History of Holdsworth Motorhomes

Richard Holdsworth began his conversion business in 1968. Richard and his wife Heather had been working in Australia for eight years prior to returning to England. He, and his wife Heather, decided that they would like a camper to explore the UK and the continent, but prices of new campers were prohibitive, so they bought a used V W Kombi van and converted it to their ideas while travelling thousands of miles. People were impressed with the conversion and Richard and Heather were frequently asked to build campers for others,so in 1968 eighteen V W campers were converted in a lockup garage at Clapham Common, London. Richard building the furniture and Heather carrying out the upholstery and trimming.
 A company offering V W spares asked Richard to build furniture kits it could offer to customers to fit in vans themselves That moment became the start of Richard Holdsworth Conversions. At the same time the V W spares company offered Richard part of its factory at Ashford, Middlesex as the lockup garage by that time had become far too small.
 Business over the next year increased so much that it was necessary for them to move once again, this time to Woodley, Berkshire, an ex-aerodrome hanger which became their new factory location in 1972

By this time Richard was offering six of his Holdsworth conversions. They consisted of a V W van conversion with fixed roof, a Commer Standard,Commer Super,Bedford C F, Ford Transit, and another    VW , but this time with a rising roof.
 The line-up of Richard Holdsworth models remained pretty much the same until 1977 ( with exception to some varied layouts on the V W ) when the Leyland Sherpa was added to his listing
The hierarchy at British Leyland were so impessed with the Sherpa Holdsworth that they gave the full company approval to the conversions.

From very humble beginnings in the 1960's Richard Holdsworth Conversions Ltd went on to produce some very memorable motorcaravans. Many of their panel van conversions based on the Commer, Bedford CF, Transit,and V W are still very popular choices on the used scene today. As time progressed the company released such models as the Holdsworth Vision and Villa based on the type 25 V W T3 and the Holdsworth Ranger, a coachbuild based on the Leyland Sherpa.

The one defining point about Holdsworth models over the years was that they often dared to be different in their use of internal layouts, at a time when many manufacturers used tried and trusted formulas.
 The company continued to prosper during the 1980's but sadly ran into financial difficulties in the 1990's with the minibus side of the business ( a deal to supply several thousand minibus conversions collapsed, leaving the company with too much stock) The company eventually became Cockburn Holdsworth for a short time, but in the end ceased trading as a motor caravan converter. It was sad to see such a innovative company leave the ranks of the motorcaravan manufacturers. It had introduced many great design ideas and achieved some memorable milestones, not least winning V W approval for its conversions
Richard is the Honorary President of The Holdsworth Owners Club, and, as well as writing for many present day motorhome magazines, he has now become a novelist and has produced his second book.

Richard and Heather are now living in Melbourne Australia close to their children and grandchildren, but they usually come to the UK once a year and try to fit in an attendance at an informal meet of the Owners Club.

We thank them for all the wonderful support they have given us over the years and wish them all the best for their future on the other side of the world.   Thank goodness for our computers we will still be able to keep in touch.    THANK YOU, RICHARD AND HEATHER,  WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU.



                                                                                                             
 A G M Meet at Kidderminster Mr Mackinnon  presenting Mr and Mrs Holdsworth with club sweaters

The Holdsworth Owners Club welcomes owners of all Holdsworth motor caravans who wish to obtain the maximum enjoyment from their Holdsworth van.

Within the membership is a wealth of knowledge in running a van carrying the Holdworth badge; this includes the provision of Owners Manuals and access to suppliers who might be able to provide parts and information that can keep a Holdsworth van on the road.

An informative and friendly Newsletter is produced at regular intervals and a social calendar extends throughout the year thus enabling members to meet others and maximise the enjoyment from ownership of a Holdsworth van. Cost of membership is minimal.... Full details and a Membership Aplication Form please refer to contact page.

Richard has kindly supplied some useful names that can be contacted if parts are required.
These are from many years ago, so need checking out to see if they are still in business.

For

Rubber window seals for motorhomes
Seals + Direct Ltd, 
Unit 6, Milton Business Centre,
Wick Drive,
New Milton, 
Hants. BH25 6RH. UK
01425 617722.

Wooden door catches, submersible water pumps, and various fittings.
Scan Terrier Ltd,
30 The Metro Centre,
Tolpits Lane, Watford.
WD1 8SB
01923 800353.

Water pumps (in line) taps etc.
Whale Pumps,
Old Belfast Road,
Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland
BT19 ELT.  028 9127 0531.
Info:  info@whalepumps.com

Roof retaining catches.
Pretor Fastenings
Arrow Road, Reddich,
B98 8PA.  01527 63231

Plastic (ABS) mouldings,shower trays,exterior body mouldings wheel arches etc.
Cirencester Plastics
8 Wilkinson Road,
Cirencester.
01285 655995.

Zig (electrical)units
Peter Everard Ltd,
Phoenix Works
Thrupp, Stroud Glos.
GL5 4RA.  01453 731700.

Woven head lining material.
West Yorkshire Weavers Ltd.
Universal Mills Bradford Road,
Keighley, West Yorkshire.
BD21 4BN  01535 663838.

Side panel trim(carpet type) some carpets.
Gaskell Textiles Ltd,
PO Box10 Lee Mill, Basup,
Lancashire  OL13 0DJ.

Plastic Glazed Windows
Para-Press S A.
Route de Luxembourg
00 352 513513.

Moulded (knock on ) plastic worktop and table mouldings
Rehau Ltd
Waterside Drive, Langley Business Park
Langley Slough  SL3 6EZ.
01753 588500.

Cookers and sinks.
Spinflow.
4 Welland Close, Parkwood Ind Estate
Rutland Road, Sheffield.  S3 9QY.
01142 738157.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)