Sunshine and showers greeted this year’s York show-goers as the first new season models trod the boards at the city’s racecourse over the weekend of September 22-24.

A dry Thursday saw many pitched safely, while plenty of the wet stuff on Friday did little to dampen the spirits of arriving campers as a £17,000 alloy-deck access road (installed for the first time this year) eased the passage to their pitches.

Optimism in the show area was good too, as dealers reported plenty of serious buyers placing orders for new ‘vans in anticipation of some ‘dream’ motorhoming in 2007.



SMOOTHER AUTOCRUISE
YORK produced a first look at an externally revamped Autocruise Stargazer sitting atop the spanking new Peugeot Boxer chassis. In keeping with the cuttingedge style of the Ducato’s stablemate, the Autocruise coachwork has received a makeover. Upfront there’s a smoother overcab moulding and gone are the Morris Minor-style marker lights replaced with a trio of square LEDs on each side. Skirt mouldings and rear panel are cleaned up too, with some modern rear lights and a vertical highlevel brake lamp finishing things off with aplomb. A popular internal layout of front lounge and rear kitchen and washroom will, no doubt, sell well in 2007. Price for the 100 HDI-engined version is £38,995 on-the-road.




WONDERFUL WINGAMM
THE 2005 show saw importers Wayfarers Estates wow the York crowds with the VW T5-based Micros. This year the Micros was joined by the potentially even more exciting Oasi 540.

The 540 shares the fully-moulded GRP shell method of construction and presents superbly finished, strong and well-insulated coachwork. Wow-factor was increased considerably as the Oasi sat on the latest Ducato chassis – the lines of the new Fiat blending beautifully with Wingamm’s design. The Ducato’s new Multijet 130 motor kicks out plenty of power which reaches the wheels through an equally new sixspeed gearbox. It boasts desirable safety equipment – ABS and driver’s airbag are now standard.

Inside, an L-shaped sofa carries two threepoint belted travel seats and converts into a single bed, while Wingamm’s signature roof bed descends easily from the ceiling. There’s a good kitchen too, and the rear nearside corner sees a well-equipped washroom with plenty of space for serious pampering. At under five-and-a-half metres long the Oasi 540 is a serious alternative to luxury panel van conversions, especially when you consider the sub 40-grand (£38,282 on-theroad) price tag.
 

RIO REINCARNATED
THE demise of the South American made Volkswagen T2 camper brought a tear to the eye of classic Vee-Dub enthusiasts but – amazingly – the ‘Bay’ is back. York saw the first showing of the reincarnated VW T2 ‘bay window’ Rio Diamond camper converted by importers Danbury.

This new model looks almost identical to the old T2 but the presence of a square radiator grille upfront gives a clue that the new ‘van has a sting in its tail. This new potency takes the form of a 1.4-litre FSI petrol engine, as fitted in the Volkswagen Golf. Here, this modern motor is laid on its side and neatly installed where once lurked a slightly asthmatic, air-cooled flat-four engine. Reliability, 30 per cent more power and the ability to cruise at the legal limit with ease are just some of the benefits, with the liquid-cooled motor at last providing the T2 with a decent heater as standard. Prices start at £21,712 on-the-road for the RHD version.

CHIPPED FOR ECONOMY 
AMONG the mega-bucks displays of shiny new motorhomes it was great to see a company with a different ethos – that of recycling and an environmentally-friendly approach to motorcaravanning. Wales-based Amdro Alternative Camper Conversions offer motorcaravans based on used panel vans modified to run on used cooking oil! They also offer DIY furniture kits.

The alternative fuel choice has the twin benefits of low cost and re-using a waste product. Other environmentally-friendly ideas include the use of insulation made from sheep’s wool and a clean-burning meths-powered cooker.

Best described as basic, this conversion, produced by a young, enthusiastic company, nonetheless certainly provided food for thought in these times of apparent global warming.
 
FRENCH TOAST
STALWART panel van converters Devon showed the brand new Provence to an enthusiastic York crowd, some of whom placed orders for the firm’s latest model on the spot. Based on the long wheelbase Renault Master, the Provence offers a front-end L-shaped lounge with equally L-shaped galley behind. Washroom (with vanity basin) and wardrobe populate the rear but leave plenty of space to use the back doors. This will be great when returning in muddy boots as vinyl flooring here provides a wipe-clean area.

The kitchen features a curved base unit with tambour-doored storage below and plenty of work surface. A combination hob and sink/drainer and mini oven/grill are teamed with a decent-sized fridge to keep the cook happy.

Up front, the carpeted lounge takes full advantage of swivelling cab seats and the comfy sofa joins in to offer plenty of space for entertaining. Bed-making proved to be very easy as the sofa base glides out and a couple of infills are added to make a goodsized double in this two-berth ’van. The show model was clothed in optional metallic paint and available at a price of £34,031 on-the-road.
  

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