Leyland Sherpa
Discussion
Haven’t used my old caravan for a couple of years now (covid) and begining to think about the aggravation side of hitching up again. My house being situated on a steepish slope doesn’t help and not enough room for casual three point turns.
Thinking about trying out another camper van, used to own. Bedford CA dorma but the sleeping arrangement was abysmal. This time I am looking at a mid 1970s sherpa with the proper ‘auto sleeper’ conversion.
When I was much younger I seem to recall the sherpa was the runt of the pack regards quality, also they used to rot out before ones very eyes?
And yet the van I am considering is in super condition with a virtually advisory free and great MOT pass record. Mechanicals are said to be robust as engine and gearbox was used in a variety of Leyland products.
Am I completely bonkers?
Thinking about trying out another camper van, used to own. Bedford CA dorma but the sleeping arrangement was abysmal. This time I am looking at a mid 1970s sherpa with the proper ‘auto sleeper’ conversion.
When I was much younger I seem to recall the sherpa was the runt of the pack regards quality, also they used to rot out before ones very eyes?
And yet the van I am considering is in super condition with a virtually advisory free and great MOT pass record. Mechanicals are said to be robust as engine and gearbox was used in a variety of Leyland products.
Am I completely bonkers?
My folks had a sherpa conversion when I were a lad. It took us around Iceland in the early 80s along with a metro which we inadvertently filled with a parafin mix, Oddly it didn't really run that well for a tank or so. Sorry grandad!
Anyway the sherpa was ok, galley kitchen at the back, 2 bench seats and a elevating roof that could sleep 4 at a push.
It did however rot badly along the sills as I recall and it was sold when this really wasn't fixable without major work.
I wonder if JLE 579N is still out there.
Anyway the sherpa was ok, galley kitchen at the back, 2 bench seats and a elevating roof that could sleep 4 at a push.
It did however rot badly along the sills as I recall and it was sold when this really wasn't fixable without major work.
I wonder if JLE 579N is still out there.
Not the classicy answer but have you looked at getting one of the caravan motor movers fitted to your caravan? My mother who often takes her 'van out on her own and is somewhat past yanking on handles/the tow hitch to move it around has had one for years and is very happy with her's.
Hitching up at home is just a matter of driving the car out and parking it in the road, then flipping the motors down onto each 'van wheel and using the remote control to drive the 'van out to meet it, spinning it inside its own length if necessary. That gets it in position and it's just a matter of screwing the jockey wheel down till it clips on the hitch - and remembering to flip the motors back up off the 'van wheels before trying to drive off!
Hitching up at home is just a matter of driving the car out and parking it in the road, then flipping the motors down onto each 'van wheel and using the remote control to drive the 'van out to meet it, spinning it inside its own length if necessary. That gets it in position and it's just a matter of screwing the jockey wheel down till it clips on the hitch - and remembering to flip the motors back up off the 'van wheels before trying to drive off!
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 30th June 09:37
Thank you for all replies.
I’m used to slow, heavy, noisy and thirsty as I am a dyed in wool vintage car lover, Austin 16/6 carlton. so the Sherpa will feel positively light, nimble and full of beans in comparison.
The caravan motor mover idea is one that I thought about and would be the solution.Problem is I cannot fit one as my caravan is vintage and unsuited to fitting.I did try a mover fitted to the jockey wheel but that soon burnt out unfortunately.
I will take my enquiry a stage further and ask the seller for more details on his van. I will let you know how things turn out.
I’m used to slow, heavy, noisy and thirsty as I am a dyed in wool vintage car lover, Austin 16/6 carlton. so the Sherpa will feel positively light, nimble and full of beans in comparison.
The caravan motor mover idea is one that I thought about and would be the solution.Problem is I cannot fit one as my caravan is vintage and unsuited to fitting.I did try a mover fitted to the jockey wheel but that soon burnt out unfortunately.
I will take my enquiry a stage further and ask the seller for more details on his van. I will let you know how things turn out.
Edited by crankedup5 on Wednesday 30th June 10:59
Lucky escape! Drove these when they were new and they were bloody dreadful compared to pretty much anything else of the period, with appalling build quality and an amazing ability to fail in new and interesting ways. Only upside is a survivor now can’t be all that bad
An old Mercedes conversion is probably a much better bet - 709d makes a great base
An old Mercedes conversion is probably a much better bet - 709d makes a great base
I’d say no, they were awkward to drive and noisier compared to the 80’s Transits, they all pulled to the left, brakes and rear doors were crap and they were never out the workshop for steering, suspension, brakes and starting issues.
They aren’t that big, but drove like a truck.
Perkier performance than a transit though.
They aren’t that big, but drove like a truck.
Perkier performance than a transit though.
t after them!My dad was a press tool engineer for Freight Rover (morphing into Leyland Daf and LDV) for 25yrs. He was ‘the man’ for LDV body panels. It was a real vocation for him, a lifetime’s work.
He’s sadly suffering from the onset of dementia now, would probably fail to recognise a K2 or a 210, as they were know internally, if he saw one, but for a long time he lived and breathed the Sherpa! Great to hear that people are still keeping them going.
He’s sadly suffering from the onset of dementia now, would probably fail to recognise a K2 or a 210, as they were know internally, if he saw one, but for a long time he lived and breathed the Sherpa! Great to hear that people are still keeping them going.
A long standing PHer, maybe I can dig out that thread, however a couple of issues turned me away
from the particular van I was interested in. Asked about the chassis condition and that was skipped set alarm bells off for me. And the seller has owned it for only a few months, added two and two on that.
from the particular van I was interested in. Asked about the chassis condition and that was skipped set alarm bells off for me. And the seller has owned it for only a few months, added two and two on that.
My main interest is steam traction/vintage cars. Spent weekends at shows rallies using my vintage caravan as an exhibit and accommodation for myself one or two nights. But as I mentioned it getting a bind now getting on the road with it.
This is why I am considering a classic camper to replace the caravan, ideally I would like pre war camper van but. are so rare and difficult to find.
This is why I am considering a classic camper to replace the caravan, ideally I would like pre war camper van but. are so rare and difficult to find.
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