Solar Caravan
Now that summer's officially here with the passing of the summer solstice, it's time to start thinking of a vacation. So why not revive the old American tradition of the road trip, replete with blaring music, half-eaten bags of salty snacks, and crumpled up napkins all over the floor? Now, in a burst of 70s nostalgia, Canadian designer Alexandre Verdier has updated the VW Westfalia camper van in a design of his own creation so you can do just that—in solar style.
Verdier spent a year criss-crossing the US in his old Westfalia with its distinctive pop-top and bubbly form. Though he loved his old traveling friend, he felt it was time to update its technology and trimmings, so made his own version that better meets today's email-obsessed populace better than its last-generation counterpart.
The pop-top's still there, of course, as are the shape of the camper and the bed. But now there's also a solar panel on top that powers the electric gadgets inside whenever the van takes a break for the afternoon, or the evening. The panel powers a cooktop range that can be used inside or out, the passenger seat cleverly hides stairs that leads upstairs, and of course, a comfortable-looking bed.
But perhaps the most handy tool is an on-board computer that tells you the best places to go based on the weather, and even provides historical and ecological information on where you're heading, as well as directories of campgrounds (so you don't end up parking next to the bathroom when you pull in late at night).
The current crop of Verdier's design (20 vans in all) has already sold out, apparently all bought up by one zealous Westfalia fan. But put in your order now, and you'll have your own version within a year. So you'll be ready for summer travels when the next solstice hits. And you can relive your old Westfalia travels in an updated version.
Do you have stories you want to share about your own travels in a Westfalia? Please comment below.
Verdier spent a year criss-crossing the US in his old Westfalia with its distinctive pop-top and bubbly form. Though he loved his old traveling friend, he felt it was time to update its technology and trimmings, so made his own version that better meets today's email-obsessed populace better than its last-generation counterpart.
The pop-top's still there, of course, as are the shape of the camper and the bed. But now there's also a solar panel on top that powers the electric gadgets inside whenever the van takes a break for the afternoon, or the evening. The panel powers a cooktop range that can be used inside or out, the passenger seat cleverly hides stairs that leads upstairs, and of course, a comfortable-looking bed.
But perhaps the most handy tool is an on-board computer that tells you the best places to go based on the weather, and even provides historical and ecological information on where you're heading, as well as directories of campgrounds (so you don't end up parking next to the bathroom when you pull in late at night).
The current crop of Verdier's design (20 vans in all) has already sold out, apparently all bought up by one zealous Westfalia fan. But put in your order now, and you'll have your own version within a year. So you'll be ready for summer travels when the next solstice hits. And you can relive your old Westfalia travels in an updated version.
Do you have stories you want to share about your own travels in a Westfalia? Please comment below.
Posted by: Amara Holstein on Jun 25, 07 at 01:18 PM PDT
Posted by sohbet on 11/08/08 06:29PM PST
Posted by costume jewelry on 11/04/08 09:24PM PST
wholesale jewelry
handmade jewelry
jewelry wholesale
handcrafted jewelry
pearl jewelry
wholesale pearl jewelry
Posted by designer jewelry on 11/04/08 09:20PM PST
wholesale fashion jewelry
wholesale gemstone jewelry
wholesale turquoise jewelry
wholesale crystal jewelry
wholesale coral jewelry
Posted by shell jewelry on 11/04/08 09:17PM PST
wholesale shell jewelry
wholesale swarovski jewelry
whole sale jewelry
hand made jewelry
wholesale handmade jewelry
Posted by bb on 11/04/08 09:13PM PST
Georgious design, this is a master piece of design!
....Perfect Form & Perfect Function....
In the same site, I found a site about wooden rings:
www.wood-rings.com
I will buy a model 17...
Posted by Valérie Gauthier on 06/27/07 07:11AM PDT
If I could afford it on my state salary, I'd love to own one of these!
Posted by John L. Whitlock on 06/26/07 08:08AM PDT
...just beautiful...
Posted by Johnny Laird on 06/26/07 02:57AM PDT
Post a comment
