G&P Unveils Toyota Proace Campervan Conversion At NEC
Conversion specialist G&P debuted its latest campervan conversion at the recent NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show. The firm, which specialises in campervan conversions of Japanese import vans and smaller European vans, has completed its first conversion of a long wheelbase Toyota Proace (the successor to the Hiace).
In truth, the Proace is based on the existing Fiat Scudo/Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch, so it’s not a ‘new van’ as such, but it is a new conversion, and one that could well appeal to the ‘camper’ end of the motorhome market as the Proace is economical and easy to drive, with similar running costs to a family-sized diesel car.
The conversion doesn’t do anything unusual, but can sleep four thanks to an elevating roof bed and looks well planned and excuted, judging from these pictures:
Mr Gez Clifford, Proprietor of G&P said:
“We have plenty of experience working in the past with the Toyota Powervan, which was very popular up to the time production ended two years ago. We are confident Proace can prove just as successful, Toyota is highly regarded and we’ve received endless comments about the reliability of their vehicles and solid look of the new Proace.”
The show model was kitted out with an elevating roof section with roof bed, blackout curtaining, a non-slip floor, swivelling seats (engineered to rib and crash test specifications), an electric access step, kitchen hob and sink, microwave, wardrobe space, fridge-freezer, power sockets, TV, utility shower, “rock-and-roll” bed, portable toilet system and a dining table stowed on the tailgate for use in or outside the vehicle.
G&P can supply the Proace conversion as displayed, or can tailor the design and features to suit each customer’s requirements, including the fitting of an optional high-top roof section. Each conversion takes between five and six weeks to complete.
According to the firm’s website, G&P also sell DIY campervan conversion kits for customers to fit to their own vans, creating an interesting ‘halfway house’ type of conversion that might appeal to would-be DIY converters who want a professional standard of fit and finish to their side conversion units.
For more information, visit www.campervan.uk.com.
I’ve not heard of the Proace before but the conversion looks smart enough – if a little immature in some respects – so maybe we’ll see a few more on the road in the years to come.
A useful enhancement for most families would surely be a centre row of seats, removable when not needed, so that the ‘van can become a six seater for taking friends and/or extended family out when it’s not being used for camping. As I said, the conversion could do with maturing a little.
The fact that the van is similar to the Fiat Scudo/Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch means that many accessories such as awnings could be readily available, although you’d be wise to check before buying as off-hand I don’t know how deep the similarities go.
Hi Andrew, the Proace is basically a rebadged Scudo/Expert/Dispatch, so accessories for these European models should fit, although as you say, it’s always worth checking before you buy.
Cheers, Roland
Hi Roland, If it is indeed rebadged (as opposed to merely sharing the same floorpan) then all the necessary brackets etc. to fit mainstream awnings should be readily available, and we’ve already sold quite a few to tradesman with the Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen commercial variants. If there is sufficient customer interest for this new Proace I’ll create a category for it under our vehicle-specific section ( http://campingequipmentshop.co.uk/index.php/campervan-motorhome-vehicle-specific/c_182.html ) to help people find things.
On a different note, I don’t know why I’ve never seen your blog before, but there’s some great content here and we’re now following you on Twitter too.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your kind words about the blog. The Proace does appear to be a straight rebadge — according to the VansA2Z.com first drive review (here):
Not a bad base vehicle by the look of it, although from a purely personal POV I’d be more than irritated by the lack of a well-positioned cup holder. I’m astonished that any manufacturer can overlook something so fundamental these days, regardless of whether the target driver is a camper, or a tradesman for whom the van is very-much a place of work…
Can you export this campervan to Australia…at what cost
Hi David,
We’re not connected with the company that makes these vans. You can get in touch with them here: https://www.campervan.uk.com/
Regards,
Roland