Brown Bird & Co Sully rising roof campervan

A rather different take on a VW camper…

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Brown Bird & Co Sully

See a VW camper conversion at a show and it’s almost automatic to assume that it’ll have the usual side kitchen layout but, from the number of people peering into Brown Bird & Co’s Sully at the Yorkshire Motorhome & Campervan Show, you could tell that this was something special. 

It’s the latest design from a three-year-old company that developed its conversions from experience of full-time vanlife. 

Previous models have been based on larger panel vans such as the Mercedes Sprinter and the design here owes its inspiration to those bigger vehicles, not the traditional Transporter format.

The spec

Like its larger campervans, Brown Bird & Co’s VW is also designed for long-term off-grid living, so there’s a full Victron electrical system with anything from 150W up to 360W of solar panels on the roof, while lithium batteries can be from 100Ah to 460Ah. 

Gas comes from a Campingaz cylinder as standard but an underslung gas tank is also available, or the Sully can also be supplied as a gas-free campervan with induction cooking.

The exterior

Externally, there’s little to differentiate the Sully from any other T6.1. Metallic grey paint, alloy wheels and an Austops pop-top are present and correct, with a sliding window on the offside, fixed glazing in the sliding door and blank panels at the rear three-quarters on either side. 

The main thing to note is that this conversion is only possible on long-wheelbase Transporters, although the company will assist in sourcing a suitable base vehicle to suit your budget.

Here, there are barn doors at the back that open to reveal a slot for your outdoor chairs, as well as the Sully’s signature feature – an L-shaped sofa for comfortable on-site relaxing, just as you’ll find in all Brown Bird & Co’s campervans. 

The bed

The company particularly wanted to avoid fitting a rock ‘n’ roll bed system as improved comfort at night was a priority.  

The sofa simply slides out to make the bed, which measures 1.86m by 1.24m. A Porta Potti stores under the end of the settee and remains accessible at night and you can reach the controls for the  Eberspächer diesel heating from under the duvet, too.

Obviously, there are no rear travel seats here but the T6.1 can accommodate three in the cab, while a bed in the pop-top offers additional sleeping space. 

The fact that all the chrome or silver fittings in the roof are swapped for powder-coated items and the underside of the bed has a plank-style design is just the first sign that this is not a typical VW interior.

The kitchen

Each conversion is bespoke, but Brown Bird & Co furniture features a live edge oak worktop and cabinets made from locally sourced English oak. 

The main kitchen unit is L-shaped and runs across the campervan behind the cab (preventing any cab to habitation access), and along part of the offside wall. 

The two-burner gas-on-glass hob is conventional; not so the copper tap that feeds the black rectangular sink. 

In fact, the handmade copper fittings, extending to unique interior lighting, is another trademark touch. 

The galley also includes a stack of four drawers, three 10-litre water carriers and a portable 12V fridge concealed in a drawer. 

The lounge

Then, there’s more furniture in the same style facing you as you recline on the long sofa. The sideboard here includes an oak iPad stand and a  table that simply hinges up from the front of the unit for dining or working.

The options

The Sully comes with extensive insulation of the body and a wide range of options is available to make it even more of a one-off, from exterior wraps and all-terrain wheels and tyres to security upgrades and even mobile WiFi.

Where to buy

Brown Bird & Co is based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where you can visit the factory by appointment, although we spotted its campers at the Yorkshire Motorhome & Campervan Show, Harrogate.