Recycling and re-using is a practice that is gaining support and is increasingly considered necessary, but i don't think it's just about the environment and sustainability. There is a sense of satisfaction in restoring and preserving something like a classic caravan model that goes well beyond the desire to not let things go to waste. A mixture between the appreciation for design and construction of old models and a nostalgia for the camp (pun intended) and kitsch of bygone times is as good a recipe as any to inspire an enthusiastic refurb project.
Although many like to stay true to the original designer's intentions, their enthusiasm for retro design doesn't mean that they want to forgo modern comforts. The result is a postmodern marriage of retro style with modern engineering and comforts which can produce eye-catching results.
So here's the thing... I'm a big fan of retro styling and the amazing amount of time, effort and love that goes into restoring and nurturing a project. There are so many ways of re-using old vehicles and i don't want to go down the road of trying to categorise projects so i'm just going to give a few examples of work that i really admire and then let you all comment and add to them to your heart's content:)
This stained-glass window that i spotted in a caravan at Higher Pentreath Farm http://community.caravantimes.co.uk/group/higherpentreathfarmcampsite
is an example of a bit of creative improvisation that is really playful and gives an old caravan a bit of a lift. I liked Sally and Rosy and their DIY attitude, being prepared to give it a go and use something unusual to solve the problem of a broken window. Granted, it was going to take a little more than a pretty window to pull this caravan back to former glory! But having bought it for £50 it's certainly given them years of pleasure and their money's worth.
The retro style refurbs i've seen have often attempted to create something that exceeds the aspirations of the original design. The caravans at http://www.lovelanecaravans.com are a prime example. They have lovingly restored their old caravans paying particular attention to detail, even down to the period kitchen items and bedding. It is clear that their refurbs have exceeded the original design so that they can provide people with the mod-cons that they would expect, but the effort to stay true to the character of the originals shines through.
Another example of a refit, but one that supersedes the intended use of the original, is a trailer built from the back of an old VW Beetle. See the pictures at http://www.diddyvans.co.uk/product.html
I don't know whether anyone has seen one of these out and about but they look absolutely brilliant. I'm assuming that they use Beetles that are otherwise beyond repair and it's great that such a classic design is not going to waste.
Just a quick link to Colin's blog as well because the immaculate VW camper refits are right there in glorious pictures for you all to see on his caravantimes blog http://community.caravantimes.co.uk/profiles/blogs/colin-rouse-auto... or on his website http://www.autotrimvw.com/
I will be on the lookout for more of these for anyone who's interested. There is also a community group for vintage caravan enthusiasts where you can share pictures, stories etc right here at caravatimes.co.uk
http://community.caravantimes.co.uk/group/vintagecaravanenthusiasts
It would be great to see any projects that people are working on at the moment so get snapping pictures and show off your handy work!
Happy Caravanning:)
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