Model T Caravan Is Oldest Surviving RV
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Recently, the oldest known surviving motor caravan (motorhome RV) sold at Bonham’s Auction for £63,250 plus premium (about $74,000 USD). Built just before the beginning of the First World War, the 1914 Ford Model T Motor Caravan featured Ford’s Model T chassis and a wooden body manufactured by England’s Dunton of Reading.
After the Model Ts were released in 1908, the Bentall’s, a wealthy British family, inquired about the possibility of a moving home being built.
The resulting home on wheels began with a lengthened Model T chassis and refurnished body.
Built to resemble railroad carriages, the shell and exterior were made almost entirely from wood. A double bed with two overhead single bunks was installed for sleeping. The driver’s seat doubled as a leather sofa when turned 180 degrees. For cooking and heating purposes, a wood stove was installed along with cupboard space, a folding table and even a mail slot.
To power the motor caravan, the Model T 2.9-liter, 20-hp., flathead 4-cyl. engine delivered a top speed of 45 mph.
The caravan, which sold at Bonham’s Auction, was discovered in the 1970’s by Leo Smith who restored it along with cabinetmaker Robin Tanner. The vehicle went on to win seven awards in the 1976 Historic Commercial Vehicle Society’s London-Brighton Run. Since then, the motor caravan has been featured on television, plus been an attraction in various rallies and historic vehicle shows.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bonham’s Auction House (www.bonhams.com).
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Model T Caravan Is Oldest Surviving RV PICKUPS Miscellaneous Recently the oldest known surviving motor caravan motorhome RV sold at Bonham’s Auction for £63 250 plus premium about $74 000 USD Built just before the beginning of the First World War the 1914 Ford Model T Motor Caravan featured Ford’s Model T chassis and a wooden body manufactured by England’s Dunton of Reading After the Model Ts were released in 1908 the Bentall’s a wealthy British family inquired about the possibility of a moving home being built The resulting home on wheels began with a lengthened Model T chassis and refurnished body Built to resemble railroad carriages the shell and exterior were made almost entirely from wood A double bed with two overhead single bunks was installed for sleeping The driver’s seat doubled as a leather sofa when turned 180 degrees For cooking and heating purposes a wood stove was installed along with cupboard space a folding table and even a mail slot To power the motor caravan the Model T 2 9-liter 20-hp flathead 4-cyl engine delivered a top speed of 45 mph The caravan which sold at Bonham’s Auction was discovered in the 1970’s by Leo Smith who restored it along with cabinetmaker Robin Tanner The vehicle went on to win seven awards in the 1976 Historic Commercial Vehicle Society’s London-Brighton Run Since then the motor caravan has been featured on television plus been an attraction in various rallies and historic vehicle shows Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bonham’s Auction House www bonhams com
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