We often talk about time capsule cars stepping out of barns, enjoying the highly original nature of these machines. However, thanks to its classic shape, this 1970 Thomson Glenelg caravan, which was recently rescued after many years of neglect, brings a more literal take on the matter.
When Cameron, the caravanner who gave the machine a new lease on life, first came across the unit, this looked just like one would expect for a unit that’s been left at the mercy of the elements.
The caravan seems to have spent quite some time in somebody’s yard, where it sat under a tree. And, given the said treatment, plants started growing all around it. This obviously took its toll on the exterior, with the paint of the fiberglass structure having seen better days.
Nevertheless, when Cameron opened the not-that-large door of the Glenelg, he discovered a flawless interior with zero dampness. It seems that there were no leaks to start with. And, with the door and the windows being properly closed when the camper was taken to that garden, no water got inside—not the case with this 1981 Kenworth W900 that finally stepped out of the vines.
For one, this was certainly no merit of the weather. You see, Cameron comes from the UK (you’ll find him as notanotherwhitebox on social media), so this rather compact caravan has certainly seen quite a few caprices of the sky over the years—he brought the stunt to our attention last month.
What is a Thomson camper?
Thomson Caravans’s story takes us back to 1908, when founder Daniel Thompson, a carpenter, fixed and built campers for showmen in the Scottish village of Carron.
Notable moments in the company’s history involve Daniel Thompson, the founder’s son, analyzing models of the company’s caravans at the Glasgow Royal Technical College’s wind tunnel, which was apparently a first for the industry.
Following a WWII-caused hiatus, the company restarted caravan production. And, aided by new models introduced starting in the early 1950s and the travel boom of the 1960s, the brand earned a solid reputation, not least thanks to its value-for-money offerings. Alas, with sales dwindling in the late 1970s, Thomson stopped production of its caravans in 1982.
With campers appearing to be as popular as ever in recent years, Thomson caravans are enjoying a comeback, especially in the UK. And with their stylish retro shape, you can see why people adore these things.
This caravan is getting the TLC it deserves
In fact, the comments section of the Instagram posts below sees folks reminiscing about the good times they hand in Glenelgs, while making it clear that those bunk beds are only suitable for teenagers or small-sized adults.
As for the future, Cameron is well aware of what this 1970 Thomson Glenelg needs and he’s promised a restoration that will keep the thing as original as possible.
