A long distance relationship

Onwards Adventure Vehicle No.0024

2014 LWB 516 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter

Spring 2021, I am perched on top of a vehicle fitting solar panels and our company mobile phone rings. The country code for Australia shows on the screen; this is going to be an interesting conversation.

The caller, David, is looking for a company in the UK to convert a van. A rare 2014 LWB 516 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter. A left-hand drive, better suited to their ambitious plans; starting with shipping their vehicle to Canada once complete. One hell of a maiden voyage…

This call developed into a serious email trail and eventually the commissioning of Onwards to fit out the Sprinter. This would be unlike any project we had worked on to date. With the customers living in Sydney, we would require a master plan.

Based in Cornwall we are used to working with customers who live a few hundred miles away, say in London or the Midlands, but the other side of the world added an extra twist on what would prove to be an ambitious build.

David and Renee came to us with a long list. Extremely well researched, they knew what they wanted. The key to a project like this is getting to know the customer. It helps when you can meet face to face at our workshop, look over material samples, trial dimensions and discuss the finer details. All of our communication was carried out via zoom calls, emails and on the phone.

Many hours later, you soon build a genuine rapport with a customer, getting to know more about them and their future travel/life plans. A healthy back and forth ensued. With time I came to understand David’s meticulous attention for detail and the parts of the build that would be key for both of them enjoying the finished vehicle.

The van had been in storage for some time before we were commissioned to transform it. David flew over to the UK to drive the Sprinter down to us, this would be our first meeting in person. It is a pleasure to finally shake the hand of someone who has entrusted you with a great deal of money and time. We would hold the keys to the roads of the future, and our work would be going along with them for the ride.

Now on site we set to work, the bold yellow and already commanding presence of this 5 ton beast filled our large build bay. The extra weight allowance meant we could go to town on the spec; Reimo elevating roof, huge lithium electrical system, full shower and fixed bed. You name it this van has it.

From that first call to the day, in Spring 2023, when David and Renee flew back to the UK to come and see the finished vehicle, our company has grown a great deal. The team and I have grown wiser and more adept. We understand the importance of the process, and how the relationships we forge with our customers are the fundamental part of everything we do here at Onwards.

Bespoke is an easy word to throw around. Real bespoke takes time. I can hand on heart say there is not another Sprinter out there like this one. What really shows, is the hours talking through every aspect of a complex project, at length and with many moving parts.

If we enjoy the process of designing and building your vehicle, then you are sure going to enjoy using it.

Thank you David and Renee, see you on the road…