Kon-Tikis always keep their kool
Recently, the Bancroft tribe helped Practical Motorhome's Nigel Donnelly in his evaluation of a new 2006 Kon-Tiki model from Swift Group.
As someone who remembers the launch of the original Kon-Tiki in the mid 1980s, I thought you might be interested in these recent pictures of a Kon-Tiki 600/6 built way back then.
All Kon-Tikis, regardless of size or internal layouts, used the Sevel cab mated to Al-Ko galvanised chassis extensions. Most early models were built on the Fiat Ducato, though there were some built on the Talbot and Citroën-badged variants. Some left-hand drive models were made, and quite a few went to Scandinavia - Sweden, if memory serves.
The original 'van was Swift's first foray into motorhome manufacture. Already well-established in the trailer caravan market, Swift decided to pool its knowledge of then-new production methods to build a motorhome that would be stylish, well-equipped and perceived as
an aspirational product.
It was also the wish of the designers that it should have better roadholding than its contemporaries and appear more streamlined. Both these design parameters had already been met by Swift's caravan division and the new motorhome had to achieve similar or better if it wasn't to be thought of as a poor relation - hence the use of an Al-Ko chassis and moulded panels.
Most of the early Kon-Tikis were petrol-powered and steering wheel spinning was a non power-assisted activity. That wasn't too bad on lighter petrol-engined derivatives, but on the longer and heavier turbo-diesels with their bigger wheels, parking did make the driver grunt a bit.
The model has been treated to a lick of paint. The blue is darker than the original tone, and there is more of it (blue, that is) than when the 'van left the Cottingham factory. Blue was the original feature colour, though. Various hues of beige and oatmeal came later, culminating in the decision to go to all-white around the time that production shifted to the new Ducato in the mid-1990s.
The 'new' technology referred to included the use of bonded sandwich construction sidewalls and a moulded overcab pod and rear trim panels. Swift (along with Elddis) was pleased to be able to mould panels out of GRP (layered fibre-glass)
and later ABS (vacuum-formed plastic) when building motorhomes. This made it easier to manufacture
double-radius panels and was a major catalyst in the change of coachbuilt motorcaravan body shape from a box-on-wheels to something more fluid and curvilinear. It also made it better integrated with the cab. Yet Swift wasn't the first. Martin Walter (Dormobile) had produced stylish all-GRP motorhome bodies for the Bedford CA and CF much earlier than Swift.
With the exception of the washroom, this lovely old 6000/6 wouldn't look out of place among 'vans that have just rolled off the production line, so you can imagine what a stir it caused 20 years ago.
Walk the walk... talk the Duratorq
After last month's 'Cook's tour' of the residential side of our new-to-us Auto-Sleeper Pollensa, dubbed the 'Fenland Drifter' (FD for short), I can now tell you my initial impression of the base vehicle Ford Transit 350 medium wheelbase chassis-cab.
So far it has performed well (over 3000 miles in three months) and I think we'll get along just fine. FD has what was then the most powerful Tranny diesel: this 2.4-litre Duratorq 125PS intercooled, turbocharged, four-cylinder direct-injection engine drives the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The latest range-toppers have a 135PS version of the same engine with common-rail injection and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Now for a bit of grandstanding: I was the first British motorhome journalist to test-drive the new Duratorq engines. I was impressed back then and remain so today. The Duratorq has more of a bark than our previous five-cylinder VW motor, but it revs much more freely and has proved to be faster and slightly more economical, though not to the extent that I had first hoped.
In its defence, it has to be said that the loud pedal has been buried in the Axminster for much of the 3000 miles I've driven so far which probably explains the underwhelming overall fuel consumption of just over 25mpg. I don't have a car, so it has to be used for 'must press on' motorway business trips - I'm hoping for 30 mpg when touring gently.
My partner Flora and I loathe the hard, unforgiving ride we frequently experience when testing Sevel-based (Ducato/Boxer/Relay) 'vans, and feel that despite using Fred Flintstone cart springs at the back and MacPherson struts at the front, the Tranny's ride is perfick for us.
Brilliant over-the-shoulder-views from the driving seat through FD's large side windows makes pulling out of oblique-angled road junctions so much easier (especially when abroad).
Payload is important and experience has taught me that you need at least 450kg in any 6m coachbuilt. I have just read a review of a Bürstner in our October issue and discovered that, despite the manufacturer's claims of engineering excellence, it only had a measly 210kg payload. Compare that with Fenland Drifter's smugly generous 745kg. Tee hee!
Finally, I'm not bothered that the Tranny's gear lever is where it has always been, though I concede that a fascia-mounted one would allow easier transfer from driving seat to living area.
If it bothers you, just wait for the latest Tranny makeover, due in 2006, in which (my spies tell me) the lever has migrated upwards.
"Fenland Drifter" is now Fort Knox
As we have said previously, our motorhome is one of our most prized possessions and we intend to keep it and its contents in our ownership.
It's not clear whether vehicle crime in general, and motorcaravan crime in particular, is increasing or decreasing over the years. However, this is largely irrelevant because even if there are only two thefts a year, and yours happens to be one of them, then that's all that counts.
We had several priorities when selecting an intruder alarm and immobiliser for our Pollensa. First, it had to be reliable and give no false alarms - otherwise I would have to disarm it to avoid upsetting the neighbours.
Second, it had to be easy to use (age and alcohol have reduced my cognitive functions to that of a slug
with learning difficulties).
Third, and perhaps most importantly, it had to protect the 'van and occupant: when we go out we leave Pip, our dog, in residence.
It also had to have a deterrent effect - hence external LED lights front and rear - and it had to be approved by our insurance company.
Finally, we didn't want it be unsightly or limit the usage of our 'van in any way. We've met people who have welded up the cab doors to prevent unauthorised access and although this is undeniably effective at preventing them from being forced open, seems barking mad to us: it won't stop anybody chucking a brick through the glass window and gaining access that way.
Our previous five motorhomes have all been equipped with a Strikeback alarm system (now called Strikeback T) fitted by Van Bitz in Taunton, and we have great faith in the system's reliability. Strikeback T is not the cheapest around, but we think it's the most appropriate for our usage patterns.
Proprietors Eddie and Lynda Jones are keen and enthusiastic motorcaravanners themselves, as are most of their staff. They understand our needs and because they actually comprehend how the various components operate
- instead of just being fitters - they are able to tailor each system to an individual's requirements and budget.
I haven't included a shot of Fenland Drifter being 'protected' because to photograph the installation itself wouldn't be sensible. I'm sure you are as honest as the day is long, but what about that suspicious character reading this over your shoulder?
Van Bitz can fit security systems, rear vision cameras, satellite navigation systems and general motorcaravan accessories. Its workshops can accommodate the most enormous RV used on UK roads. The firm has also helped Practical Motorhome readers to solve many different electrical problems on their 'vans.
Adjacent to their workshop, and in the beautiful grounds of Cornish Farm, is their recently developed touring campsite. The site itself is open all year, boasts a super-smart facility block, grass and hardstanding pitches.
Happy (and secure) motorcaravanning!
Jack Bancroft |
