Despite the moniker, Manhattan Motorcoaches was not based ‘over the pond’ in New York, but in Bedfordshire. Some of the principals were from racing driver Mark Blundell’s close family.

The idea of a UK-sized `van with a slide-out was formulated during many perambulations up and down the Formula One teams’ trackside hospitality units. When it came to the size of the campervan, a length of 5.51m would mean it would be country-lane friendly. 

It was decided to use the (previously sliding) side door and aperture as the basis for a manually operated slide-out. In production models of this innovative campervan, the slide-out contained a two-seater settee which extended into the central aisle to form a walk-around transverse double bed.

Opposite this, a new (hinged) moulded GRP habitation door was installed. The nearside kitchen with a balcony worktop, and the wardrobe, were centrally placed, ahead of a full-width ‘across the rear’ changing room/comfort-station. Manhattan’s furniture was all hand-crafted out of birch ply.

Base vehicle was the X/44 long-wheelbase high-top Fiat Ducato, with the (then) top-tackle 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine. Around 20 were built before production ceased. I enjoyed a live-in test of one and thought it deserved to succeed.

See what we had to say about another eye-catching ‘van we saw recently too, the Jennings Road Ranger – it provided a step back in time when Andrew Jenkinson stepped inside it.

Key information

• Manhattan Motorcoaches Tardis high-top panel van conversion with slide-out on LWB Fiat Ducato X/44.
• 2.8-litre 122/128bhp direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine driving the front wheels, via a five-speed manual gearbox.
• Overall length: 5.51m (18’ 1”)

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.