***Vendor supplied images***

Highlights

Unique camper conversion in the style of a Romani wagon
MOT valid until 22nd May 2025
Fitted out with a combination of antique furniture and bespoke cabinetry
Incorporates an ingenious elevating roof mechanism
LPG-converted Rover V8 engine
One registered keeper since demobilisation
Used extensively to tour the UK and Continental Europe

The Appeal

We doubt you’ve seen anything quite like this before…

From the mid-nineteenth century, Romanichal travellers lived in ‘Vardos’ - intricately decorated horse-drawn wagons which showcased some of the maker’s most beautiful wooden carvings, paintwork and gilding. Look upon this then as the 21st-century version - a Vardo-style camper conversion based upon an ex-military V8 Land Rover. Truly a unique proposition, and a testament to the vendor’s skill.

The Land Rover in question is a 127 Rapier that was originally used as a missile carrier with the RAF. Demobilised in 2004, the vendor has owned the vehicle ever since and it underwent this transformation in 2011. Since then, the camper has attended festivals all over Europe racking up more than 260,000 kilometres! It passed its MOT on 23rd May 2024 and while it’s now due some maintenance, this vehicle is ready for a new custodian and hopefully, many more adventures await.

The History and Paperwork

Started life as a Rapier missile carrier with the Royal Air Force
Due to Nato standardisation requirements, these petrol-engined vehicles were retired from military service in the early 2000s and this one left in 2004
Acquired by the vendor in 2004 with c.11,000 kilometres on the odometer
Originally fitted with a canvas tilt and painted in Nato Camouflage it was immediately resprayed and fitted with a basic camper interior
In 2011, the vendor constructed the camper back which is fitted today
Used extensively across Europe - now indicating 275,314 kilometres
Re-registered ex-MOD in 2004 with Max Gross Weight of 3,400Kg - therefore only requires a conventional MOT test
MOT valid until 22nd May 2025 - test carried out by a Land Rover specialist
The vendor points out that certain insurance companies currently ask for certification by an “Autogas registered installer”, so the gas system may not meet all requirements although the LPG conversion was carried out in 2004 and certified by an independent installer
There is a genuine Land Rover workshop manual supplied along with the military handbook

The vendor comments:

“This is probably the most photographed Land Rover in the world! One of the setbacks when driving is the difficulty in overtaking on the motorway because the car in the lane beside you is busy videoing your progress. You are never short of conversation on a campsite or in a car park.”

Their partner adds:

“Not only a home but a practical backbone when moving houses: shifting furniture, our beloved Velocette, and a few hidden strays. With a sleek low roof, she glides down the motorways and in equal ease, seeks out the rough tracks and lost backwaters of Britain...to be lost, to be isolated, to be at peace...Bright Phoebe's been a joy.”

The Condition

Rear body tub built and fitted by Marshalls of Cambridge for the MOD
Double thickness reinforced military chassis
Front tow-ball and pin hitch - useful when moving caravans etc.
Rear lowball and NATO hitch with 11 pin Nato socket and 7 pin converter.
Oak trim including radiator grille and light surrounds which are much stronger and better looking than the plastic originals
Gypsy ‘Vardo’ style camper conversion which lifts to give full standing headroom when parked up
The rear body tub is wider and longer than a standard Land Rover
The vendor advises that the new owner will the camper needs extensive treatment for surface rust underneath and the corners of door frames are starting to corrode
It passed a recent MOT with no requirement for welding or any major work
The bodywork is commendably straight with only one noticeable dent on the front nearside wing.
Hand-painted using Craftmaster enamel which is recommended for painting traditional wagons and steam engine restoration
We’re informed that there is no filler used and no bodywork repair been carried out
The front winch bumper has been removed and a MOD bumper (with central pin hitch and an offset tow-ball) is fitted
The holes for the military flag holders are also present
The side access hatches in the rear body tub, built and fitted by Marshalls of Cambridge for the MOD, are still present and fitted with locks
The nearside hatch gives access to load space under the bed while the offside gives access to the gas cylinder/tool storage compartment which is vented to open air in case of a gas leak
There are 2 Calor propane bottles for the stove
Plywood covers have been fitted to the rear wheel arches to prevent road dirt from entering the camper
We’re informed that the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining
The chassis is sound but shows surface rust and peeling paint all over - this should be addressed soon with new paint or under-seal
The vendor states that the cab is as originally supplied to the MOD - with the addition of a cigarette lighter socket and an interior light
The fabric seats are from a Fiat and reportedly very comfortable
Between the two seats is a secure steel MOD toolbox which is fixed in place and lockable
There is a small (1cm) chip in the windscreen
The hand-turned wooden gear knob could be changed for the original which is with the vehicle
The living space is accessible via the cab if desired

