Some Devon conversion facts..

Discussion in 'Camper Conversions' started by Poptop2, Mar 25, 2014.

Page 2 of 6
  1. vanorak

    vanorak

    it's the same basic layout as the Eurovette: swing out cooker behind the passenger bulkhead, 3/4 bed, cooler/fridge and sink/storage unit on the passenger side, full width overhead locker, buddy seat and 'wardrobe' behind the driver's side....Early style roof, with later style stripey vinyl
     
    vanorak, Mar 25, 2014
    #21
  2. Bhubesi

    Bhubesi

    Poptop,
    Thanks very much for the conversion, my resto. is costing a little more than that, but then my bus is certainly better than it was new!
    I actually paid 2,900 pounds for mine, ( as a kombi bus) in 1976 in Lagos Nigeria, after a little currency "wheeling and dealing".
    Tony
     
    Bhubesi, Mar 25, 2014
    #22
    Poptop2 likes this.
  3. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    My first one was £900 back in the day, it skint me out, but I was only young and it was only 7 years old. I loved that van I wish I could get her back.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2018
    Poptop2, Mar 25, 2014
    #23
    oxiderenegade likes this.
  4. Bhubesi

    Bhubesi

    My father in law had a 1964 Splitty, Devon conversion, it was our introduction to the camper scene.
    He bought it in 1966, we took it to Croatia, Italy, Germany etc. on several holidays.
    Sadly he was not mechanically inclined, and it rotted away, finally being driven to the local scrap yard in Cornwall in the early 80's.
    I wish we could have got her back.
    Tony
     
    Bhubesi, Mar 25, 2014
    #24
    oxiderenegade likes this.
  5. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    They did Rick, but I think 'Danbury' converted ONLY panel vans in the early days where has 'Devon' converted both panel vans and kombi's from very early on!
     
    Poptop2, Mar 26, 2014
    #25
  6. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    If you take a look at the picture of the one being delivered by train it is a kombi.
     
    Poptop2, Mar 26, 2014
    #26
  7. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    A nice footnote from @brothernumberone

    One for geeks like me here, I managed to find the Devon factory today, or what's left of it. It's called the Alexandria industrial estate now. I also found an article from the local newspaper on line which explains the origins of the company and shows the works as they were.
    http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/features/sidmouth_story_of_success_the_caravette_1_1334659
    I spoke to a man in the unit pictured who has been there for years and remembered when it was Devon before he moved in there, early to mid 80's I guess.
    From the black and white picture in the article, it seems that several of the buildings have been knocked down, but the one in my pics can be seen in the centre left. You can see the two sliding shutter doors, the small door and the window I think. I got a shot of my van next to it:)
    Front.
    [​IMG]Side.
    [​IMG][​IMG]Rear.
    [​IMG]
    http://vintageautorepair.co.uk/


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    brothernumberone, Yesterday at 11:06 PMReport
    #1UnlikeReply
     
    Poptop2, Jun 18, 2014
    #27
    salad.dodger2 and brothernumberone like this.
  8. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Poptop2, Jun 18, 2014
    #28
    brothernumberone likes this.
  9. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Are these two pictures taken in the same place?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Poptop2, Jun 18, 2014
    #29
  10. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    No, but close!
     
    Poptop2, Jun 18, 2014
    #30
  11. Lord Congi

    Lord Congi


    Devon would convert any van you took them but only converted kombis themselves until the 78 Sundowner that was the 1st panel van devon officially converted :thumbsup:
     
    Lord Congi, Jun 19, 2014
    #31
  12. brothernumberone

    brothernumberone

    That whole area which is now smaller units backs on to an old station which the article says got closed due to the beeching report. The station has been converted into retail units as well.
    J. P. White picked the site partially because of the train station, can't of helped buisness when it closed, he sounds like an interesting man.
     
    brothernumberone, Jun 19, 2014
    #32
    Poptop2 likes this.
  13. Barneyrubble

    Barneyrubble

    most came in thru ramsgate so it was quite a journey but made easier by train i spose plus they had a works their too i think .
     
    Barneyrubble, Jun 19, 2014
    #33
  14. 1971.V.W.Bus

    1971.V.W.Bus

    Just got a devon conversion, has double hammocks , sportsmobile top, this plaque on the front, m codes say it was exported to england, ,,,,production date is 12/69, engine says its ,AE 1971?, title says 1971, has black interior which i think 71-71, devon conversions ltd started in june 71, could this van have sat new till summer of 71, when they put the devon conversion in and the black interior,,,? lots of questions, ant info helpful.
    IMG957859_2.jpg IMG954959.jpg IMG950589.jpg IMG956896.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2018
    1971.V.W.Bus, Jul 6, 2014
    #34
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  15. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Ramsgate no doubt.
     
    Poptop2, Jul 6, 2014
    #35
    Steve345b likes this.
  16. moley76

    moley76

    I have one of these badges on the back of my Devon and could make out the beaver but didn't realise what it was! :)
     
    moley76, Jul 6, 2014
    #36
  17. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    I never noticed that Gav!
     
    Poptop2, Jul 6, 2014
    #37
  18. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    [​IMG]

    I like these badges a lot. Cheers for sharing :thumbsup:
     
    Poptop2, Jul 6, 2014
    #38
    1971.V.W.Bus likes this.
  19. moley76

    moley76

    If I have the right reg it's now blue! :)
    image.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2018
    moley76, Jul 6, 2014
    #39
  20. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Yes you do. I did the same some time back. Maybe I will bump into her at a show one day?
     
    Poptop2, Jul 6, 2014
    #40
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