so...I have seen a few pictures of them layed out on the floor...never seen one up on a bus...except for in a Devon brochure and a single picture in Dave Eccles book, which was again, taken by Devon at the time of the brochure photoshoot

so....50 years on, 1st pics I have actually seen of the 64 harrison Devon car tent awning against a 64 devon bus

(wish I had a picture of the picture Dave used in the book, as thats what I have replicated





















Turns out to be a PERFECT match for an inner tent from 64 i have had in the loft for a while now

Wow - now that's retro coolio right there - nice awning - liking the skirt that hooks over the wheels..... not seen that before...

Thats Devontastic Steve! We need to recreate that pic mind.

Very nice Maddison!

That's very cool - 'scuze my stupidity but why's it called a 'car tent'?

How many tents did Devon make and what years were they produced? Are they in principle Harrison tents with different badges?

That is awesome - I had kittens trying to justify the bid I placed for it on ebay - when it sold I was both disappointed and relieved at not having to explain my extravagance to the duchess

All the better with the inner tent - Nice one! now just have to resist the temptation of your blue and white invader.. I was bidding on that too :-/ I snooze I lose :-P

Bathtub57 wrote:That's very cool - 'scuze my stupidity but why's it called a 'car tent'?

How many tents did Devon make and what years were they produced? Are they in principle Harrison tents with different badges?

dunno why thy called it the 'car tent' ?? but, unlike a lot of awnings, technically, its not an awning, it doesnt have a method of attaching it to the bus, its just a tent....with a large rear door the size of the bus, so you have to either roll up the back door...or throw it over the roof....it doesnt actually attach to the gutter or awning rail, so, I guess, technically, a tent, not an awning

they made this in 63/64...its nothing like the Harrison 'awnings' of the period...and if anything, its VERY similar in many ways to the stripey Invader awnings of the period, certainly the same frame work, but front doors open different and this has side windows...and the rear bus attachment is totally different

so, when it comes to 'Devon' official tents

1. Day canopies (with detachable side panels)
2. Devon car tent

but....every stripey Invader tent I have ever seen has the same frame as the Devon car tent and originated from a Devon bus of the same period, same for some of the mostly blue Harrison awnings of the period
I 'think' when it comes to awnings (other than the day awning) Devon actually directed you to Harrisons for additional tents / awnings, so owners got whatever Stan Harrion sold them, 64-65 they will have sold you the Devon car tent...I would say they didnt sell (or make) many and by 65 onwards , they had started making there own drive away awnings, so would sell you one of those (and matching toilet tents if required).... but seems quite likely certain areas (London) the dealerships must have directed owners to L&S canvas ltd who would sell them an Invader awning, whether they got the framework from Harrison then made the stripey invader canvas i'm not sure ?

seems almost certain that Harrisons made the day awnings too, as the cloth, construction is the same
I also have a much smaller side door / rear tent, that isnt labelled, but also 'seems' to be the same cloth construction, but never seen any advertising about it ??



thats the story at the moment as far as i'm concerned...haha...until it changes

Day canopy with detachable side (standard issue LOL)


Devon car tent


Harrison awning (with toilet tent)


Invader by L&S canvas



rear hatch ??



....of course, MOTENT also made official VW Devon awnings later on for bays, but also produced some earlier awnings in blue that 'northern' dealerships perhaps directed owners too ??

early Motent


early bay motent




its all too much....its enough to make you go dizzy....such a simple question to start off

http://www.dubenhams.com/awnathology.html

Now that's a reply! Thanks, makes sense Devon would sub contract or pass on to Harrison eventually.

Interesting to see this old thread. We recently got a load of vintage VW parts that included this Invader Drive Away awning from the 15 years retired parts manager of my local VW garage. The VW Dealers he worked at was one of the first after Colbornes, and I believe my friend had worked there since the 1960's. It attaches to the Van, with the correct skirts and van roof attachments etc, so is a proper drive away. Its in nearly perfect condition and is very well made, and all of the windows and bits that usually go brittle are very supple and nice. a little bit faded on the outside, but overall very good. Does anyone know anything about it, age, possible value? Any more information welcome. Thanks

Invader…similar, but the door is one piece and not in 2, and has a pitched roof….this is late 60's

the 2 piece door may suggest yours is earlier, but the colours really don't feel mid 60's ….but it is not a bay window awning either, so i would punt at it being late 60's





Mid 60's invader




Raleigh did do similar colour schemes in the 60's, orange/blue and 2 tone greens

Invader…similar, but the door is one piece and not in 2, and has a pitched roof….this is mid/late 60's

the colours really don't feel mid 60's neither do the lack of tassels and the beige plastic skirt under the loading doors….but it is not a bay window awning either, so i would punt at it being late 60's early 70's….but designed for the split (or OTHER camper vans…not the bay)





early/ Mid 60's invader




Raleigh did do similar colour schemes in the late 60's, early 70's , orange/blue and 2 tone greens

Still looking for a green period awning..
Whatever and a red and white awning..

You well Steve?
Moved yet?
VAAC to be re kindled?
Dubenhams alive or extinguushed?

G

move on Wednesday…..so panic stations now LOL
Dubenhams on hold until things get sorted out and less going on, but it will return, ….one day

once moved i have another garage a few down to sort out (the one with all the awnings in the loft), who knows what awnathology will be unearthed in there… LOL

Oh ...you tease...!
G

maddison wrote:move on Wednesday…..so panic stations now LOL
Dubenhams on hold until things get sorted out and less going on, but it will return, ….one day

once moved i have another garage a few down to sort out (the one with all the awnings in the loft), who knows what awnathology will be unearthed in there… LOL

So you have moved..
Green awnings?
Thumb catches?

LoL