Introducing Tulip

[Chamba]

Well the weather held (what a scorcher!) and we've had a great weekend + have had our first Commer sleeps! We went to a reasonably local campsite just to play on the safe side, but it still felt like a distant holiday after fitting in plenty beautiful country walks. There was quite a lot of classic tin at the site - the usual; a Splittie, a few Bays and best of all, a group of Series 3 Lambrettas. Tulip was the only classic in our field [V]

I didn't get much sleep the first night - in theory I should have an inch to play with in bed (if you'll pardon the expression) as it's 6' 1/2" long. In reality, because of the curved sides of the van, pillows and big feet, it's a bit less than that. I learned to sleep diagonally the second night, managing not to squash my fair lady as I did. We're very keen to do it all again, a little further afield next time!

I managed to grab a few snaps of the magazine feature the van was in back in 2000. I think the fella secretly wanted the Commer over the newer Autosleeper Pug he was comparing it with!

Cover star!

She's slowly getting kitted out with lovely period gear [^]

We made a friend at the campsite; this is Oscar

The awning should look roughly like this when up, but it's currently missing a couple of poles and guide ropes. I don't think it's supposed to have sides and when removed from the van it zips up and resembles a ridge tent... I think... I don't suppose anyone has any pictures???

 

[cazz enigma]

Great stuff, i don't think it does matter how close you are to home, as its still always a great adventure

Know where your coming from on the sleeping positions lol, after more nights in her you will learn which is the best fit for you, may wake up next morning stuck in that position though lol

Love the last picture all lit up Your dog looks like he had a good time too

Cazz...Is smiling again, as Smurf is on the mend!!!!

 

[Panky]

How cool is that - I didn't know Tulip was a star in print [^]
Brilliant pics and a nice little break by the sound of it.

Harvey the RV

 

[igman]

How good it must be to see your van in a magazine! great bit of history that. like the Melaware too, origional awning as well, you've got a great van there!! : )

 

[cazz enigma]

quote:
Originally posted by igman

How good it must be to see your van in a magazine!



Must be fab, wonder if there is a Smurf Weekly

Cazz...Is smiling again, as Smurf is on the mend!!!!

 

[Enigma]

Tch! Cazz better than that, There is Smurf Daily right here! lol

Tulip is a very fine van, I quite fancied this one but didn't have the funds at the time

 

[studiocommer]

cracking stuff, doesn't matter how far away from home you get (admits to sleeping in van in field next to the house:I) still makes for a good holiday [8D]

am into the period pieces too - love the cookware and cushions [:X]

glad you sorted sleeping - am lucky as 5'4" so fit perfectly but other half taller so finds it a bit small (again, if you'll pardon the pun:I)

Thanks for heads up on article - would be good to find a scan to put in article archive here [8)]

Bessie - four star commerdation

 

[Chamba]

Morning morning, thank you for the comments/compliments.

Tulip is very modest about her magazine experience and doesn't have plans for Hollywood just yet!

quote:
Thanks for heads up on article - would be good to find a scan to put in article archive here

I will try and get access to a scanner (easier said than done!) and send you the pics for the archive

Luckily my missus is only 5'2"; any bigger and I'd have to put her in the front bed or one of the bunks wahahahahaha!!

We had a R.E. teacher at school who we affectionately used to call Papa Smurf as he had a white beard. He drove a Bedford Rascal camper, so I've been wondering whether there's any connection with the Smurf......[:0]

 

[daytona]

You've done a great job there, Chamba.I had a look at Tulip about 3 years ago and had a ride, it's a brilliant van but was too dear at the time.

back to my "rootes"

 

[maisyscomming]

Cute van, cannot believe how well she scrubbed up, I'm seriously going to buy one of those buffer tools...will it be okay to use T-cut on my van if she is not her original colour, or is it a risk? I would love an awning, that's a great find.

eventually!!

 

[DJL]

Wow, that van looks fab! I really like the two tone colours, particularly at the back where it drops down around the rear lights. And the wheels look great! Definately the look I'll go for if I ever get my hands on a commer.

On the point of beds, I'm 6'2" so I'd be interested to know if i'd fit a commer bed. My other half is a hole foot shorter so no problems there! Are some conversions more spacious than others in the department?

 

[Chamba]

Yes Daytona, I think the original sums being banded about were a little optimistic!

quote:
I'm seriously going to buy one of those buffer tools...will it be okay to use T-cut on my van if she is not her original colour, or is it a risk? I would love an awning, that's a great find.


