Obituary: Barry Stimson

It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of one of Britain’s most inventive and prolific campervan designers, Barry Stimson, at the age of 82

Best known as the man behind the original Romahome, which set the standard for micro-motorhomes for decades, Barry’s concept started life on a tiny Honda truck in the late 1970s and evolved through various incarnations on Bedford Rascal and Citroën C15 chassis until it was thoroughly overhauled with a completely new look, again by Barry, on the Citroën Berlingo in the late 90s. Throughout, the concept of a glass-fibre monocoque body, moulded internal furnishings and a stepped floor to give standing room in the galley remained.

His popular Renault Trafic-based Alpine (later rebranded St Michel) high-top campervan was another standard setter, introducing a level of washroom sophistication unheard of at the time in a panel van. These were just two highlights in a career that included the Hitch-Hiker (a sort of expandable dismountable that turned a hatchback Fiat car into a camper), the Trailfinder (which used the Renault Extra van to compete with the Citroën-based Romhomes) and the Sportique (a truly one-of-a-kind campervan based on the Renault Clio car).

Many of his vehicles were built and marketed by his own company, Design Developments, while he also undertook design work for other motorhome manufacturers. The most remarkable of these contract designs was surely the Cockburn Holdsworth Odyssey, which featured an upstairs bedroom – complete with a flight of stairs, more than two decades before such a concept appeared in Bürstner’s Lyseo Gallery.

His most interesting models may now be nearing classic status, but Barry was still coming up with new campervans as recently as 2019 with the Free Spirit – a simple, economical camper based on the Peugeot Partner. It showed the same attention to practical, ergonomic design that had always been a Stimson trademark, but was a lot less wacky than the one-off Chaletvan, a sort of Swiss chalet on the back of a Fiat Ducato!

Campervans and motorhomes weren’t the only outlet, however, for Barry’s design talents. His name was equally well-known in the kit car world, where he was behind such models as the Mini Bug, Safari Six and Stimson Scorcher. And he designed boats, trikes, amphibian and tracked vehicles. He was never short of ideas.

We send our condolences to his wife, Caroline, and family.

 

Get MMM for just £29.99 a year!

MMM is Britain’s best-selling motorhome magazine and it has been for over 55 years. Each four-weekly issue is packed with the best motorhome travel features, genuine reader reviews of campsites, in-depth motorhome reviews, plus the latest technical advice, buying tips and much more.

MMM’s fully searchable digital library gives you access to the latest issues, plus every edition of MMM since January 2012.

Subscribe today!  

Expert motorhome advice to your door!

Why not subscribe to one of our fabulous magazines and get expert advice, travel ideas, technical help and all the latest news for your motorhome and your motorhome adventures!

Want to know more about MMM magazine?

Every month MMM has articles written by motorhomers who have been there and done it, from great UK and European (and further afield) tours, campsite reviews, owners' reports and DIY projects among other things.

MMM's tests, reviews and expert buying guides are not to be missed. MMM's technical advice is a must and includes everything from weekend jobs to longer-term DIY projects. And much more!

About MMM magazine  

Want to know more about What Motorhome magazine?

Every issue of What Motorhome magazine provides essential buying advice for anyone looking to buy a new motorhome or campervan or upgrade their existing model. With a pedigree of over 30 years of offering the best motorhome and campervan buying advice, every issue of What Motorhome includes more new motorhome and campervan reviews than you will find in any other magazine.

About What Motorhome  

Want to know more about Campervan magazine?

Campervan is the exciting monthly magazine that will give you all the inspiration you need to explore the world in your campervan. Every issue is packed with real-life campervanning experiences, inspiring travel ideas in the UK and further afield, the best campsites to stay on, campervan road tests and reviews of the latest models, and much more!

About Campervan magazine