latest announcement is "Danbury will be run from it's own brand new factory in Somerset. We are also in the process of setting up a dealer network...." The FB post goes on to watch for further news on their social media channels.
As the above post from "pops" mentions VANWORX having a place in Bridgwater, I think we could see the rebranded Pilote's coming directly from Danbury rather than France and the VW T6.1's coming out of Vanworx in Portland near Weymouth.

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[pops]

Davan Caravans of Weston-super-Mare who were selling Danbury Avenir are now advertising the 2021 Pilote
Avenir collection which consists the V540-V600 and V630.
Pilote are also are bringing out the V630LG Exclusive British van ( sliding door on n/s and cooker).
So reading between the lines it seem that the Pilote/Danbury range has finished.
Hope the dealers who have sold the Avenir will stand by the warranty claims.

 

[beachwomble]

The Avenir was just a Pilote with a couple of Danbury stickers anyway. I am interested in a Pilote V-series but the service I've been getting from Davan has been pretty poor so far. Mind you all the other dealers down the M5 have not been much better.

 

[GDVW]

The original Danbury conversions were made in Danbury Essex, at St Cleres hall. Located between Chelmsford and Malldon. I installed the owners hi fi system in the hall, he was an ex opera singer, a bit eccentric but his name escapes me.
Phil

How strange !! That was my Father, George Dawson and yes he was a character. I think I remember the Hi Fi, it had a reel to reel and massive Grundig speakers, top notch for the day. Hope you are well

 

[Gaston aires]

How strange !! That was my Father, George Dawson and yes he was a character. I think I remember the Hi Fi, it had a reel to reel and massive Grundig speakers, top notch for the day. Hope you are well

I am amazed.
I did install his hi fi and also recorded some 78 rpm recordings by him.
This was over 50 years ago.
I am fit and well living in Bury St Edmunds since 1973.
Phil

 

[GDVW]

I am amazed.
I did install his hi fi and also recorded some 78 rpm recordings by him.
This was over 50 years ago.
I am fit and well living in Bury St Edmunds since 1973.
Phil

Small World, I am in Norwich !
I've attached a brochure of my eponymous little blue bus, which was taken early 70's on the driveway of St Cleres.
I still have some of my Fathers old 78's, but these were Regal Zonophone I think ?
If you're in BSE do try the Voujon on Eastgate St, fantastic curry !
Take care

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[Gaston aires]

Small World, I am in Norwich !
I've attached a brochure of my eponymous little blue bus, which was taken early 70's on the driveway of St Cleres.
I still have some of my Fathers old 78's, but these were Regal Zonophone I think ?
If you're in BSE do try the Voujon on Eastgate St, fantastic curry !
Take care

We’ll have to meet and chat one day, maybe a rally somewhere. I can’t download the attachment for some reason. I love curries and Voujon has a good reputation.