Check out this vintage RV over a century old that’s built on a Model T Ford chassis. Is this the world’s oldest motorhome?
Starting with a Ford chassis and turning it into an amazing motorhome is nothing new to RV manufacturers. But it seems we’ve been doing it for nearly as long as Ford has been actually manufacturing the chassis. Although these days the Ford Transit chassis cab is the go-to, it turns out we’ve been building them since 1914. That’s just six years after the Model T was introduced to the world and 11 years after the first Ford Model A was sold. Can you believe it?
Bonhams recently sold a 1914 Ford Model T Motor Caravan for GBP 63,250 (AUD 110,399) and it seems that this 108-year-old vintage RV could possibly be the oldest in the world. Or at least the oldest known RV in the world.
This vintage RV was originally built for a member of the Bentall family just before WWI broke out. Yes, the same family that founded the British department store chain by the same name. The Model T Ford chassis was extended and strengthened by Baico and the caravan body was built by Dunton of Reading, who already had a name for making quality traditional or ‘gypsy’ style caravans.
Despite its age, this vintage home on wheels actually features a few luxuries lacking in many RVs sold today. This includes items such as a wood-burning stove and a decent amount of storage space. Although, I’m not so sure about the wood burner! In fact, when Bill Taylor tested the RV in 1987 for a lengthy article in the December issue of “Which Motorcaravan” magazine, he stated that he did not know of a modern design that provides such a volume of storage space.
Featuring an all-timber body and a polished pine floor, green velvet curtains ensure privacy for those dwelling inside. With two beds in the living area and an additional bed above the driver, this vintage RV seems to have been built with families in mind. The driver and passenger seat is leather in that beautiful vintage deep-set button style. And much like modern motorhomes, it reportedly turns around to serve as two additional seats in the living area.
A wood-burning stove behind the driver has two functions both as a cooker and a heater. Storage-wise, there are dresser-style compartments on the walls not taken up with a window.
When this vintage Model-T RV sold recently, it came with some utterly charming memorabilia. This included brass lamps, ornaments, external lamps and spare wheels. Not to mention pictures and pots and pans, making it a real collector’s piece for the lucky purchaser.
According to Bentall, it is believed this vintage RV was sold in the 1920s before it was abandoned. After being discovered again decades later, it was restored in the 1970s by Mr Leo Smith and Mr Robin Tanner who were able to use over 95% of the original body timbers. The restoration took around four years and was subsequently entered into the 1976 HCVC London-Brighton Run where it won seven awards. Since then, it has joined in on various historic vehicle shows.
Although it’s unclear who the recent purchaser is, what I do know is that I’m as green with envy as the velvet curtains on this amazing vintage RV.
