True Stories
With our order book full, the concept of ‘marketing’ was left in a dark, forgotten, corner of the workshop. Like any tool that isn’t reached for on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis, it has gathered dust, become dull, blunt and maybe a little rusty.
Our workshop is full of many tools, screwdrivers, saws, knives, jacks, mobile lights. All of which we know well, we all use them, we have developed affection for them. They are fundamental to our daily lives within that space. Their blades are the points at which we connect with our work. We hold respect for these tools, they are carefully collected at the end of each day, returning to their assigned place, on the wall or in a drawer. This is a symptom of working with your hands, of knowing the force required to drive a tool, to slice or cut. How the coarse saw blade bumps over wood fibres, the importance of a sharp edge. A moment of lax concentration and the blade slips, choosing instead the soft tissues of a finger or hand.
I see marketing as an entirely different tool. It is hardest to sharpen. It cannot be honed like our favourite chisel. The constant feedback of tool in hand is absent here. In all honesty it is the tool I am most afraid of. It is the point at which we connect with strangers, who may one day become customers. How we grab attention; how we ultimately tell our story…
At this point I want to make a distinction, between a story and the telling of a story. I understand well the power of tales, why we all inhabit one/many. They fall into categories; we assign meaning and discover meaning within them. Often without even realising it. Our Onwards story unfolds each day, at 8am when we arrive in the workshop, open the space to the world. Let the cold winter air roll in and the low sun creep across the floor. When the owners of the vehicles we have built wake up inside them or see them on the driveway. They walk back along the beach track to find them atop cliffs. The decisions and thoughts that we fill the space with, the discussions and thought processes. This is the Onwards story made real.
For me personally, the true challenge, the hardest part, is the decision to not share this story with the wider world. To keep sacred the dialogue, unfolding relationship with those who put faith in us to build them a dream. The burgeoning rapport we see emerge. The wider world of prying eyes can affect or fundamentally alter that.
These vehicles leave twice, first when their new owners come to collect them. A nervous day indeed, for we gladly poured our very being into their creation, with full understanding of the power for transformation that they hold. They embody stories, they are chapters, ready to unfold in the lives of people we have only known for a few months.
The second departure, when we decide the time is right to share our side of the stories with the world. The time in between acts as buffer. A space for the magic to happen. Allowing them to settle into their new owners’ lives. Key to this sacred act of storytelling. One older than time. These small spaces that embody familiarity, are filled to the brim with order. A home in the very sense of the word. Sure to move you through this chaotic world and find calm places to rest, learn and grow. Driving a campervan, such as these, into the unknown is a courageous act. For these vehicles will take you where the deepest part of you yearns to go.
That is the Onwards ethos. It MEANS to move from one spot to another, from one state to the next. These are the truest stories that were written throughout this year. Where we are now, is a reflection of where we once were, and where one day we may be.
VW Crafter LWB
This vehicle was designed and built for a lovely family of four from Exeter. Upgrading from a VW T5 conversion, they sought the extra space and dedicated sleeping areas that the larger VW Crafter would allow for. We sourced this fantastic example of a base vehicle for the customer, in the spec and colour of their choice. Working through our design process with the family allowed us to determine the most important aspects of how they used their existing van and how its short comings could be turned into real solutions in their next.
The forward seating area allows the family to travel, relax and eat together. Whilst the rear accommodation makes putting the children to bed and carrying on their evening a real possibility. The lower double makes for a cosy night’s sleep for two adults, whilst the upper bunks can be removed for trips without the kids. The inclusion of a dedicated wet room cubicle with a custom stainless steel shower tray and machined insert, housing a compost toilet and shower with running hot water.
Let’s face it, it is the parents who inform the build process and the logistics; the ‘How’. On the day of collection, it’s all about the kid’s reaction. Climbing the ladder up onto their bunks for the first time, that is a special moment to witness. That moment explains the‘Why’.
For those looking for the largest space available in the standard categories of 3.5t van, this is the upper limit.
VW Crafter MWB
We worked with a wonderful lady who intended to travel alone, with family and be able to lend the vehicle to her adult children. Very much a reinterpretation of our smaller Pioneer layout for the larger space. This bespoke design defines the cab area from the habitation space with a 3rd height bulkhead. We have refined our approach to a large, raised bed at the rear. This pulls forward seamlessly to create a full-length sleeping space. Without compromising the ability to access the oven, stove and fridge. Think morning cups of tea…
The large L shape seating area is one of my favourite ways to create an inviting space within a vehicle. This transforms into a second bed, fully accessible when the upper bed is pulled out in place. The last piece of this layout that really confirms its versatility is a fully removable folding fourth seat, housed neatly under the lower bed section. Meaning this vehicle can travel and comfortably house four.
VW T4 LWB
You may have learned the story behind this project in a previous blog post. Safe to say that this conversion is as tried and tested as I could possibly imagine. This became a chance to celebrate how far we have progressed as a business and as individual craftsman.
I will always have a soft place in my heart for this generation of Volkswagen van. Having owned one for many years. This came to us in a gleaming state of complete repair; bodywork as solid as the day it left the factory. We set out to compliment the exterior with an extended version of the Pioneer layout. Tried and tested. The results speak for themselves.
VW T5 LWB
A chance meeting on a friend’s photo shoot led to this project. We spoke at length with Sam and Roser on how best to build a campervan to meet their needs. Both now and into the future. This process become a healthy back and forth where we get to wrestle with dreams, ideals and the logistics of building a campervan.
They must have one foot in simplicity; in form and execution. And the other in complexity, of process and systems. This gets to the heart of why we find satisfaction in our jobs. We do not make it easy for ourselves and set our ideals as high as we can possibly imagine. This creates an environment that harbours an energy and vigour that is distilled into everything we make.
To create is to torment yourself with the concept of perfection and teach yourself the lessons that come with attempting to put that into action.
The waxing lyrical aside, key to their ownership was the versatility to allow to rent the vehicle. This informed both the budget, materials and overall aesthetic. As serendipity would have it, one of the first couples to rent the vehicle have gone on to book their very own build slot with us in 2022.
4x4 Mercedes Sprinter MWB
Lastly, the real gem of this year. It stands as a manifestation of everything we love about Onwards. A vehicle with provenance, a history, mileage way below its years. Carefully adapted for a new life as a true adventure vehicle.
We received a huge amount of interest in this project, a chance visit from a local couple decided its fate. It was a joy to work with them on the finishing touches before they took it on a maiden voyage through Europe.
If this vehicle sparks your interest, which I guarantee it will, we are currently building its sister ship which will be available in February 2022. Contact us for details.