It is widely thought that Auto-Trail didn’t undertake panel van conversions until the launch of the V-Line in 2014. Actually, it has been producing them for over 30 years. Some early examples – including these 1990s conversions of the Fiat Ducato – were cutting-edge.
Auto-Trail was the first volume UK and European producer to develop and fabricate a moulded GRP high-top with a fully integrated Luton overcab. This contrasted with a previous effort by the Canterbury Sunhome, which looked as though a wider coachbuilt motorhome-top had crash landed on a delivery van.
Fox and Badger were both available as two-berths (raked high-top) or as four-berths (high-top with Luton overcab). Both featured a forward lounge consisting of an inward-facing offside settee and a forward-facing travel seat adjacent to the side sliding door.
Badger’s rear kitchen was alongside the offside wall, opposite which was a wardrobe, ahead of a nearside rear-corner washroom. Fox split the kitchen either side of the central aisle and placed a full-width washing/changing room, plus wardrobe across the rear. Trim and equipment levels were identical to the Auto-Trail Frontier ranges, giving rise to the frequently uttered comment that they were, ‘van conversions that think they are coachbuilts!’
Take a look at other recent inductions into our Hall of Fame too, including the Swift Rio 320 & 340 (2014-2018), which came with a rear full-size opening tailgate, and the PRV Wildmoor (1999-2005), which was a demountable motorhome with superb build quality.
Key information about the Auto-Trail Badger and Fox
- Auto-Trail Badger and Fox built in Immingham, UK. 2.0-litre petrol or 1.9-litre naturally aspirated diesel as standard.
- 1.9TD and (later) 2.5TD available as cost options.
- Front-wheel drive via a manual five-speed gearbox.
- Overall length: 5.01m (16’5.25”)
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