My Cool Campervan by Jane Field-Lewis & Chris Haddon 1st (first) Edition

by Jane Field-Lewis

A companion volume to My Cool Caravan, celebrating the new wave of interest in campervans and motorhomes and the diverse ways that owners are styling them Exploring the inspiring ways that owners refurbish and customize their campervans and motorhomes, this is a visual voyage into an unexpectedly stylish world. More than 30 campervans are beautifully photographed and presented along with the owners' stories and style notes for each van, providing an idiosyncratic sourcebook for the design conscious. This cool collection will appeal to people interested in quirky, individual interior design, retro style enthusiasts, and all who dream of getting away to relax in an environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and stylish way. Like Caravan before it, Campervan places the owners' passion for and attendance to their vans at the heart of the book, examining along the way just what it is that makes life on the road a thing to be treasured.

Genres: Travel

Unknown Binding

First published May 5, 2011

Reviews

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features lots of vans – retro, classic or weird. The author is a stylist and it shows in these incredible posed and uber-artsy color photos of over thirty different vehicles outfitted for travel, overnight camping, vacations, sometimes even for work. The details in the photos are fun, interesting and sometimes quirky. Lots of groovy tableware and other funky accessories are included.

[Ambur Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book, and awesome motivation when looking to purchase such a vehicle. Although there are many great vehicles my favorites were Debbie, Tonke, Clary, Cuthbert, & Morris Oxford....probably none of which I could find in the US, affordable. There are many great ideas that could be added to what can be found locally though. Or I could move to England and live in one of the above.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book about campervans, it certainly doesn't show many photos of the interior of the vans themselves. The photographer is very artsy and takes beautiful photos, but I've seen pots and sinks with my own eyes before. I haven't seen many interiors of these beautiful vans. Sadly I can't say that much has changed in that regard after having had read the book.

[Carol Farrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I could camp this way as I’m not a tent camper. This book accomplished its purpose of making me nostalgic for the times when these vehicles were seen on a regular basis. For some of the featured vehicles I wish there would have been more pictures to show front to back and side to side. Overall an enjoyable book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book, full of evocative and detailed photos of all types of camper vans and motorhomes, door-mobiles and car conversions. These are all cars that are looked after and loved by enthusiastic owners, with I suspect deep pockets.

There are some great vehicles in here; the obvious VW versions, splitty's, T2 bays, and the T25, as well as Bedford's, Transits and some really strange car conversions including a 2CV!

I though it could have done with a little more text, as it has a profile of the owner, and a profile of the vehicles, but no technical details. Four stars for the photo's and three for the text.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs of restored campervans and descriptions of their features. Each campervan also had a quote from the owner about how he (usually he) acquired the van. Many of them mention how their wives are "not keen on camping" and "nag" them to get rid of other vehicles (blech). But, the British phrases are charming and the photos are great. I really want to read "My Cool Caravan" (all about vintage trailers restored & reimagined) but our library doesn't have it.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this much more than the cool houseboats book y the same team. Maybe because I had become used to to the style of writing and photography or maybe because the style is better suited to campervans than houseboats! I still found some of the narrative a tad irritating and the close up shots of minor details infuriating- but overall it did hold my interest and I felt I did have a reasonably good view of the amazing vehicles included in the book.

[H is for Home · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read our review of My Cool Campervan: An Inspirational Guide to Retro-Style Campervans here

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty picture book for grown ups.