How many?

Anything about Classic Land Rover Campers
Ian
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 10:15 pm
Info: 1962 Dormobile "Zuma"
Location: Malibu, USA

How many?

Post by Ian » Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:33 am

Here's a wild question, just because it is late here in the USA and I'm still awake. Does anyone have any idea how many Carawagons or Dormobiles still exist? I know of a number here in the USA, probably in the teens, but worldwide?

Ian
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: How many?

Post by AlexB » Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:14 pm

In terms of Dormobiles, Phil (late of this parish) did a check with Gaydon on chassis numbers sent to Martin Walter and got a reasonably close approximation of numbers converted

If we had this information (and it hasn't been forthcoming this far but I don't know if anyone has actually asked for it) we could do a check with the National Licensing Centre to see the most recent history of them (vehicle tax and MOT for example)

However, other then that I don't know what to suggest


Question to rest of LRCC - has anyone asked Phil for a copy of his register ?
Ian
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 10:15 pm
Info: 1962 Dormobile "Zuma"
Location: Malibu, USA

Re: How many?

Post by Ian » Tue Apr 19, 2016 6:48 am

I have a list of 19 Dormobiles in the USA that I know of or have seen. Most are roadworthy. There may be more. Its a big country. The National Licensing Centre may be able to help with UK registered vehicles but not ROW. Some of the ones I know about are not original having taken over roofs and interiors from wrecked vehicles. I know of one ex-military Carawagon in the bay area that has been put up for sale occasionally but apparently with no interest at the listed price.

Ian
dudley
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:19 pm
Location: stamford

Re: How many?

Post by dudley » Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:45 am

Hi

A couple of years ago I spent some time at Gaydon going
through the records of rhd export 3 doors sent to Searle
(This is what they built carawagons on).

I was only interested in Series 2 models,and from 1962 to
1971 only 295 were built.

This does not include conversions on owners vehicle,or
5 door models( there was only a handful of 5 doors built
as far as I know).Or SWB models.(Again only a handful of
SWB models were built).

Regards

Phillip :tiphat:
1971 2a 109 diesel station wagon

1971 2a 109 petrol carawagon

And others
AlexB
Posts: 466
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:01 am

Re: How many?

Post by AlexB » Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:39 pm

What a coincidence, both Gaydon investigators called Phillip
Ian
Posts: 147
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 10:15 pm
Info: 1962 Dormobile "Zuma"
Location: Malibu, USA

Re: How many?

Post by Ian » Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:22 pm

Actually, I was wondering how many Dormobiles and Carawagons are still on the road rather than how many there were originally.

Ian
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Peaceand
Posts: 274
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Near Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Re: How many?

Post by Peaceand » Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:15 am

I'd have a guess at about 50 Carawagons on the road in the UK - no hard evidence to base that on, just the number I know about and how often they turn up on Ebay or at shows.

There's probably a lot more 'undiscovered' ones parked up in fields, barns and scrapyards too, especially if they didn't have the lifting roof fitted.

Patrick
  • Holly - 1972 Searle Carawagon Continental Ultimate (200 TDi)
  • Basil - 1969 Searle SWB (Prima TD)
Dormy
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Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:45 pm
Info: Sleeping on the job.....Zzzzzz
Location: Norfolk

Re: How many?

Post by Dormy » Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:20 am

When I first joined the S2 Club and forum about 8 years ago (and 25 years into Dormy ownership), I received a PM from Phil who asked for Dormy's details. I seem to recall in one of the PM's, he suggested he had details for the UK of around 15 Dormobiles 'On the Road' and a similar number number 'Off the Road'.

Not a definitive number only what was known to Phil, but still useful.

Ian
Troika
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:20 pm
Location: North East Scotland

Re: How many?

Post by Troika » Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:43 am

There is now one less Dormobile on the road, as of yesterday my 66 Dormobile was destroyed in a fire. It had been in the local garage for a new stainless steel exhaust, when an adjoining Joinery facility caught fire, nothing left of several businesses.

You may just be able to pick out the windscreen frame and front of bulkhead in the picture, Police will not allow us closer due to risk from collapsing roof.

Gutted as it had just had seats recovered and seat frames all powder coated, the diesel cab heater was plumbed in and a NOS overdrive sitting in back ready for installation.

Insurance fight commences.
G.
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RMS
Posts: 2236
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:02 am
Location: Near Wakefield, UK, in God's own Country!

Re: How many?

Post by RMS » Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:48 am

Oh dear, that's not good news :shakehead:

Whatever you get for the insurance (and I hope it's a good figure to include your recent work and the extras) it still means another Dormobile out of existence which can't be replaced :thud:

Robin.
1967 109" Carawagon 200TDi
1972 109" SW Carawagon 2.5NA
1958 109" Carawagon 2.25P (project)
1972 109" Carawagon 200 or 300TDi (project)
1974 Dormobile 2.25D (project)
(Robin on S2C forum)
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