This 1914 Ford Model T Camper Is The Perfect Old But Gold Motorhome

2022-09-03 06:45:16 By : Ms. Rose Wu

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Now ready to head for auction, the Ford Model T motorhome will be moving to a new owner who appreciates the incredible historical richness it holds.

Bonhams has a very rare and special entry next month, a one-off Ford Model T motorhome. The collectible RV going under the hammer will bring with it incredible prestige and a load of historical significance. The RV is a 1914 Ford Model T Motor Caravan which could very well be the oldest motorhome in the world, as per the description in Bonhams' official listing.

The claim could still be debatable. Now ready to head for auction, this classic Ford Caravan will be moving to a new modern owner who appreciates the incredible historical richness it holds inside and out. The listing on Bonhams auction house's website estimates the price between £20,000 and £30,000 (between about $23,300 and $35,000), but the final price will be determined when the hammer comes down on September 10.

The 1914 Model T RV is considered the oldest in the world but unlike determining the age of an automobile, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly the first ever motorhome. Before RVs were built officially as production units, there were many between the automobile catching on and travelers' caravans.

Plus, there were those privately commissioned by the wealthy. This particular motorhome from 1914 is special not just for the era it's from but mostly because of the near-new condition it is in.

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It is a premium motorhome as well, commissioned by Frank Bentall and his family. The Bentall family was part of the aristocracy and founded the Bentall luxury department store in 1867. So, naturally, a family like this would have the resources to finance a custom motorhome. The 1914 Ford Model T's chassis was extended and strengthened to be able to support a house on wheels by specialist Baico.

The bodywork is fashioned out of wood by Dunton of Reading. It was apparently built so well that when the motorhome was recovered in the 70s, nearly all the original parts could still be restored. It is not known how much was the motorhome actually used for touring. The listing on Bonhams states that the Model T Caravan was sold in the 1920s following which it was "subsequently abandoned" for half a century.

It was then bought by Leo Smith who restored it with the help of cabinet-maker Robin Tanner over four years. In this restoration, 95% of the original parts were kept. Fast-forward to 1976, the classic RV was entered in the 1976 HCVC London-Brighton Run, where it also won several awards, including the Concours d'Elegance.

In the following years, the motorhome was displayed at several special events and won other awards as well. The auction house writes that it was featured "on television with Royal visitors in attendance."

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The wooden cabin offers sleeping space for four and basic creature comforts like a fold-out table, a wood-fire stove, and a nice living room with plush leather seating. The leather bench, in fact, serves as seating for the driver and passenger and can be turned towards the interior when needed to rather transform the space into a lounge.

The bench also holds storage and the RV also has a Welsh wardrobe. There are green velvet curtains and interior ornaments, and get this, a letter box, which would perhaps be the only way to stay in touch from the road. The auction house has stated that the motorhome will be sold as seen in the photographs, inclusive of all the ornaments, fittings, and also the pots and pans from that era hidden from view.

While the motorhome is in itself a historical treasure, the insides with a lot of unspecified antique memorabilia are just as relevant. “External lamps, a fuel can, spare wheel, [and] spare spark plugs” are included, says Bonhams.

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The 1910 Pierce-Arrow Touring Landau has so far been considered the oldest RV to go into series production. Also called Pierce-Arrow 66 Touring Landau or the Pierce-Arrow Special Touring Landau, it was the first to feature a toilet and running hot water onboard. That's actually more than what the Ford Model T RV offers. The Landau had sleeping space for two and really posh creature comforts.

Even though the Model T Caravan does not sound like it's as fancy as the Landau, it is deeply impressive. Not to mention the impeccable condition it is in. If we're considering old motorhomes, there's also the CR 4134 or as it's known, the great-great-great-grandfather of all modern-day RVs.

The Ford or the Landau or something else? At this point, who cares which one holds the title of the oldest ever? They're as fancy as fancy could be back when motorized mobility was only about catching on and paved roads were a luxury.

Writer. Presenter. Was too late to make it as a racer. Touring on motorcycles was where it all gloriously began for Abhilasha and today, has evolved to negotiating through city traffic in a stick-shift Ford. But the enthusiasm to learn continues and so does the passion to write and share stories.