12th Apr, 2006 0:00
The Pavilion Gardens
1971 Torcars A60 Sun-Tor Camper Van
Estimated at £4,000 - £5,000
Lot details
Registration No: VOD854K
Chassis No: MHV.4/257413
Mot Expiry: April 2006
"The Sun-Tor Estate Caravan combines the advantages of a family saloon with those of a family caravan without sacrificing one to the other. It's a comfortable, entirely conventional car for 4 or 5 with a lot of luggage room. It's an estate car with the usual long loading platform. It's a motor caravan with beds for up to four people" (Torcars publicity material)
Unveiled at the '1969 Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition' held in December 1968, the Torcars A60 Sun-Tor Estate Caravan was based on BMC's well proven half-ton commercial chassis. As such, it featured independent coil-sprung front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a 1622cc B-series four-cylinder engine mated to four-speed manual transmission, the multi-purpose vehicle was reputedly capable of 80mph. Well executed, the model's elevating roof stowed neatly away when not in use. Winner (10cwt & under class) at the Motor Caraveners' Club Concours D'Elegance in August 1971, the Sun-Tor boasted forward facing seats that converted readily into a double bed.
Finished in white with orange upholstery, this particular Morris based example is described by the vendor as being in good condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. First registered to retired Immigration Officer Arthur Leigh, VOD854K was inherited by his son in autumn 2000. Reputedly driven all over Europe during the 1970s, a letter on file from the younger Mr Leigh recalls how his father took the Sun-Tor "down to the Pyrenees and up to the Arctic Circle, where he managed to become snowed inside for several days before the Norwegians retrieved him". Restricting its activities to the UK during the following decade, the Southampton-based Estate Caravan journeyed to John o' Groats every summer and around Devon / Cornwall each autumn. Sold off by the Leigh family a few years ago, it has since been returned to the road. Believed to have covered 96,745 miles from new, this wonderfully nostalgic Torcars conversion is offered for sale with "original bill and price list, first owner's handwritten 'service history', MOTs 1974 - 1997 and 2004 / 2006 and operating instructions booklet".
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until April 2006.
Registration No: VOD854K
Chassis No: MHV.4/257413
Mot Expiry: April 2006
"The Sun-Tor Estate Caravan combines the advantages of a family saloon with those of a family caravan without sacrificing one to the other. It's a comfortable, entirely conventional car for 4 or 5 with a lot of luggage room. It's an estate car with the usual long loading platform. It's a motor caravan with beds for up to four people" (Torcars publicity material)
Unveiled at the '1969 Camping and Outdoor Life Exhibition' held in December 1968, the Torcars A60 Sun-Tor Estate Caravan was based on BMC's well proven half-ton commercial chassis. As such, it featured independent coil-sprung front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a 1622cc B-series four-cylinder engine mated to four-speed manual transmission, the multi-purpose vehicle was reputedly capable of 80mph. Well executed, the model's elevating roof stowed neatly away when not in use. Winner (10cwt & under class) at the Motor Caraveners' Club Concours D'Elegance in August 1971, the Sun-Tor boasted forward facing seats that converted readily into a double bed.
Finished in white with orange upholstery, this particular Morris based example is described by the vendor as being in good condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. First registered to retired Immigration Officer Arthur Leigh, VOD854K was inherited by his son in autumn 2000. Reputedly driven all over Europe during the 1970s, a letter on file from the younger Mr Leigh recalls how his father took the Sun-Tor "down to the Pyrenees and up to the Arctic Circle, where he managed to become snowed inside for several days before the Norwegians retrieved him". Restricting its activities to the UK during the following decade, the Southampton-based Estate Caravan journeyed to John o' Groats every summer and around Devon / Cornwall each autumn. Sold off by the Leigh family a few years ago, it has since been returned to the road. Believed to have covered 96,745 miles from new, this wonderfully nostalgic Torcars conversion is offered for sale with "original bill and price list, first owner's handwritten 'service history', MOTs 1974 - 1997 and 2004 / 2006 and operating instructions booklet".
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until April 2006.
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 12th Apr, 2006
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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