CLASSIC FORD COACHMAN CAMPER MOBILE HOME WINNEBAGO LPG

I've owned this lovely beast for about 7 months, I bought her ('Betsy' has always been her name I'm told)  from a farmer in Wales who had owned but not used it for some years, though he spent a lot of money on it previously. For example he had it converted to LPG and it has a 120 litre tank underneath, as well as an enormous tank for unleaded petrol. It runs fine on petrol but I've hardly ever done so as it is a bit thirsty; about 10 miles per gallon (on gas or petrol). More on the open road, less on the twisty hills. I have spent money too: full service, mot, tax, new tyres, new leisure battery, new sony cd player (with ipod connector) etc. I've used it regularly with my son and we've had some great adventures but it really is a bit big for just the 2 of us and its a struggle to get it into my yard in London. I'd certainly consider a part exchange with a smaller camper or a motorcycle.

She has a seperate Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) tank to run the pull-out barbeque, the fridge if required, the cooker/grill, hot water and central heating (takes 70 litres and is almost full). There is a seperate toilet and a seperate shower with a small sort of bath you can sit in. There is a mains hook up but I've never used it, we've only ever used battery power as we always stay in isolated spots.

There are all sorts of nice features that you would expect on a vehicle like this: outside storage for a generator, a large back rack we have used to put motorcycles on, electric stairs for the side door, cruise control, captain seats. There's an awning rail along the side and a large tent like sheet that presumeably fits to it but I've not got any poles so haven't tried it; there's plenty of space inside.

She sleeps 7 comfortably: 2 in the 'crows nest': I've had 3 happy children sleep up there regularly, there's a removeable flap for it that comes up to make the drivers cab more roomy but it is shown as down in the photo, then the sofa in the living room pulls out to make another double, the single sofa on the other side makes another bed with a flap from by the side door and then the bedroom at the back (another large double) can also be arranged to provide a table with seating for 8. The 'crows nest' is simple to leave set up as a bed for children while you drive around, as of course is the bedroom at the back, indeed when I've had extra children to transport I've put them up in the nest with cushions and duvets up against the front windows to protect them in the event of a collision.

She's wonderful to drive: really powerful, quite slow up steep hills fully loaded but happily cruises at 65 on the flat. She's smooth and surprisingly easy to drive: the brakes are excellent, the throttle gentle, even the handling is predictable and easily managed.  Legally she is classed as a car and taxed in the same band and can be driven on a normal car licence; even the toll on the Severn Bridge charges it less than a little Astra van. The engine is really sweet and smooth: it's designed to cover in excess of 20 times its present mileage. I thought it might be a problem getting spares but when I serviced her it was easy to get things like oil and air filter as they are common to many other Ford models over the years. It was a problem finding a London MOT centre that could fit it in, though it is undergoes the same test and costs the same (class 4) that a normal car does. I found a centre with a pit rather than a ramp; I had a good look underneath at the time at the chassis and exhaust and they are both in very good condition. Although the chassis has some surface rust here and there as you would expect there is no corrosion, it's not flaky and is all totally solid. The previous owner told me he treated it 5 years ago. She passed the mot without so much as an 'advisory note' and though I have used her extensively I haven't done much mileage, about 2000 I think.

All sorts of bits and bobs came with it: toaster, kettle, iron, mini hoover, 1st aid kit, fire extinguisher, multi cd changer, pots and pans, there's still a mountain bike on the roof thats included, as is the £300 Sony face off stereo I bought new. There's 1/4 tank of petrol (40 litres or so) about 1/2 tank of LPG and a full auxiliary LPG tank plus 8 months tax: those items alone are worth £200. There are loads of cupboards and storage areas tucked away as well as a 5 foot dress cupboard in the main bedroom.

There are a few places at the back that I have had to patch up, you can see the aluminium plates I've used to cover the scrapes I've had when first learning how to back it into my yard. There is also a small hole at the front left top you can see in the picture where I had a slight disagreement with a tree branch and the tree won. The roof doesn't leak anywhere but there is a small area on the inside of the side door where it appears to have leaked in the past and has now been repaired and covered up. One of the skylight covers blew off somewhere and I've replaced it with a small bit of see through corrugated sheeting, not perfect but functional.

I love her: she's full of character and potential, has a friendly unostentatious vibe about her and gets admiring looks everywhere she goes. She is after all perfectly comfortable and roomy enough to live in, anywhere, with no rent to pay!

I have the old Certificate of Title from the USA, she was registered in Florida originally and came to the UK in about 2000. There is a note of its mileage at the time and it corroborates with what I know of its history since.

Payment terms: You are bidding to buy, not to have first look and try to haggle me down. The camper is available for viewing at any time by appointment before the end of the auction and I strongly recommend it.  I've set the start bid low and there is no reserve. I require a £300 deposit, payable by card over the phone/by cheque within 48 hours of the end of the auction. This is not refundable. Balance to be paid in full on collection within 7 days (perhaps longer if by prior arrangement). I may be able to help arrange/ do delivery myself but I cannot guarantee it: If you wish to pay by paypal you will have to pay their fees on top. If you wish to pay by credit card or debit card that is possible but you would need to contact me first: cash is preferred. I have relisted this due to an utter timewaster who never paid the deposit nor even turned up to view the vehicle so will relist the camper if the deposit is not received this time round.

I am offering the same warranty terms as I do for my motorcycles: a 30 day engine and gearbox warranty and in addition that there is nothing mechanically wrong with the vehicle at the time of sale (i.e. anything that is subject to an MOT failure). I will not be liable for any recovery fees regardless of circumstances. She has always been perfect and a test drive is welcome.

 She does need a bit of tinkering here and there: I was going to repaint the stripes down the side as they are showing a wee bit of age here and there, theres a rust spot on the passenger door where it mounts the mirror bracket and a couple of very small ones on the bonnet, the right hand top mirror has a small crack in its' top corner (but works fine), there's a small stain on the carpet in the main room, the curtains to the top 'crows nest' (above the driver) have come off their runners, the lock on the shower door needs to be fiddled with as it swings open on corners, there are other minor bits and bobs that need attention and here and there it could do with a clean... I'm hardly asking top money for her: the bloke I got it from gave me his original purchase receipt from 5 years ago and he paid £11500 for it, plus spent £1800 on the gas conversion amongst other things. If she only meets the start bid I will have lost a fair bit and I bought her with no MOT, tax or warranty.  This is a rare and collectable classic, built and maintained to a high standard, designed to last and she will certainly keep her value, especially at a time when many people are losing their houses/can't afford rent.

I've waffled on enough, any questions please feel free to call 07899 755592 (working hours only please 9am-7pm not sundays unless its the last day of the auction) or email. I think she's absolutely wonderful but my standards may not be the same as yours so once again I recommend viewing if you are serious. More photos are available by email on request