Tow It and Show It?

Today was our Wiltshire Steam and Vintage Rally, a good old country living fair of agricultural heritage. It was a really good family day out.

 

It was here that we met a lovely couple from a classic car club. Their car on show was a Rover P6 2200 in the most beautiful sage green/grey colour (forget engine size - it's all about colour). And would you believe it on show next to it was their 1965 Sprite 400.

I was invited in to have a look around the vintage caravan. The interior was almost original. The exterior was hand painted. It was proudly on show complete with awning. The middle-aged couple were really interested to hear about my Sprite 400. I was handed a car club leaflet and asked "Are you gonna tow it and show it?" I was lost for words...

I'd never really considered towing and showing but it got me thinking. I do have a squidgy soft spot for a Morris Traveller! The car would be perfect for towing my spritey little Sprite 400. Ahhhh the lazy summer days out, picnic rug and champagne. How idyllic. How romantic!

So, after much discussion with the gorgeous Mr Grubby Cottage we decided that one day, in the not too distant future, we will indeed tow and show. However, a little work is needed to convince, persuade, butter-up Mr GC's choice of car. We are not really singing from the same hymn sheet...

Little Helper

My little helper replaced the hinges to the vintage caravan cupboards this weekend. It was lovely to have an extra pair of hands. 

I explained to my little helper that the caravan table turns into a double bed. After much thought and a sigh he said 'cool, where's the button Mummy'?

The 1960's was a much simpler way of life Son!

Rust, Rust and more Rust - Sprite 400 Chassis

It was love at first sight when I purchased my Sprite 400. Thoughts of turning this little time-warped capsule into a usable family space made my heart skip a beat. My tiny vintage bubble van was all mine, bought and paid for, mine to keep.

You've watched George Clarke's Amazing Spaces yes? I guess this is very much like one of those projects. It's about creating a magical space that I can share with my family. In a moments notice we can be on the road and change our view at any given time. The kids are going to love it! Ok, so I've not given it too much thought about losing our creature comforts but that's all part of the fun right? Glamping I believe it's commonly known as. When it's not a family road trip it will be a room at the bottom of the garden.

So far the project has took far more man hours than I ever anticipated. It's definitely a labour of love. I have to admit that I did not foresee the painful process of cleaning up the vintage caravan chassis. My fingers hurt with all the degreasing, wire brushing and sanding. I really haven't enjoyed this job at all but I'm willing to get stuck in and see this project to the end (with the help of Mr. Grubby Cottage).  

A vintage caravan project will push your diy boundaries but it's achievable. It just takes time and patience. You have to be prepared to multi-task. You will do more preparation work than renovation and this can be a bore at times. If this happens simply walk away and do something else - this will keep your project on the move.