You'll be fine with T-Cut, it's not that aggressive. I'm not totally convinced with the polishing tool as really you have to mask up the rubbers and windows so that they don't get splattered. You have to be careful not to apply any pressure + take extra care on curves as there's more chance of burning through the paint [xx(]). If you to buy one, get one that has a slow start action for better control. Anyway, your van looks super shiny!

quote:
On the point of beds, I'm 6'2" so I'd be interested to know if i'd fit a Commer bed. My other half is a hole foot shorter so no problems there! Are some conversions more spacious than others in the department?


To be honest, I think you’d struggle if like me, you like to stretch your legs every 5 minutes. The bed would be OK for you alone; you could stick the missus in a bunk.... but she’d be no fun up there

I think the Canterbury conversions have bigger beds as you sleep longitudinally. I’ve read that the rest of the conversion isn’t as clever as an Autosleeper’s though and I can’t remember the last time I saw one for sale.

Don't let me put you off though. As you're in my neck of the woods, feel free to come and have a look and make your own mind up

 

[renaultvation]

quote:
On the point of beds, I'm 6'2" so I'd be interested to know if i'd fit a commer bed. My other half is a hole foot shorter so no problems there! Are some conversions more spacious than others in the department?



You should be alright with a Highwayman:

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/studiocommer/commer-cials/?action=view&current=CI_73_highwayman_02.jpg

'It's not a proper slider'

 

[studiocommer]

My Autosleeper has option to fold back of front bench seats backwards to combine with bed to make bigger double which is good size - and as you the sleep lengthways also has scope to have room for well socked feet to stick out if required

Bessie - four star commerdation

 

[Chamba]

quote:
My Autosleeper has option to fold back of front bench seats backwards to combine with bed to make bigger double which is good size - and as you the sleep lengthways also has scope to have room for well socked feet to stick out if required

Interesting! Does yours not have any bulkhead behind the front seats then? I thought all Autosleepers had some sort of bulkhead - either a full width one like mine, or one with a cut out in the middle.

 

[Panky]

Hi Adam, I think you'll find that your front bench seat folds down into another double bed. You need to pull out the bolts that support the back of the bench into the 'B' pillars - grab a hold of the front of the seats and heave forward. The bench does a kind of up-and-over and ends up flat, with a few cushions to fill in the gaps you end up with an enormous bed :I
Mine does and it looks the same as yours.

Harvey the RV

 

[studiocommer]

you can kinda see what mine does in this one....

http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/studiocommer/?action=view&current=commer004.jpg

Black square you can see is front cushion visible through 'ole which allows engine cover to open with seat back up - you can just see one of the 2 bolts which slot behind door pillar which undo to fold back [8)]

Bessie - four star commerdation

 

[Panky]

Oops just noticed - you have an extra bulkhead behind the front bench - that kinda gets in the way :I

Harvey the RV

 

[Chamba]

I've had the most depressing week at work - that is because my job sucks, that's a given, but mainly because last week my lady and I had an absolutely superb time Commer camping. We hit lovely Dorset in Tulip and had a real lovely holiday. Anyone who hasn't been to the Dorset coast should give it a try, some of it was breathtaking. We did tons of exploring every day and Tulip didn't miss a beat or give us any trouble (apart from clutch slip, but that's something I've been aware of for a while :I).

We first stayed at Rosewall Campsite at Langton Matravers which had a nice sea view but was pretty empty. The fog came in on us and after the second night we went to see what all the fuss with Tom's Field campsite was all about. Expecting an anti-climax, this site will now rank as one of my favourites; it's got real old school charm. And it even sold NOS seaside postcards with old cars in the street scenes!! A snip at 6p each! (A possible Commervanfan future meet venue???).

After 2 nights at Tom's Field we moved on to the New Forest for a few nights, staying at Hollands Wood which is huge site, but one we've enjoyed in the past. An unexpected bonus was that it was full of classic cars, campers and caravans since the Beaulieu Autojumble was on. I was like an excited kid in a sweet shop running around the site and got talking to some nice folk. Being a gentleman, I spared my lady the ordeal of the Autojumble, but she still insisted on rubbing my nose in it by taking me to Beaulieu village on the Saturday! [}]

I desperately want to go away again, but I suppose I best concentrate on doing a few little jobs on Tulip before the winter + try and find a roof for her head. Next year is going to be camping crazy!

I hope none of you are on dial up, I’ve got a few snaps....

I've trimmed out the cupboards in wipe clean Gingham oil cloth.

View at first site

Lovely beach down the road from the first site, great for rock pooling!

I found some classic campers parked up in the fog. The CF was up for £3.5k... I'll stick with the Commer thanks!

I picked this spot for the lovely scenery. The woods were quite pretty too!

Things come head to head in the town

On this patch was our Commer, a VW, an MGB and a Scimitar - no modern stuff, brilliant

Hope it wasn't salt water :I

 

[Panky]

Totally brilliant - I love it especially the head to head [8D]

Harvey the RV