6 photos

1962' Bedford CA

£25,000

Published 8 October 2026ID: dKxt4P

H&H
Cheshire
+44Show phone

Information from the owner

Age: 64 years

Fuel: Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Exterior color: Green

Seller's comments about 1962' Bedford CA

Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire Viewing: Tues 13th October from 12pm Auction 14th October, 2026 12:00 Location: Pavilion Gardens St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE Registration No: 129 XPL Chassis No: CALV4219114MOT: Exempt Astonishing restoration costing over £80, 000 Magazine featured and uniquely original model Restored in 2023 by Dormobile themselves, 61 years after they first built it Nut and bolt restoration using genuine and original Dormobile parts Matching numbers and completely authentic throughout As one of the most charismatic British icons of the 1960s, the Bedford CA Dormobile was the ultimate in luxury camping at the time. Based on the Vauxhall 1500cc-engined utilitarian Bedford CA van it expounded from a thoroughbred coach building firm established in as far back as 1773. Martin Walter Ltd. a manufacturer of horse harnesses from Folkestone evolved into traditional coach building then onto motor vehicle conversions launching their first Dormobile camper in 1952. It later spun off in 1969 into a dedicated company, Dormobile Ltd, producing quality camping conversions of many types of vehicles. It closed in 1994 due to declining sales. However in 1997 the brand, designs and blueprints and much of the original equipment was purchased and a new Dormobile Ltd arose relocating itself in Lyndhurst, Hampshire. Brian, a genuine 1962 CA Dormobile was purchased by our vendor in 2022 from a garage in North Devon as a birthday surprise for his wife, whose father had owned one, and vowed that he would bring it back to glory for her. He engaged with Dormobile themselves regarding a ‘no compromises’ restoration using the correct parts and methods to achieve this. Paul Herwig, the longest serving Dormobile employee remaining was appointed project manager and according to our vendor this project was his final swansong mission before retirement. Once started there was no turning back and as the condition of the vehicle revealed itself it was clear that this was going to be a big project. An entire donor CA Dormobile was purchased in addition to the original purchased van. In short, is is not possible to list the works done as it was ‘virtually everything’ and a total rebuild throughout. From the original restoration quote the costs leapt and as our vendor told us, ‘There was just no turning back’. The bill from Dormobile came to £69, 000 alone. With the original and donor van and further ancillary costs the total is well over £80, 000. This is all documented in the September 2023 edition of Classic Cars. It documents how the entire body was stripped and re-panelled, the engine, transmission and drive equipment completely overhauled and everything else in between. In keeping with the quest for originality the original column gear shift was retained. Also the search for original leisure parts resulted in a virtually original interior including the orange sink. Finished in the original colours of Lime Green and Dormobile White, with full trim all round Brian is a 4-berth top-of-the-range deluxe version with fold down seats forming a double and 2 single beds. Fully equipped with original cooker, pop top, cupboards, sink with water supply, drop down tables and original Dormobile fabric curtains all round. MOT’d in 2023, although not needing it due to its historic classification, Brian started readily for our visit and according to our vendor certain tweaks since the Dormobile restoration on the brakes and clutch everything works exactly how it should. Perfect for the ultimate Goodwood Revival, Twinwood or any vintage themed camping event it would be very difficult to find something as authentic and conversation starting as this beautiful period motorhome. Available with an auction estimate a fraction of what it cost to create. ** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply** Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2...