1977 Ford Transit Mk1 Campervan

The subject of an 150-hour respray last year, this delightful British Gas Blue Ford Transit campervan makes an interesting alternative to the ubiquitous Volkswagen T2. 

Fitted with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, it’s been correctly registered with the DVLA as a campervan, and is believed to have been converted by C.I. Motorhomes of Dorset.

The seller has owned ‘BLG 722S’ for the past three years and has used it for weekends away in the Cotswolds as well as a week-long holiday.

He also drove it the fifty miles from his home to our headquarters too, so it’s got the go to match the show, something he reinforced by telling us “It’s always behaved itself”, which is high praise indeed - and isn’t something you can say of everyone in our office...

Ford build quality in the 1970s was never going to trouble the good folk over at Mercedes-Benz, so the fact this working vehicle looks as good as it does speaks volumes as to the care with which that 150-hour, bare-metal respray was carried out - and that figure of 150 hours doesn’t include the week the seller spent helping prepare it, so in reality it’s probably more than a 200-hour respray…

The panel alignment and shutlines are good, and while there are a few minor dents and dinks here and there the overall effect is closer to a pleasing patination than it is distracting deterioration. 

Better still, that patina is, the seller tells us, because “no filler” was used during the restoration of the bodywork, which is good to hear.

Isn’t the colour an inspired choice? Life-affirmingly cheerful and yet a million miles away from the Farrow & Ball palette we usually see on retro campervans, British Gas Blue has also been used to colour coordinate the steel wheels.

The contrasting white roof add further style as well as being a terrific piece of design and engineering in its own right. With proper glass windows, it’s been refurbished and is, we are told, completely watertight.

The rest of the glazing in the rear was equally carefully considered: with two fixed panes either side, the nearside features a black plastic ventilation panel, while the offside has another sliding glass window. Together, they flood the rear with light while also providing good ventilation.

There are also some lovely little details, like the cover for the ‘Electrolux Refrigerator’ on the rear nearside of the ‘van and the subtle green and black pinstripes.

The 14-inch steel wheels are in fine fettle and their British Gas Blue colour is enhanced with a set of very good chrome hubcaps. The tyres are matching 195R14 GT Maxmiler Pro LT and all have very good tread left on them. 

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As for work to do, the rear bumper requires some attention, the alloy window frames show some (cosmetic) surface corrosion, the seal around the fuel filler neck isn’t great, the two external mirrors are foxed, and the headlamp surrounds don’t fit as well as they might. The gas struts that are supposed to help raise the roof are currently disconnected - the roof is still operational, but would be less of a physical task with these working as they should.

We noticed that someone has bumped into the nearside wing mirror; if you open the bonnet and reach in you can undo it and adjust it so it sits better.

Finally, if the winning bidder felt they needed to fit a new nearside front wing – it’s starting to bubble - few would consider them overly fastidious given how good the rest is.

The campervan’s interior is a charming blend of originality and modest updates, something that leaves the new owner free to take it back to its original condition or bring it fully up to date while maintaining the period fixtures and fittings that contribute so much to its charisma.

As you can see, the rear accommodation comprises a large sleeping area under the pop-up roof, the design of which gives massive headroom, which makes cooking and moving around much easier.

The twin-burner gas stove has a grill plus a splashguard to the left and a wooden lid that folds open behind it, an arrangement that helps keep the interior clean while also providing extra workspace when you aren’t cooking. 

There’s a cold-water sink to the right too, with an electric pump to bring up water from the tank that’s fitted underneath. It currently drains into a bucket, but fitting a grey water tank wouldn’t be hard.

The seating to either side has been reupholstered in a modern red, blue and beige vinyl material, and it can, of course, be converted into a full width bed.

And that’s not all, because the front bench seat also converts into a double bed, bringing the head count it can accommodate up to four – bet you weren’t expecting that, were you?

There are also lots of neat little touches like the hanging hooks, 12-volt USB power points from the leisure battery, a wall-mounted television/DVD player combination with a remote control, curtains to keep you snug when it’s dark outside, and a bin in each rear door.

A new vinyl floor has been laid.

The driving compartment is a riot of fake wood and vinyl and all the more glorious for being so. The semi-bench front seat is a terrific period piece and it even features a removeable centre armrest, which is a new one for us!

It’s not pristine but still looks good and it, like the living and sleeping accommodation, could be refurbished to your own standard when time, money and motivation align.

Oh, and the rubber mats have been left up for the photos of the front cabin to allow potential bidders to see the repaired floor underneath. For information, they are in three parts with one section covering the middle and one for each footwell. 

NB: The campervan’s gas system looks old - it doesn’t have a gas locker, for example - so the gas installation and fittings should be checked over by a suitably qualified and registered installer before being used. 

As you can see, it starts well and idles and revs as it should. The petrol engine is also a lot nicer to drive than any diesel unit of the period too, so any small increase in running costs is probably worth it.

While the engine bay is a little scruffy, it should scrub up nicely.

The underside looks decent and is home to a full-size spare wheel and tyre. As you can see, it has had some welding carried out as part of the restoration of the bodywork.

The Transit’s mechanical specification is, we are told, standard so maintaining it and sourcing new parts shouldn’t be too much of a trial – and to give you a head start, a few spares are included; please take a look at the photos to see what these are.

As for faults, the fuel tank is held on with cable ties.

The Transit doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

This Transit holds an awful lot of appeal; with all the hard work completed already.

As we mentioned earlier, you could gut the whole thing and bring it bang up to date, or you could remove and then reinstall it piece by piece as you refurbish each part.

But, no matter which route you take, the final result will be far more unusual than the ubiquitous VW campervan we see so many of.

It’ll probably be cheaper, too, because our guide price is a paltry £13,000 - £18,000 and this is No Reserve, someone might just snaffle a New Year bargain.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.