There were several incarnations of Autocruise before the one that manufactured the Valentine and the Vista. These were very much the result of Gordon and Richard Bentley’s design and build expertise, plus owner John Cockburn’s business acumen and limitless enthusiasm for the brand.
If you’ve read any of the previous vehicles I’ve covered, most recently the used Adria Sonic Supreme, you will be aware of my attitude towards the size of motorhomes… it does matter, but not in the way you might think!
Autocruise had already proved themselves to be brilliant at building medium and large coachbuilts, but Valentine and Vista added superb ‘shorties’ to their portfolio.
All Valentines and Vistas built during the featured timeframe were on the short-wheelbase version of the X/44 Peugeot Boxer chassis-cab – the first generation of SEVEL underpinnings to feature a fascia-mounted gear lever.
Valentine arrived in 1998 and Vista the following year. Both models have the habitation entrance door centrally placed in the rear panel.
Valentine’s design brief was to appeal to couples and solo motorcaravanners wanting a manoeuvrable, compact motorhome, but without paring back on comfort or having to put up with a reduced standard specification, features which could be appealing if you’re thinking of buying a used motorhome.
It did shimmy into the sub-17ft cohort – actually stretching the tape to 5.16m/16’ 11” – plus it had a better specification than many competitors’ flagship ‘rolling palaces’.
Cabinetwork oozed quality and the soft furnishing fabrics used for the buttoned upholstery and lined curtains were tightly woven, hardwearing and very appealing, something you could look out for when choosing the best secondhand motorhome.
Galley boasted a domestic-style slot-in cooker with a four-burner hob (later dual-fuel), a separate grill above a commodious oven, and a matching saucepan store at the bottom.
A three-way fridge, plus sink and drainer, completed the inventory.
At launch, Carver provided the blown-air space heating and hot water, although later this changed to Truma separate units, and finally to a Truma Combi boiler.
On entering Autocruise Valentine, a surprisingly spacious washroom is immediately on your right; the wardrobe is on the left. The forward lounge consists of the swivelled cab seats, plus a brace of two-seat inward-facing settees.
It is ahead of the (mostly) nearside kitchen. ‘Mostly’ because the fridge is on the offside. The lounge sofas convert into a 2.07 x 1.22m (6’ 9.5” x 4’ 0”) transverse double bed. It is possible (just) to sleep as longitudinal singles by using both (swivelled) cab seat squabs.
Valentine’s instant popularity satisfied one group of purchasers but created another: those who wanted an even shorter coachbuilt motorhome, more compact than most campervans.
Once again, Autocruise came up trumps, this time with the 4.78m/ 15’ 8” Vista, a length you’d expect to see in one of the best small campervans on the market. The newbie also placed the wardrobe and washroom just inside the entrance door, although the comfort station was smaller than that provided in the Valentine.
Moving forward, all the nearside is taken up with a linear kitchen, while the longitudinal L-shaped settee is located on the offside.
The latter pulls out into the central aisle to form a longitudinal 1.88 x 1.22m double bed. That’s 6’ 2” x 4’ 0” in imperial measures. It doesn’t block the aisle, so the fridge and cab can be easily accessed with the bed deployed.
Standard motive power at launch was provided by a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine driving the front wheels via a manual five-speed gearbox.
Post-2002 facelift models changed to a direct-inject 2.2-litre HDI unit. All were reliable and economical. Theoretically, larger nat-asp and turbodiesel alternative engines were available, and even a petrol one at launch. That said, long lead times meant that only a very few vehicles were so equipped.
What to look for in an Autocruise Valentine and an Autocruise Vista
Base vehicle
Look for a long MoT and a full service history. Ensure engine drive-belts (where applicable) have been changed recently. Check the motorhome tyres, which are likely to be well past their ‘use by’ date, rather than worn out.
Some gearboxes on early models are a bit percussive when reversing. Provided it doesn’t jump out of gear, it’s not a great cause for concern.
Conversion
Even the newest will be approaching 20 years young! Thus, check carefully for evidence of water ingress. All the usual places, but also under the seat lockers in the areas where the exterior sidewalls meet the skirts… I speak from experience!
No evidence of a recent habitation service? Then budget for having all of the LPG and electrical systems plus appliances serviced and checked. Inspect the fire extinguisher, blanket and smoke detector.
Our top picks
Assuming that both will fit on your driveway, Vista is a savvy choice for solo motorhomers because they don’t have to convert the seats to a bed. It also has the most generous kitchen worktop.
However, Valentine has a more socially inclusive lounge and a bigger washroom. ‘You pays yer money and you takes yer choice.’
What to pay
Occasionally available for under £10,000, but more frequently at between £15,000 and £25,000. As I type, there is a 2002 Valentine for sale on eBay, 53,000 miles, for £20,995 ONO. Cheapest was on Campers4Sale website, where there is a 1999/2000 ‘V’ reg for sale at £9000. It’s a bit ‘up on miles’, but nothing tragic.
Autocruise Valentine and Vista essentials
- Autocruise Valentine and Vista on SWB Peugeot Boxer chassis-cab
- Built in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, from 1998 to 2006
- Low-profile overcab coachbuilt
- Overall length: Valentine 5.16m/16’ 11, Vista 4.78m/15’ 8”
What we like
- Easy to park at home
- Highly manoeuvrable on the road
- Generous standard specification (for the time)
- GRP-clad coachbuilt body
What we dislike
- No automatic transmission option
Alternatives to consider
Autocruise Horizon is a slightly longer rear-door coachbuilt. Other rear-door ultra-compact coachbuilts on a variety of base vehicles by Nu-Venture.
Autocruise Starfire is in the running lengthwise, but it has the entrance door on the nearside, so it would not be as easy to transport, for example, bikes or a canoe inside.
After choosing your ‘van, one thing you will want to most likely do is kit it out with the right gadgets – knowing which motorhome upgrades are actually worth it can be a big help here.
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