The slide-out extension has become a popular feature with American
RV manufacturers in recent years but the idea is by no means new.
Sixty and even seventy years ago British caravan constructors
were making models with slide-outs to extend sleeping space or
create toilet or kitchen wings. One such development was the 'Extensicar',
patented in 1930 by John and Mary Purdey of Wolverhampton. A rack-and-pinion
mechanism operated by a handle at the rear of the caravan wound
out extensions on both sides of the body.
D H Morgan, who made 'Fairway' caravans at Deganwy in Caernarfonshire,
designed a slide-out toilet compartment and then, under a licence
to use the Extensicar patent, went for more ambitious extensions.
In 1937 he built an 1812 foot caravan for the actor Claude Dampier
which boasted four slide-outs, two each side to the front and
the rear of the wheel arches.
Dampier was a comedy actor, famous for his nasal drawl and portrayal
of country yokel types. Among the films in which he starred were
'Boys Will Be Boys' in 1935, 'Riding High' 1939, 'Don't Take It
To Heart' 1944 and 'Meet Mr Malcolm' in 1953. He died in 1955
at the age of 76.
Like present day stars, Claude Dampier no doubt found his caravan
to be indispensable on the film set but we guess he was also an
enthusiast for the caravanning life in general. Later, and to
enjoy greater mobility, he commissioned a motorhome from Carlight,
the company set up by Bob Earl at the beginning of the thirties
and still in business today. The Carlight name became synonymous
with quality and luxury and the sleek 1936 'Cosmopolitan' and
the 1937 'Colonial' - a sensation at the Motor Show that year
- boasted such features as hot-and-cold running water, mains electrics,
radio, a battery fed by a trickle charger and dual gas/electric
lighting.
Dampier's Carlight motorhome - one of just a few motorised outfits
built by the Sleaford company during its long history - was based
on a Bedford. Only the grille peeping from the A-Class style body
reveals the identity of its mechanical foundations and the chassis
we guess, would have been the M-type 2-3 tonner which was launched
in 1939. In any case the engine would have been Bedford's 3.5-litre
ohv six developing 72hp and driving through a 4-speed gearbox
to a spiral bevel rear axle. Brakes were Lockheed hydraulics with
servo.
Pictured in just postwar editions of 'The Caravan Manual' from
Link House, publishers of 'The Caravan' magazine, the Bedford
Carlight wears the headlight masks which were obligatory during
the wartime 'blackout'. We deduce, therefore, that it was probably
built on a new chassis before restrictions came into force barring
sales to all but essential civilian users. Certainly the registration
number, TL 8687, dates the vehicle to 1939-40 and the Kesteven
area of Lincolnshire where the transformation to a motorhome was
carried out. We have no information about the interior layout
but doubtless the specification would have reflected that which
Carlight put into its top tourer models. The body sports a 'west
wing' slide-out but was there an equivalent on the other side?
Perhaps one of our old readers remembers Claude Damper or even
saw his grand-for-its-times motorhome back in the forties or fifties.
If so, we'd be glad to hear from you.
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