Introduction
If we say Bourlinguette, Goëlette or Estafette, what do these names rhyme with "ette" make you think of? They are the precursors of today's motor homes, some of them very luxurious. At the time, rich individuals were the first to order a unique vehicle, both rolling and habitable, which replaced the caravan. Later on, the manufacturers took over the market and produced in series, then in an industrial way, thanks to the technical progress and the increasing demand. Today's recreational vehicles have become more powerful and comfortable, but there is nothing to envy from the original design of the time. The Volkswagen Combi still evokes nostalgia for many of us. Let's take a look at the history and evolution of vans, camper vans and motorhomes for more than a century. A story that is far from over.
The first motor homes: for the wealthy classes..
Before the main use of the vehicle was for recreation, the first vehicles with a living quarters, other than a trailer, were created by the wealthy. Often, wealthy businessmen who could afford to pay for the construction of a luxury cell on a carrier chassis. The oldest motorhome that can be dated and traced is the "Bourlinguette" (1903), a 7-meter rolling saloon built on a Panhard 20 truck chassis. The "Bourlinguette" was the request (capricious as reported in the articles on the subject) of the Bordeaux distiller, inventor of the Toni-Kola aperitif, Jules Sécrestat. It had wooden wheels with iron hoops, as the tires of the time could not support its weight. The driving cabin was closed, the living room was changed into a bedroom, a water room and a kitchen area were present, all lit by an electric system.
In 1912, a record is to be noted: that of the San Sebastian rally won by the "Ménagerie Grégoire", a camper van that left Poland with eight people on board.
Other press articles from the 1920s tell of "trailers set on frames," or a rolling villa with "a telescopic floor offering three bedrooms and a canvas extension serving as a dining room for servants." Most of these travelers did indeed employ servants who came with them and stayed in a converted room, if possible.
... and mobile workers
At the beginning of the 20th century, the need for such a vehicle was perfectly understandable for people who had to travel on the road because of their profession. The Delahaye (1911), is a perfect example. This vehicle belonged to a travelling dentist who had arranged the whole rear space to carry out his treatments. In the center, the Delahaye, without windows, had a house. An exact reproduction of this model is now on display at the Maurice Dufresne Museum in Azay-le-Rideau, Indre-et-Loire.
Grand'Louis Chassino, a magician, had put a kind of hut on a Renault chassis that he used in the 1920s. However, he did not measure the length of the chassis correctly, because the hut protruded strongly at the back.
A showman of the time chose to travel with the Rochet-Schneider type 32 000 B (1932), which was among the first more aerodynamic living vehicles, thanks to a roof with skylights and rounded corners.
The inventive Charles Louvet is one of the pioneers in the history of the motor home. He showed his Carling-Homes to the public, while selling his canoes. The first of his design, the CHL2 (1925) was huge with its 10 m length, 2.50 m height and 2 tons. Its particularity consisted in the fact of being a monocoque and not put on a traditional frame. It did not exceed 25 km/h. The second and last one, the CHL3 (1931), shorter (7 m) offered a better maneuverability.
1950s: the beginnings of the mass-produced leisure motor home
Long before France, when it was reserved for an elite, the development of mass-produced motorhomes began as early as 1906 in the United Kingdom (Belsize 40 HP).
The beginnings of mass-produced motorhomes in France, in the early 1950s, can be attributed to the fairground equipment specialist and caravan builder Notin, with his "living-car" (1960), as well as Pierre Digue. The latter marketed three models of its Passe-Partout on Renault chassis. We find then the rounded shape of the caravans, an excellent comfort, a capacity from two to six persons, and the driving position obviously integrated. But they are still slow. The Passe-Partout became even more famous when it almost made a world tour in 1958, during the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.
The coachbuilder Heuliez also fitted out some of its Robustacier coaches in 1955.
Renault produced the Goëlette (1947-1965), then the Estafette (1959-1980) with a Cléon-Fonte engine, renowned for its robustness. These versions were not primarily intended to be used as motor homes. They were used by the police and the gendarmerie. Moreover, the Estafette is an icon in the movie "Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez". The manufacturer Autostar has manufactured its range of motorhomes based on the Estafette since 1979.
Some information about the Volkswagen Combi
It all began in 1949, when the CEO of Volkswagen, inspired by a Dutchman, had a utility model built with a very round shape, the Bulli. That's what the Germans still call the Combi today, in reference to the front end of the first generations, reminiscent of a bulldog's face, one would think. The following year, the Type 2, an evolution of the Beetle, more sophisticated, but just as recognizable by its shape and its round headlights, was presented. The "Camping Box" Combi was fitted out by Westfalia in 1951. This German vehicle converter made the sleeping area, the living area and the driver's cabin functional. Several generations of Combi's have followed since then. Over the years, industrial technology has made the models evolve: better suspension, more powerful engine, improved comfort... The Combi exists in its 2020s version.
End of the 20th century: the motorhome phenomenon is growing
After decades of experimenting and offering intriguing models to the public, the public is now familiar with more and more choices in layout and accessibility. Nasturtiums, fullsize and profiles are all part of the game. Today's leading brands are more than present, such as Pilote, Autostar, Hymer, Rapido... There is room for inventiveness, for taking into account the needs of customers and for restoring old models.
The motorhome market really took off in 1994. Eleven years later, we will celebrate the 20 000 registrations recorded for one year on new leisure vehicles, a record! The production is then carried out industrially, in the chain and one counts nearly 100 marks of manufacturers in Europe.