1972 Bedford Dormobile Roma II Motor Caravan *Sold £4,500*

Description

• Very rare! Only 18 left on UK roads  
• Original fixtures and fittings  
• MOT’d until August 2024 
• Extensive history file
• Part of a private collection

Nostalgia, there’s nothing quite like it, and here we have the perfect vehicle to transport you back to the camping days of your youth – a Bedford Dormobile. Crack open the Spam sandwiches! 

Our vendor saw this rather rare and cleverly designed Bedford Dormobile Roma II advertised for sale in the Dormobile Owners Club ‘Dormobile Digest’ in early 2004. Advertised as a runner with 52,000 miles, all original and complete with fixtures and fittings, he purchased it in the hope of immediate family camping adventures. However, that was not to be the case as the camper had some serious rot in the rear wheel arches, the sills and floor. 

A few years passed in dry storage before restoration commenced in 2009.  

All rotten metal was cut out and new inner and outer sill sections, rear wheel arches and significant areas of floor were welded into place. This is now one of the strengths of the Bedford Dormobile camper as the underside of the vehicle is in very good order, sealed with rust protector.  

At the same time as the welding, the engine was removed and rebuilt, including: 

• Rebore 
• Crank regrind 
• New oil pump 
• Bearings 
• Timing chain 
• New pistons and big end shells 
• New three-piece clutch 
• New clutch cable 
• New spark plugs 
• Brakes were overhauled including new brake pipes 
• Repairs to the fuel tank were also undertaken 

Obviously, the all-new metal was protected where inner facing and underneath the Dormobile whilst exterior faces were painted in the vehicle’s sky blue. The paint match could have been better, please study the photographs. Since the restoration was completed, the camper has not been used and in the last few months it has been recommissioned and returned to the road (MOT’d in August 2023).  

Recommissioning work has included: 

• Carb kit & clean/tune 
• New fuel pipes 
• Service of the brakes 
• Repair of the screen washers 
• All fluid level top-ups 
• New fuel filter 
• New brake hoses 
• New fan belt 
• New fuel pump  
• 5 new tyres 

This Bedford Dormobile is ready once again for camping escapades. It starts on the button and easily changes gear. The 1256cc engine sings; after all it does not have that much weight to propel. Once at its camping destination, the real merit of this Bedford comes into play as it is wonderfully original; it has not been messed around with. All of the fixtures and fittings that Dormobile installed in 1972 are still present – cooking stove, wash basin, wardrobe, cupboards, mirror in the roof, skylight, roof window, curtains, dining tables, even the original vinyl bin and more! 

Amazingly three people can sleep within this camper as the rear seat folds down into a double bed, extra length being secured by the tail gate that opens with its own canvas cover to keep the occupants’ legs and feet dry, and there is a bunk bed within the pop-up roof. The rear seat fabric is slightly sun-faded but the canvas roof and tailgate cover are in good condition with no tears. 

All the camping features are easy to operate including the pop-up roof, with the upright supports readily clicking and securing in place. The double bed and bunk bed are assembled and stowed without hassle. There is nothing complicated about getting the van ready to camp or getting it ready to depart – it takes a few minutes only. In addition, with the elevated roof, there is a surprising amount of room in the camper van as standing headroom is 6ft 4in! 

All chrome (bumpers and hub caps) is in fine order. Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very clean. There is some micro blistering to the fibreglass pop-up top, but it is more than sound and watertight. 

Unfortunately, the paint above the dark blue cheat line on each side of the vehicle is somewhat thin and there are light and small pockets of surface rust. Our vendor also informs us that a new, correct style battery will be fitted for the new owner. 

During the restoration the gearbox was not touched, and this has become a little noisy now in 3rd and 4th gears. 

A history file exists for the Bedford Dormobile – with old V5s, tax discs and MOT certificates. The current V5 is in the process of being changed to Historic Vehicle status. Invoices for the restoration work and photos of the work done are present. There are also old maintenance bills dating back to the mid-1980s. One of the best items in the file is the original bill of sale for the camper, sold by Station Garage in Caterham on 27th April 1972. And, also, the Dormobile Digest advertisement that started it all for our vendor is there. Finally, Dormobile leaflets for the Roma are included. 

Three sets of keys will come with the Dormobile Roma. 

Our View 

According to The Telegraph, the Bedford Dormobile HA Roma is one of the UK’s rarest vehicles, with only 18 left on British roads. Back in the 1970s it was a rather special vehicle; to find one today in such original and complete condition makes it even more special. Go on, pack the cool box and head out on an adventure, in true 70’s style.