The vendor provides the following account of the 2011 build process and specifications:

All of the roof formers are solid French oak and have been carved with poignant lines from a favourite song - “Thousands or more”. It features French oak longerons which have decorative floral designs carved on the outside. The skin is 4mm Finnish, phenolic resin bonded, plywood and the top portion has been skinned with fibreglass mat bonded with epoxy resin.

The entire roof is mounted on four gas struts which elevate it 600mm (2 feet) for standing headroom - 175cm (5’9”) in the doorway and 184cm (6’) inside, when parked up for camping. The roof is lowered and clamped in place for driving with four ratchet straps, the whole operation taking about five minutes. Three panels fold into place to make a useful storage area above the cab.

The interior is lined with insulating foam and draped with decorative linen. The storage units are a rebuilt vintage French oak “buffet” dresser with bevelled glass in the doors and lined with the original vintage cloth. There is a hinge-out cutlery drawer and ample storage space for all your kitchen utensils and food. The spacious double bed 198cm x 106cm (6’6” x 3’10”) has storage space under each side for all your bedding - clothes - picnic chairs etc. The mattress is 160cm (6inch) quality foam with a floral covering and is very comfortable.

Under the bed is storage space large enough for several suitcases and there is access from outside when the roof is elevated. With the centre section of the bed removed, there is enough room for a motorcycle inside and there are suitable tie-down points for it and any other heavy loads while the cupboard units and bed can all be removed quite quickly if you need to carry bulky goods.

There are two 25-litre stainless milk churns fitted into the near-side wheel arch with a hand pump tap for drinking water, over a small stainless steel sink. The cooker is “Camping Gaz” two-burner unit. Both cooker and sink disappear from view when the roof is down.

Either side at the back of the living space is a retro Louis Quinze armchair and there are a pair of ceramic storage containers for your keys and other ephemera. A pair of telescopic scissor action candle holders makes a nice touch but may be a fire risk if used! Lighting is by LED strips in a frosted, floral pattern, glass shade in each corner of the space.

The living space is accessed from the rear doors by a traditional “S” ladder in solid oak which loads into the floor space when travelling. The elevating roof can be lifted off with overhead lifting gear after removing the quick-release pins at the bottom of the gas struts.

The body of the original vehicle remains unchanged and could be returned to its original military state if desired..

The Mechanics

3,528 cc Rover V8
Five-speed manual gearbox
Selectable low-range
Four-wheel drive
Power steering
A reconditioned gearbox was fitted about five years ago along with a new clutch
The original gearbox is supplied with the vehicle as a spare - it requires a new input shaft bearing but otherwise reportedly functions perfectly
The transfer box and diffs are said to be in good order
The radiator was recently replaced with a modern aluminium one and the original (leaking) brass one is supplied with the vehicle
The suspension is reportedly in good order and functions as you would expect from a coil-sprung Land-rover of the period
There are also some spare air filters and a distributor.
The engine starts and runs well but will need a good tune-up if fuel economy is to be achieved - 12MPG on petrol 11MPG on LPG
The front petrol tank was replaced in 2015 but now needs surface rust attended to
The rear petrol tank is the original and although still connected, has not been used since 2004, so may need cleaning and checking for leaks before use
The battery has a locking isolator switch and easily accessed sockets for heavy-duty jump leads which are supplied with the vehicle

The engine starts well on petrol and will reportedly start every time on LPG (but needs cranking for a few seconds to allow the gas to get through - a feature the vendor likes as this as it gives the oil pump a chance to get some lubrication going before the engine fires. As this is a V8 model, the additional weight in the rear does not hamper performance and we’re told the Land Rover cruises happily at 70 mph all day on the motorway but will give better fuel consumption at 60 mph.

The vendor advises that it would benefit from a tune and service, but otherwise appears to run well - if a little rich. The vendor always start on LPG except in freezing conditions when it is advisable to warm the engine up on petrol to prevent freezing of the gas demand valve.