Canterbury Conversions enjoyed a long history of innovation. In contrast to the received wisdom that Martin Walter (Dormobile) built the first British motorcaravan, the author opines that it was actually an Austrian refugee named Peter Pitt who made the first fully fitted-out production motorcaravans, which he sold under the Moto Caravan brand.
Later, it joined forces with Canterbury Sidecars to form Canterbury Pitt, more recently known as Canterbury Conversions. With that pedigree, it was inevitable that something revolutionary would be conceived.
The Sunhome was it… a response to owners of Canterbury’s Ford Transit based pop-top Freeway conversions expressing a wish for more room, as in a coachbuilt, without sacrificing the manoeuvrability of a PVC.
The Sunhome’s USP is a moulded GRP roof pod that is wider than the base vehicle and includes a full Luton overcab. It really opened up the interior. Sunhome sleeps four, with a rear lounge-diner and a central nearside kitchen, plus a shower room and toilet across the aisle. Of course, you may decide you’d like a more modern ‘van with a rear lounge, in which case our guide to the best rear lounge motorhomes is well worth a look.
Standard specification was high and even included tinted acrylic windows. The default choice of underpinnings was the Ford Transit, although a handful were produced on Bedford’s CF.
Take a look at another recent induction into the Practical Motorhome Hall of Fame, the Swift Rio 320 & 340, notable for being the only coachbuilt motorhomes with an opening ‘wall’.
I also inducted the PRV Wildmoor into the Hall of Fame recently, it’s a demountable motorhome which had superb build quality.
Key information about the Canterbury Sunhome
- Canterbury Sunhome on Ford Transit 100 SWB panel van.
- 2.0-litre overhead camshaft petrol engine, manual four-speed gearbox.
- Automatic transmission and diesel power were cost options.
- Length: 4.55m (14’ 11.25”), height: 2.69m (8’ 10”)
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
