Torbay New Yorker
AS DYNAMIC AS THE LEGENDARY CITY ACROSS THE POND
Words and photos by John Page
Torbay Camper Conversions are famous for the construction and design of high-top and flip top campers based on the Volkswagen Transporter. Now New Yorker writes a fresh chapter in their history with a larger example of the genre, shrewdly anticipating that some of today’s extra long Campers may be too big for their boots on the average drive or in the garage. At a smidgen less than 18 foot (5.41m) this machine is big enough to include a quite splendid lounge and galley yet without being a problem to park or explore the back lanes. Our back lanes on this occasion led to the Caravan Club’s delightful Broad Park site near Modbury in South Devon, an area that could probably claim the biggest number of seriously narrows lanes in England.
Construction
The beauty of this Fiat Camper is that the entire body is an integral steel construction built at the Fiat plant and therefore a product that complies with all the current safety legislation. Furthermore, because it is built as a basis for a Camper, the very special cab seats, the Radio/CD and the alloy wheels also originate from Fiat. And as such they are included in Fiat’s three year Warranty. Those cab seats are not only anatomically designed to give support in all the right places of the human form, they also rotate smoothly without the necessity of opening the cab doors. Our demonstrator vehicle also had the passenger airbag option and we’ve made a plea for them to be part of the standard specification.
The Torbay approach to the construction of the interior is unique to them – and this applies to the raw materials they use, the furniture design and the layout plan. It has for instance a large angled kitchen that wouldn’t be out of place in a vehicle of twice the size, allied to a lounge that can seat five adults in real comfort. A key to the splendidly supporting couch and rear passenger seat is that the seat squabs and backrests are adjustable to fine tune for the optimum seat position you choose. Generous storage under these seats is accessible with minimal hassle, absolutely ideal for stashing the sleeping gear. In fact locker space throughout is exceptional.
Entirely to my way of thinking bottled gas is used only for the hob and oven as the highly efficient compressor fridge is powered from the 12v system and heating for space and water is by a Webasto diesel unit fed from the main tank. Operating it is straightforward, reliable and tolerably quiet. A thorough approach to insulation uses closed cell polyurethane for the floor and roof and one inch thick Selotex in a singe sheet for each side of the body.
ON THE ROAD
Leaving home at 4.30am was the start of an eventful day driving southwest to collect the NY from Torbay campers. Clearing the A46, M69 and M42 before rush hour worked well, so that before lunch we had collected our vehicle, loaded up and were headed west on the A38, then A3121 and B3196. So far so good but now we are on roads that were fine for a pony and trap or locals. We decided on a simple system: rate A roads as B roads, B roads as lanes, and lanes as tracks and you’ll get the picture. Actually driving with care and a heightened anticipation it was surprising how soon hedges brushing the wing mirrors seemed the normal way of things. Locals of course have their own Devonian guardian angels. I digress because what you really want to know is how does this compact Camper behave as a Grand Tourer. Basically it has all the technical bits needed –120bhp and a healthy 320Nm of torque from the 2.3-litre Diesel, six speeds to put that power to the best advantage and an exceptional low noise value at speed. Taking it easy cruising at 60mph there was just 2200rpm registered on the dial. Sixteen-inch wheels, a very short rear overhang and the insulation specification all play a part in the ride quality and the absence of rattles and extraneous noises. Airbags for both of us were reassuring and when the temperature hit 26oC we were also grateful for the cab air con’. Uncanny was the facility of the Radio to pick up local or national stations without the usual distracting twiddling. And finally, as a welcome change from the legions of white and silver Campers that abound was the Lake blue metallic paint job from the Fiat range.
ENGINE OFF KETTLE ON
Eighteen inches from ground level to the floor is one big step upward that will be addressed when a slide-out step is fitted by the sliding door entrance. As you walk in for the first time the sense of space and comfort is really inviting. Blue attractively textured fabric is unusual and the depth and contour of the cushions makes for well-shaped support lounging or dining. From Germany poplar timber forms the structure of the furniture with a white ash grain effect surface that melds well with the abstract pattern soft furnishings. Lighting from adjustable angle tungsten strip lights supplied general and specific illumination in the lounge/diner and the galley. The ambitiously large table could at a pinch seat five for meals but it was fussy to put into place although fine once secured. Our preference would be a smaller island leg supported table to stow easily above the cab when not in use. And Torbay tells us that such an item would be a no cost alternative. In the superb weather we had one of the delights was to eat our meals with the door slid wide open. Not quite al fresco but near enough. Visitors for the crumbs were a couple of immature speckled breast robins.
