A Brief History of Campervans

The history of the campervan can be traced back to the early 20th century when automobiles began to gain popularity. However, it wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s when the idea of a "camper" or "campervan" began to gain traction in the United States and Europe. 

One of the earliest examples of a campervan was the "Westfalia" conversion of a Volkswagen Type 2 van in 1951. The Westfalia conversion added a pop-up roof, a small kitchenette, and a bed, turning the van into a mobile home. This design became incredibly popular and paved the way for other manufacturers to create similar conversions.

Another early example of a campervan was the "Wander Wagon" built by a company called Home Equipment Co. in 1957. The Wander Wagon was built on the chassis of a 1956 Chevrolet station wagon and featured a pop-up roof, a built-in stove and refrigerator, and a fold-out bed.

In the 1960s, the Volkswagen Type 2 became the go-to vehicle for campervan conversions. The Type 2, also known as the "Microbus" or "VW Bus," was affordable, reliable, and had plenty of room for a basic conversion. These campervans became popular with the hippie movement, who used them as a way to travel and live on the road.

As the popularity of campervans grew, manufacturers began to create purpose-built campervans. In 1965, the British company Bedford introduced the "Dormobile" campervan, which featured a pop-up roof, a sink, and a built-in stove. The Dormobile was incredibly popular and inspired other manufacturers to create similar designs.

In the 1970s, the popularity of campervans continued to grow, and new designs were introduced. The Toyota HiAce, first introduced in 1967, became a popular base for campervan conversions in Japan and Australia. The HiAce was reliable, had plenty of room for a conversion, and was more affordable than the Volkswagen Type 2.

In the 1980s and 1990s, new technologies made it easier to create more luxurious and comfortable campervans. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, introduced in 1995, became a popular base for luxury campervans in Europe. The Sprinter was reliable, had plenty of room for a conversion, and was available in a variety of configurations.

Today, campervans continue to be popular with travelers around the world. The modern campervan has come a long way from the basic conversions of the 1950s and 1960s, with many models featuring all the amenities of a luxury hotel room. 

Sources:

- "The Camper Van Bible" by Martin Dorey

- "Volkswagen Camper Van: A Biography" by Mike Harding

- "The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1937-Today" by Ian Falloon

- "The History of Toyota: Birth of the Prius" by Mark Kane

- "The Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook" by Greg Keith