by Chris Jefferies
It’s been three years since North Warwickshire manufacturer Avondale went bust, but you can still find several of their old ‘vans in the classifieds, with some great bargains available for savvy used caravan buyers.
This four-berth tourer from the early 90s is a perfect case in point, offering a popular layout, which is currently being used by ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/lunar/">Lunar in the Quasar 464, featuring a rear double bunk dinette and a side bathroom.
History
Despite reaching the ripe old age of 21, this particular Perle is still “going strong” and “looks quite good for her age”, the seller claims, with no signs of damp, despite regular use including five holidays this year alone.
The owner is only selling out of a desire to trade down to a trailer tent. The ‘van appears to be in full working order, suitable for a late summer getaway.
What’s more, at just 1,000kg MTPLM, it is lighter than most of the new four-berth tourers currently available on the market.
Small cosmetic issues pointed out in the listing include some dull internal light bulbs that need replacing, while the front shelf needs a new lick of paint. Furthermore, it’s fairly obvious that the hob has seen plenty of use.
Kit and caboodle
The two front settees in this model convert into a double bed that can comfortably sleep a 6-foot plus adult, while the kitchen boasts a three-way fridge and a two-ring cooker and grill.
Also included in the price are an electric heater (as there is no built-in heating), an electric hook-up, and a full-size awning.
The main drawback, where this caravan really shows its age, is in the bathroom, which has a rather unappealing portable toilet, while the shower has been disconnected, so you may be better off using on-site facilities instead.
Furthermore, the parquet flooring looks pretty dated, but anyone with an eye for interior design could bring this cut-price tourer bang up to date without too much hassle.
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