Categories / Cars and Bikes

Volkswagen Camper Van set to return as VW Bulli

Vw_bulli

The classic Volkswagen Camper Van is set to return – but not quite the same as you remember it.

The new vehicle will be called the Bulli and is intended as a cleaner and safer modern-day take on the Camper Van, with retro looks and a more simplistic interior to keep costs down. Bizarrely, the person pushing the project along is The Who’s Pete Townshend, a big fan of the original – and indeed still housing an original in his garage. Seems he’s been bending the ear of VW execs – and they’re listening.

The picture above is an artist’s impression of the new vehicle. Whether we see it will depend on the money men – unless they can sell at least 100,000 examples of the Bulli worldwide every year, the vehicle will stay on the drawing board.

Volkswagen website

Via Auto Express

Categories / Cars and Bikes, Travel

Adria Action retro-styled caravan

Action

For most people, the caravan is just about the complete opposite of cool. But things are changing – you can easily hire an Airstream caravan up and down the country and now you can buy this rather stylish Adria Action caravan.

The Adria Actio is similar to those small and pokey caravans that used to be regularly dragged along our major roads (and now reside rusting in overgrown gardens). For examples, check out Carry On Camping. But the Actio is miles away from that, packing your modern conveniences into a small and lightweight space that can be pulled by just about any car.

And once inside, you have lighting a boiler, heating, TV aerial, a kitchen with hob, sink and fridge,a bathroom with shower and toilet and a choice of one or two bedroom areas. Prices start at around £8,500.

Find out more at the Adria website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Postcard Radio

ImagemagicThis is a really interesting product, but I must confess to having no understanding of how the Postcard Radio works. It is based on radios from the 1920s and looks just like a postcard, except slightly thicker.

According to Middlesex University who produce the radio ‘it works without batteries and is tuned by moving a small metal plate or coin over the front of it’. It would make a good gift for wannabe spies who like gadgets disguised as everyday objects. The version with a picture of Winston Churchill on it, adds to the wartime espionage image.

It is available to buy from the Middlesex University Teaching Resources website.

Categories / Homeware

Nextime Separatus

Ne9038hig Wood panelling was the de rigour wall covering back in the 1970s, inspired by the Scandinavians, their cabins and possibly their saunas. It gave a cosy warm feel to rooms that we’d appreciate now the weather is turning colder, but covering all your walls in wood might be a bit extreme, so instead may we suggest the Nextime Seperatus.

The Separatus is a room divider made of dark wood with a contrasting silver clock face on one side. Handy to divide up larger living spaces into two areas but equally good for recreating that 70s panelled effect.

It costs just under £500 and is available to order from Perry Perry.

Categories / Design and Interiors

Punto It psychedelic penguin money box

Penguin_box
Not just a money box, this is a psychedelic penguin money box from Punto It.

Punto It is a Japanese designer and the penguin is one item from the Animal Bank series of money boxes created by Ideaco. Sized at 14 x 13 x 23cm, this ceramic bird has a slot to drop in your coins at the top – and hopefully a way of accessing the cash later. Let’s be honest, you won’t want to smash it open with a hammer.

Available from Paul Smith, you can pick one up for £20.

Find out more at the Paul Smith website

Categories / Design and Interiors

13 Amp Fuse lamp

13amp_light
In its own little way, the 13 amp fuse is something of an inconic design – just about everyone knows what one looks like. So I guess that makes the 13 Amp Fuse lamp a design classic by default?

Probably not – but it’s certainly an eye-catching light for the home. A replica of the fuse, obviously increased in size considerably (to 33.5cm x 8cm x 8cm) and now housing a bulb and diffuser, but maintaining the brown and white label and brushed steel end caps.

You can pick one up online, priced at £69.95.

Find out more at the Firebox website