Hen's Teeth Holdsworth

An original early Bay Holdsworth, now that’s when the heart misses a beat ... one family owner, all fixtures and fittings intact ... unmodified bliss.

- Richard Copping

Best known for his executive-style conversions on the T3 and early-days T4, Richard Holdsworth set up shop in a lock-up garage close to Clapham Common as the first Bays were making their way onto Britain’s highways. Business boomed and more practical premises were acquired in Ashford near Staines, Middle sex. During 1972, volume demanded a further move, on this occasion to Berkshire.

Purchased in December 1970, the Holdsworth you see here proudly displays its early days Ashford heritage, its credentials backed by a delivery mileage dealer stamp from five mile distant Walton-on-Thames. The Camper’s ‘BL’ license plate indicates that it was first registered in Berkshire, little more than a spit from Holdsworth’s works. So far so good, but ...

Leyland in Lancashire residents Tom Pardoe and his wife Gladys, bought the van for the princely sum of £1,070. Son Karl, the current custodian, suggests it was either an ex-demo model, or possibly a Delivery Van awaiting conversion. It was then taken to Holdsworth, which charged a fixed amount for the conversion and additional fees for Camper essentials such as windows and interior panelling. Both were necessities as unlike most other conversion companies, the principal option was a Camper based on either a brand new or a used Delivery Van.