Photo wanted 1970s Ford Camper

[Katie'n'Debbie]

Back in the 1970s we had a Ford camper van. It was white with a solid panel folding roof not the usual canvas ones. There was no rear overhang of the roof and both front and rear panels could be left open during the day for ventilation. I spent many happy (but damp due to condensation) holidays in my stretcher bunk but can find no photos of that particular model.

 

[Two Owl Ones]

was it a transit or escort van shape ?

 

[chaser]

There's a couple here but it says licensing needed don't know if I am supposed to put them up, perhaps someone will tell me if I have to remove them.

 

[Ian_H]

In the early 70s we had an ford escort 'Elba' with a vinyl pop top and the back door dropped down with a vinyl concertina cover for my parents to stick their feet in when the back seat was dropped down to make the bed. I had a bunk. It was cosy, but we used to tour all round north west Scotland while all the roads were still tiny and there were loads of small ferries before the bridges were built! No problems with overcrowding in those days

 

[dazandandrea]

Sounds like a "trooper" roof that we had on our vw T25.

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[Katie'n'Debbie]

was it a transit or escort van shape ?

Transit, 2 stretcher bunks, double bed under using the bench seats plus optional 5th bed on the full width front bench seat. Roof was made of solid collapsible panels that fitted flush together with no overhang

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

There's a couple here but it says licensing needed don't know if I am supposed to put them up, perhaps someone will tell me if I have to remove them.
View attachment 1053319

None of these match, the push up roof had solid panels and fitted flush with no overhang

 

[CaptainPaul]

Like this?

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

Like this?
View attachment 1053416View attachment 1053417

No. That roof has an overhang.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Like this?
View attachment 1053416View attachment 1053417

Just walked past one of these in Spain on someones drive, looked like it hadn't moved for years

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[Katie'n'Debbie]

Just walked past one of these in Spain on someones drive, looked like it hadn't moved for years

No, that one has an overhanging roof, ours didn't

 

[gus-lopez]

Like this?
View attachment 1053416View attachment 1053417

That is nice.

No. That roof has an overhang.

But it is slid forward when travelling= or when up & parked.It is slid back in the above picture

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

No, when the roof was up there was no overhang, the front and rear solid panels would drop inside first then the side panels would pull down with the roof. No overhang when up or down

 

[rb62]

On the Ford Transit.org forum

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

On the Ford Transit.org forum

View attachment 1053470

No, the front and rear roof panels were shaped and could be left down for ventilation when the side panels and roof were up

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[chaser]

Was it one off that someone had built?

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

Was it one off that someone had built?

I doubt it as the interior looked much the same as some similar vans. Possibly a one off or short production. All I can remember was it was great fun, short wheel base, registration number and that I woke up damp every morning due to condensation.

 

[scotzsue]

I remember the one you mean, but no idea what it was called, at least I think I do, were the side panels slightly sloped rather than completely vertical? wonder if it was a Manchester conversion I had a similar on a bedford

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

I remember the one you mean, but no idea what it was called, at least I think I do, were the side panels slightly sloped rather than completely vertical? wonder if it was a Manchester conversion I had a similar on a bedford

That's the one, i know ours was a Ford as when i look up the reg on dvla it comes back as Ford Transit, last sold in 1979 ( we sold 1978 to my uncle and he kept for a year)

 

[scotzsue]

Have looked on ,line and can't find a photo, it was a production model not a one off, can't remember how long ago but I started buying motorhome mags in the early 70s.

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[Katie'n'Debbie]

Shame there's no picture. It was perfect for 2 adults, 2 small dogs and a 10 year old, happy memories of touring GB in the early 70s, breaking down, midnight scrambles out of my sleeping bag for a trip to the loo and the best one was when a caravan went off the road at a passing place and our van went into a ditch on the other side. Happy days

 

[pagey]

Have a look at a holdsworth villa 3

 

[scotzsue]

Just looked the sides of the van OP wants to identify sloped inward, remember it from years ago.

 

[Katie'n'Debbie]

Have a look at a holdsworth villa 3

That has a roof overhang and the front and rear roof end panels look fixed rather than opening.