1969 Bedford CA Debonair
Few camper vans matched the style and sophistication of this rare motorhome created by Martin Walter Ltd. of Folkestone, England. The Debonair was the top-of-the-line Dormobile conversion, built on an extended Bedford CA chassis with full-height fiberglass construction from the front fenders back.
This elegant design eliminated the need for a pop-up roof and provided two separate sleeping areas, a toilet compartment, and a stove with oven. Options included a refrigerator. The flowing fiberglass bodywork gave it a distinctly modern appearance that set it apart from conventional panel van conversions.
By 1969, power came from a 1,595cc (1.6-liter) four-cylinder engine producing about 54 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual transmission (earlier models had a three-speed). The chassis featured independent front suspension with coil springs and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
The Debonair’s stylish appearance sometimes drew comparisons to ice cream trucks, but this hardly diminished its appeal as a luxury recreational vehicle.
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