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Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:25 am

Hi all, this is Daisy, owned her for 5 years and decided to go bovine :lol:

Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:47 am

Holy Cow!

Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:11 pm

What kind of top is that? Any shots with it up/open?

Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:19 pm

TeamSpatula wrote: What kind of top is that? Any shots with it up/open?
I think its remooovable :wink:

Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:19 pm

Superviking, 4 single beds up threre.

Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:39 pm

Okay, all the cow stuff aside, that top is utterly different. Okay, well maybe all the cow stuff isnt aside..

Anyone know what it is?

Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:46 pm

thats a lot of square feet for a camping setup out of a bus, cool

Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:36 pm

Kirk wrote: Anyone know what it is?
I believe he just said it's a "superviking", which I'm guessing is some sort of UK based conversion.
It is a pretty awesome top though.

Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:19 am

jmsmilin wrote: thats a lot of square feet for a camping setup out of a bus, cool
no kidding, especially with that huge tent. Can you post a couple pics of the inside of the poptop set up? I'm curious as to the layout of the beds up there. Very cool...

Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:44 am

4Doora wrote: Kirk wrote: Anyone know what it is?
I believe he just said it's a "superviking", which I'm guessing is some sort of UK based conversion.
It is a pretty awesome top though.

Oops. Missed that. :oops:

Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:27 am

TeamSpatula wrote: jmsmilin wrote: thats a lot of square feet for a camping setup out of a bus, cool
no kidding, especially with that huge tent. Can you post a couple pics of the inside of the poptop set up? I'm curious as to the layout of the beds up there. Very cool...
4 BEDS, ONE FRONT, ONE REAR AND ONE ON EACH SIDE. DURING THE DAY THE BED ON THE RIGHT CLIPS UP VERTICAL FOR HEADROOM. A VERY SPACIOUS CONVERSION.

Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:29 am

TeamSpatula wrote: jmsmilin wrote: thats a lot of square feet for a camping setup out of a bus, cool
no kidding, especially with that huge tent. Can you post a couple pics of the inside of the poptop set up? I'm curious as to the layout of the beds up there. Very cool...
I'm curious to see the inside as well...

Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:30 am

Well you posted pics before my post lol

very cool to see 4 beds up there. Thats pretty awesome!

Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:39 am

More space upstairs than down :lol:

Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:03 pm

That roof represents an interesting and nearly forgotten slice of British VW history, with VW attempting to stamp down on non VW approved products (much like they had tried unsuccessfully to curtail the EMPI aftermarket in the USA on the Type 1), but to no avail, as like EMPI to the enthusiasts, Viking remained popular to the public.

Basic info on the Viking roof from:

http://www.campershop.co.uk/viking.htm

"Viking Motorhomes produced a camper called Spacemaker, this had a full length side hinged elevating roof which came in two distinct versions which can be best described as either;

the Viking elevating roof with bunks
or
the Super Viking elevating roof with slide out bed"

The design of the roof maximising what can be achieved with an elevating roof was made in direct competition to the well known Westfalia roof and the VW GB approved Devon conversions long Moonraker roof:

http://www.campershop.co.uk/devon-flse.htm

In the UK, three companies, Danbury, Devon and Dormobile had official VW approval to perform camper conversions, with VW warranty etc. There were a whole load of others, a main unendorsed quality rival being Viking.

Then in 1972 VW GB entered into an exclusive deal with Devon to carry out the conversions, and Devon also entered into a deal with Westfalia through VW, where Devon produced thier own conversions in the UK, whilst also controlling the importing rights on RHD Westfalias from Germany badged as the "Devon Continental". (There must have been one hell of a row raging, as Danbury and Dormobile both got their approvals back later in the 70's, ending Devon's "approval" monopoly).

Sadly though, this heralded things to come. VW created super dealerships with a select few UK companies, ending the relationships with small VW approved dealerships which had helped build the brand up in the UK.

Back to the roof, whilst in their exclusive contract with Devon, VW particularly singled out Viking as being non-VW approved, and issued a "VW Warning on Unauthorized Motor Caravans".

The UK Motor Press saw through all this as just trying to bump up Devon and Westfalia sales, as there was never any indication that the Viking roof conversion was structurally unsound.

The bit I like is Viking's fight back through the media:

"The Viking invaders have arrived. The biggest battle in motor caravan history has begun. It will be hard. It will be long. And you are a witness. Viking Motorhomes on one side; Devon and Westfalia on the other. David and Goliath all over again. You were born to be free. Your freedom gives you the right to choose. Before you buy, insist on seeing a Viking. We'll send a Viking to your door. If you're sure it's what you want we'll build one just for you. One more Viking on our side. One more blow for freedom."

Highly recommended is the book 'VW Camper - The inside story' by David Eccles, published by The Crowood Press, for much more info and colour photos on the above, all the types of conversions, interiors and roofs, and Camper history.

By the way, TeamSpatula said about the awning, they practically make your Bus into a house, see the video:

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/type_2_bay/type-2-...14331.html

Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:56 am

OK, so who in the UK wants to find me one of those top setups & ship it over here???
:)

Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:16 pm

TeamSpatula wrote: OK, so who in the UK wants to find me one of those top setups & ship it over here???
:) Well after nearly 4 years since last post on this subject, have you got a Super Viking conversion yet Teamspatula?