Take a look back through more than 20 years of Free Spirit photographs and one thing becomes very clear: camper van conversions have changed a lot.
From brightly coloured cabinetry and the vehicles we worked with in our earlier years to the more contemporary interiors leaving our Sussex workshops today, our archive tells quite a story.
Some things have evolved with changing tastes, new vehicles and different ways of using campervans. Others are surprisingly familiar. So, we thought it was time to open the archives and look at how Free Spirit campervans have changed over the years.
Summary:
Free Spirit has been importing and converting campervans for more than 20 years, giving us plenty of photographs from earlier chapters of the business. Looking back, you can see how our camper van conversions have evolved through different interior styles, colours, finishes and base vehicles. Today’s conversions may look very different from some of their predecessors, but practical living space and making the most of a compact vehicle remain central to what we do.
A Look Back at Our Earlier Camper Van Conversions
Long before today’s Free Spirit campervans were sitting in our showroom, we were already busy converting vehicles.
Fortunately, we have the photographs to prove it.
Our archives contain everything from rows of campervans waiting outside to photographs of completed interiors and vehicles being worked on. Together, they provide a glimpse into earlier years at Free Spirit and some of the campervans our customers were choosing at the time.
They’re also a reminder that a company’s history isn’t simply a number written on an About page.
We can look back at the actual vehicles, interiors and conversions that formed part of those 20-plus years.
Some look remarkably familiar. Others are unmistakably from another era.
And that is particularly true once you look inside.
Campervan Interior Trends Have Definitely Changed
If you think campervan interiors have always been neutral, understated spaces, our archive might surprise you.
We’ve found old Free Spirit interiors featuring lime green, orange, purple, cream and wood-effect finishes. Some combined several bold colours within one relatively small campervan.
At the time, these interiors reflected the styles and choices available to customers. Looking at them today gives us a brilliant snapshot of how tastes have changed.
Modern Free Spirit conversions tend to have a noticeably different feel. Contemporary cabinetry finishes, upholstery choices and interior materials create a cleaner overall appearance, while customers can still personalise their campervan by selecting from different available finishes.
That’s one of the enjoyable things about looking through our old photographs. A campervan can be incredibly practical, but it can also reflect the style of the person who owns it — and those styles don’t stand still.
Who knows what we’ll think of today’s interiors when we look back at them in another 20 years?
The Vehicles Behind the Conversions Have Evolved Too
It isn’t only what’s inside that has changed.
Our archive photographs show different vehicles passing through Free Spirit over the years, while today our range centres around three models: the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano.
Each gives us a different starting point for creating a practical campervan.
Working with different vehicles over such a long period has also allowed Free Spirit to develop and refine the types of campervans we create.
Today, our specialist range is deliberately focused. Rather than trying to convert every possible type of van, we work with the models we know and build our conversion options around them.
Making More of the Space Inside
One thing that hasn’t changed is the challenge at the heart of any campervan conversion: fitting a surprising amount of functionality into a relatively small space.
A campervan needs to be a vehicle first. Once parked up, however, it also needs to become somewhere to sit, prepare food, store your belongings, relax and sleep.
Look closely at our older interiors and you can see earlier Free Spirit solutions to exactly the same challenge.
Compare that with our current conversions and the finishes may have changed considerably, but making sensible use of the available space is still essential.
Today’s Free Spirit conversions can bring together handmade cabinetry, integrated kitchen facilities, storage, a custom rock and roll bed and a pop-top roof within the vehicle.
The result is a campervan that can change its purpose throughout the day without needing the footprint of a much larger motorhome.
From Earlier Interiors to Today’s Custom Conversions
The biggest difference between some of these archive photographs and our current campervans is probably the overall appearance.
Put an older Free Spirit interior beside a current one, and you can immediately see the progression.
But evolution isn’t simply about making something look newer.
Our current customers can explore different finishes and conversion options to create a campervan that suits their preferences. Materials, upholstery, storage and equipment all contribute to the final result.
Behind those finished interiors is our Sussex workshop, where the conversion work takes place, and cabinetry is made as part of the process.
If you’d like to see what happens before a campervan reaches this finished stage, we’ve taken a closer look inside the workshop in our guide to building custom-built campervans in Sussex.
Some Things Haven’t Changed
Looking through more than two decades of photographs naturally draws attention to everything that has changed.
The colours have changed.
The finishes have changed.
The vehicles have evolved.
And we’re fairly confident some of those purple and lime green combinations won’t be making an immediate comeback.
But the fundamental idea behind the campervan is much the same.
It is about taking a manageable vehicle and turning it into somewhere that gives you the facilities you need to get away.
That basic challenge has kept our Sussex workshops busy for more than 20 years.
Today, we have modern tools, current vehicles and contemporary interior choices around us, but we’re still doing what those archive photographs show us doing years ago: converting campervans.
What Will Camper Van Conversions Look Like in Another 20 Years?
That’s much harder to answer.
Customer tastes will inevitably continue to change. New materials will appear, vehicles will evolve and the things people expect from their campervans may look different again.
Our old photographs are a good reminder of just how difficult it is to predict what will feel modern a couple of decades from now.
For the moment, we’re happy to keep doing what we’ve spent more than 20 years doing: working with campervans, developing our conversions and helping customers find something that suits the way they want to travel.
And perhaps we’ll look back at photographs of today’s camper van conversions in another 20 years and wonder why we ever thought they looked so modern.
Want to see what we’re building now? Explore our current Free Spirit campervans or visit us near Chichester to see the latest generation for yourself.
Call us
Tel: (01243) 649087
Email us
info@fscltd.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED
If you enjoyed this blog, try Is a Compact Campervan the Right Choice?
Frequently Asked Questions
How have camper van conversions changed over the years?
Campervan conversions have evolved in appearance, materials, equipment and interior design. Free Spirit’s own archive shows particularly noticeable changes in cabinetry colours and finishes, base vehicles and overall interior styling over more than 20 years.
How long has Free Spirit Campervans been converting campervans?
Free Spirit has more than 20 years of experience importing and converting campervans from its base near Chichester in West Sussex.
What did older Free Spirit campervans look like?
Free Spirit’s archive includes older conversions with cream, green, orange, purple and wood-effect cabinetry, alongside a variety of vehicles that have passed through the business over the years.
What do modern Free Spirit camper van conversions include?
Depending on the model and conversion selected, modern Free Spirit campervans can incorporate handmade cabinetry, storage, kitchen facilities, a custom rock and roll bed, a pop-top roof and other equipment and optional features.
Which vehicles does Free Spirit currently specialise in?
Free Spirit’s current campervan range focuses on the Nissan Elgrand, Mazda Bongo and Mercedes Viano.
Can I personalise a Free Spirit campervan conversion?
Yes. Customers can choose from different available materials, finishes and seating options, as well as discussing the conversion features that suit their requirements.
Where are Free Spirit campervans converted?
Free Spirit carries out its campervan conversion work at its facilities near Chichester in West Sussex.
Can I see examples of Free Spirit’s current campervans?
Yes. You can explore current campervans and conversion examples through the Free Spirit website or visit the premises near Chichester to see vehicles in person.
