Land Ahoy
VW CAMPER & BUS|Spring 2018

Now here’s a sight for sore eyes, a seldom seen 1978 Landmark Camper

James Peene
Land Ahoy

The old sweats amongst you will be aware that we’ve featured a small number of these crazy horses before. They’re an unusual sight on this, and for that matter, any shore, and this is only the third we’ve come across with our own fair peepers. And for the record, it’s one of two blue versions, the other sported brown decals.

If you’ve never seen one before, you’re probably asking what is it and how the heck did something like this ever come to pass?

Like most things, you can blame the Americans. Actually, blame is a strong word, we think the word ‘thank’ is more appropriate when it comes to this contraption.

Back in the 1970s the ‘Vanning’ craze was a massive part of the custom car scene in the US. Think wild Chevy Day Vans with crazy paint jobs, porthole windows, glitter balls and shag pile carpet deep enough to lose a wedge-heeled Chihuahua in and you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head.

In those days, no one was into Buses over here. They were just work hacks, but on the other side of the pond they were big news and that meant they were big business, too. Suffice to say a plethora of suppliers sprang up to offer parts and conversions, some of which were even sold direct through dealerships.

In the early days of ‘Vanning’ the focus was firmly on USbuilt vehicles but, as the late ’70s hoved into view and the fuel crisis followed in its wake, customisers began turning their attentions to the more fuel efficient foreign imports, like Volkswagens.

NATIONAL EXPRESS

The National Coach Company in Carson, California was one of the larger West Coast conversion firms and their Landmark line was a high end - read, big money - choice.

This story is from the Spring 2018 edition of VW CAMPER & BUS.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Spring 2018 edition of VW CAMPER & BUS.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM VW CAMPER & BUSView All
T5 Buyers Guide
VW CAMPER & BUS

T5 Buyers Guide

If you want a large, practical VW you can stamp your mark on and drive daily, perhaps it’s time you look at buying a T5? Here’s what you need to check

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2019
Germany Calling
VW CAMPER & BUS

Germany Calling

Cycling and sight-seeing whilst taking in plenty of history along the way.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2019
Village Bus
VW CAMPER & BUS

Village Bus

A RHD Barndoor Deluxe Bus is an incredibly rare and very desirable vehicle and Carl Elliott’s superb ’54 is perhaps the best example anywhere in the world!

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
VW CAMPER & BUS

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit

As the saying goes, it’s only original once. Fortunately, this retired fruit pickers Bus had been left to ripen in a farmer’s barn

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2019
Family 'Wagen
VW CAMPER & BUS

Family 'Wagen

What do you do when you have a kick-ass Ghia but a large family? Simple. You build a kick-ass Bay Window Microbus as well

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2019
Status Cymbal
VW CAMPER & BUS

Status Cymbal

When drummer Nick Robin’s AA card was taking too much of a beating it was time to visit VW Downunder

time-read
6 mins  |
Spring 2018
I Is For Industrial
VW CAMPER & BUS

I Is For Industrial

While the best place for an air-cooled VW engine will always be in the back of a VW, the industrial variants have ended up in many unexpected places as well. Including a very big gun…

time-read
7 mins  |
Spring 2018
Still Doin' It
VW CAMPER & BUS

Still Doin' It

After a hard working life, three engines and two restorations, you’d think this Pick-up had earned its retirement. Not quite

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2018
The Freddy Files
VW CAMPER & BUS

The Freddy Files

Paul Knight whisks us along a fun-filled, 36-hour road trip to the Freddy Files show in Ninove, Belgium

time-read
5 mins  |
Spring 2018
Readers' Rides
VW CAMPER & BUS

Readers' Rides

Your pride and joy is our delight to share, so here they are

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2018