While sleek aluminum icons like the Airstream tend to dominate conversations about vintage caravans, some of the most important chapters of caravan history were written much earlier. Case in point: this 1928 Eccles Jacobean Caravan, recently sold by RM Sotheby’s for €20,400 (about $24,300 USD), offered from the esteemed Godehardt Collection.
Eccles of Birmingham holds a special place in design and travel history. Beginning mass production in 1919, Eccles is widely regarded as the world’s first caravan manufacturer, laying the groundwork for an industry that would eventually span continents. Among its early offerings, the Jacobean model of the late 1920s stood out as the most decorative and ambitious.
Inspired by Tudor and Jacobean architecture, the caravan features a distinctive lantern-style roof, charming bay windows, and leaded glass that feels more country manor than campsite. It’s no coincidence that another example of the Jacobean now resides in the National Motor Museum—this model represents the pinnacle of early caravan design.
From Chicken Coop to Collector’s Treasure
The story of this particular caravan is as compelling as its design. It was first rediscovered in 1964, when enthusiast Glyn Lancaster Jones found it being used as a chicken house near Bolton—a humbling fate for such an elegant vehicle. Its salvation came through a painstaking 23-year restoration undertaken by later owner Tom Wilcox, whose dedication returned the Jacobean to its former glory.
Since 2005, the caravan has formed part of The Godehardt Collection, where it hasn’t simply been preserved—it’s been used.
Unlike many museum-bound antiques, this Jacobean has continued to see the open road. It was regularly towed by a vintage Bentley—specifically a W.O. Bentley—on rallies across Europe, proving that early caravans were never meant to sit still. One such journey even earned the Jacobean a spot on the cover of Camping and Caravanning magazine in October 1992, cementing its place in modern caravan folklore.
Finished externally in dark green with crisp white trim, the caravan’s interior is nothing short of enchanting.
Rich dark wood cabinetry, embroidered upholstered seating, and matching fabric curtains create a space that feels both intimate and refined. Period-correct comforts include a small gas range and icebox, reminding us that luxury travel didn’t begin with plug-in hook-ups.
Every detail speaks to a time when craftsmanship mattered more than convenience—and when even mobile living aspired to architectural beauty.
Nearly a century on, very few early caravans survive in such exceptional, road-ready condition. Fewer still come with this level of documentation, use, and provenance. The sale of the 1928 Eccles Jacobean Caravan isn’t just a transaction—it’s a reminder that the roots of slow travel, mobile living, and beautifully compact spaces run far deeper than we often imagine.