1959 Sleep a Kar Badges found!

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David Eccles

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I have been given 6 Devon Sleep A Kar badges for the Devon Commer Camper by daughter of Jack White (founder of devon conversions). They are mint and still wrapped in 1959 newspapers!!!!
I am a VW Camper person and know such stuff for a VW would be priceless. I do not want to sell them but would like to pass them onto enthusiasts for that finishing authentic touch. Or preferably a Commer Owners Club for them to pass on to genuine folks not someone who just wants to sell on to make money.
can anyone help me find a genuine home where they will be used properly? It seems a shame for them to just sit here. They have been hidden in a drawer for 40+ years till now!
If your forum is like VW ones then hopefully there will be people on here who can help ensure these find a good home not end up on ebay. I could do that myself but think its better to pass on to genuine folks who love their campers...
Polished metal, blue enamelling, seagull and coastline engraved picture with words Sleep A Kar. Fitted from 59 but not sure till when as Devon went VW only in early 60s
David Eccles
Editor VW Camper and Commercial magazine
www.volkswagencamper.co.uk
 
I would be honoured to be a future caretaker of one (that is after all what we all become with these vans never owners :D) or could be the central resource if you wanted rid of them all at once and distribute as people with the relevant conversion filter through?

If you wouldn't mind posting your email address or phone I will make arrangements WRT the charity of choice also.

Finally I would love to know whether it was google or a recommendation that lead you to find us?
 
Hi David,welcome to the mad house :Ddon't know about sleep A kar ? do you have any other information to share with us [?]Do you or any one else have any pic's [?]would love to know more :pSounds like Admin would make a great caretaker of the badges [^]I am sure some one will be delighted to find there are some available when they join the forum :)
 
I found you all via a google search!
Admin - I did try to email you but it would not work and I cant find a pm mesage system on here.
you can email me via
[email protected] and it will be fwd'd to me. Or you can look at my profile and get my email? - I dont like posting it on public forums...
Basically I think you sound the right person for me to pass these onto and I feel happy you will ensure they go to deserving homes!
I also have some great pics of Devon factory in 1960 incl a super shot of Commers and Devons ready to be shipped from the factory which I will happily send you for your archives or to share with anyone who wants a copy...
I promised Jack White's daughter I would find good homes for these badges and will be glad to tell her we have sorted it! Maybe you could send her a nice pic of a Sleep a kar I can also pass on her details to you.
We ran the full story of the birth of the Devon marque in current issue of VW Camper and Commercial magazine (its a subscription mag and you can buy a single copy from website)which some people might like to see maybe?
thanks for replying...
David
 
What a fantastic gesture and such a rare item, hopefully a deserving vehicle will emerge to do the badges justice (even Martin Maltas hasn't got a Sleep A Kar) When that special vehicle does come to light I think Admin will need some assurances that it will be used as intended. Thank you very much.
 
I've got a MMM supplement somewhere on the history of motor-caravans and I'm sure it had some shots of a Sleep A Kar but from memory it was on an Austin chassis I think. I've looked all over but can't find it [V] Amongst the Commer conversions was a picture of the original Autosleeper, would be good for studios archive.
 
Found a reference to J.P White [^]:
One converter- J.P White-was successful with Devon Caravette(Caravette was another name for a motorhome).In 1962,the caravette had a built-in sink unit with a stove that could be used inside. A novel feature was the mushroom-type,single leg table,which could be stood outside on the spare wheel.....now I have seen a picture of the said spare wheel....somewhere but I will have to search to find it again...do you think this might be the sleep A car conversion [?]
 
Hello David,

What a wonderful message - hope there is still an example of a Sleep A Kar left somewhere, the badges must be incredibly rare and it would be a huge shame if they were the last surviving evidence of the vans. I am delighted that they will be in Admins' capable care and if there is ever a Commer museum display set up anywhere (Martin Maltas & Steve Williams - proprietors;)) then maybe one badge could join that display with any pictures/brochures that come to light and a write up about the company and Jack White to avoid knowledge being lost over time.

Please pass on our huge thanks to Jack Whites' daughter if possible and perhaps let her know that we would be fascinated to hear more about her Dads' work and the company if the chance arose.
Thanks also to you for thinking of us[:X]

This is the archive so far
http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/studiocommer/commer-cials/?start=0

All donations as gratefully received as always - thanky Panky;)[:X]
 
Hi all,
I would be amazed if you manage to find a Commer 'Sleep-a-Kar', as most were done on the Austin 152 (J2). I have never even seen a picture of the Commer option, which is surprising given the shed loads of Commer material which I have at my disposal!:p I have just about every sales brochure for the Commer campers since 1960, but nothing by Devon!:(
 
Hi David..
I cant thank you enough for taking the time to find out
about our forum, and thinking of us..:)
Its a rare gesture in these days of Ebay etc...
It appears such a shame that a survivor may not exist??
If anyone would know of one it would be Martin Watts (carcamper),
He is the oracle of classic campers..;)
Lets hope one (or more) !! turns up..

Thanks again..
 
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