Rich Oakley
Well-known member
I've always liked Dormobiles. I've also owned nice original early Westys, Danburys and Devons, but I reckon the Dormobile D4/6 is the most practical and best looking conversion of them all.
I picked this 1971 model up last week. To date, it has covered 63,400 miles and came with EVERY piece of paperwork from new including the original Green cardboard log book, bill of sale, Dormobile brochures, D4/6 Instruction manual etc etc etc etc. I feel a story coming on....
In late 1970, Mr. Harry Brain Heyworth walked into his local VW Dealership, Hulton Motors in St.Helens Road Botlon and ordered a brand new Dormobile D4/6 conversion in Pastel White with elevating roof. He also ordered an optional locking petrol cap and for the van to be undersealed before delivery. The van was delivered to the dealership on January 20th 1971 and collected by Mr.Heyworth on January 23rd. The total price paid for the Dormobile was £1451.89 and his old 1967 Hillman Minx Estate was taken in part exchange. (I just realised that the bill of sale for the van is in decimal currency, despite the fact that decimilisation did not take place until February 15th 1971!).
Mr Heyworth, an engineer by trade, kept meticulous records relating to the Dormobile and wrote many letters to Volkswagen in the early years of his ownership, with all sorts of questions. He insisted on obtaining engineering drawings of items such as the Jupiter water pump, the Solex carburettor and the Wipac 12v flourescent lamp!! I have copies of all these corespondences and VWs responses!!
The Dormobile was in use until 1974 when Mr.Heyworth decided to remove the engine to thoroughly Waxoyl the engine bay. At this time, the van had covered just over 40,000 mies. Unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack at this time and didn't touch the Dormobile ever again. I don't know how long Mr.Heyworth was around for after this time, but I do know that the van lay dormant with the engine removed until 1997!!
Mr.Heyworth's elderly widow wanted the van out of the way so she contacted the local VW dealership. They came around, collected it.
The garage apparently re-fitted the engine and put the van on their forecourt for sale. Well known VW buff, Ron Brown from Gateshead found out about the camper and purchased it. After a good clean-up, it was sold to another well know Northerner, Brian Burrows. He kept the van for a few months before selling on to a chap called Keith Herbert from Croydon.
Keith and his wife Maureen used the van for several trips to the Alps and really took care of the van. The cushions were re-upholstered and the curtains replaced (the originals were kept). In their ownership, a Mains Zig unit was also fitted along with an alternator and electronic ignition for reliability. In April 2008, they finally decided to sell the Dormobile with 63,400 miles on the clock.
A few of the panels have been resprayed where they had been scratched or scraped, but the van is one of the best original British Bays I have ever seen. The interior needs to be seen to be believed!!
I picked this 1971 model up last week. To date, it has covered 63,400 miles and came with EVERY piece of paperwork from new including the original Green cardboard log book, bill of sale, Dormobile brochures, D4/6 Instruction manual etc etc etc etc. I feel a story coming on....
In late 1970, Mr. Harry Brain Heyworth walked into his local VW Dealership, Hulton Motors in St.Helens Road Botlon and ordered a brand new Dormobile D4/6 conversion in Pastel White with elevating roof. He also ordered an optional locking petrol cap and for the van to be undersealed before delivery. The van was delivered to the dealership on January 20th 1971 and collected by Mr.Heyworth on January 23rd. The total price paid for the Dormobile was £1451.89 and his old 1967 Hillman Minx Estate was taken in part exchange. (I just realised that the bill of sale for the van is in decimal currency, despite the fact that decimilisation did not take place until February 15th 1971!).
Mr Heyworth, an engineer by trade, kept meticulous records relating to the Dormobile and wrote many letters to Volkswagen in the early years of his ownership, with all sorts of questions. He insisted on obtaining engineering drawings of items such as the Jupiter water pump, the Solex carburettor and the Wipac 12v flourescent lamp!! I have copies of all these corespondences and VWs responses!!
The Dormobile was in use until 1974 when Mr.Heyworth decided to remove the engine to thoroughly Waxoyl the engine bay. At this time, the van had covered just over 40,000 mies. Unfortunately, he suffered a heart attack at this time and didn't touch the Dormobile ever again. I don't know how long Mr.Heyworth was around for after this time, but I do know that the van lay dormant with the engine removed until 1997!!
Mr.Heyworth's elderly widow wanted the van out of the way so she contacted the local VW dealership. They came around, collected it.
The garage apparently re-fitted the engine and put the van on their forecourt for sale. Well known VW buff, Ron Brown from Gateshead found out about the camper and purchased it. After a good clean-up, it was sold to another well know Northerner, Brian Burrows. He kept the van for a few months before selling on to a chap called Keith Herbert from Croydon.
Keith and his wife Maureen used the van for several trips to the Alps and really took care of the van. The cushions were re-upholstered and the curtains replaced (the originals were kept). In their ownership, a Mains Zig unit was also fitted along with an alternator and electronic ignition for reliability. In April 2008, they finally decided to sell the Dormobile with 63,400 miles on the clock.
A few of the panels have been resprayed where they had been scratched or scraped, but the van is one of the best original British Bays I have ever seen. The interior needs to be seen to be believed!!