Sleeping
Over 25 years I’ve known Camper sleeping arrangements that vary from the wonderfully simple to those that defy logic or commonsense. And at the end of the day the last thing one wants is to wrestle with recalcitrant cushions and bits of wood. New Yorker gets our vote as Ace Camper double bed of the decade. This is where those clever seats convert without fuss into a flat and firm double bed base. The two cushions each of the single seat and the couch fold flat after releasing their control levers and the bed is made. Firm by some standards but decidedly sleep inducing. One of the strip lights fitted under a roof locker supplies sufficient light for reading in bed. Cab privacy is by the currently fashionable and easy to position sliding pleated blinds for the door windows and the windscreen. Cassette windows with integral fly screens and blinds do the job for the lounge and the kitchen. Ventilation by the Efficient Heki Two has three positions; the lowest open through the night gave plenty of fresh air and protection from the occasional light shower of rain. A remote for the Radio/CD would be a good idea.
FOOD MACHINERY
On several counts this NY galley has a valid claim to best camper kitchen for 2008. If you glance at the photograph you will see a magnificent angled worktop with an array of lockers in which it is easy to find a place for all the tackle needed for proper meals. Windows on two sides supply the illumination and the ventilation with back up from the roof light. The various gauges and control panels are visible just above eye level in this section, with a mains socket safely in the corner away from the sink and hob burners. SMEV of Italy makes the hob, grill and the oven at a sensible height and the 12-volt operated Waeco fridge/freezer is also well placed. And final proof that NY is built by a maker with hands on experience is the decent size sink and drainer. All in all because there is a place for everything and everything in its place, the procedure to prep three square meals was a happy part of the camping experience rather than a chore. Any downside here? Yes, I wish black glass tops for the sink and hob had never been invented, as they don’t photograph too well.
WASHROOM
More evidence of practical insight here with a so useful angled unit that contains some of the plumbing, top access lockers and a laminate surface for all the gear ever needed in a washroom. There are roof lockers as well. Perhaps the sink might have been a touch bigger although you can clean your teeth and wash your hands in it. Space for showering for which there is a separate faucet is not exactly generous but if you widen the shower curtain to include the swivel loo then elbow room will be improved and water won’t harm the plastic loo cover.
STORAGE
Absolutely brilliant all round, whether it’s clothes, outdoor gear, tools, cables or kitchen tackle. Getting at the stowed gear is also made easy. Open the back doors wide for access to the loo cassette, the gas locker, boot locker and tool space. All the internal lockers opened easily and stayed firmly shut travelling. And I’ve just been reminded that the three shelves at the front end of the kitchen unit were ideal for any number of bottles and cartons to travel safely yet within easy reach. Although we didn’t use the roof rack and bike rack, like everything else their design and fitting were robust.
SUMMARY
A fundamental difference between a small privately owned Camper constructor and a seriously big concern is the freedom the principal of the smaller concern enjoys to try out new ideas and innovations. Roger Patty epitomises the latter situation and New Yorker is the well-planned end product. Design priorities included: first class insulation; build quality, minimal hassle operation and the aesthetics (balance) of the whole machine. Did it measure up to those criteria? Well, just for once we had a whole week in fine weather to put a raw prototype to a full-blooded test, using all the equipment. And, with the exception of the missing entrance step and our criticism of the table (both to be addressed), New Yorker performed impeccably – day or night, mobile and at rest. The price in basic form including the Radio/CD, 2.3-litre, 120bhp turbo diesel, microwave oven and central locking is £34,896 ready to roll. Undoubtedly value for money and should you want to push the boat out, adding all the goodies we had makes a total of £37,980, still competitive when the tally is compared to similarly fitted out campers in this size bracket.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vehicle specification: Torbay camper Conversions New Yorker, two-berth high-top Camper
Price of vehicle tested: £37,980. Basic price: £34,896
Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Torbay Camper Conversions Lummaton Quarry Industrial Estate, Happaway Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8ES. Tel: 01803 323231
CONVERSION
Overall length: 5.41m
Overall width: 2.05m excl mirrors
Overall height: 2.60m
MPTLM: 3500kg
PAYLOAD: 725kg
Construction: all steel body insulated with polyurethane and Selotex
Fresh water capacity: 60-litres
Waste water capacity: 60-litres
Gas storage capacity: 2 x 4.5kg cylinders
Auxiliary battery: 100ah
Refrigerator: Waeco compressor fridge/freezer
Water and space heater: Webasto Dual Top diesel powered water and blown air space heater
Lighting: four adjustable tungsten strip lights and one wall fitting washroom light
Upholstery: Automotive quality mid blue textured fabric
Other equipment fitted: 16” alloy wheels, cab air con’, rear mud flaps, metallic paint, passenger air bag, glazed rear doors, swivels to both cab seats.
BASE VEHICLE
Type: Fiat Ducato MWB panel van to Camper specification
Power unit: 2.3-litre, four cylinder turbo diesel motor
Maximum power: 120bhp @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm
Transmission: six-speed manual transmission to front wheels
Steering: power assisted rack and pinion
Braking system: dual circuit system with ABS to four-wheel discs
PERFORMANCE
Fuel consumption: estimated 32mpg
Maximum speed: estimated 90mph
Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph
