Commer bug

Reprobateuk

Reprobateuk

New Member
Hello folks, just back from Beaulieu on a VW event and once again I'm being tempted by this beauty! I know bugger all about these vans but really like this one. I have a 78 bay camper but thinking of starting a new project and this commer seems like it could be the one for me. So does anyone know the model? Are they still fairly easy to come by for resto? Thanks, Si.IMG_2865.JPGIMG_2861.JPG
 
I thought I recognised it.

Commer are cheaper, bigger, better laid out and owned by unbiased helpful people...

They do come up, full of the normal challenges of rust on sills, around roof and sometimes footwells.

Most are now unique through a range of personal Mods to inside or out.

At least a couple of V8 conversions, but often just new carbs manifolds etc.

Mine is 1500cc so smallest of original engines, but I've changed manifold, SU carb, 6 speed gearbox conversion and kept the '61 interior as close to original as I can.

A small owners group so very friendly and plenty more helpful than me as tinkerers or proper restorers...

Strong parts availability for such a small user group but obviously more scarce than vw...

Welcome and hope you find one...
 
Hi. I've just got one and he's great. He has some seam rust and needs seals and couple of panels but can get them from martin. He's slow but does make me smile
 
Thanks for the replies guys, so the one in Beaulieu - I notice after a very small amount of research there are a few different models and even one made with a dodge badge on it? This one is a pretty early one I'm guessing, beautiful conversion, and yes a definite alternative to the dub, I love my van don't get me wrong but there's something about these old commer vans, they certainly seem to have become more desirable over time.
 
I actually new nothing about commers until about a month ago lol. Stumbled on an autosleeper (bit like your beaulie pics) down the road and bought it. I like old weird stuff
 
Hi and welcome to the Madhouse:D
The Beaulieu one is a very early Auto-Sleeper - and it's gorgeous:cool: The basic layout never changed and can still be found in some camper made today, it's that good:) One as old as that would be very hard to track down but later ones (late 60's, 70's and early 80's Dodge) are more available, but still a lot rarer than a bay or splitty, and there are plenty of other conversions out there that might float your boat and a fraction of the price of a dub.
Like I said they are quite rare so you wont find pages and pages of Commers in Autotrader or on eBay, you just need to be patient I'm afraid. The good news is that most parts are readily available and Martin Maltas does a very comprehensive line of hand made panels and holds a good stock of most mechanical and electrical bits to will need.
Good luck
 
Thanks mate, dipping my toe in at the moment with one eye on that early one turning up, handy to know parts are available though and even replacement panels too, it's only an idea at the moment but if I could replicate that Beaulieu van at some point I'd be very happy.
 
Welcome to the forum. Glad to see another "darksider" seeing the light lol.
You might have seen my mate Dave at Beaulieu with his steam punk splitty and teardrop combo
 
Nah I missed the tear drop guy but those splitty boys like to stick together, I've got a 78 bay so I'm clearly not worthy of such elite status
 
What:eek: It's usually total crap;)
No cliques in our Commer world - we love and appreciate them all - immaculate or ratty, standard or modified - we don't care:cool:
 
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