RVs on the way out

The hoards of European RVs are heading back home after their North American odysseys. A few linger for a day or two before shipping out, but most go directly into the terminals and I don't see them.


One particularly aged Volvo from France did hang about for a time earlier this month:
 

The FL6, Volvo's smallest truck, was produced between 1985 and 1997 in Europe, and a similar version called the FE6 was sold in North America for time, using the same cab, but with different engine specs.
FL stands for Forward cab Low level cab.

This one also has a very low level box body, with unusual skirting all round. The hydraulic ramp is likely intended to carry bicycles, and in fact the unit may only be a mobile bike repair shop and not an RV at all.

With the offshore RVs going there are still tons of domestic RVs on the road, but mostly the usual suspects, built on North American chassis. A few oddities do pop up however:

 The Toyota Townace van was available with a fibreglass RV body and pop top, built by A'm craft Co Ltd. Marketed as "European" and in RHD version only, the 4WD rig is still popular if the sales ads are any indication. There is also a busy market for imports from Japan.

This one, bearing British Columbia plates, is in "original" condition - at least on the  outside.

Another Japanese van (in original condition), with a high top on a standard van body, is this Mitsubishi Delica, with Utah plates.

Also a 4WD its is called a "Chamonix" model, built especially for skiers.

Just in case they decided to convert to water skiing, there is a breather extension mounted above the water line.

That may be a solar panel on the top - a recent add on.

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More to Come

The wave of European RVs is peaking, and this week the vehicles ranged from small to sort of large.

A 4WD Mitsubishi L300 Delica type, kitted out for some hard work.

Not sure if that's a pop top of some sort, but it appears to be fibreglass. This is a third generation type produced until about 1994 for export, and until 1998 for the domestic Japanese market, and is RHD.

 And an over-tired Merc Unimog.

Let's hope the extremely short wheelbase is compensated for by soft tires. (The 'Mogs have Tirecontrol, which can adjust tire pressure to terrain.) This one has the high roof cab option. It has all the expedition bells and whistles, including the combination brush guard / roof rack, complete with high level lights. I don't know where he is going, but he has a blue headed pick clamped to the body just behind the door, and some traction ramps, just in case.
The no frills RV body is probably a Unicat lift type that raises about a meter and crawl through.

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Recent RVs

As the fall tourist season peaks, the RVs continue to hover in our region before heading back to the US or Europe. Some recent finds.

This neat looking Citroen was modified by Globecar and is their Campscout model. It carries German plates.

Although wearing British Columbia plates this Mitsubishi  was built for domestic Japanese use, with right hand drive.

A Delica model, it has passed through several hands for modifications.

Featuring somewhat less gracious lines, this former delivery stepvan has been transformed with a snappy paint job and interior fittings. 

There is no outward indication of its original maker, but I have feeling there are Navistar International genes in there somewhere.

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Mitsubishi - street legal and a tribute

The proliferation of miniature trucks has become a bit of a tidal wave recently. Since I have covered them before, I will combine this with another tribute to one of my favourite sites Old Parked Cars. 

 I have defaced a couple of coffe breaking bystanders.

Yhe maker's badge appears dead centre on the hood, but nowhere else.

It may be a street legal ATV, but is has a regular license plate.

Did you notice the uncovered  Canada Proof battery ?

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