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Feb
06
Lamborghini LM002 4×4 Camper
After hooking up an Airstream caravan to a lowered Suzuki Jimny just for fun, I thought it’s time to post a project I’ve been working on for a long time: the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 camper conversion. Form follows function and therefore the design of the vehicle is rather architectural. The lines of the base vehicle are a good place to start, because there are virtually no curves. Getting the proportions right is always important, but functionality is the highest priority with such a project. My friend Martino Sifredi suggested to mimic the vent design in the windows, as seen in his sketch below, but in the end I decided against it and went with rectangular ones for practical reasons. The interior could be furnished to match the customers taste, either in a very minimalistic design to reflect the military origins of the LM002 or in splendid luxury like a Riva yacht. The 4×4 vehicles ability could take you where most campervans can’t go, although an engine swap might be a wise choice to improve the range, due to the thirst of the original V12 engine.
This is what it could look like at night:
Click here to see the original picture.
Feb
01
Yeah… this is a rather unlikely combination, but I just did it for fun. Who in real life would lower a very capable 4×4 like the new Suzuki Jimny JB74 to the ground, stick NASCAR wheels on the hubs and hook a rather heavy camping trailer to the tow bar? Nobody. But hey… it was a lunchbreak photoshop challenge #justforfun.
Sep
22
Some of you might remember the Bischoffberger camper conversion or the SAAB Toppola campers from the 1980’s . Brilliant ideas, but all of them somehow lacking style, because they are cursed with odd proportions. I thought it must be possible to create such an integrated camper based on a passenger car chassis, but with more pleasing and elegant proportions. Many tries and many fails later I came up with this rather luxurious camper conversion. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz W116, has a pop-up roof and may be built in various configurations. The standard version features a semi-integrated camper body which ties nicely into the overall design with matching chrome trim. Access to storage compartments left and right is possible via the converted rear doors, which now open like suicide doors and feature central locking.
The roof raises by the push of a button and once fully extended provides ample headroom in the living quarters. A second set of windows appears and floods the interior with daylight. All windows are equipped with chrome plated sliding blinds. Not visible in the pictures are the glass windows in the roof. They open by operating regular Mercedes-Benz sunroof switches.
For customers who wish to drive on roads less traveled or off-road, the vehicle could be converted to four wheel drive. In this case, a Mercedes-Benz G Geländewagen donates the frame, running gear and axles. Full 4×4 capability with three differential locks and a snorkel for fording rivers should take you to the most remote campsites. Or all around the world, should you fancy an extended getaway.
People with children, or a general need for more space to carry their gear, might want to consider a long wheelbase (LWB) version or an extended version with three axles.
Dec
20
Finding a photograph of a late 90’s Cadillac Fleewood Brougham towing an Airstream travel trailer got me thinking. What if the people owning a rig like this had a need for more trunk space, but still wanted to tow the trailer with a B-body based car? They would have had the choice of downgrading to a Buick Roadmaster oder Chevrolet Caprice – or converting their Cadillac into a wagon. This shouldn’t be too hard to do, right? However, instead of just using the rear glass from either one of the standard GM wagons, I went for a panel van look. As the Fleetwood Brougham already has a vinyl roof, it is a no-brainer to use this material for the wagon conversion. Not having windows also allows to add useful storage cabinets on both sides of the trunk. And because I have a reputation of never leaving the suspension height and stance as it came from the factory, the Cadillac was lowered and fitted with larger diameter wheels, shod with lower profile tires. To round it off and achieve a consistent design, the Airstream was also lowered and given a similar wheel treatment.
Dec
04
This was another one of those 15 minute challenges: create a camper van or RV that would be fun to drift, if equipped with an engine that makes suitable torque and horsepower. I started looking for a base picture to begin the photoshop chop. The Roadtrek 210 Popular, based on the rear wheel drive V8 Chevrolet Express Van, has a very nice and sporty looking body kit that accomodates a set of overfenders nicely. With a set of Watanabe-style wheels that are converted to an 8-lug pattern and a healthy drop in ride height this beast might take you to the race track, provide all kinds of drifting fun during the day and living quarters for the night. You would have to secure all your cutlery and other items very securely for the drift sessions, though. 😉
PS: It could also be a nice and capable tow-rig for a drift car.