50-year-old COMMER brought back to life!

To lovers of all things British and vintage,

I bought this rare Commer Highwayman campervan a year ago on a whim, deciding it needed to be rescued.
There are only about 500 Commers on the road worldwide at this point!

Rather than just cleaning up the interior and having a musty campervan, the vehicle seemed like the perfect shell to make a very cool new camper indeed.

There was rust on the bodywork and also rot in the woodwork; once I ripped out all of the interior, stripping it back to the shell, the cab and body got completely professionally restored and resprayed (done by Dream Day Campers in Southampton). I have several pictures of the restoration process. Mechanically, it needed the carburetor cleaned, new brakes, new radiator and fan, which all got done. Also has brand new tyres.
And then… I realised the roof was leaking (I didn’t specifically ask the guys to check it, and the work they did do was really top class… but it was still a disappointment…). So it went back to (another) classic car company (Sporting Classic Motors in Newbury), where it is now. The roof has completely been re-done, they are now also finalising a few jobs like installing rear-view mirrors, changing the windscreen wipers and doing some small repairs inside. Most surfaces will be whitewashed (except the nicer wood panels to leave some options). Ready early September.

So I’m selling this van at 90% finished, all that needs to be done is the fun stuff (soft furnishings etc.) to make it your own. With the help of a carpenter friend, I’ve made all the cabinets, fitted the new electrics, new hob etc.
I had lots of plans to finish it all myself, my partner is a macrame artist and she was going to contribute – I also have some great vintage Commer posters etc. that are begging to be displayed…
But… with hundreds of other projects on the go (and because this cost me way way more than I foolishly ever thought!), I’m advertising it for sale now, to make some of that money back, and also because otherwise it’ll probably be another year before it gets sold…
But I reckon it’s nice for a future owners of this wonderful British classic to put your own stamp on it in terms of choice of colours, fabrics for curtains etc.

Electrics are in place with new leisure battery (with both split relay charger and 220V mains charger), 220V inverter, LED lights in the ceiling, reading lights, indirect lighting and there is a brand new sink and gas hob etc., also a 12v/220v cool box.
Chemical toilet also included, located in wardrobe, under a shelf.

If I got to the point this year of making it all into a completely finished stylish product (like many other ‘instagrammable’ vehicles on this website!), I would be selling it closer to GBP 25,000 but as I need to put my attention somewhere else, I am selling it at the stated price.
I’m going to lose a bit of money, but it’s been a fun project, the vehicle really puts a smile on everyone’s face!

This is such a rare classic, a real head spinner, with plenty of head height and space inside, close to being finished. It’s exactly half a century old! Ready for the next 50 years!

Also, MOT and road tax exempt.

Any questions, or if there’s anything I forgot to mention, just ask! Happy to discuss all possibilities, also open to sensible offers; I just want to see this vehicle be united with people who will fall in love with it and look after it the way it deserves!
I’ll be away for two weeks with little internet so please text or call for inquiries. Cheers
Nick