I’ve inducted quite a few eye-catching and innovative motorhomes into the Practical Motorhome Hall of Fame and the Johannesson Husbilen (1963 and 1965), a ‘van that was called ‘Sweden’s first motorhome’ certainly ticks that box.
Talented Swedish engineer Torsten Johannesson was an experienced trailer caravanner. On holiday one year, the outfit got stuck, precipitating a ‘light bulb moment’. His vision was to combine the two units and create a motorhome. Torsten was proprietor of the AB service garage in Ramsele, Angermanland, Sweden, and it was there in the early 1960s that he crafted an integral motorhome body and mounted it on a cut-down salvaged Saab 92.
The motorhome was finished and completely fitted out, but never used on the road. The reason for this anomaly was that it failed its compulsory roadworthiness examination – it was very overweight on the front axle, a lesson to remember if you’re considering a self-build ‘van!
In any case, progress would have been ponderous, with only a 28bhp two-stroke twin-cylinder engine to ‘power’ the heavy vehicle.
Not somebody who was easily defeated, Torsten had another go, this time building on the stronger Saab 95 base. It was a success, with the Expressen newspaper calling it ‘Sweden’s first motorhome’.
Initially, Saab was very interested in commencing production of the motorhome. However, talks stalled, possibly because it would have competed with Saab’s own Husvagn, an ultra-lightweight GRP trailer caravan. Husbilen 95 has been restored by Klassiker magazine.
Another ‘van that made it into the Hall of Fame was the Suntrekker Demountable – it was the first demountable to sell in any number.
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