Cup of tea? I pulled to the side of the road and walked in the back. A match to the stove and the pot was soon brewing. Biscuits? In the cupboard above the cooker. Milk? Try the fridge.
There's nothing like a Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi. It's a home-from-home that retains its cool, even after 60 years. This is life on the road, an old-school Kombi with a bay windscreen and what looks like a spare tyre on the front.
Who hasn't thought about escaping from it all in one of these? But then you remember the rust, the clattering air-cooled engines, 60mph top speed and 20mpg thirst.
The one I'm driving, though, is a brand new, Brazilian-built Kombi, in right-hand drive, with a modern, water-cooled, 80bhp engine capable of running on petrol or E85 ethanol. Even with the old four-speed gearbox it delivers 35-40mpg (on petrol) and a genuine 80mph.
Bristol-based Danbury is the sole agent for these vehicles, which it imports as plain white vans and in which it invests up to 300 hours of love to recreate pure nostalgia.
There are three basic trims - Diamond, Amigo and Rio - but you can specify just about anything: a king-size bed and five seats, a queen-sized bed and seven seats, a loo, extra beds, cookers, fridges, grilles, television sets, heaters, curtains and zany upholstery.
They're all available - Pete Townshend of The Who specified pink leather and cream silk. I'd order the fabulously retro roof rack (£599), but not the fake spare wheel cover (£399).
This is a well finished conversion and Danbury's 40 staff add genuine craft. The interior panels are marine plywood for light weight and longevity, and they fit firmly in place.
Lamps, fixtures and fittings are of good quality. You can specify a proper rack-and-pinion steering system for £1,199 or even power assistance (£3,500) and both are useful improvements.
Turn the key and the little engine's purr is a far cry from the noisy original. The paddle-like gear lever is vague with long throws, but once on the move it's reasonably easy to master. The engine is all torque rather than high-rev power, so it's best to change up early.
Outright performance is best measured on a calendar, but if you look ahead and use the driveline as it was designed, you can make good progress. You feel as though you need to turn into corners before you've got to them, although the views out are brilliant.
The T2 romps rather than rides, but it is comfortable, predictable at normal speeds and after half an hour behind the wheel you're an expert.
The brakes (front discs, rear drums) need a firm shove, but they work, although if fully laden with Fray Bentos pies you'll need to allow a little more time and distance.
None of these campers is cheap - there's too much manual work in their construction. Compared with VW's £40,000 California, though, the Danbury oozes credibility and economy.
It is also the real thing.
Price/On sale From £23,000 in LHD Amigo trim to £35,500 in RHD SE trim. On sale now, six-month waiting list. Contact www.danburymotor caravans.com or call 01454 310000
Tested 1,390cc four-cylinder engine. Four-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive.
Power/torque 80bhp/91lb ft
Top speed 81mph
Acceleration 0-62mph in 23sec
Fuel economy 35-40mpg (touring)
CO2 emissions 141g/km
VED band F (£125 a year)
.
Verdict Not a dynamic rival to a modern motor caravan, but full of charm and practical. Small wonder that they are so popular
Andrew English: The Telegraph:29-5-10
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